the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第33节
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they had to turn elsewhere for help。 Early in February； they had heard of
Spangenberg's return to Pennsylvania from his visit to St。 Thomas； and
had written to ask him to come and help them for a while； but being busy
with other things he did not go。 On the 5th of March； Ingham suggested
that he and one of their number should go to England to the Trustees。They
thought it over and decided that George Neisser should go with him as far
as Pennsylvania； where the case should be laid before Spangenberg； with
the request that he go to London； arrange matters with the Trustees； and
get permission for them to leave Georgia。Ingham was going； with the
approval of Wesley and Delamotte； to try and bring over some of their
friends to help in the work of evangelizing the Province。
A ship was ready to sail for Pennsylvania on the 9th； so Ingham and
Neisser took passage on her； and sailed； as the event proved； never to
return。
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Chapter VI。 Disintegration。
Spangenberg's Visit。
After Spangenberg had decided not to comply with the request
contained in the letter from Savannah； but to stay and prosecute the work
among the Schwenkfelders； where a door seemed to be opening； he
became conscious of a feeling of uneasiness； an impression that he was
needed in Georgia。This was increased by news of the expected Spanish
outbreak； for so general was the alarm that all the war…ships in the
northern harbors were ordered to Carolina； and the selling of supplies to
the Spaniards was absolutely prohibited。
At this point George Neisser and Benjamin Ingham came； bringing
word of the pressure on the Moravians； their decision to leave Georgia as
soon as it could be arranged； and their request that Spangenberg should go
to England with Ingham to see the Trustees； and secure their consent。Of
this plan Spangenberg did not approve； for he thought the war would ruin
everything； or else the danger would be over； before he could make the
long journey to England； and return。 Ingham professed himself ready to
carry letters to the Trustees； and do his best to influence them to grant the
Moravian requests； so Spangenberg decided to entrust that errand to him；
and himself go at once to Georgia； to see whether he could not help
matters there。
John Eckstein； a resident of Germantown； a middle…aged man who was
in entire sympathy with Spangenberg's plans for religious work in
Pennsylvania； resolved to accompany him on his trip to Georgia。 They
sailed from Philadelphia on the 22nd of May； 1737； and had a long and
very trying voyage。The Captain and crew were evil men； given to cursing
and swearing； and more than once they threatened to murder the two
passengers； whom they called sorcerers； and accused of bringing the
continuous head winds and frequent storms upon them。 Seventy…seven
long days the voyage lasted； twice they sailed southward past Cape
Hatteras； and twice were they driven back to north and east； taking weeks
to recover the distance lost； and the Captain finally discovered that not
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only were the elements against him； but his helmsman was slyly hindering
their progress all he could； for some malicious purpose of his own。
To the mental strain of the long journey was added physical discomfort；
for firewood gave out； so that no cooking could be done； and for a month
the crew lived on hard tack； dried cherries soaked in water； and raw fish；
dolphins caught as need required。Spangenberg and his companion had
brought provisions to supplement the ship's fare； but long before the
voyage was ended their store of butter and sugar was exhausted。 Dried
ham and tongue had a tendency to increase their thirst； but by soaking tea
in cold water they made a beverage which bore at least a fancied
resemblance to that brewed on shore。 Then the supply of water ran low；
each man's allowance was reduced to a pint a day； and even this small
amount would have failed had they not been able occasionally to catch
rainwater to replenish their casks。 The Captain at last opened a keg of beer
found in his cargo； and sold his passengers enough to relieve their thirst；
for which they were very grateful。
But unkind words； delay； uncooked food； thirst； were not all that
Spangenberg and his companion had to bear； for actual danger was added
to their experience from time to time。High waves broke over the ship；
winds tore away the sails； and a water…spout threatened total destruction。
So late was the ship in reaching port that she was given up for lost； and
word was sent to Pennsylvania which caused much grief； needless grief；
for Spangenberg's days of service were not to be ended thus。 It sounds
almost trivial to say that in the midst of trials of body； mind and soul
Spangenberg occupied himself with making buttons； but no doubt the
homely； useful labor did its part toward rendering endurable the seemingly
endless days。
At last； on the 7th of August； the ship ran on a sandbank near Tybee；
and the Moravians； hearing that Spangenberg was on board； took a boat
and brought him to Savannah。They had asked him to go to England； he
had disregarded their request and come to Georgia； but he was dear to
them through many months of united service and mutual help； and they
gave him a hearty welcome； ignoring all cause for complaint； and taking
him at once into their full confidence。He and Toeltschig sat up all of the
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first night carefully discussing the condition of affairs and what could be
done to remedy them。Their views were very different； for Spangenberg
thought they had been too hasty in deciding to leave Georgia； while
Toeltschig felt that it was a reflection on the lot to try and hold them in
Savannah； when the lot had said 〃go〃。 But Toeltschig possessed the rare
art of seeing a disputed question through the eyes of those who did not
agree with him； as well as from his own standpoint； and now； with no
petty self…assertion； he quietly awaited developments； and told
Spangenberg all that had happened since Neisser's departure。
As the alarm concerning an immediate invasion by the Spanish had
died away； the inhabitants of Savannah had regained their composure； and
the wild outcry against the Moravians gradually ceased。 The wagon and
oxen which had been taken for work on the fort had been returned to their
owners； after seven or eight weeks of hard usage； and the hope that
starvation would shake the resolution of the non…combatants had signally
failed of fulfillment。The ship which was to bring the town supplies had
been twelve weeks late in coming； and the stock in the store…house was
almost exhausted。 The authorities therefore had announced that provisions
would be sold only to those who were helping build the fort。This entirely
excluded the Moravians； but instead of suffering from hunger they had
been able to share with some of their neighbors。The prices charged at the
store in Savannah were always high； so； as he was passing through New
York on his return from St。 Thomas； Spangenberg had asked a friend to
send the Moravians two thousand pounds of flour and salt…meat； for which
they were to pay。The merchant at that time knew of no ship sailing for
Savannah； so in Philadelphia； Spangenberg had arranged that two
thousand pounds of meat should be sent from there at once on a year's
credit。Meanwhile the New York m
