第 25 节
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一半儿 更新:2021-02-20 18:38 字数:9322
English coast; but now; with Bishop Nitschmann to preside; they were able
to partake together; finding much blessing therein。 They resolved in the
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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
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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
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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。He answered; ‘Yes。' Then he was
reminded of the evil which arose when bishops; seeing their power in a
Congregation; began to exalt themselves; and to make outward show of
their pre…eminence。He was asked whether he would recognize as evil;
abjure; and at once suppress any inclination he might feel toward pride in
his position as Chief Elder; and his larger authority。He answered with a
grave and thoughtful ‘Yes。' Then our Nitschmann prayed over him
earnestly; and ordained him to his office with the laying on of
hands。Nitschmann was uncommonly aroused and happy; but Anton Seifert
was very humble and quiet。〃John Wesley; who was present; wrote 〃The
great simplicity; as well as solemnity; of the whole; almost made me forget
the seventeen hundred years between; and imagine myself in one of those
assemblies where form and state were not; but Paul the tent…maker; or
Peter the fisherman; presided; yet with the demonstration of the Spirit and
of power。〃
Both Wesley and Benjamin Ingham refer to Seifert as a 〃bishop〃;
which is a mistake; though a natural one。Wesley was present at the
ordination; and heard the charge; with example and warning drawn from
the actions of earlier bishops; while Ingham; in the course of several long
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conversations with Toeltschig concerning the Moravian Episcopate and
Seifert's ordination; asked 〃is Anton a bishop?〃 and was answered; 〃yes;
FOR OUR CONGREGATION。〃 This was in view of the fact that Bishop
Nitschmann; in ordaining Seifert; had empowered him to delegate another
member to hold th