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the moravians in georgia-第9章

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engers were up; the Moravians gathered on deck to hold a service of prayer; in the afternoon much time was given to Bible reading; and in the evening hymns were sung that bore on the text that had been given in the morning。  Spangenberg; Toeltschig; and Seifert; in the order named; were the recognized leaders of the party; but realizing that men might journey together; and live together; and still know each other only superficially; it was agreed that each of the ten in turn should on successive days speak to every one of his brethren face to face and heart to heart。 That there might be no confusion; two were appointed to bring the food to the company at regular times; and see that it was properly served; the following being 〃the daily Allowance of Provisions to the Passengers on board the 〃Two Brothers〃; Captain William Thomson; for the Town of Savannah in Georgia。

〃On the four beef…days in each week for every mess of five heads (computing a head 12 years old; and under 12 two for one; and under 7 three for one; and under 2 not computed); 4 lbs。 of beef and 2…1/2 lbs。 of flour; and 1/2 lb。 of plums。

〃On the two pork days in each week for said mess; 5 lbs。 of pork and 2…1/2 pints of peas。

〃And on the fish day in each week for said mess; 2…1/2 lbs。 of fish and 1/2 lb。 of butter。

〃The whole at 16 ounces to the pound。

〃And allow each head 7 lbs。 of bread; of 14 ounces to the pound; by the week。

〃And 3 pints of beer; and 2 quarts of water (whereof one of the quarts for drinking); each head by the day for the space of a month。

〃And a gallon of water (whereof two quarts for drinking) each head; by the day after; during their being on their Passage。〃

Another Moravian was chosen as nurse of the company; although it happened at least once that he was incapacitated; for every man in the party was sick except Spangenberg; who was a capital sailor; and not affected by rough weather。 His endurance was severely tested too; for while the breeze at times was so light that they unitedly prayed for wind; 〃thinking that the sea was not their proper element; for from the earth God had made them; and on the earth He had work for them to do;〃 at other times storms broke upon them and waves swept the decks; filling them with awe; though not with fear。  〃The wind was high; the waves great; we were happy that we have a Saviour who would never show us malice; especially were we full of joy that we had a witness in our hearts that it was for a pure purpose we sailed to Georgia;〃  so runs the quaint record of one tempestuous day。

A more poetic expression of the same thought is given by Spangenberg in a poem written during the voyage; and sent home to David Nitschmann to be set to the music of some 〃Danish Melody〃 known to them both。 There is a beauty of rhythm in the original which the English cannot reproduce; as though the writer had caught the cadence of the waves; on some bright day when the ship 〃went softly〃 after a season of heavy storm。

 〃Gute Liebe; deine Triebe   Zuenden unsre Triebe an;  Dir zu leben; dir zu geben;   Was ein Mensch dir geben kann;  Denn dein Leben; ist; zu geben   Fried' und Segen aus der Hoeh。  Und das Kraenken zu versenken   In die ungeheure See。

 〃Herr wir waren von den Schaaren   Deiner Schaeflein abgetrennt;  Und wir liefen zu den Tiefen;   Da das Schwefelfeuer brennt;  Und dein Herze brach vor Schmerze;   Ueber unsern Jammerstand;  O wie liefst du!  O wie riefst du!   Bist du uns zu dir gewandt。

 〃Als die Klarheit deiner Wahrheit   Unsern ganzen Geist durchgoss;  Und von deinen Liebesscheinen   Unser ganzes Herz zerfloss;  O wie regte und bewegte   Dieses deine Liebesbrust;  Uns zu hegen und zu pflegen;   Bis zur suessen Himmelslust。

 〃Dein Erbarmen wird uns Armen;   Alle Tage wieder neu;  Mit was suessen Liebeskuessen   Zeigst du deine Muttertreu。  O wie heilig und wie treulich   Leitest du dein Eigentum;  O der Gnaden dass wir Maden   Werden deine Kron' und Ruhm。

 〃Wir empfehlen unsre Seelen   Deinem Aug' und Herz und Hand;  Denn wir werden nur auf Erden   Wallen nach dem Vaterland。  O gieb Gnade auf dem Pfade;   Der zum Reich durch Leiden fuehrt;  Ohn' Verweilen fortzueilen   Bis uns deine Krone ziert。

