That "troubles never come singly" was exemplified, for the very day that Jag left, Haberecht went to Toeltschig, and asked if some way could not be found so that HE could marry that same Swiss woman!
Toeltschig was almost stunned by this second blow, and gave a stern answer, whereupon Haberecht applied to Seifert, the Aeltester, who was equally as unyielding in his condemnation of the acquaintance already made, and his refusal to countenance further steps.Poor Haberecht, less resolute than Jag in his rebellion, drank deeply of the waters of Marah during the next weeks; promising to give up the woman, who was really unworthy of his regard, and then trying to draw Toeltschig into a discussion of his possible marriage; despairingly ****** his way to the garden to hide himself among the swine, feeling he was fit for no better company, and then going to the woman and asking her to marry him, to which she consented, having already thrown Jag over;again bitter repentance, confession, and a plea that his associates would forgive him.Either he was really in earnest this time, or Spangenberg's arrival had a salutary effect, for after that the Swiss woman disappears from the story, and two months later Jag returned, promised good behaviour, and humbly asked for readmittance to the household which was at once accorded him.
The first days of his visit to Savannah, Spangenberg spent in acquainting himself with the condition of affairs, and in interviews with the members singly and collectively, trying to persuade them to content themselves in Georgia.
The "bands" were reorganized, but he was unable to re-establish a feeling of unity among them, and even those who were willing to stay, and work, and try whether their plan might not still be carried out, felt that it would be unwise to hold the rest, for as Toeltschig wrote, almost with a groan, "it is a blessed thing to live with a little company of brethren, who are of one heart and one soul, where heart and mind are dedicated to Jesus, but so to live, when many have weak wills and principles, and there must be a community of goods, is rather difficult, especially when many seek their own ends, not the things of Christ."Spangenberg was forced to see that his arguments were futile, and wisely yielded to the inevitable.At a general conference each man was called upon to state his wishes.Several desired to leave at the earliest possible moment, others as soon as the debt was fully paid;two or three wanted to return to Europe, others preferred to go to Pennsylvania to Spangenberg; some longed to live among the Indians as missionaries, while quite a number were content to stay in Savannah, unless absolutely forced to leave, or definitely called to labor elsewhere.
However, no immediate steps were taken toward breaking up the settlement.
On the 12th of August, Spangenberg and Wesley visited the Salzburgers at Ebenezer, by the invitation of Bolzius, the senior pastor.
They, too, had had their troubles without and within, and Gronau had mourned over the fact to the Moravians, who deeply sympathized with him.At this time Gronau and Bolzius differed greatly in their feeling for the Moravians.
Gronau was openly and honestly on the best of terms with them, but Bolzius, while occasionally accepting their hospitality in Savannah, sent complaints to the Trustees, in keeping with his original protest against their coming to Georgia.The English friends of the Moravians heard of these letters, and were much puzzled, as the reports from the Savannah Congregation spoke only of pleasant relations with the Salzburgers, and requests for union of the two forces.
Probably Bolzius was fretted by their refusal to join him, even as the leaders at Halle resented the independence of Herrnhut, and after Gronau's death, in 1745, the pastors of Ebenezer steadily opposed the efforts of the Moravians to recommence a mission work in Georgia.
Apart from the friction with their fellow townsmen and the lack of united purpose among their own number, Spangenberg found the Moravian colony in good condition.Their devotional hours were steadily observed, the Lord's Supper was celebrated regularly, and a weekly conference kept the many interests of the "Society" running smoothly.
By the aid of the second company, various improvements had been made, so that their lots and garden presented a prosperous appearance.
"They have a house in town (on Spangenberg's lot) with a supply of wood for the kitchen.Behind the house is a well, with a pump, on which almost the whole town depends, for it not only never goes dry, as do all the others, but it has the best water to be found in the town.
From early morning to late at night the people come with barrels, pails and pitchers, to take the water to their homes.
Once some one suggested that strangers should be charged so much a pail for the benefit of the orphans, but Frank said `they have so far received spiritual water from us without price, let them also have this freely.'
Between the well and the house is a cow shed.They have a cow, which is pastured out during the day, but comes back in the evening, and they use the milk and butter for the sick.Near the shed is a kitchen and bake-oven, and on the other side a hut for their provisions.
Behind the well, on Nitschmann's lot, stands on one side Tanneberger's and on the other Rose's cabin, with a roof between, under which the leather is stored, which is to be made into shoes.
"Two English miles from the town they have cleared ten acres, (the garden)and planted corn and rice, which is growing nicely.They have set out mulberry, peach, and apple trees, which are doing well;in the middle of the garden, which is enclosed with a fence and ditch, they have built a corn-house, a cabin in which to live, and a stable."Another cabin, the first erected in the garden, had been burned in January, at which time Mrs.Waschke was living in it, though she was away when it caught fire, and returned too late to give an alarm and save it.
