第 27 节
作者:
一半儿 更新:2021-02-20 18:38 字数:9322
inheritance from the earlier days。 It is now more commonly called 〃the
Workers' Lovefeast〃; an attempt to unite 〃Helper〃 and 〃Diener〃 in a term
understood by all。
At a 〃Helpers' Conference〃 held on March 13th; it was decided to have
nothing more to do with Vollmar; the Wittenberg carpenter; who had
crossed with the second company; had proved false and malicious; and had
now joined Herr von Reck's party without the consent of the Moravians。
More important; however; than the Vollmar affair; was the proposed
departure of Spangenberg for Pennsylvania。Most faithfully had he fulfilled
his commission to take the first company of Moravians to Georgia; and
settle them there; patiently had he labored for and with them during their
days of greatest toil and privation; controlling his own desire to keep his
promise and go to the Schwenkfelders; who were complaining with some
bitterness of his broken faith; but now his task was ended; the Savannah
Congregation was ready to be thrown on its own resources; Gen。
Oglethorpe had provided him with letters of introduction; and the 〃lot〃
said; 〃Let him go; for the Lord is with him。〃
Final questions were asked and answered; Spangenberg's Commission
was delivered to him; and then Bishop Nitschmann 〃laid his blessing
upon〃 him。 In the Lutheran Church; to which he belonged before he joined
the Moravians; Spangenberg had been an accredited minister of the Gospel。
The Church of England refused to acknowledge the validity of Lutheran
ordination; because that Church had no Episcopate; but the Moravians;
influenced by Count Zinzendorf; himself a Lutheran by birth; broad…
minded; liberal; and devout; did not hesitate to fraternize with the
Lutherans; or even to accept the Sacraments at the hands of Pastor Rothe;
in charge of the Parish Church of Berthelsdorf。 At the same time they
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prized the Episcopate lately transferred to them from the ancient Unitas
Fratrum; and while continuing in free fellowship with Christians of all
denominational names; they now intended to so ordain their own ministry
that no church could question it。 When the three grades were established in
1745; a license to preach granted by the Lutheran Church was considered
equivalent to the rank of Deacon; ordination in the Moravian Church
making the minister a Presbyter。
Now fully equipped for his mission to the English Colony of
Pennsylvania; Spangenberg left Savannah on March 15th; going on Capt。
Dunbar's ship to Port Royal; where he lodged with a man who was born in
Europe; his wife in Africa; their child in Asia; and they were all now living
in America!From Port Royal he went by land almost to Charlestown; the
last short distance being in a chance boat; and from Charlestown he sailed
to New York。From there he proceeded to Philadelphia; and to the
Schwenkfelders; making his home with Christopher Wiegner on his farm
in the Skippack woods; where George Boehnisch was also living。
Spangenberg worked on the farm that he might not be a burden to his host;
and might meet the neighbors in a familiar way; meanwhile making
numerous acquaintances; and gaining much valuable information。
Bishop Nitschmann remained in Savannah until March 26th; when he
sailed to Charlestown。There he was detained ten days waiting for a
northbound ship; and employed the time in delivering several letters of
introduction; and learning all he could about Carolina; and the conditions
there。On the 28th of April he reached New York; and left on the 9th of
May for Philadelphia; going partly by boat; and partly on foot; reaching
there on the 13th。Six weeks he and Spangenberg spent together; visiting
many neighborhoods; and informing themselves as to the religious and
material outlook in Pennsylvania; and then Nitschmann sailed for
Germany。
His report gave a new turn to the American plans; for both he and
Spangenberg were much pleased with Pennsylvania。Quite a number of the
settlers seemed open to the idea of mutual aid in the spiritual life; material
conditions were very different from those in Georgia and better suited to
the Moravian needs; the Quaker Governor was not likely to force military
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The Moravians in Georgia
service upon people who held the same theories as himself in regard to
warfare; and there were large tribes of Indians within easy reach; to whom
the Gospel might be preached。As troubles thickened in Savannah;
therefore; the heads of the Church at Herrnhut began to look toward
Pennsylvania; and ultimately sent thither the larger companies originally
destined for Georgia。
In August; Spangenberg went to visit the Moravian Mission on the
island of St。 Thomas; returning to Pennsylvania in November; where he
remained until the following year。
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The Moravians in Georgia
Chapter V。 The Second Year in
Georgia。
The English Clergymen。
The same day that Bishop Nitschmann left Savannah; John Wesley
moved into the parsonage which had just been vacated by his predecessor;
Mr。 Quincy。 A week earlier he had entered upon his ministry at Savannah;
being met by so large and attentive an audience that he was much
encouraged; and began with zeal to perform his pastoral duties。He was the
third Rector of the Savannah Parish; the Rev。 Henry Herbert having been
the first; and he preached in a rude chapel built on the lot reserved for a
house of worship in the original plan of Savannah; the site of the present
Christ Church。
The first word of discouragement was brought by Ingham; who
returned from Frederica on April 10th; with a message from Charles
Wesley begging his brother to come to his relief。He told a woeful story of
persecution by the settlers; and injustice from Oglethorpe to Charles
Wesley; all undeserved; as Oglethorpe freely admitted when he threw off
the weight of suspicion laid upon his mind by malicious slanderers; and
sought an interview with his young secretary; in which much was
explained and forgiven。But poor Charles was in great straits when he sent
Ingham to Savannah; sick; slighted; and abused; deprived even of the
necessaries of life; and so cast down that on one occasion he exclaimed;
〃Thanks be to God; it is not yet made a capital offence to give me a morsel
of bread!〃
Wesley obeyed the summons; taking Delamotte with him; Ingham
caring for the Church and Delamotte's school during their absence。 There
were poor school facilities in Savannah prior to Delamotte's arrival; and he
at once saw the need; and devoted himself to it。 Delamotte seems to have
been a quiet man; who took little share in the aggressive work of his
companions; and consequently escaped the abuse which was heaped upon
them。
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On April 22nd; Ingham sent an invitation to Toeltschig to visit him;
and this was the beginning of a close personal friendship which lasted for
the rest of their lives; and of such a constant intercourse between Ingham
and the Moravian Church; that he is often supposed to have become a
member of it; though he really never severed his connection with the
Church of England。Toeltschig speaks of him as 〃a very young man; about
24 or 25 years of age; who has many good impulses in his soul; and is
much awakened。〃He had come to Georgia for the sole purpose of bearing
the Gospel message to the Indians; and it was through him that the
Moravians were finally able to b