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them。
They reached Charlestown； South Carolina； the following March； and
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The Moravians in Georgia
met General Oglethorpe； the Governor of Georgia； who was intending an
immediate return to Europe； but went back to help them select a suitable
place for their settlement； they preferring not to live in Savannah itself。The
site chosen was about twenty…five miles from Savannah； on a large stream
flowing into the Savannah River； and there they laid out their town； calling
it 〃Ebenezer〃； in grateful remembrance of the Divine help that had brought
them thither。 Baron von Reck； who had accompanied them as Commissary
of the Trustees； stayed with them until they had made a good beginning；
and then returned to Europe； leaving Ebenezer about the middle of May。
Unitas Fratrum。
But while the Salzburgers received so much sympathy and kindness in
Germany on account of their distress； other exiled Protestants； whose story
was no less touching； were being treated with scant courtesy and
consideration。
On the 6th of July； 1415； the Bohemian Reformer； John Hus； was
burned at the stake。But those who had silenced him could not unsay his
message； and at last there drew together a little body of earnest men； who
agreed to accept the Bible as their only standard of faith and practice； and
established a strict discipline which should keep their lives in the
simplicity； purity； and brotherly love of the early Apostolic Church。 This
was in 1457； and the movement quickly interested the thoughtful people in
all classes of society； many of whom joined their ranks。The formal
organization of the Unitas Fratrum （the Unity of Brethren） followed； and
its preaching； theological publications； and educational work soon raised it
to great influence in Bohemia； Moravia； and Poland； friendly intercourse
being established with Luther； Calvin； and other Reformers as they
became prominent。
Then came destruction； when the religious liberty of Bohemia and
Moravia was extinguished in blood； by the Church of Rome。The great
Comenius went forth； a wanderer on the face of the earth； welcomed and
honored in courts and universities； introducing new educational principles
that revolutionized methods of teaching； but ever longing and praying for
the restoration of his Church； and by his publication of its Doctrine and
Rules of Discipline； and by his careful transmission of the Episcopate
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which had been bestowed upon him and his associate Bishops； he did
contribute largely to that renewal which he was not destined to see。
In the home lands there were many who held secretly； tenaciously；
desperately； to the doctrines they loved； 〃in hope against hope〃 that the
great oppression would be lifted。But the passing of a hundred years
brought no relief； concessions granted to others were still denied to the
children of those who had been the first 〃protestants〃 against religious
slavery and corruption； and in 1722 a small company of descendants of the
ancient Unitas Fratrum slipped over the borders of Moravia； and went to
Saxony； Nicholas Lewis； Count Zinzendorf； having given them permission
to sojourn on his estates until they could find suitable homes elsewhere。
Hearing that they had reached a place of safety； other Moravians took
their lives in their hands and followed； risking the imprisonment and
torture which were sure to follow an unsuccessful attempt to leave a
province； the Government of which would neither allow them to be happy
at home nor to sacrifice everything and go away。 Among these emigrants
were five young men； who went in May； 1724； with the avowed intention
of trying to resuscitate the Unitas Fratrum。 They intended to go into
Poland； where the organization of the Unitas Fratrum had lasted for a
considerable time after its ruin in Bohemia； but； almost by accident； they
decided to first visit Christian David； who had led the first company to
Herrnhut； Saxony； and while there they became convinced that God meant
them to throw in their lot with these refugees； and so remained； coming to
be strong leaders in the renewed Unity。
Several years； however； elapsed before the church was re…established。
One hundred years of persecution had left the Moravians only traditions of
the usages of the fathers； members of other sects who were in trouble
came and settled among them； bringing diverse views； and things were
threatening to become very much involved； when Count Zinzendorf； who
had hitherto paid little attention to them； awoke to the realization of their
danger； and at once set to work to help them。
It was no easy task which he undertook； for the Moravians insisted on
retaining their ancient discipline； and he must needs try to please them and
at the same time preserve the bond of union with the State Church； the
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The Moravians in Georgia
Lutheran； of which； as his tenants； they were officially considered
members。His tact and great personal magnetism at last healed the
differences which had sprung up between the settlers； the opportune
finding of Comenius' ‘Ratio Disciplinae' enabled them with certainty to
formulate rules that agreed with those of the ancient Unitas Fratrum； and a
marked outpouring of the Holy Spirit at a Communion； August 13th； 1727；
sealed the renewal of the Church。
〃They walked with God in peace and love；But failed with one another；
While sternly for the faith they strove；Brother fell out with brother； But
He in Whom they put their trust；Who knew their frames； that they were
dust； Pitied and healed their weakness。
〃He found them in His House of prayer；With one accord assembled；
And so revealed His presence there；They wept for joy and trembled； One
cup they drank； one bread they brake；One baptism shared； one language
spake； Forgiving and forgiven。
〃Then forth they went with tongues of flameIn one blest theme
delighting； The love of Jesus and His NameGod's children all uniting！