ndorf's boyhood, yet from his earliest days
his thoughts turned often to those who lay beyond the reach of gospel
light. In 1730, while on a visit to Copenhagen, he heard that the
Lutheran Missionary Hans Egede, who for years had been laboring single
handed to convert the Eskimos of Greenland, was sorely in need of help;
and Anthony, the negro body-servant of a Count Laurwig, gave him a most
pathetic description of the condition of the negro slaves in the Danish
West Indies.

Filled with enthusiasm, Zinzendorf returned to Herrnhut, and poured the
two stories into willing ears, for ever since the great revival of 1727
the Moravian emigrants had been scanning the field, anxious to carry the
"good news" abroad, and held back only by the apparent impossibility of
going forward. Who were they, without influence, without means, without
a country even, that they should take such an office upon themselves?
But the desire remained, and at this summons they prepared to do the
impossible. In August, 1732, two men started for St. Thomas,--in April,
1733, three more sailed for Greenland, and in the face of hardships that
would have daunted men of less than heroic mold, successful missions
were established at both places.

But this was not enough. "My passionate desire," wrote Zinzendorf from
Herrnhut in January, 1735, "my passionate desire to make Jesus known
among the heathen has found a satisfaction in the blessed Greenland, St.
Thomas and Lapp work, but without appeasing my hunger. I therefore look
into every opportunity which presents itself, seeking that the kingdom
of my Redeemer may be strengthened among men."

Nor did he lack ready assistants, for the Moravians were as eager as he.
"When we in Herrnhut heard of Georgia, of which much was being published
in the newspapers, and when we realized the opportunity it would give
to carry the Truth to the heathen, several Brethren, who had the Lord's
honor much at heart, were led, doubtless by His hand, to think that it
would be a good plan to send some Brethren thither, if it might please
the Lord to bless our work among the heathen, and so to bring those poor
souls, now far from Christ, nigh unto Him. We tried to learn about the
land, but could secure no accurate information, for some spoke from
hearsay, others with prejudice, and many more with too great partiality.
But we at last decided to venture, in the faith that the Lord would help
us through."

The needs of the Schwenk