ay, meanwhile making numerous acquaintances, and gaining much valuable
information.
Bishop Nitschmann remained in Savannah until March 26th, when he sailed
to Charlestown. There he was detained ten days waiting for a
northbound ship, and employed the time in delivering several letters
of introduction, and learning all he could about Carolina, and the
conditions there. On the 28th of April he reached New York, and left
on the 9th of May for Philadelphia, going partly by boat, and partly
on foot, reaching there on the 13th. Six weeks he and Spangenberg spent
together, visiting many neighborhoods, and informing themselves as to
the religious and material outlook in Pennsylvania, and then Nitschmann
sailed for Germany.
His report gave a new turn to the American plans, for both he and
Spangenberg were much pleased with Pennsylvania. Quite a number of the
settlers seemed open to the idea of mutual aid in the spiritual life,
material conditions were very different from those in Georgia and better
suited to the Moravian needs, the Quaker Governor was not likely to
force military service upon people who held the same theories as himself
in regard to warfare, and there were large tribes of Indians within easy
reach, to whom the Gospel might be preached. As troubles thickened in
Savannah, therefore, the heads of the Church at Herrnhut began to look
toward Pennsylvania, and ultimately sent thither the larger companies
originally destined for Georgia.
In August, Spangenberg went to visit the Moravian Mission on the island
of St. Thomas, returning to Pennsylvania in November, where he remained
until the following year.
Chapter V. The Second Year in Georgia.
The English Clergymen.
The same day that Bishop Nitschmann left Savannah, John Wesley moved
into the parsonage which had just been vacated by his predecessor, Mr.
Quincy. A week earlier he had entered upon his ministry at Savannah,
being met by so large and attentive an audience that he was much
encouraged, and began with zeal to perform his pastoral duties. He was
the third Rector of the Savannah Parish, the Rev. Henry Herbert having
been the first, and he preached in a rude chapel built on the lot
reserved for a house of worship in the original plan of Savannah,--the
site of the present Christ Church.
The first word of discouragement was brought by Ingham, who returned
from Frederica on April 10th, with a message from Charles Wesley begging
his brothe
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