The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
History
The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740
Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
Moravians -- Georgia
During the weeks that followed, Ingham and Charles Wesley were
frequently with Toeltschig, who answered as best he could their many
questions regarding the history of the Moravian Episcopate, a matter
of vital importance to a strict member of the Church of England who was
thinking of allying himself with them. Everything they heard confirmed
Ingham in his intention, and when John Wesley returned in July he
and Ingham again made application “to be received as brethren in our
Congregation, and to go with us to the Lord’s Table. We entirely refused
to admit them into the Congregation, and I (Toeltschig) gave them the
reasons therefor: (1) That we did not know them well enough; (2) and
that they perhaps did not know us well enough, both things which we
considered highly important; and (3) that their circumstances and
situation were such that it would be difficult if not impossible for
them to comply with the requirements of such admission.” The promises
expected from a Confirmand,--to which they also must have bound
themselves,--are thus summarized. “To give body and soul to the Lord now
and forever; to devote and dedicate himself to the service of the Unity,
according to the grace and gifts bestowed on him by the Saviour; and
willingly to submit to the discipline and regulations which the Unity
has established for the welfare and improvement of souls.” Could these
two men, in the zeal and vigor of their youth, honestly have made
these promises, the Moravian Church would have gained two invaluable
co-workers, but they seem to have accepted Toeltschig’s argument as
conclusive, and dropped the matter, with no ill-will or disturbance of
the existing pleasant relations.
Concerning the Communion “we assured them that we loved them, and would
welcome them as honored guests at the Lord’s Supper, for we believed
that they loved the Lord.” This invitation, however, the young clergymen
would not accept.
On the 6th of August, Charles Wesley left for England, bearing
dispatches to the Trustees, and with the hope of interesting others in
the evangelizing of the Indians. He meant himself to return to Georgia,
but feeble health prevented, and he resigned his office as Secretary to
Gen. Oglethorpe the following May. His brother John accompanied him to
Charlestown, and then went to Frederica to deliver certain letters to
Gen. Oglethorpe. He found there was “less and less prospect of doing
good at Frederica, many there being extremely zealous, and indefatigably
diligent to prevent it,” his opposers even attempting personal violence.
One “lady” tried to shoot him, and when he seized her hands and took
away her pistol, she maliciously bit a great piece out of his arm. Still
he made two more visits to the place, and then in “utter despair of
doing good there,” took his final leave of Frederica.
Work Among the Indians.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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