Biography:

Johannes Kelpius was a German Pietist who came to the Pennsylvania wilderness in 1694 with his followers to prepare for the Second Coming, which they believed would happen in that year. In 1695 they established a hermitage on the Wissahickon Creek outside of Philadelphia where they lived a life of contemplation and public service, operating a school and holding public religious services. Kelpius' group became known as The Hermits or Mystics of the Wissahickon, The Society of the Woman in the Wilderness (from an obscure passage in the Book of Revelation), and the Hermits on the Ridge. In 1700 Kelpius was called to help govern the growing community of Germantown, although he declined the offer and remained devoted to his role as a spiritual leader. He is known for his hymns and his book on prayer, A Short, Easy, and Comprehensive Method of Prayer.