Preface

Publication of the First Continuation of the Complete Report on the Salzburger Emigrants who Settled in America encountered many obstacles; but the wishes of so many people for further news on the matter has caused me to give them some satisfaction and to bring out said First Continuation with the assurance that, God giving life, health, and strength, everything not reported will be brought out at Easter Fair 1738, particularly a complete report on the reception, voyage, and happy landing of the third transport in Georgia.

To give the honored reader an idea as to what he may find in the present volume, be it known that it contains (1) the diary of the two patiently working Pastors Boltzius and Gronau which they have sent to me from time to time from Ebenezer and which covers the period from 17 Jul. 1734 to the end of the year 1735; (2) A number of noteworthy and pertinent letters written by said pastors; (3) a double appendix covering the conference and sermon shown on the title page⁵ as both were sent to me from Boston by Mr. Jonathan Belcher, Knight, Commander-in-Chief, and supreme Governor of New England, and from Mr. Coleman, SS. Doctor of Theology and First Pastor, accompanied by two important letters written in Latin, of which we promise to give an extract to our worthy reader in the second continuation.

In addition to this, I find it necessary to mention several other matters. First, that on 27 Febr. 1736, the press of the orphanage at Halle printed a few folios for me with the following title: Reliable Report on the Spiritual and Physical Condition of the Salzburger Emigrants who have Settled in America, how they fared until the 1st of September 1735, as reported to Germany by the Pastors and by some of the Salzburgers themselves.

Second, that pleasing reports continue to come in of the good work which God has begun in many Colonists, as witnessed by the diaries of the pastors which I have until March of the current year. Yet, as might be expected, Satan is doing everything he can to plant tares among the wheat and to make some members of the congregation dissatisfied through hard trials, just as he succeeded once in making Israel dissatisfied with God and Moses. But the two teachers are making joint efforts against this and, with God’s help, have won many and great victories over him.

Third, although the Trustees and the well known and praiseworthy Society continue to assist the Salzburgers, the latter have had to suffer severe trials from time to time, partly because they are working land that is quite wild, partly because they are so far away from England where important decisions must be made.

Fourth, the pastors and most of their listeners have shown through all this an admirable steadfastness, Christian spirit, patience, and devotion to God’s will. But also the Trustees, upon hearing of some of the hardships, have offered to furnish relief themselves and have given favorable answers to various requests. I have received a letter dated 19 Jul. 1737 from Mr. Henry Newman, secretary of the Society, which states the following:

P.P.

“In answer to yours of 6 May: As You requested, the Society has turned over to the court chaplain, Mr. Ziegenhagen, the forty pounds sterling of Salzburger money, in accordance with the decision you conveyed to us in your letter of 1 Feb.

Concerning the three points in your letter dealing with the Trustees of Georgia, which were presented to them in full, they have let me know through one of the most worthy members of the Society,

1. How they were in agreement with the first point, that the third group of Salzburgers shall receive the same assistance in regard to livestock, in addition to other freedoms enjoyed by the earlier ones, and that the necessary orders have already been issued.

2. In answer to the second point, the Trustees will continue to give special attention to the Salzburgers, who are confessors of the truth and thus worthy of the love of every good Christian who suffers when Christ’s members suffer.

3. To answer your third point, it is true that Parliament has granted twenty thousand pounds sterling to the Colony but has apportioned the sum for certain uses from which the Trustees may not deviate; but, since this sum is destined for the service and protection of the entire land, the Salzburgers and other Colonists will undoubtedly benefit from it.

It gives me pleasure to report further that Mr. Oglethorpe is preparing for his voyage back to the province in order to do all the things he deems necessary for the good of the colony; to this end, His Royal Majesty has graciously appointed him Commander-in-Chief of all forces in Carolina and Georgia so that he can suppress all hostile enterprises that might disturb the peace, etc.”

Fifth, it is hoped that the kind reader will not form a bad opinion of God’s work because these people, too, must pass through the narrow gate. Having received the call and having resolved to go to the New World, they themselves recognize that God is concerned with what is best for them in this land, that is, for the salvation of their souls, and that He will always lighten their crosses, physical discomforts, and dark clouds with His help and the light of His Grace.

