按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
them； and they are rapidly learning to speak and to understand。I am
sending him to an English school； as I would rather he would not learn
German； but being bright he is learning a good deal of it from the
Brethren。〃
On October 31st a widow and her seven…year…old son were received
into their household。The woman was in destitute circumstances； and
anxious to work； so after four weeks' trial she was installed as maid； and
promised 14。00 a year wages。She proved to be quiet and industrious； but
not very bright。On Dec。 17th another boy； six years old； was taken； his
mother being dead； and his father a day…laborer who could not care for
him。
Of the Indians the Moravians had seen a good deal； but no start had
been made toward teaching them； except that some of their words had
been learned。 Spangenberg decided that the only way to master their
language would be to go and live among them； and this Rose professed
himself willing to do as soon as he could be spared。With Tomochichi they
were much pleased。 〃He is a grave； wise man； resembling one of the old
Philosophers； though with him it is natural； not acquired。Were he among a
hundred Indians； all clothed alike； one would point him out and say； ‘that
is the king。'〃 When the Indians came to the Moravian cabins they were
courteously received； and supplied with food and drink； often remaining as
silent listeners at the evening service。In turn their good will took the form
of a gift of grouse or dried venison； which the Moravians gratefully
received。
The English were very anxious to keep the friendship of these Indians；
on whom much of their safety depended； and when one of the nations
came five or six hundred miles to renew a treaty with them； they planned a
spectacle which would at once please and impress them。 All the settlers
were put under arms； and led out to meet them； saluting them with a volley
of musketry。With great pomp they were conducted into the town；
presented with guns； clothing； etc。； and then； through an interpreter； they
were assured of the good will and faith of the English； and urged to be true
51
… Page 52…
The Moravians in Georgia
to the treaty； and protect the settlement against those Indian tribes who
were under French and Spanish influence。
Spangenberg was ordered out with the others； but excused himself on
the ground of weakness from his recent illness； and when the officials
offered to depart from their custom； and allow one of Zinzendorf's
〃servants〃 to take his place； he explained that the Moravians did not
understand English； and knew nothing of military manoeuvres。During the
first year the question of military service was not sufficiently prominent to
cause real uneasiness； but Spangenberg foresaw trouble； and wrote to
Herrnhut； urging that the matter be given serious consideration。
When the Moravians passed through London they had fully explained
their position to Gen。 Oglethorpe； who promised them exemption； but they
had no written order from the Trustees to show to the local officials； and
not even a copy of the letter in which reference to the subject was made。
As Count Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃 nine of them were ineligible； but
Spangenberg； as a free…holder； was expected to take part in the weekly
drill； which he quietly refused to do。
All free…holders were likewise expected to take their turn in the Watch；
composed of ten men； who patrolled the town by night and day。
Spangenberg admitted that the Watch was necessary and proper； but
decided that he had better not take a personal share in it； other than by
hiring some one to take his place； which was permitted。 As the turn came
every seventeen days； and a man expected fifty cents for day and one
dollar for night duty each time； this was expensive； doubly so because the
officers demanded a substitute for the absent Nitschmann also。 Twice had
Spangenberg been before the Court； attempting to have the matter adjusted；
but he found that this； like many other things； could not be settled until
Gen。 Oglethorpe came。〃All men wait for Gen。 Oglethorpe； it is impossible
to describe how they long for him。〃 The Salzburgers especially wished for
him； for they did not like the place where they had settled； and wanted
permission to move to a more favorable location which they had chosen。
On the 14th of February； 1736； Capt。 Thomson arrived； bringing letters
from England； and one to Spangenberg announced that the second
company of Moravians was on the way and might soon be expected。At
52
… Page 53…
The Moravians in Georgia
three o'clock in the morning of February 17th； the town was roused by the
sound of bells and drums。Thinking it meant fire； the Moravians rushed out；
but learned that Gen。 Oglethorpe's ship had reached Tybee； and the people
were awakened to welcome him。 Full of interest to learn whether the
second company was with him the Moravians paused for a hasty meal
before going to meet the ship； when to their great joy Bishop Nitschmann
appeared before them； 〃and his face was to us as the face of an Angel！〃
53
… Page 54…
The Moravians in Georgia
Chapter IV。 Reinforcements。
The 〃Second Company〃。
Before David Nitschmann； the 〃Hausmeister〃； left London； after the
sailing of the first Moravian company for Georgia； he presented to the
Trustees a series of propositions； the acceptance of which would open the
way for a large increase of Moravian emigration。 The proposals were； in
brief； that the Trustees should give credit to the Moravians to the extent of
500 Pounds sterling； which； deducting the 60 Pounds advanced to the first
company； would provide passage money and a year's provision for fifty…
five more of Count Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃； the loan to be repaid； without
interest； in five years； and to bear interest at the usual rate