the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第12节
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！
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
39
… Page 40…
The Moravians in Georgia
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
40
… Page 41…
The Moravians in Georgia
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 absence I commit you to the mighty grace of God。
Your brother and servant；Lewis Count v。 Zinzendorf。
〃At this time one of the Elders at Herrnhut。November 27th； 1734。
〃‘He everywhere hath way； And all things serve His might； etc。'〃
That these sensible and liberal instructions were not fully carried out is
at once apparent； especially in the two points of free transportation and
settlement in a quiet； secluded spot。The inability of the Trustees to grant
their request for the first； burdened the Moravian colonists with what was；
41
… Page 42…
The Moravians in Georgia
under the circumstances； a heavy debt； while the location of Zinzendorf's
five hundred acre tract was responsible for their failure in attaining the
second。
When Gen。 Oglethorpe planned the fortifications and defense of
Savannah in 1733； he decided to erect a small fort on the Ogeechee River；
some miles south； in order to command one of the trails by which the
Indians had been accustomed to invade Carolina。This 〃Fort Argyle〃 was
garrisoned with a detachment of rangers； and ten families were sent from
Savannah to cultivate the adjacent land。The tract selected in London for
Count Zinzendorf； was to lie on the Ogeechee； near Fort Argyle； an
excellent place from which to reach the Indians in times of peace； but the
worst possible location for noncombatants when war was threatening。
Spangenberg urged the survey of the five hundred acre tract as often
and as strongly as he dared； but from various causes； chiefl
