The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
History
The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740
Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
Moravians -- Georgia
Early on the following morning, April 8th, he had their town lots
assigned, (Nos. 3 and 4 Second Tything, Anson Ward), in order that their
baggage might be brought directly to their own property, for he had
found that lodgings in the town were very dear, and decided that a small
cabin should be built at once and a house as soon as possible. Going
then to the ship he guided the company to their new home, and the entire
day was consumed in moving their belongings to the town, as it was some
distance, and everything had to be carried by hand to the little hut
which was hastily erected and roofed over with sacking. Evening came
before they had really finished the arrangement of their possessions,
but before they prepared and shared their evening meal, they humbly
knelt and thanked God for His mercies, discussed the Bible text for the
day, and joined in several familiar hymns. A New York merchant stopped
and asked them to sing one of his favorites, which was done, and an
Indian who had joined them near the river and followed them home, stayed
through the service, and at parting beckoned them to come and visit him.
Despite their fatigue, the “Hourly Intercession” was observed throughout
the night, their slumbers rendered more peaceful by the knowledge that
one and another in turn was watching and praying beside them.
On the following day two more Indians visited the Moravians. Their faces
were adorned with streaks of red paint, and they seemed very friendly,
rejoiced over the gift of two pewter mugs, and on leaving made signs
that some one should go with them, an invitation that could not then be
accepted.
The 10th of April, the first Sunday in America, Spangenberg attended
service in the English Church, and heard a sermon on the text, “Be not
overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good,” well fitted to be the
watchword of the Moravian settlers in the trials that were before them.
No unpleasant presentiments, however, troubled them, as they went busily
about their work during the next weeks. Mr. Causton was very pleasant
to them, selling them provisions at cost, offering them credit at the
store, and promising Spangenberg a list of such Indian words as he had
been able to learn and write down. He also introduced him to Tomochichi,
the Indian Chief, and to John Musgrove, who had a successful trading
house near the town. Musgrove had married Mary, an Indian princess of
the Uchees, who had great influence with all the neighboring tribes. At
a later time, through the machinations of her third husband, she made
much trouble in Georgia, but during the earlier years of the Colony
she was the true friend of the white settlers, frequently acting as
Interpreter in their conferences with the Indians, and doing much to
make and keep the bond of peace between the two races.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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