the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第10节
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the ship's table。
And yet the spell of adventure or philanthropy； gain or religion； was
strong upon the souls of men； and thousands sought the New World； where
their imagination saw the realization of all their dreams。 Bravely they
crossed the fathomless deep which heaved beneath them； cutting them off
so absolutely from the loved ones left at home； from the wise counsels of
those on whom they were accustomed to depend； and from the strong arm
of the Government under whose promised protection they sailed； to work
out their own salvation in a country where each man claimed to be a law
unto himself； and where years were to pass before Experience had once
more taught the lesson that real freedom was to be gained only through a
general recognition of the rights of others。
On the 3rd of February； 1735； the Moravians arose early in their
London lodging house； prayed heartily together； and then prepared to go
aboard their vessel； 〃The Two Brothers〃； Capt。 Thomson； where the
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Trustees wished to see all who intended to sail on her。 A parting visit was
paid to Gen。 Oglethorpe； who presented them with a hamper of wine； and
gave them his best wishes。After the review on the boat Spangenberg and
Nitschmann returned with Mr。 Vernon to London to attend to some last
matters； while the ship proceeded to Gravesend for her supply of water；
where Spangenberg rejoined her a few days later。 On the 25th of February
they passed the Azores； and disembarked at Savannah； April 8th； having
been nine and a half weeks on shipboard。
The story of those nine weeks is simply； but graphically； told in the
diary sent back to Herrnhut。Scarcely had they lifted anchor when the
Moravians began to arrange their days； that they might not be idly wasted。
In Herrnhut it was customary to divide the twenty…four hours among
several members of the Church； so that night and day a continuous stream
of prayer and praise arose to the throne of God； and the same plan was
now adopted； with the understanding that when sea…sickness overtook the
company； and they were weak and ill； no time limit should be fixed for the
devotions of any； but one man should pass the duty to another as
circumstances required！
Other arrangements are recorded later； when； having grown
accustomed to ship life； they sought additional means of grace。In the early
morning； before the other passengers 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
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（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
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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；
