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！
as milk and honey。〃Tomochichi told of his efforts to keep peace among the
tribes； in the face of rumors that the English meant to enslave them all； and
of his success so far； but he feared the Indians were not in a frame of mind
to give much heed to the Gospel message。 Still he welcomed the attempt；
83
… Page 84…
The Moravians in Georgia
and would give what aid he could； advising that the missionaries learn the
Indian tongue； and that they should not baptize； as the Spanish did；
until the people were instructed and truly converted。
On Feb。 27th； General Oglethorpe started for the Altamaha。 His
journey to Georgia on this occasion had been principally to protect the
southern borders of the colony by establishing two new towns on the
frontier； and erecting several forts near by。One company； which sailed
direct from Scotland； had landed in January； and begun a settlement at
New Inverness； on the north bank of the Altamaha； and a second was now
to be established on St。 Simon Island； and was to be called
Frederica。Oglethorpe had expected to take the Salzburgers who came on
the ‘London Merchant'； to the southward with him； but nearly all of them
decided that they preferred to join those of their number who were
preparing to move to New Ebenezer； and the General did not insist；
contenting himself with his English soldiers。
A periagua had been started a little in advance of the sloop which bore
the provisions； arms； ammunition； and tools； and in the evening Gen。
Oglethorpe followed in a swift； ten…oared boat； called； from the service
in which it was often employed； a scout boat。
With the General went Mr。 Ingham； and Lieut。 Hermsdorf。 The latter
assured Spangenberg that he had really meant little more than to
compliment the General on the occasion when he remarked 〃that he would
ask nothing better than to follow him through bush and valley； and see him
carry out his wise designs；〃 that he did not know at that time that
Oglethorpe was going to the Altamaha； nor how far away the Altamaha
was。 But Spangenberg gravely told him that Gen。 Oglethorpe had taken
his word as that of an honest man； and that he would not attempt to hold
him back； only he wished him to so demean himself as to bring credit and
not shame to Zinzendorf and the Moravians； to whom he was at liberty to
return when he desired。Hermsdorf； therefore； went with Oglethorpe and
his fifty men； was made a Captain and was given a position of importance
in superintending the erection of the necessary fortifications on St。 Simon。
Benjamin Ingham's visit to Frederica proved to be his first unpleasant
experience in the New World。Like John Wesley； he came with the strictest
84
… Page 85…
The Moravians in Georgia
ideas of Sabbath observance； etc。； and as one said； in answer to a reproof；
〃these were new laws in America。〃 The effect may be summed up in his
own words：〃My chief business was daily to visit the people； to take care
of those that were sick； and to supply them with the best things we had。For
a few days at the first； I had everybody's good word； but when they found
I watched narrowly over them； and reproved them sharply for their faults；
immediately the scene changed。 Instead of blessing； came cursing； and my
love and kindness were repaid with hatred and ill…will。〃
Oglethorpe remained on the Altamaha but a few days； and then
returned to Savannah for the rest of his colonists。 Meanwhile the Moravian
Congregation was being fully organized。 During Spangenberg's visit to
Oglethorpe on his vessel； the Moravians； including Bishop Nitschmann；
met together； and John Toeltschig was elected manager （Vorsteher）；
Gottfried Haberecht； monitor （Ermahner）； and Gotthard Demuth to
perform various minor duties （Diener）。 The name of the nurse
（Krankenwaerter） is not given； but he was probably John Regnier； who
acted as physician； not only for the Moravians； but for many of their
poorer neighbors。 Andrew Dober was associated with Toeltschig in the
management of the finances； and all of these men were solemnly inducted
into office； it being the custom to give a kind of specialized ordination
even for positions not commonly considered ministerial。
Three 〃Bands〃 were formed among the men； smaller companies
associated for religious improvement； each Band electing a leader charged
with special oversight of the members。There was one among the married
men； one among the unmarried men who were communicants； and another
for the unmarried non…communicants； Toeltschig； Seifert and Rose being
the leaders。The women were organized in like manner； though being few
in number there was probably but one Band among them； under Mrs。
Toeltschig who had been appointed Elderess before leaving
Herrnhut。There is no reference to the celebration of the Holy Communion
by the first company during their months of preparation in Savannah； nor
had opportunity been given to the second company since they left the
English coast； but now； with Bishop Nitschmann to preside； they were able
to partake together； finding much blessing therein。 They resolved in the
85
… Page 86…
The Moravians in Georgia
future to commune every two weeks； but soon formed the habit； perhaps
under Wesley's influence； of coming to the Lord's Table every Sunday。
When Spangenberg returned to them； a conference was held each
evening； and on Sunday they had a Lovefeast； especially for those who
had been selected to superintend the material and spiritual affairs of the
Congregation。
On the 1st of March； John and Charles Wesley called on them； and on
the 6th； Charles Wesley came again； and 〃opened his heart〃 to them。 The
Diary calls him 〃an awakened but flighty man；〃 who had come as Gov。
Oglethorpe's secretary； and was now about to go to Frederica as pastor of
that turbulent flock。From him Spangenberg learned of Oglethorpe's return
from Altamah