The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
History
The Moravians in Georgia, 1735-1740
Fries, Adelaide L. (Adelaide Lisetta)
Moravians -- Georgia
When the Moravians adopted the conversion of the Indians as their main
object for settling in America, they were greatly influenced by the
attractive descriptions of the “wild people” which were being published.
In a “Report”, ascribed to Gen. Oglethorpe, it is stated that “nothing
is lacking for their conversion to the Christian faith except a
knowledge of their language, for they already have an admirable
conception of ‘morals’, and their conduct agrees perfectly therewith.
They have a horror of adultery, and disapprove of polygamy. Thieving is
unknown to them. Murder is considered an abominable crime, and no one
may be killed except an enemy, when they esteem it a virtue.” This,
like too many a description written then and now to exploit a colonizing
scheme, was far too good to be true. The Indians proved apt learners,
but of the vices rather than the virtues of the English, and drunkenness
with all its attendant evils, was quickly introduced. Afraid of their
dusky neighbors, anxious to keep on good terms with them, distrusting
their loyalty to the English under the bribes offered by French and
Spanish, the Government tried to limit the intercourse between the
Indians and the settlers as much as possible, treating the former as
honored guests whenever they came to Savannah, but forbidding the latter
to go to them without special permit in times of peace, and not at all
in time of war.
When the Moravians came the restlessness which presaged war was stirring
among the tribes, becoming more and more pronounced, and one of the
Indian Chiefs said frankly, “Now our enemies are all about us, and we
can do nothing but fight, but if the Beloved Ones should ever give us to
be at peace, then we would hear the Great Word.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account