the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第28节
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Moravians were finally able to begin their missionary work。
When Wesley and Delamotte returned from Frederica； the former
resumed his association with the Moravians； continuing to join in their
Sunday evening service； and translating some of their hymns into English。
In May two questions were asked of Toeltschig； upon the answering of
which there depended more than any one imagined。The Diary says；
〃The 20th； was Sunday。 Mr。 Ingham asked if we could not recognize and
receive him as our brother； to which I replied； that he did not know us well
enough； nor we him； we must first understand each other better。On the
21st； Mr。 Wesley spoke with me； and asked me the selfsame question。 I
said to him that we had seen much of him day by day； and that it was true
that he loved us and we loved him； but that we did not so quickly admit
any one into our Congregation。〃 Then at his request Toeltschig outlined
the Moravian view of conversion； and the requisites for church…
membership。
A few days later Charles Wesley unexpectedly returned from Frederica；
and Oglethorpe sent word that either John Wesley or Ingham should come
down in his place。The latter was by no means anxious to go； his former
experience had not been agreeable； but the reason he gave the Moravians
was that a number of Indian traders were soon to visit Savannah； and he
was very anxious to see them。 They advised him to be guided by John
Wesley's wish； which he agreed to do； and then found that Wesley had
decided to go himself。
During the weeks that followed； Ingham and Charles Wesley were
frequently with Toeltschig； who answered as best he could their many
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questions regarding the history of the Moravian Episcopate； a matter of
vital importance to a strict member of the Church of England who was
thinking of allying himself with them。Everything they heard confirmed
Ingham in his intention； and when John Wesley returned in July he and
Ingham again made application 〃to be received as brethren in our
Congregation； and to go with us to the Lord's Table。 We entirely refused to
admit them into the Congregation； and I （Toeltschig） gave them the
reasons therefor：（1） That we did not know them well enough； （2） and that
they perhaps did not know us well enough； both things which we
considered highly important； and （3） that their circumstances and situation
were such that it would be difficult if not impossible for them to comply
with the requirements of such admission。〃The promises expected from a
Confirmand； to which they also must have bound themselves； are thus
summarized。〃To give body and soul to the Lord now and forever； to
devote and dedicate himself to the service of the Unity； according to the
grace and gifts bestowed on him by the Saviour； and willingly to submit to
the discipline and regulations which the Unity has established for the
welfare and improvement of souls。〃 Could these two men； in the zeal and
vigor of their youth； honestly have made these promises； the Moravian
Church would have gained two invaluable co…workers； but they seem to
have accepted Toeltschig's argument as conclusive； and dropped the matter；
with no ill…will or disturbance of the existing pleasant relations。
Concerning the Communion 〃we assured them that we loved them；
and would welcome them as honored guests at the Lord's Supper； for we
believed that they loved the Lord。〃This invitation； however； the young
clergymen would not accept。
On the 6th of August； Charles Wesley left for England； bearing
dispatches to the Trustees； and with the hope of interesting others in the
evangelizing of the Indians。He meant himself to return to Georgia； but
feeble health prevented； and he resigned his office as Secretary to Gen。
Oglethorpe the following May。His brother John accompanied him to
Charlestown； and then went to Frederica to deliver certain letters to Gen。
Oglethorpe。He found there was 〃less and less prospect of doing good at
Frederica； many there being extremely zealous； and indefatigably diligent
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to prevent it；〃 his opposers even attempting personal violence。One 〃lady〃
tried to shoot him； and when he seized her hands and took away her pistol；
she maliciously bit a great piece out of his arm。Still he made two more
visits to the place； and then in 〃utter despair of doing good there；〃 took his
final leave of Frederica。
Work Among the Indians。
When the Moravians adopted the conversion of the Indians as their
main object for settling in America； they were greatly influenced by the
attractive descriptions of the 〃wild people〃 which were being published。 In
a 〃Report〃； ascribed to Gen。 Oglethorpe； it is stated that 〃nothing is
lacking for their conversion to the Christian faith except a knowledge of
their language； for they already have an admirable conception of ‘morals'；
and their conduct agrees perfectly therewith。They have a horror of
adultery； and disapprove of polygamy。Thieving is unknown to them。
Murder is considered an abominable crime； and no one may be killed
except an enemy； when they esteem it a virtue。〃This； like too many a
description written then and now to exploit a colonizing scheme； was far
too good to be true。The Indians proved apt learners； but of the vices rather
than the virtues of the English； and drunkenness with all its attendant evils；
was quickly introduced。 Afraid of their dusky neighbors； anxious to keep
on good terms with them； distrusting their loyalty to the English under the
bribes offered by French and Spanish； the Government tried to limit the
intercourse between the Indians and the settlers as much as possible；
treating the former as honored guests whenever they came to Savannah；
but forbidding the latter to go to them without special permit in times of
peace； and not at all in time of war。
When the Moravians came the restlessness which presaged war was
stirring among the tribes； becoming more and more pronounced； and one
of the Indian Chiefs said frankly； 〃Now our enemies are all about us； and
we can do nothing but fight； but if the Beloved Ones should ever give us
to be at peace； then we would hear the Great Word。〃
Tomochichi； indeed； bade the missionaries welcome； and promised to
do all in his power to gain admission for them into all parts of his nation；
but the time was not ripe； nor was his influence equal to his good…will。
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Though called a 〃king〃； he was only chief of a small tribe living some four
or five miles from Savannah； part of the Creek Confederacy； which was
composed of a number of remnants； gradually merged into one
〃nation〃。The 〃Upper Creeks〃 lived about the head waters of the creeks
from which they took their name； and the 〃Lower Creeks〃； including
Tomochichi's people； were nearer the sea…coast。Ingham； whose heart was
set on the Indian work； was at first very anxious to go to the Cherokees；
who lived near the mountains； at a considerable distance from Savannah；
having been told that they had a desire to hear the 〃Great Word〃。On April
22nd； he spoke of his wish to Toeltschig； inviting Seifert and； if they chose；
another Moravian to join him in the work。 It was the best opportunity that
had yet offered； and Seifert wanted to go to the Indians； having already
studied their language as best he could； but they hesitated to undertake the
work conjointly with Ingham。 After some time the Cherokee plan was
abandoned。Oglethorpe objected on account of the danger that they would
be intercepted and killed；
