the moravians in georgia(莫罗维恩在乔治亚)-第47章
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imported from the wilds of Africa； and suspicious even of kindness。 Many
knew little of the English tongue； and the few who could understand his
words had not yet learned that there was a God who cared how they lived
or what became of them。Their masters； as a rule； thought the missionaries
were attempting an almost hopeless task in trying to lift these negroes
above the brute creation； but were quite willing to give permission and an
opportunity to reach them； and on this tour Boehler found only one land…
owner who refused his consent。
Purisburg had been named as the location of the negro school； but
Boehler found there were very few negroes in the town； which had been
largely settled by Swiss； who had not prospered greatly and had bought
few slaves。The nearest plantation employing negroes was five miles
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distant； and only seven lived there； so the outlook was far from
encouraging at that point。
Boehler and Schulius then made their way from one plantation to
another； until they reached Charlestown。The Rev。 Mr。 Garden； to whom
they had a letter of introduction； advised that the school should be begun
in Charlestown； where there was a large negro population； perhaps a
thousand souls。This was more than could be found on any single
plantation in Carolina； and as the slaves were strictly forbidden to go from
one plantation to another it would hardly be possible to find another place
where so many could be reached at the same time。Boehler and Schulius
were much impressed with the advantages offered； especially as Mr。
Garden promised all the assistance he could give； and they debated
whether Schulius should not stay and begin at once； while Boehler
returned to report to Oglethorpe。The lot was finally tried； and the direction
received that they should carefully study the situation but wait until later
to commence work。Therefore on the 1st of November the two companions
set out for Savannah； which they reached in eight days。
The following weeks were a sore trial for the missionaries。 With a
promising field in sight； and eager to commence work in it； they were
obliged to wait for Oglethorpe's permission； and Oglethorpe was very
busy on the frontier establishing the outposts for which his regiment had
been brought over。When he did return to Savannah； it was only for a few
hours； and he was in no frame of mind for a long argument of pros and
cons。He told Boehler rather testily that they should not go to Charlestown
with his consent； that if they were not willing to follow the plan for
Purisburg he would have nothing more to do with them； and that if they
wanted to talk further they must wait till he came again。
Boehler and Schulius wished themselves free to proceed without his
consent； wished they had not entered into an agreement with 〃the
associates of the late Dr。 Bray〃； but under the circumstances felt
themselves bound to give the work at Purisburg a fair trial。In December；
Schulius went to Purisburg to look over the field； and make acquaintance
with the people； while Boehler waited at Savannah for Oglethorpe； and
finally； when his patience was quite exhausted； followed the General to St。
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Simons。 Oglethorpe persisted in his intention to have the school at
Purisburg； and when he learned that his wishes would be obeyed he gave
instructions for the renting of a large house and two acres of ground； and
for supplies to be furnished from the store at Savannah。
In February； 1739； therefore； Boehler and Schulius settled in Purisburg。
Young Harper seems to have been with them in Purisburg on some of their
earlier visits； but was sent temporarily to Savannah； and as he does not
reappear in the records； he probably went back to his English home。David
Zeisberger； Jr。； joined Boehler and was his willing helper in many ways。
At first the outlook was rather more promising than they expected。
There were very few colored children for the school； but 〃daily more were
bought and born；〃 there was some interest aroused among the older
negroes； and the owners were disposed to be friendly； and allow the
missionaries free access to their slaves。 The German and Swiss settlers
were unaffectedly glad to have the Moravians in their midst； and begged
for religious services； and instruction for their children； so Boehler and
Schulius agreed on a division of labor； the latter to devote himself to the
white residents and their little ones； while Boehler spent most of his time
visiting adjoining plantations。
But when the warm weather came Boehler was taken with fever； and
from June to October he suffered severely。From time to time he was able
to be up； and even to visit Savannah； but he was so weak and his feet were
so badly swollen that walking was very difficult； and of course missionary
tours were impossible。
On the 4th of August； George Schulius died； after an illness of
eighteen days' duration。Boehler was in Savannah when he was taken sick；
but returned in time to nurse him； to soothe him in delirium； and to lay
him to rest amid the lamentations of the Purisburg residents。 At his death
the school for white children was given up； for Boehler was too weak to
shoulder the additional load； and felt that his first duty was to the
negroes。In September； Oglethorpe was in Savannah； and after much
difficulty Boehler obtained speech with him； and succeeded in convincing
him that a negro school at Purisburg was hopeless。He approved of
Boehler's plan to itinerate among the plantations and promised that both
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his own and Schulius' salaries should be paid him； that he might be
supplied for traveling expenses。In November； when his health was
restored； Boehler wished to make his first journey； but the storekeeper
declined to pay him any money until the expiration of the quarter year。
When he went again at the appointed time the storekeeper refused to pay
anything without a new order from Oglethorpe； except the remainder of
the first year's salary； now long overdue。Boehler concluded that the man
had received private instructions from Oglethorpe； and that his services
were no longer desired by the representative of 〃the associates〃； so in
January； 1740； he gave up further thought of obligation to them； and
prepared to go on his own account。 He planned to go by boat to Purisburg
and from there on foot through Carolina to Charlestown； but on the way
up the Savannah River the canoe was overtaken by a severe thunderstorm；
and forced to land。 Knowing that a sloop would sail in two days h
