第41章 The Second Year in Georgia(5)

It was a serious mistake that sent Juliana Jaeschke to Savannah with the second company.A seamstress was badly needed, and had she been so minded she might have been very useful, but in a list giving very briefly the standing of each one in the "Society", it is curtly stated that she was "ill-mannered, and obstructing everything."Soon after her arrival it was suggested that she marry Peter Rose, but the lot forbade and he found a much better helpmeet in the widow of Friedrich Riedel.Waschke thought he would like to marry Juliana, but she refused, even though Bishop Nitschmann, Mr.and Mrs.Toeltschig pled with her.Her preference was for George Haberland, and the result was an uncomfortable state of affairs, which disturbed the leaders of the "Society" not a little, for living as they did as one large family it meant constant friction on all sides.They did not know whether to force Juliana to submit to their authority, (as a member of the "Society"she had pledged herself to obedience to the duly elected officers), or whether they should wait and hope for a better frame of mind.At last they referred it to the lot, which read "Juliana shall not marry any one yet."This settled the question for the time being, but did not improve the spirit of the parties concerned.A few of the others were homesick, and lost interest in their work and the cause for which they had come over.

Hermsdorf returned from Frederica, sick and depressed, and was kindly received by the Moravians in Savannah, though their first favorable impression of him had been lost on the voyage across the Atlantic, when he complained of the fare, and lay in bed most of the time.

The leaders of the party, trying to pacify the discontented, comfort the sick, and strengthen those that were left as one and another was called away;planning the daily routine to the best advantage so that they might repay their debt, and still have the necessaries of life for their large company;seeking to teach and convert the Indians, and help the poor about them; --these leaders were further tried by the non-arrival of answers to the letters sent to Germany.Feeling that they MUST know the will of those at home if they were to be able successfully to continue their work, they at last decided to send a messenger to Count Zinzendorf, and the lot designated Andrew Dober.

A ship was lying at anchor, ready to take Gen.Oglethorpe to England, and he readily agreed to take Dober and wife with him, and on December 2nd, they embarked, Dober carrying a number of letters and papers.

Mrs.Dober was quite ill when they left, but rapidly improved in the sea breezes.January 20th, the ship reached London, and Mr.and Mrs.Dober went at once to Mr.Weintraube, who was to forward the letters to Herrnhut.As they were talking Bishop Nitschmann walked in, to their mutual great astonishment.

He reported that Count Zinzendorf had just arrived in London, and had sent to inquire for letters, so those brought from Georgia were at once delivered.Zinzendorf rented a house, the Countess arrived a few days later, and Dober and wife remained in his service during the seven weeks of his stay.

The Count's object in visiting London at this time was fourfold:

to confer with the Georgia Trustees about the Moravians in Savannah;to extend acquaintances among the Germans in London and do religious work among them; to discuss the Episcopate of the Unitas Fratrum with Archbishop Potter of Canterbury; and if possible to revive the "Order of the Mustard Seed".This order had been established by Zinzendorf and several companions in their early boyhood, and grew with their growth, numbering many famous men in its ranks, and it is worthy of note that even in its boyish form it contained the germs of that zeal for missions which was such a dominant feature of the Count's manhood.

Archbishop Potter not only fully acknowledged the validity of the Unity's Episcopate, but urged Zinzendorf himself to accept consecration at the hands of Jablonski and David Nitschmann, and encouraged by him Zinzendorf was consecrated bishop at Berlin, May 20th, 1737.

The Count held frequent services during his stay in London, and before he left a society of ten members had been formed among the Germans, with a few simple regulations, their object being "in simplicity to look to these three things: -- to be saved by the blood of Christ;to become holy, or be sanctified by the blood of Christ;to love one another heartily."

With the Trustees it was agreed: "That the Count's men"might remain for two years longer at Savannah, without cultivating the five hundred acre tract, "and be exempt from all forfeitures arising from such non-cultivation;" but if they chose they might move to the tract any time during the two years.

They might go to Tomochichi's Indians whenever they saw fit and he consented.

Other Indians could not be visited in time of war, but in peace four Moravians should be licensed to go to them, on the same footing as the English ministers.Those living with Tomochichi were not included in this number."As the Moravian Church is believed to be orthodox and apostolic" no one should interfere with their preaching the Gospel, or prevent the Indians from attending their services in Savannah, or elsewhere.The title to their five hundred acre tract was secured to the Moravians, even in case the Count's male line should become extinct.

Reference to military service is conspicuous by its absence, and at the very time that these resolutions were being framed, assurance on that one point was being desperately needed in Savannah.

Rumors of War.

In February, 1737, that which Spangenberg had feared came upon the Moravians, -- military service was peremptorily demanded of them, the occasion being a fresh alarm of Spanish incursions.

The feud between the colonists of Spain and England was of long standing, dating back to rival claims to the New World by right of discovery.