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the moravians in georgia-第35章

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ntrust that errand to him; and himself go at once to Georgia; to see whether he could not help matters there。

John Eckstein; a resident of Germantown; a middle…aged man who was in entire sympathy with Spangenberg's plans for religious work in Pennsylvania; resolved to accompany him on his trip to Georgia。 They sailed from Philadelphia on the 22nd of May; 1737; and had a long and very trying voyage。  The Captain and crew were evil men; given to cursing and swearing; and more than once they threatened to murder the two passengers; whom they called sorcerers; and accused of bringing the continuous head winds and frequent storms upon them。 Seventy…seven long days the voyage lasted; twice they sailed southward past Cape Hatteras; and twice were they driven back to north and east; taking weeks to recover the distance lost; and the Captain finally discovered that not only were the elements against him; but his helmsman was slyly hindering their progress all he could; for some malicious purpose of his own。

To the mental strain of the long journey was added physical discomfort; for firewood gave out; so that no cooking could be done; and for a month the crew lived on hard tack; dried cherries soaked in water; and raw fish;  dolphins caught as need required。  Spangenberg and his companion had brought provisions to supplement the ship's fare; but long before the voyage was ended their store of butter and sugar was exhausted。 Dried ham and tongue had a tendency to increase their thirst; but by soaking tea in cold water they made a beverage which bore at least a fancied resemblance to that brewed on shore。 Then the supply of water ran low; each man's allowance was reduced to a pint a day; and even this small amount would have failed had they not been able occasionally to catch rainwater to replenish their casks。 The Captain at last opened a keg of beer found in his cargo; and sold his passengers enough to relieve their thirst; for which they were very grateful。

But unkind words; delay; uncooked food; thirst; were not all that Spangenberg and his companion had to bear; for actual danger was added to their experience from time to time。  High waves broke over the ship; winds tore away the sails; and a water…spout threatened total destruction。 So late was the ship in reaching port that she was given up for lost; and word was sent to Pennsylvania which caused much grief;  needless grief; for Spangenberg's days of service were not to be ended thus。 It sounds almost trivial to say that in the midst of trials of body; mind and soul Spangenberg occupied himself with making buttons; but no doubt the homely; useful labor did its part toward rendering endurable the seemingly endless days。

At last; on the 7th of August; the ship ran on a sandbank near Tybee; and the Moravians; hearing that Spangenberg was on board; took a boat and brought him to Savannah。  They had asked him to go to England; he had disregarded their request and come to Georgia; but he was dear to them through many months of united service and mutual help; and they gave him a hearty welcome; ignoring all cause for complaint; and taking him at once into their full confidence。  He and Toeltschig sat up all of the first night carefully discussing the condition of affairs and what could be done to remedy them。  Their views were very different; for Spangenberg thought they had been too hasty in deciding to leave Georgia; while Toeltschig felt that it was a reflection on the lot to try and hold them in Savannah; when the lot had said 〃go〃。 But Toeltschig possessed the rare art of seeing a disputed question through the eyes of those who did not agree with him; as well as from his own standpoint; and now; with no petty self…assertion; he quietly awaited developments; and told Spangenberg all that had happened since Neisser's departure。

As the alarm concerning an immediate invasion by the Spanish had died away; the inhabitants of Savannah had regained their composure; and the wild outcry against the Moravians gradually ceased。 The wagon and oxen which had been taken for work on the fort had been returned to their owners; after seven or eight weeks of hard usage; and the hope that starvation would shake the resolution of the non…combatants had signally failed of fulfillment。  The ship which was to bring the town supplies had been twelve weeks late in coming; and the stock in the store…house was almost exhausted。 The authorities therefore had announced that provisions would be sold only to those who were helping build the fort。  This entirely excluded the Moravians; but instead of suffering from hunger they had been able to share with some of their neighbors。  The prices charged at the store in Savannah were always high; so; as he was passing through New York on his return from St。 Thomas; Spangenberg had asked a friend to send the Moravians two thousand pounds of flour and salt…meat; for which they were to pay。  The merchant at that time knew of no ship sailing for Savannah; so in Philadelphia; Spangenberg had arranged that two thousand pounds of meat should be sent from there at once on a year's credit。  Meanwhile the New York merchant found an opportunity to send what was ordered from him; so the Moravians had been surprised by a double quantity; which proved to be just what they needed during the general scarcity。  When the friends in Pennsylvania heard that provisions had been sent; but not enough to last until the next harvest; they gave thirty…six hundred pounds of flour to Spangenberg to be taken; as a present; to the Georgia Moravians; and when word was received that Spangenberg's ship was lost; they sent an additional eighteen hundred pounds; so the 〃Society〃 was well supplied with this necessary article of food for some time to come。

In their household affairs the Moravians had had various experiences。 Hermsdorf had been so thoroughly frightened by the demonstrations against the Moravians that on the 16th of May he had sailed for Germany; regardless of Toeltschig's efforts to persuade him to wait; as his wife might even then be on her way to join him。 Not only did he fear the townspeople so greatly that day and night he stayed in his room 〃as in a prison〃; but he was still more afraid to face Gen。 Oglethorpe; who; it was said; would soon return。 Only once had he joined in the devotional exercises of the household after his return from Frederica; and it was rather a relief when he left for home; having first repaid the amount of his passage to Georgia。 He seems to have retained his connection with the Moravian Church; for he was in Herrnhut when Wesley visited there; and showed him many courtesies; and he is mentioned in 1742; as bearing letters to the 〃Sea Congregation〃; then about to sail for Pennsylvania。

On the 6th of June a four…year…old English boy had been taken into their household。  He was an orphan; and they meant to bring him up; but the little fellow died on the 23rd of July。

On the 10th of June the matrimonial troubles of George Waschke and Juliana Jaeschke had been happily terminated by their marriage。 Waschke had been one of the discontents ever since the arrival of the second company; but when his marriage was finally arranged he professed himself con
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