the moravians in georgia-第23章
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tion of the necessary fortifications on St。 Simon。
Benjamin Ingham's visit to Frederica proved to be his first unpleasant experience in the New World。 Like John Wesley； he came with the strictest ideas of Sabbath observance； etc。； and as one said； in answer to a reproof； 〃these were new laws in America。〃 The effect may be summed up in his own words： 〃My chief business was daily to visit the people； to take care of those that were sick； and to supply them with the best things we had。 For a few days at the first； I had everybody's good word； but when they found I watched narrowly over them； and reproved them sharply for their faults； immediately the scene changed。 Instead of blessing； came cursing； and my love and kindness were repaid with hatred and ill…will。〃
Oglethorpe remained on the Altamaha but a few days； and then returned to Savannah for the rest of his colonists。 Meanwhile the Moravian Congregation was being fully organized。 During Spangenberg's visit to Oglethorpe on his vessel； the Moravians； including Bishop Nitschmann； met together； and John Toeltschig was elected manager （Vorsteher）； Gottfried Haberecht； monitor （Ermahner）； and Gotthard Demuth to perform various minor duties （Diener）。 The name of the nurse （Krankenwaerter） is not given； but he was probably John Regnier； who acted as physician； not only for the Moravians； but for many of their poorer neighbors。 Andrew Dober was associated with Toeltschig in the management of the finances； and all of these men were solemnly inducted into office； it being the custom to give a kind of specialized ordination even for positions not commonly considered ministerial。
Three 〃Bands〃 were formed among the men； smaller companies associated for religious improvement； each Band electing a leader charged with special oversight of the members。 There was one among the married men； one among the unmarried men who were communicants； and another for the unmarried non…communicants； Toeltschig； Seifert and Rose being the leaders。 The women were organized in like manner； though being few in number there was probably but one Band among them； under Mrs。 Toeltschig who had been appointed Elderess before leaving Herrnhut。 There is no reference to the celebration of the Holy Communion by the first company during their months of preparation in Savannah； nor had opportunity been given to the second company since they left the English coast； but now； with Bishop Nitschmann to preside； they were able to partake together； finding much blessing therein。 They resolved in the 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 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 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。