 〃Unser Wille bleibe stille   Wenn es noch so widrig geht;  Lass nur brausen; wueten; sausen;   Was von Nord und Osten weht。  Lass nur stuermen; lass sich tuermen   Alle Fluthen aus dem See;  Du erblickest und erquickest   Deine Kinder aus der Hoeh'。〃

 (Love Divine; may Thy sweet power   Lead us all for Thee to live;  And with willing hearts to give Thee   What to Thee a man can give;  For from heaven Thou dost give us   Peace and blessing; full and free;  And our miseries dost bury   In the vast; unfathomed sea。

 Lord; our wayward steps had led us   Far from Thy safe…guarded fold;  As we hastened toward the darkness   Where the sulphurous vapors rolled;  And Thy kind heart throbbed with pity;   Our distress and woe to see;  Thou didst hasten; Thou didst call us;   Till we turned our steps to Thee。

 As Thy Truth's convincing clearness   Filled our spirits from above;  And our stubborn hearts were melted   By the fervor of Thy love;  O Thy loving heart was moved   Us Thy righteous laws to teach;  Us to guide; protect and cherish   Till Thy heaven we should reach。

 Without merit we; yet mercy   Each returning day doth bless  With the tokens of Thy goodness;   Pledges of Thy faithfulness。  O how surely and securely   Dost Thou lead and guard Thine own;  O what wonderous grace that mortals   May add lustre to Thy throne。

 In our souls we feel the presence   Of Thine eye and heart and hand;  As we here on earth as pilgrims   Journey toward the Fatherland。  O give grace; that on the pathway;   Which through trial leads to heaven;  Without faltering we may hasten   Till to each Thy crown is given。

 Though our path be set with danger   Nothing shall our spirits shake;  Winds may rage and roar and whistle;   Storms from North and East may break;  Waves may roll and leap and thunder   On a dark and threatening sea;  Thou dost ever watch Thy children;   And their strength and peace wilt be。)

Before the vessel sailed the Trustees had followed up their request to Spangenberg by requiring the forty Swiss emigrants to promise submission to his authority; and consequently numerous efforts were made to be of service to them。  It was disappointing work; in a way; for attempts to give them religious instruction were met with utter indifference; but their material needs were many。  There was a great deal of sickness among them; and four died; being buried hastily; and without ceremony。 The Moravians themselves were not exempt; several being dangerously ill at times; even Spangenberg was prostrated; from having; he supposed; stayed too long on deck in the night air; tempted thereto by the beauty of a calm night in a southern latitude。  But having work to do among the Swiss on the following day; he roused himself; and soon became better。 Two of the Moravians were appointed nurses for the sick Swiss; and by the use of the medicine provided by the Trustees; supplemented by unwearying personal attention; they were made as comfortable as possible。

Nor were the crew forgotten。  From the day when the Moravians helped lift the anchor as they sailed from the coast of Dover; they busied themselves in the work of the ship; always obliging; always helpful; until the sailors came to trust them absolutely; 〃even with the keys to their lockers。〃  When the cook was suddenly taken sick they nursed him carefully; and then appointed two of their number to carry wood and water for him until his strength returned; and it is no wonder that such accommodating passengers were well regarded。

Captain Thomson was disposed to favor them; but when they realized that they were receiving a larger share of food and drink than went to the Swiss; they courteously declined; fearing it would breed jealousy。 His kindly feeling; however; continued; and when Toeltschig was ill he brought a freshly killed fowl from which to make nourishing broth; and on another occasion; after a severe attack of sea…sickness; they all derived much benefit from some strong beer which he urged upon them。

There were a few cabin passengers on the ship; and on one occasion Spangenberg was invited to dine with them; but their light jesting was distasteful to him; and the acquaintance was not pursued。


  Making a Start。

The vessel entered the Savannah River; April 6th; and the Captain; taking Spangenberg and Toeltschig into his small boat; went ahead to the town of Savannah; the capital of Georgia; now the home of about six hundred people。  Spangenberg had a letter of introduction to Mr。 Causton; who received him and his companion in a friendly fashion; entertained them at supper; and kept them over night。 Mr。 Causton was one of the three magistrates charged with all civil and criminal jurisdiction in Savannah; and his position as keeper of the Store; from which all provisions promised by the Trustees were dispensed; gave him such additional power that he was really the dictator of Savannah; ruling so absolutely that the people finally rebelled; and in 1738 secured his dismissal from office。 On his return to England in 1739; he found 
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