the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第4节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
during the years immediately preceding the renewal of the Unitas Fratrum；
were a company of Schwenkfelders。Their sojourn on his estate was
comparatively brief； and their association with the Moravian Church only
temporary； but they are of interest because their necessities led directly to
the Moravian settlements in Georgia and Pennsylvania。
The Schwenkfelders took their name from Casper Schwenkfeld； a
Silesian nobleman contemporary with Luther； who had in the main
embraced the Reformer's doctrines； but formed some opinions of his own
in regard to the Lord's Supper； and one or two other points。His followers
were persecuted in turn by Lutherans and Jesuits； and in 1725 a number of
them threw themselves on the mercy of Count Zinzendorf。He permitted
them to stay for a while at Herrnhut； where their views served to increase
the confusion which prevailed prior to the revival of 1727； about which
time he moved them to Ober…Berthelsdorf。
In 1732； Zinzendorf's personal enemies accused him； before the Saxon
Court； of being a dangerous man； and the Austrian Government
complained that he was enticing its subjects to remove to his estates。 The
Count asked for a judicial investigation； which was granted； the Prefect of
Goerlitz spending three days in a rigid examination of the affairs of
Herrnhut。The result was a most favorable report； showing the orthodoxy
of the settlers； and that instead of urging emigration from Bohemia and
Moravia； Zinzendorf had protested against it； receiving only those who
were true exiles for conscience' sake。 In spite of this the Saxon
Government； a few months later； forbade him to receive any more
refugees。
In April； 1733； a decree went forth that all Schwenkfelders were to
leave the Kingdom of Saxony。This； of course； affected those who were
12
… Page 13…
The Moravians in Georgia
living at Ober…Berthelsdorf； and a committee of four waited on Count
Zinzendorf； and requested him to secure a new home for them in the land
of Georgia in North America。Probably Zinzendorf； whose attention had
been caught by the attractive advertisements of the Trustees； had
unofficially suggested the idea to them。
Lest his opening negotiations with the English Company should
foment the trouble at home； he sent his first communication to them
anonymously； about the end of 1733。
〃A nobleman； of the Protestant religion； connected with the most
influential families of Germany； has decided to live for a time in America；
without； however； renouncing his estates in Germany。But as circumstances
render it inadvisable for him to take such a step hastily； he wishes to send
in advance a number of families of his dependents； composed of honest；
sturdy； industrious； skillful； economical people； well ordered in their
domestic affairs； who； having no debts； will try to sell such possessions as
they cannot take with them in order to raise the funds for establishing
themselves in their new home。
〃This nobleman； on his part； promises：
（1）To be governed by the King； and the English Nation； in all things；
matters of conscience alone excepted； that is； he will be true to the Prince；
the Protestant Succession； and Parliament in everything relating to the
estates he may receive in this country； and thereto will pledge his life； and
the property he may in future hold under the protection of His Majesty of
Great Britain。
（2）To be surety for the dependents that he sends over； and to assume
only such jurisdiction over them as is customary among English Lords on
their estates。
（3）To carefully repay the English Nation such sums as may be
advanced for his establishment in Georgia； and moreover； as soon as the
property is in good condition； to consider it only as rented until the
obligation is discharged。
（4）To assist the King and Nation； with all zeal and by all means in his
power； to carry out His Majesty's designs for Georgia。 He will bring to that
all the insight and knowledge of a man of affairs； who from youth up has
13
… Page 14…
The Moravians in Georgia
studied the most wholesome principles and laws for a State； and has had
personal experience in putting them into execution； but； on the other hand；
he has learned such self…control that he will meddle with nothing in which
his services are not desired。
〃In consideration of these things the nobleman asks that
（1）If more knowledge of his standing is desired he shall be expected to
give it to no one except a Committee of Parliament； composed of members
of both houses； appointed by his Britannic Majesty； or to a Committee of
the ‘Collegii directoriatis' of America； who shall be empowered to grant
his requests； this in view of the fact that the petitioner is a German
Nobleman； whose family is well known； his father having been
Ambassador to England； and his kindred among the foremost statesmen of
Europe。
（2）After the Committee has received sufficient and satisfactory
information it shall be silent in regard to the circumstances and his
personality； as he has weighty reasons for not wishing to subject himself to
criticism。
（3）He shall be given a written agreement； guaranteeing the following
things：
a。That he shall receive enough land for a householdof fifty to sixty
persons； and for about a hundred other dependents；most of whom have a
trade or profession； and all ableto help build up the country。
b。That his dependents shall be given free transportation；and supplies
for the voyage。
c。That they shall be taken directly to the place mentionedin the
agreement。
d。That he and his agent shall have certain sums advanced to himfor
the expenses of the removal to Georgia； the money to be given themonly
when they are ready to embark in England； payment to be madeseveral
years later； a rate of interest having been mutually agreed on；and the estate
in Georgia being given for security if necessary。
e。All that is needed for the building of a village for himself andhis
dependents shall be furnished them； but as an interest bearing loan。
f。That he； and the colonists who will go with him； shall havefull
14
… Page 15…
The Moravians in Georgia
religious liberty； they being neither papists nor visionaries。
g。That if any of his dependents should fall into errorno one should
attempt to correct them； but leave him to handle the matteraccording to his
own judgment； on the other hand he will stand suretyfor the conduct of his
dependents as citizens。
h。That he and his descendents shall be taken under the protectionof
the English Nation if they request it。
i。That he may be permitted to choose whether he will go himself to
Georgia；or send a representative to set his affairs in order； and if the
latter；then the representative shall receive the courteous treatmentthat
would have been accorded him。
j。That those among his colonists who wish to preach the gospelto the
heathen shall be allowed to do so； and their converts shall havethe same
religious freedom as his colonists。
k。That he and his dependents in Georgia shall be given the
privilegesin spiritual affairs which the independent Lords of Germany
enjoyin temporal affairs。
l。That all his property shall be at the service of the Statein time of
need； but neither he nor his dependents shall be called onfor military duty；
in lieu whereof he will； if necessary；pay a double war tax。〃
From this document it appears that even at this early stage of the
negotiations Zinzendorf's plans for the settlement in Georgia were well
matured。A town was to be built by his colonists； where they should have
all privileges for the free exercis
