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pleasant； inexpensive lodging near James Hutton's； where he was staying。
Peter Boehler had been a student at Jena when Spangenberg was
lecturing there； and was himself a professor at that seat of learning when
he decided to accept Zinzendorf's call to mission work； and join the
Moravians； with whom he had been for a long time in sympathy。 Like
Spangenberg he was a highly educated man； and an able leader； fitted to
play an important part in the Church of his adoption。 In December； 1737；
he was ordained at Herrnhut by the bishops； David Nitschmann and Count
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Zinzendorf； and in later years he； too； became a bishop of the Unity。
On the 22nd of February； Boehler and his companions called on Gen。
Oglethorpe； who at first supposed they were simply going over to join the
Savannah congregation。Boehler explained that Richter； who spoke French
as well as German； had come as the Agent of the Moravians； in
accordance with the suggestion made by the Trustees to Bishop
Nitschmann in 1736； that Wenzel Neisser was going on an official
visitation to America； especially to the West Indies； and that he and
Schulius were the missionaries promised by Count Zinzendorf for work
among the negroes in Carolina。 The General courteously invited them to
confer with him further； either by letter or in person； and offered to take
them with him； as he expected shortly to sail for Georgia with his
regiment。
Later； when they wished to come to a definite agreement with
Oglethorpe； who represented the 〃associates of Dr。 Bray〃； they
experienced some difficulty； owing to the fact that a letter of introduction
Oglethorpe expected to receive from Count Zinzendorf had failed to arrive；
but the exhibition of their passports； and Richter's explanation that
Zinzendorf thought （from newspaper notices） that Oglethorpe had already
left England； enabled Boehler and Schulius to establish their identity。So
soon as Zinzendorf heard that his word was needed； he sent them a formal
letter of introduction to Oglethorpe； which was gladly received as
corroboration of their statements。 The Moravians were at their own
expense while waiting in London； but Oglethorpe promised that they
should be provided with Bibles； grammars； and other things they might
need for the negro school。
Being detained in London for three months； instead of three weeks as
they expected； Boehler and his friend had ample opportunity to make
acquaintances in the metropolis。They sent word of their arrival to those
Germans who had learned to know Zinzendorf and the earlier Moravian
emigrants to Georgia； and on the first Sunday 〃the brethren〃； （as they
affectionately called all who； like themselves； were interested in living a
Christian life；） came to them； and a series of meetings for prayer；
conference； and instruction was begun。 Boehler was a man of attractive
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The Moravians in Georgia
personality； and convincing earnestness； and in spite of his slight
knowledge of their language many English also became interested and
formed a society similar to that begun by Zinzendorf； the two soon uniting
in the Fetter Lane Society。
Ten days after Boehler reached London he accepted an invitation from
the two Wesleys； and went with them to Oxford。 There he was most kindly
received； preached in Latin once or twice each day； and had many private
conversations with inquirers。 Among those with whom he became
acquainted was the Rev。 John Gambold； who later became a bishop in the
Moravian Church； and many others were mightily stirred to seek the
salvation of their souls。
Noting how little English Boehler and Schulius knew； Gen。 Oglethorpe
offered them a boy who was bright and intelligent； could speak both
English and German； and understood some French； and they found him so
serviceable that they asked and obtained permission to take him with them
to Carolina。
Through Wesley； Boehler heard that Gen。 Oglethorpe was much
surprised at the speed with which he acquired English； and that he had
asked whether Boehler would consent to serve as Minister of the Church
of England in Savannah； if that Congregation remained without a pastor。
Boehler expressed his willingness to preach at any time； but declined to
administer the Sacraments for any denomination except his own； so the
appointment was not made。
On the 28th of April； the baggage of the Missionaries was put aboard
the ‘Union Galley'； Capt。 Moberley； with instructions that Boehler and his
companions should join her at Portsmouth。 Neisser was to go with them to
Georgia； and from there； as opportunity offered； to St。 Thomas； but while
the ship lay at Portsmouth other instructions reached him； and Oglethorpe
kindly made no objection to his withdrawing his box and staying behind；
though he did not quite understand it。
On the 15th of May； Peter Boehler； George Schulius； and the lad
Simon Peter Harper； left London； but finding the ship not yet ready to sail；
they； by Oglethorpe's instructions； went to Southampton where some of
the vessels were lying。
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Returning to Portsmouth they embarked on May 22nd； and soon found
they were 〃to dwell in Sodom and Gomorrah〃 during their voyage。 On the
30th the fleet sailed to Southampton for the soldiers； and when they came
aboard four days later 〃Sodom and Gomorrah were fully reproduced。〃As
the ships lay off Spithead a conspiracy was discovered； the soldiers on
one vessel had planned to kill their officers； take what money they could
find； and escape to France。During the voyage there were several fights
among the soldiers； or between them and the sailors； and in one drunken
riot a soldier cut off a young girl's hand。〃The Lord was our defense and
shield； and we were among them lik