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第15章

the moravians in georgia-第15章

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 proved to be quiet and industrious; but not very bright。  On Dec。 17th another boy; six years old; was taken; his mother being dead; and his father a day…laborer who could not care for him。

Of the Indians the Moravians had seen a good deal; but no start had been made toward teaching them; except that some of their words had been learned。 Spangenberg decided that the only way to master their language would be to go and live among them; and this Rose professed himself willing to do as soon as he could be spared。  With Tomochichi they were much pleased。 〃He is a grave; wise man; resembling one of the old Philosophers; though with him it is natural; not acquired。  Were he among a hundred Indians; all clothed alike; one would point him out and say; ‘that is the king。'〃 When the Indians came to the Moravian cabins they were courteously received; and supplied with food and drink; often remaining as silent listeners at the evening service。  In turn their good will took the form of a gift of grouse or dried venison; which the Moravians gratefully received。

The English were very anxious to keep the friendship of these Indians; on whom much of their safety depended; and when one of the nations came five or six hundred miles to renew a treaty with them; they planned a spectacle which would at once please and impress them。 All the settlers were put under arms; and led out to meet them; saluting them with a volley of musketry。  With great pomp they were conducted into the town; presented with guns; clothing; etc。; and then; through an interpreter; they were assured of the good will and faith of the English; and urged to be true to the treaty; and protect the settlement against those Indian tribes who were under French and Spanish influence。

Spangenberg was ordered out with the others; but excused himself on the ground of weakness from his recent illness; and when the officials offered to depart from their custom; and allow one of Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃 to take his place; he explained that the Moravians did not understand English; and knew nothing of military manoeuvres。  During the first year the question of military service was not sufficiently prominent to cause real uneasiness; but Spangenberg foresaw trouble; and wrote to Herrnhut; urging that the matter be given serious consideration。

When the Moravians passed through London they had fully explained their position to Gen。 Oglethorpe; who promised them exemption; but they had no written order from the Trustees to show to the local officials; and not even a copy of the letter in which reference to the subject was made。 As Count Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃 nine of them were ineligible; but Spangenberg; as a free…holder; was expected to take part in the weekly drill; which he quietly refused to do。

All free…holders were likewise expected to take their turn in the Watch; composed of ten men; who patrolled the town by night and day。 Spangenberg admitted that the Watch was necessary and proper; but decided that he had better not take a personal share in it; other than by hiring some one to take his place; which was permitted。 As the turn came every seventeen days; and a man expected fifty cents for day and one dollar for night duty each time; this was expensive; doubly so because the officers demanded a substitute for the absent Nitschmann also。 Twice had Spangenberg been before the Court; attempting to have the matter adjusted; but he found that this; like many other things; could not be settled until Gen。 Oglethorpe came。  〃All men wait for Gen。 Oglethorpe; it is impossible to describe how they long for him。〃 The Salzburgers especially wished for him; for they did not like the place where they had settled; and wanted permission to move to a more favorable location which they had chosen。

On the 14th of February; 1736; Capt。 Thomson arrived; bringing letters from England; and one to Spangenberg announced that the second company of Moravians was on the way and might soon be expected。  At three o'clock in the morning of February 17th; the town was roused by the sound of bells and drums。  Thinking it meant fire; the Moravians rushed out; but learned that Gen。 Oglethorpe's ship had reached Tybee; and the people were awakened to welcome him。 Full of interest to learn whether the second company was with him the Moravians paused for a hasty meal before going to meet the ship; when to their great joy Bishop Nitschmann appeared before them; 〃and his face was to us as the face of an Angel!〃




Chapter IV。  Reinforcements。



  The 〃Second Company〃。

Before David Nitschmann; the 〃Hausmeister〃; left London; after the sailing of the first Moravian company for Georgia; he presented to the Trustees a series of propositions; the acceptance of which would open the way for a large increase of Moravian emigration。 The proposals were; in brief; that the Trustees should give credit to the Moravians to the extent of 500 Pounds sterling; which; deducting the 60 Pounds advanced to the first company; would provide passage money and a year's provision for fifty…five more of Count Zinzendorf's 〃servants〃; the loan to be repaid; without interest; in five years; and to bear interest at the usual rate if payment was longer deferred。  He also suggested that the money; when repaid; should be again advanced for a like purpose。

In addition he requested that each man of twenty…one years; or over; should be granted fifty acres near Count Zinzendorf's tract。

The Trustees were pleased to approve of these proposals; and promised the desired credit; with the further favor that if the debt was not paid within five years it should draw interest at eight per cent。 only; instead of ten per cent。; the customary rate in South Carolina。

During the summer; therefore; a second company prepared to follow the pioneers to the New World。  On the 5th of August; 1735; two parties left Herrnhut; one consisting of three young men; and the other of thirteen men; women and children; who were joined at Leipzig by Jonas Korte; who went with them to London。  On August 8th; five more persons left Herrnhut; under the leadership of David Nitschmann; the Bishop; who was to take the second company to Georgia; organize their congregation; and ordain their pastor。

This David Nitschmann; a carpenter by trade; was a companion of David Nitschmann; the 〃Hausmeister〃; and John Toeltschig; when they left Moravia in the hope of re…establishing the Unitas Fratrum; and with them settled at Herrnhut; and became one of the influential members of the community。  When missionaries were to be sent to the Danish West Indies; Nitschmann and Leonard Dober went on foot to Copenhagen (August 21st; 1732); and sailed from there; Nitschmann paying their way by his work as ship's carpenter。 By the same handicraft he supported himself and his companion for four months on the island of St。 Thomas; where they preached to the negro slaves; and then; according to previous arrangement; he left Dober to continue the work; and returned to Germany。  In 1735; it was decided that Bishop Jablonski; of Berlin; and Bishop Sitkovius; of Poland; who represented the Episcopate of the ancient Unitas Fratrum; should consecrate one of the members of the renewed Unitas Fratrum at Herrnhut; linking the Church of the Fathers with that of their descendents; and enabling the latter to send to the Mission field ministers whose ordination could not be questioned by other denominations; or by the civil authorities。  David Nitschmann; then one of the Elders at Herrnhut; was chosen to receive consecration; the service being performed; March 13th; by Bishop Jablonski; with the written concurrence of Bishop Sitkovius。

The three parties from Herrnhut met at Magdeburg on August 13th; proceeding from there to Hamburg by boat; and at Altona; the sea…port of Hamburg; they found ten more colonists who had preceded them。 Here also they were joined by Christian Adolph von Hermsdorf; who went with them to Georgia as 〃a volunteer〃。  Apparently Lieutenant Hermsdorf wanted the position of Zinzendorf's Agent in Georgia; for the Count wrote to him on the 19th of August; agreeing that he should go with the Moravians; at their expense; but saying that if he desired office he must first prove him

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