The Diarium of Magister Johannes Kelpius

The Diarium of Magister Johannes Kelpius, Volume 1, offers a rare glimpse into the life of a radical German Pietist. This historical biography examines the journey of Johannes Kelpius, who traveled to Philadelphia in 1694 to establish a separatist religious community on the Wissahickon Creek. Based on esotericism and mysticism, the community reflected the profound spiritual visions of Kelpius. This scholarly work, published by Pennsylvania State University Press, serves as a vital primary source for those studying early American religious history and German mysticism.

This volume provides a detailed translation of the ten-week Atlantic voyage recorded in the Diarium. Readers can explore the difficulties of the passage to America alongside translated selections from letters written during Kelpius's fourteen years in Philadelphia. As a significant collection of diaries and mystical writings, it includes facsimile pages from his prayer book. This text remains a key resource for researchers interested in Pietists, German immigrants, and the history of religious mysticism in America.