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！
Georgia； but it did not materialize； and they remained permanently in
Pennsylvania； settling in the counties of Montgomery； Berks and
Lehigh。Their descendents there preserve the customs of their fathers； and
are the only representatives of the Schwenkfelder form of doctrine； the
sect having become extinct in Europe。
17
… Page 18…
The Moravians in Georgia
Preliminary Steps。
While the exile of the Schwenkfelders was the immediate cause which
led Zinzendorf to open negotiations with the Trustees of the Colony of
Georgia； the impulse which prompted him involved far more than mere
assistance to them。Foreign Missions； in the modern sense of the word；
were almost unknown in Zinzendorf's boyhood； yet from his earliest days
his thoughts turned often to those who lay beyond the reach of gospel
light。In 1730； while on a visit to Copenhagen； he heard that the Lutheran
Missionary Hans Egede； who for years had been laboring single handed to
convert the Eskimos of Greenland； was sorely in need of help； and
Anthony； the negro body…servant of a Count Laurwig； gave him a most
pathetic description of the condition of the negro slaves in the Danish
West Indies。
Filled with enthusiasm； Zinzendorf returned to Herrnhut； and poured
the two stories into willing ears； for ever since the great revival of 1727
the Moravian emigrants had been scanning the field； anxious to carry the
〃good news〃 abroad； and held back only by the apparent impossibility of
going forward。Who were they； without influence； without means； without
a country even； that they should take such an office upon themselves？ But
the desire remained； and at this summons they prepared to do the
impossible。In August； 1732； two men started for St。 Thomas； in April；
1733； three more sailed for Greenland； and in the face of hardships that
would have daunted men of less than heroic mold； successful missions
were established at both places。
But this was not enough。〃My passionate desire；〃 wrote Zinzendorf
from Herrnhut in January； 1735； 〃my passionate desire to make Jesus
known among the heathen has found a satisfaction in the blessed
Greenland； St。 Thomas and Lapp work； but without appeasing my hunger。
I therefore look into every opportunity which presents itself； seeking that
the kingdom of my Redeemer may be strengthened among men。〃
Nor did he lack ready assistants； for the Moravians were as eager as he。
〃When we in Herrnhut heard of Georgia； of which much was being
published in the newspapers； and when we realized the opportunity it
would give to carry the Truth to the heathen； several Brethren； who had
18
… Page 19…
The Moravians in Georgia
the Lord's honor much at heart； were led； doubtless by His hand； to think
that it would be a good plan to send some Brethren thither； if it might
please the Lord to bless our work among the heathen； and so to bring those
poor souls； now far from Christ； nigh unto Him。We tried to learn about the
land； but could secure no accurate information； for some spoke from
hearsay； others with prejudice； and many more with too great partiality。But
we at last decided to venture； in the faith that the Lord would help us
through。〃
The needs of the Schwenkfelders gave a new turn to their thoughts；
and suggested the advantages that might accrue from a settlement in
America to which they might all retreat if the persecution in Saxony
waxed violent； but early in the year 1734； the question 〃Shall we go to
Georgia only as Colonists； or also as Missionaries？〃 was submitted to the
lot； and the answer was 〃As Missionaries also。〃
The defection of the Schwenkfelders； therefore； while a serious
interference with the Herrnhut plan； was not allowed to ruin the project。
Zinzendorf wrote again to the Trustees； and they repeated their promise of
land； provided his colonists would go at their own expense。
After much consultation the decision was reached that Zinzendorf
should ask for a tract of five hundred acres； and that ten men should be
sent over to begin a town； their families and additional settlers to follow
them in a few months。
The next step was to find a way to send these men across the Atlantic。
Baron George Philipp Frederick von Reck； a nephew of Herr von Pfeil；
who had led the first company of Salzburgers to Georgia； was planning to
take a second company in the course of the next months。 He was young
and enthusiastic； met Zinzendorf's overtures most kindly； and even visited
Herrnhut in the early part of October； 1734； when； as it happened； nine of
the prospective colonists were formally presented to the
Congregation。Baron Reck was very much impressed； promised to take
with him to Georgia any of the Moravians who wished to go； and even
sent to David Nitschmann； who was to conduct the party as far as London；
full authorization to bring as many as desired to come； promising each
man who went at his own expense a fifty…acre freehold in Georgia； and
19
… Page 20…
The Moravians in Georgia
offering others necessary assistance when they reached London。 This
paper was signed at Bautzen； October 22nd； 1734。
But Reck had failed to realize the force of the Halle opposition to
Herrnhut； and soon weakened under the weight of persuasion and
command laid upon him by those whose opinion he felt obliged to
respect。On the 4th of November he wrote from Windhausen to Graf
Stolberg Wernigerode； 〃I have hesitated and vexed myself in much
uncertainty whether or not I should go with the Herrnhuters to
America。And now I know that God has heard our prayer at Halle and
Wernigerode； and your letters have decid