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！
〃You will take absolutely no part in the Spangenberg…Halle
controversy； you know the mind of the Congregation regarding it。If you
find people prejudiced against you leave it to Him who has bidden you go
to Georgia。 Enter into no disputes； but； if questions are asked； give the
history of the Congregation； being careful not to censure our opposers； and
saying； which is true； that the Congregation at Herrnhut gives them little
heed。 Entire freedom of conscience must be granted you； but there may be
points which you can yield without injuring the cause of Christ； if so
you will find them in due time。
〃You must live alone； establishing your own little corner； where your
customs will irritate no one； and as soon as you are settled an ordained
minister will be sent you； out of consideration for the scruples of the
Salzburgers； although our Brethren in other Colonies are served by laymen；
as permitted by our ancient constitution。
〃God willing； I shall soon follow you； and only wait until He opens the
way for me。Our dear Elder （Spangenberg） will quickly return from
America； and in his absence I commit you to the mighty grace of God。
Your brother and servant；Lewis Count v。 Zinzendorf。
〃At this time one of the Elders at Herrnhut。November 27th； 1734。
〃‘He everywhere hath way； And all things serve His might； etc。'〃
That these sensible and liberal instructions were not fully carried out is
at once apparent； especially in the two points of free transportation and
settlement in a quiet； secluded spot。The inability of the Trustees to grant
their request for the first； burdened the Moravian colonists with what was；
41
… Page 42…
The Moravians in Georgia
under the circumstances； a heavy debt； while the location of Zinzendorf's
five hundred acre tract was responsible for their failure in attaining the
second。
When Gen。 Oglethorpe planned the fortifications and defense of
Savannah in 1733； he decided to erect a small fort on the Ogeechee River；
some miles south； in order to command one of the trails by which the
Indians had been accustomed to invade Carolina。This 〃Fort Argyle〃 was
garrisoned with a detachment of rangers； and ten families were sent from
Savannah to cultivate the adjacent land。The tract selected in London for
Count Zinzendorf； was to lie on the Ogeechee； near Fort Argyle； an
excellent place from which to reach the Indians in times of peace； but the
worst possible location for noncombatants when war was threatening。
Spangenberg urged the survey of the five hundred acre tract as often
and as strongly as he dared； but from various causes； chiefly rumors of
Indian incursions； the expedition was deferred until Aug。 22nd； when
Spangenberg； Toeltschig； Riedel； Seifert； Rose； Michael Haberland； and
Mr。 Johnson； the Trustees' surveyor； prepared to start on their toilsome
journey； going by boat； instead of attempting to follow the circuitous； ill…
marked road across the country； impassable to pedestrians； though used to
some extent by horsemen。
At one o'clock in the morning of Aug。 23rd the seven men embarked；
taking advantage of the ebbing tide； and made their way down the
Savannah River。It was very dark； the Moravians were unaccustomed to
rowing； and Mr。 Johnson； who steered； went to sleep time after time； so
when they accidentally came across a ship riding at anchor they decided to
stay by her and wait for the day。When dawn broke they hastened on to
Thunderbolt； where a fort had been built； and some good land cleared； and
there they found two Indians； who claimed to know the country； and
agreed to go with them as pilots。 Toward evening they reached Seituah*；
where a stockade was being built as a protection against the Indians； and
the night was spent with a Captain Wargessen （Ferguson）； who； with
several soldiers； was out in a scout boat watching the movements of the
Indians and Spaniards in that neighborhood。
* On Skidaway Island； exact site unknown。
42
… Page 43…
The Moravians in Georgia
The next day they made their way among the islands until they
reached the mouth of the Ogeechee； up which they turned； but night
overtook them； and they were forced to drop their anchor。The Indians had
been left behind somewhere； and with the return of day it became
necessary to retrace their course for some hours in order to learn where
they were。 That night was spent at Sterling's Bluff； with the Scotch who
had settled upon it； and the next morning they proceeded to Fort Argyle。
As they rowed up the river； a bear left one of the islands； and swam across
to the main land。〃He was better to us than we to him； for Peter shot at him
twice when he came near us； but he left us in peace and went his way！〃
The following morning Spangenberg and Johnson； accompanied by
the Lieutenant from Fort Argyle and several of his rangers； rode out to
inspect the land selected for the Moravians。 The horses were accustomed
to service against the Indians； and went at full gallop； pausing not for
winding paths or fallen trees； and the University…bred man of Germany
expected momentarily to have his neck broken； but nothing happened； and
after looking over the tract they returned to Fort Argyle。
Despite the exertions of the morning Spangenberg then manned his
boat； and started up the river to visit an Indian town； where he hoped to
find Tomochichi。Much floating timber rendered the trip dangerous and
tedious； and it was not until early Sunday morning that they reached their
destination； only to find the place deserted； as the band had left a few days
before for a hunting expedition； and； if fortune favored them； for a brush
with the Spanish Indians； with whom they had a perpetual feud。Soon
Johnson appeared； guided by some of the rangers； who； after a hearty meal
with the Moravians； returned to the Fort； Johnson remaining behind。
Monday morning； August 29th； before the sun rose； the party repaired
to the Moravian tract； which Johnson surveyed； the Moravians acting as