The SIXTH point is that more than a year ago the Salzburger Colonists, with the consent of the Trustees, left Ebenezer and, because of better soil conditions, built houses two or two and a half hours from there, on the so-called Red Bluff, which has been named New-Ebenezer.

SEVENTH, it is hoped that no one will condemn the two pastors for the occasional inclusion in their diary of descriptions of the difficulties and hard circumstances with which they have to deal from time to time. This is not a matter of shame or cause for reproach for the Trustees, just as it was not to shame and reproach God when Moses recorded in his books how the Israelites, who were His own people and whom He led from Egypt with His mighty arms, suffered from hunger, grief, and other distress (Exodus 16:3, etc.). Besides, such reports are necessary because they help us form a better judgment of the place and also because they encourage the true Children of God to pray and do good deeds for our dear Colonists.

EIGHTH, for the glory of God, we will not keept it a secret that in many ways the wishes of the two pastors and their listeners have been fulfilled. In accordance with such wishes, God has let them have the desired books, medicines, and other things which were sent partly from here and partly from Halle, and the things they are still lacking are now on the way. The Lord has started to move many hearts here and abroad so that they are sharing with this small flock in the outermost part of the world, which has been especially helpful for their schools, their hospitals, and their poorhouses. They have expressed their thanks in letters to me and to others and they will be no less appreciative in the future. Among the good deeds must be numbered that recently a doctor was sent to them from Halle. This the colonists had desired very much. What is still lacking, The LORD will give if He finds it good, so that the shepherds and sheep there will learn: Our GOD is the old GOD of whom it is said: He does what the Godfearing wish, and He hears their cries.

NINTH, no one has cause to be irritated if descriptions of worldly matters in the following reports differ at times from earlier ones, for it is well to remember that it could not be otherwise when conditions are such as the ones in which the pastors must live, where nearly everything can be learned only slowly, through experience.

TENTH, regarding matters of theology to be found in the diary, we ask the kind reader to judge them by the similarity of faith and with the best understanding of which he is capable, in the spirit of Jesus’ dictum: Do unto others what ye would that men should do unto you. The reader following this rule, for example, finding an entry on 25 July 1734 about the heart-prayer of a certain Salzburger, will not conclude that the two pastors hold that a prayer taken by a repentant and believing man from a good prayerbook, such as Arnd’s Garden of Paradise, could not be called a heart-prayer. Instead he will recognize that the pastors are merely relating what the Salzburger told them about his experience; later the Christian reader will see that this good man, who was being tempted, was affected by this prayer no differently than he would have been by one addressed to GOD in his own words, without the aid of a book, in the spirit of truth; at the same time he considered it an aid to rid himself more thoroughly and more quickly of his bad thoughts through prayer.

ELEVENTH, anyone able to give the two pastors and their flock some advice, worldly or spiritual, or anyone wanting further information regarding their situation, may be assured that anything sent to me will be forwarded to its proper place.

TWELFTH, a number of particulars and personalities that seem unimportant to us do not seem that way to others; thus we have intentionally committed to print many such things so that the Salzburgers that are scattered about may get detailed information about their kin and fellow countrymen in Georgia.

THIRTEENTH, although no transport has gone to Ebenezer this year, which was to include some craftsmen which they need very badly, the LORD has provided ways and means for sending them a number of very necessary items this year.

Finally, I pray to GOD that these edifying diaries may serve a good purpose everywhere and that the wonderful examples contained therein of faith that is active through love and Christian patience (which gave those who died a happy and peaceful end), may make a deep impression; also that HE, the LORD, may personally care for His small flock (which should not be afraid because it is small) on the entire earth and, consequently, at Ebenezer, that He may continue His mighty protection of this people, so small in the eyes of the world, against the open and the secret attacks of their spiritual and worldly enemies from which He has protected them so far. May He teach this flock, wherever it may be and when the time comes, to cling faithfully to the words to be read in the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 33, v. 2024: Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down: not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams, wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ships pass thereby. For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver! The LORD is our King, He will save us. Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein SHALL BE FORGIVEN THEIR INIQUITY. Enough! Written at Augsburg 25 Sept. 1737

Samuel Urlsperger

N. B. The second part of the appendix should be the first. The Christian reader will please consider this in his reading.