the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第29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！
abandoned。Oglethorpe objected on account of the danger that they would
be intercepted and killed； it being a fourteen day land journey to reach the
Cherokee country； and he positively refused to let John Wesley go because
that would leave Savannah without a minister。Toeltschig says Wesley's
interest in the Indian work failed； and another writer says he gave up the
work because he could not learn the Indian language； but Wesley lays all
the blame on Oglethorpe。
In January； 1737； the question of going to the Upper Creeks was
submitted to the 〃lot〃； and the Moravians were bidden to wait for another
opening。Meanwhile an actual beginning had been made among the Lower
Creeks。On the 7th of May； Ingham and John Wesley went up the river to
the home of Mrs。 Musgrove； the half…breed woman who at this time was
of such great use as interpreter and mediator between the Indians and the
English。Arrangements were made by which Ingham should spend three
days of each week with her； teaching her children to read in exchange for
instruction in the Indian language。The other three or four days were to be
spent in Savannah； communicating to Wesley the knowledge he had
acquired； Anton Seifert sharing in the lessons。
On the 19th of June； the Moravians held a meeting to determine
whether the time had come for them to take up the Indian work in earnest。
99
… Page 100…
The Moravians in Georgia
The 〃lot〃 was appealed to； and the answer being that the language should
be learned； Seifert； George Neisser and John Boehner were appointed to
make diligent use of Ingham's instructions。The frequent visits of
Tomochichi and his people to Savannah gave them an opportunity to
practice speaking； for the Moravian house was always open to the red men；
and food and drink were theirs at any time of day； a fact of which the
visitors were not slow to take advantage。
The 〃lot〃 had so great an influence on the progress of affairs in the
Moravian Congregation at Savannah from this time on that it is necessary
to understand how the institution was regarded。 The use of the lot was
common in Old Testament days； and in the New Testament it is recorded
that when an apostle was to be chosen to take the place of the traitor； Judas；
the lot decided between two men who had been selected as in every way
suited for the place。 Following this example the members of the ancient
Unitas Fratrum used the lot in the selection of their first ministers； and the
Renewed Church did the same when the first elders were elected at
Herrnhut in 1727。 It was no uncommon practice in Germany； where many
persons who desired special guidance resorted to it more or less freely； and
Count Zinzendorf； among the rest； had used it from his youth up。
Gradually it came into general use among the Moravians； and at a later
period in their history had its definite place in their system of government；
though the outside public never fully understood it； and still holds
erroneous views； despite the plain statements that have been made。By
degrees its use became more and more restricted； and has been long since
entirely abolished。
In its perfection the lot was simply this； human intellect solving a
problem so far as earnest study and careful deliberation could go； and then；
if the issue was still in doubt； a direct appeal for Divine guidance； in
perfect faith that the Lord would plainly answer his servants； who were
seeking to do his will。This standard was not always maintained； but the
leaders of the Moravian Congregation in Savannah had the early； absolute；
belief that God spoke to them through the lot； and felt themselves bound to
implicit obedience to its dictates。 Their custom was to write two words or
sentences on separate slips； representing the two possible answers to their
100
… Page 101…
The Moravians in Georgia
question； and after earnest prayer to draw one slip； and then act
accordingly。 Sometimes a third slip； a blank； was added； and if that was
drawn it signified that no action should be taken until another time； and
after further consideration。
Some time in July； Peter Rose and his wife； （the widow Riedel） went
to live among the Lower Creeks； giving all their time to learning the
language； and teaching what they could about religion。
On August 9th； Mr。 Ingham went to the Moravians with a new plan。
Gen。 Oglethorpe had agreed to build a schoolhouse for Indian children；
near Tomochichi's village； with the idea that it would give opportunity also
to reach the older men and women with the Gospel message。 The house
was to contain three rooms； one for Ingham； one for the Moravian
missionaries； and one to be used for the school； and it was suggested that
the Moravians undertake the erection of the building； the Trustees' fund to
pay them for their labor。 The proposition was gladly accepted； and
preparations were at once made to send the necessary workmen。
On Monday； the 13th； Toeltschig and five others went to the spot
which had been selected for the Indian Schoolhouse； usually called ‘Irene'。
The site of this schoolhouse has been considered uncertain； but a short
manuscript account of 〃the Mission among the Indians in America〃；
preserved in the Herrnhut Archives； says distinctly that it stood 〃a mile
above the town （of Savannah） on an island in the Savannah River which
was occupied by the Creeks。〃
When the carpenters arrived the first act was to unite in prayer for a
blessing on their work； and then they began to fell trees and cut down
bushes； clearing the ground for the hut in which they were to live while
building the schoolhouse。 The hut was placed on the grave of an Indian
chief。 〃The Indians are accustomed to bury their chiefs on the spot where
they died； to heap a mound some 24 feet high above them； to mourn them
for a while； and then to abandon the spot；〃 and this little elevation was a
favorable site for their hut。Until the hut was finished the men lodged with
the Indians； Tomochichi himself taking charge of their belongings。
Toeltschig returned the same day to Savannah； going back later with a
supply of provisions。The Indians made them heartily welcome to their
101
… Page 102…
The Moravians in Georgia
neighborhood； and the Moravians； even in the midst of their building
operations； began to teach them the English alphabet； at the same time
putting forth every effort to learn the Indian tongue； in which Rose was
rapidly becoming proficient。
By the 20th of September the schoolhouse was finished； and Ingham
and the Moravians held a conference to plan the future work； and decide
what duties each should assume； as he proposed to move thither at once；
and； with the approval of the lot； Rose and his wife were to do the
same。Morning and evening they were to read the English Bible；
accompanied by silent prayer； morning； mid…day and evening an hour was
to be given to the study of the Indian language； and Rose and his wife
were to have an hour for their private devotions。Mrs。 Rose was to teach
the Indian girls to read； and the boys； who had already begun to read； were
to be taught to write。 In their remaining time they were to clear and plant
some land； that they might not be too long dependent on the Congregation
at Savannah； and on the friendly Indians； who were giving them much。
The next day Mr。 and Mrs。 Toeltschig escorted Rose and his wife to
their new home； and at Ingham's request united with them in a little prayer
service。Four days later fourteen of the Moravians went to the schoolhouse；
which was solemnly consecrated by Seifert； the Chief Elder。That evening；
in Savannah； Rose and his wife were formally set apart for their
missionar
