the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第25节
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English coast； but now； with Bishop Nitschmann to preside； they were able
to partake together； finding much blessing therein。 They resolved in the
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future to commune every two weeks； but soon formed the habit； perhaps
under Wesley's influence； of coming to the Lord's Table every Sunday。
When Spangenberg returned to them； a conference was held each
evening； and on Sunday they had a Lovefeast； especially for those who
had been selected to superintend the material and spiritual affairs of the
Congregation。
On the 1st of March； John and Charles Wesley called on them； and on
the 6th； Charles Wesley came again； and 〃opened his heart〃 to them。 The
Diary calls him 〃an awakened but flighty man；〃 who had come as Gov。
Oglethorpe's secretary； and was now about to go to Frederica as pastor of
that turbulent flock。From him Spangenberg learned of Oglethorpe's return
from Altamaha； and accompanied by Nitschmann went with him to the
ship； where the Wesleys were still living。 Two days were spent with
Oglethorpe； who promised to give them ground containing a good bed of
clay； where they could make brick； which should be sold to the Trustees'
agent at 15 shillings per 1；000； two…thirds of the price to be applied on
their debt； and one…third to be paid them in cash。Moreover several English
boys should be apprenticed to them to learn the trade。Hemp and flax seed
should also be given them； and he urged them to weave the linen； for they
had men who understood the art； and cloth was scarce and dear in Georgia。
He also advised them to buy oxen to use in cultivating their land； and said
that they should have one…third of the grape…vines he had brought over
with him； another portion was to be given to Tomochichi； the remainder to
be planted in his own garden。
On the 8th； Spangenberg and Nitschmann returned to Savannah； and
with Andrew Dober and John Wesley； （who had now moved from the ship；）
proceeded up the river to Mrs。 Musgrove's； about five miles distant。
Wesley wished to select a site for a small house； which Oglethorpe had
promised to build for him； where he and his companions might live while
they were studying the Indian language； under Mrs。 Musgrove's direction。
Nitschmann wanted to visit and talk with the Indian 〃King〃； Tomochichi；
and Dober was trying to find some clay suitable for pottery。 The following
day they returned to Savannah； and Mr。 Wesley and Mr。 Delamotte took up
their abode with the Moravians； as Mr。 Quincy； Wesley's predecessor in
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the Savannah pastorate； had not yet vacated his house。 Wesley writes； 〃We
had now an opportunity； day by day； of observing their whole
behaviour。For we were in one room with them from morning to night；
unless for the little time I spent in walking。 They were always employed；
always cheerful themselves； and in good humor with one another； they had
put away all anger； and strife； and wrath； and bitterness； and clamor； and
evil speaking； they walked worthy of the vocation wherewith they were
called； and adorned the Gospel of our Lord in all things。〃The impression
thus made upon John Wesley was lasting； and even during the subsequent
years in England； when differences of every kind arose between him and
the Moravians； and his Journal is full of bitter denunciations of doctrines
and practices which he did not understand； and with which he was not in
sympathy； he now and again interrupts himself to declare； 〃I can not speak
of them but with tender affection； were it only for the benefits I have
received from them。〃
An event which occurred on March 10th； is of more than local interest；
in that it is the first unquestioned instance of the exercise of episcopal
functions in the United States。Prior to this； and for a number of years later；
clergymen of the Church of England； and English…speaking Catholic
priests； were ordained in the Old World； before coming to the New；
remaining under the control of the Bishop and of the Vicar Apostolic of
London； while the Spanish Catholics were under the Suffragan of Santiago
de Cuba； and the French Catholics under the Bishop of Quebec。Tradition
mentions the secret consecration of two Bishops of Pennsylvania before
this time； but its authenticity is doubted； and the two men did not exercise
any episcopal powers。 Therefore when Bishop Nitschmann came to
Georgia； and in the presence of the Moravian Congregation at Savannah
ordained one of their number to be their pastor； he was unconsciously
doing one of the 〃first things〃 which are so interesting to every lover of
history。
Whenever it was possible the Moravians spent Saturday afternoon and
evening in rest； prayer； and conference； and on this occasion four services
were held at short intervals。
At the first service the singing of a hymn was followed by the reading
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of Psalm 84； a discourse thereon； and prayer。 The second was devoted to
reading letters from Germany； and some discussion as to Hermsdorf and
his relation to the Congregation。 The third service was the important one；
and the following account was recorded in the Diary。〃When we re…
assembled the question： ‘Must not our Congregation have a Chief Elder
（Aeltester）？' was presented for discussion。All thought it necessary； and
were unanimous in their choice of Anton Seifert； and no other was even
suggested。While his name was being considered； he was sent from the
room； and when he had been recalled； we sang a hymn； and Nitschmann
and Toeltschig led the Congregation in most earnest prayer。 Then
Nitschmann delivered an earnest charge； setting before him the importance
of his office； which made him the foremost member of the Congregation；
especially in times of danger； for in the early Church； as well as among
our forefathers in Moravia； the bishops were ever the first victims。He was
asked if he would freely and willingly give up his life for the
Congregation and the Lord Jesus。He answered； ‘Yes。' Then he was
reminded of the evil which arose when bishops； seeing their power in a
Congregation； began to exalt themselves； and to make outward show of
their pre…eminence。He was asked whether he would recognize as evil；
abjure； and at once suppress any inclination he might feel toward pride in
his position as Chief Elder； and his larger authority。He answered with a
grave and thoughtful ‘Yes。' Then our Nitschmann prayed over him
earnestly； and ordained him to his office with the laying on of
hands。Nitschmann was uncommonly aroused and happy； but Anton Seifert
was very humble and quiet。〃John Wesley； who was present； wrote 〃The
great simplicity； as well as solemnity； of the whole； almost made me forget
the seventeen hundred years between； and imagine myself in one of those
assemblies where form and state were not； but Paul the tent…maker； or
Peter the fisherman； presided； yet with the demonstration of the Spirit and
of power。〃
Both Wesley and Benjamin Ingham refer to Seifert as a 〃bishop〃；
which is a mistake； though a natural one。Wesley was present at the
ordination； and heard the charge； with example and warning drawn from
the actions of earlier bishops； while Ingham； in the course of several long
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conversations with Toeltschig concerning the Moravian Episcopate and
Seifert's ordination； asked 〃is Anton a bishop？〃 and was answered； 〃yes；
FOR OUR CONGREGATION。〃 This was in view of the fact that Bishop
Nitschmann； in ordaining Seifert； had empowered him to delegate another
member to hold th
