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the moravians in georgia-第10章

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rebelled; and in 1738 secured his dismissal from office。 On his return to England in 1739; he found great difficulty in trying to explain his accounts to the Trustees; was sent back to Georgia to procure some needed papers; died on the passage over; and was buried in the ocean。  His treatment of the Moravians was characteristic; for he was courtesy itself to the new…comers who had money to spend; inconsiderate when hard times came; deaf to appeals for settlement of certain vexing questions; and harsh when their wills were opposed to his。

The next morning; before sunrise; Spangenberg and Toeltschig went apart into the woods; fell upon their knees; and thanked the Lord that He had brought them hither in safety。  The day was spent in gaining information as to the customs of the place; Mr。 Causton again claiming them as his guests at dinner; and in the evening they accepted the invitation of a merchant to supper。 As they ate; the report of a cannon announced the arrival of their vessel; and Toeltschig went to spend the night aboard; Spangenberg remaining on shore to push the preparation for the reception of the company。

Early on the following morning; April 8th; he had their town lots assigned; (Nos。 3 and 4 Second Tything; Anson Ward); in order that their baggage might be brought directly to their own property; for he had found that lodgings in the town were very dear; and decided that a small cabin should be built at once and a house as soon as possible。 Going then to the ship he guided the company to their new home; and the entire day was consumed in moving their belongings to the town; as it was some distance; and everything had to be carried by hand to the little hut which was hastily erected and roofed over with sacking。 Evening came before they had really finished the arrangement of their possessions; but before they prepared and shared their evening meal; they humbly knelt and thanked God for His mercies; discussed the Bible text for the day; and joined in several familiar hymns。  A New York merchant stopped and asked them to sing one of his favorites; which was done; and an Indian who had joined them near the river and followed them home; stayed through the service; and at parting beckoned them to come and visit him。  Despite their fatigue; the 〃Hourly Intercession〃 was observed throughout the night; their slumbers rendered more peaceful by the knowledge that one and another in turn was watching and praying beside them。

On the following day two more Indians visited the Moravians。 Their faces were adorned with streaks of red paint; and they seemed very friendly; rejoiced over the gift of two pewter mugs; and on leaving made signs that some one should go with them; an invitation that could not then be accepted。

The 10th of April; the first Sunday in America; Spangenberg attended service in the English Church; and heard a sermon on the text; 〃Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good;〃 well fitted to be the watchword of the Moravian settlers in the trials that were before them。

No unpleasant presentiments; however; troubled them; as they went busily about their work during the next weeks。 Mr。 Causton was very pleasant to them; selling them provisions at cost; offering them credit at the store; and promising Spangenberg a list of such Indian words as he had been able to learn and write down。 He also introduced him to Tomochichi; the Indian Chief; and to John Musgrove; who had a successful trading house near the town。  Musgrove had married Mary; an Indian princess of the Uchees; who had great influence with all the neighboring tribes。  At a later time; through the machinations of her third husband; she made much trouble in Georgia; but during the earlier years of the Colony she was the true friend of the white settlers; frequently acting as Interpreter in their conferences with the Indians; and doing much to make and keep the bond of peace between the two races。

On the 11th of April the five acre garden belonging to Spangenberg was surveyed; and work was immediately begun there; as it was just the season for planting corn。  Nine days later Nitschmann's garden was laid out aside of Spangenberg's。  By the 14th the cabin on Spangenberg's town lot was finished。  It was twenty feet long; ten feet wide; and fourteen feet high; with a little loft where they slept; their goods; with a table and benches being in the room below。  At daybreak they rose; sang a hymn; and prayed together; breakfasted at eight o'clock; the daily text being read aloud; then worked until half past eleven; when they dined and read the Bible。  More work; an evening prayer service; and such conference as was needed that each might engage in the next day's labor to the best advantage; prepared them for their well…earned repose。

With this simple program steadily carried out; much was accomplished。 A fence was built around a small kitchen…garden on their town property; and a chicken…yard was enclosed; while the neighbors came to look on and opine 〃that the Moravians had done more in a week than their people in two years。〃 As the gardens (the five acre lots) lay at some distance from Savannah; a hut was built there; to serve as a shelter against sun and rain; a heavy storm having chased them home one day soon after their arrival。

Either from the noonday heat; or other conditions to which they were not yet acclimated; Gotthard Demuth and George Haberland became seriously ill; causing Spangenberg much anxiety; for he did not feel at liberty to send for a physician; as they could not afford to pay for medicine。  So resort was had to bleeding; then an approved practice; and to such medicine as remained from their voyage; and Rose was fortunate enough to shoot a grouse; which gave them some much needed palatable meat and broth。  Perhaps the most serious case was Gottfried Haberecht's; who suffered for several days with fever resulting from a cut on his leg。  Finally oak…leaves were heated and bound about the limb; which induced free perspiration and quickly relieved him; so that he was able to return to work!

A day was appointed on which Spangenberg and several others were to ride out into the country to select the five hundred acre tract granted to Count Zinzendorf; and the additional two hundred acres which the Trustees had promised to hold in reserve; and grant to the Count's 〃servants〃 whenever he should request it; but there was rumor of a raid by hostile Indians; under Spanish influence; so the expedition had to be postponed; with the promise; however; that it should be made as soon as possible。

By the close of the third week in Georgia the invalids were better; and matters were in such a shape that the Moravians resolved 〃that on each Saturday work should stop early; and every Sunday should be a real day of rest。〃  As an immediate beginning; they on Saturday evening united in a Lovefeast; where 〃we recalled much loving…kindness which God has shown us hitherto; Toeltschig washed the feet of the Brethren; we remained together until very late; and were truly blessed。〃


  Aim and Attainment。

When the 〃first company〃 left Herrnhut for London and the New World; they took with them Count Zinzendorf's formal 〃Instructions〃 for the conduct of their affairs:

〃I shall not attempt to tell you what you are to do from day to day。 I know that in many ways Love will lead you; prepare the way; and point out your path。  I shall only bid you remember the principles and customs of our Congregation; in which; if you stand fast; you will do well。  Your one aim will be to establish a little place near the heathen where you may gather together the dispersed in Israel; patiently win back the wayward; and instruct the heathen tribes。

〃You have and will ask nothing more than the opportunity to attain this end through your own labors; but you will request free transportation for yourselves and those who will follow you;  if they receive your present small number the Lord will send you more。

〃If you should be tempted to injure any work of the Lord for my sake; refrain from doing it; remembering that I am under a gracious guardianship which nothing can disturb。

〃You will take absolutely no part in the Spangenberg…Halle controversy; you know the mind of the Congregation regarding it。  If you find people prejudiced against you leave it to Him who has bidden you go to Georgia。 Enter into no disputes; but; if questions are asked; give the history of the Congregation; being careful not to censure our opposers; and saying; which is true; that the Congregation at Herrnhut gives them little heed。 Entire freedom of conscience must be granted you; but there may be points which you can yield without injuring the cause of Christ;  if so you will find them in due time。

〃You must live alone; establishing your own little corner; where your customs will irritate no one; and as soon as you are settled an ordained minister will be sent you; out of consideration for the scruples of the Salzburgers; although our Brethren in other Colonies are served by laymen; as permitted by our ancient constitution。

〃God willing; I shall soon follow you; and only wait until He opens the way for me。  Our dear Elder (Spangenberg) will quickly return from America; and in his ab
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