Gnadenhütten Journal - Comprehensive
Report
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They were satisfied with this answer and were happy that Brothers Joseph and Nathanael Seidel, who have visited them, are coming here.
Soon thereafter, our Brethren came back from hunting and brought two deer for the guests. At the same time twelve foreign Indians arrived from the Susquehanna for a visit, among them were Gottlieb’s mother, brother and sister and Amos with his wife and children.
During the evening service the hall was quite full, and several were standing in front of the windows. The Savior was close to us and we could feel his wounds.
Sunday, July 16th, last night at 1 o’clock Brother Martin came back from Bethlehem with Simon the Indian with a message that Brother Joseph with several other Brethren will come to us today. In the morning our Indian Brethren made a green covered passageway at Salomon’s cabin, so that the guests would have room and shade.
At 10 o’clock, as the Nanticokes were eating their breakfast, 15 Shawnee arrived with three children.
Brother Abraham went to meet them, greeted them and led them to the Nanticokes, who were happy about their arrival and asked to join them for breakfast.
One hour later, 17 more Nanticokes came with their wives and children, whom Nathanael the Indian received and provided food for them. Now together they numbered 107. Brother Martin and Schmick visited them. Many among them knew Brother Martin and were happy that he was also there. Brother Martin told them that the two Brethren who have visited them before, will come from Bethlehem, at which everyone rejoiced. Old Cossy was especially happy, that he could see Brother Martin with his own eyes again.
Brothers Joseph, Nathanael Seidel, Hermann, Webe, who recently came up from St. Thomas, David Zeisberger and Rundt arrived at 2 o’clock to our and especially to our guests’ gratification.
After 4 o’clock Brother Joseph invited distinguished Nanticokes and Shawnee to a small council: from them there were five, from the white and brown Brethren there were thirteen. Brother Joseph opened the meeting with a sincere salutation and the rest of the Brethren did the same. Then we sat down across from them, and Brother Joseph attested in the English language his and other Brethren’s great happiness for their arrival. Their Interpreter White translated it for them in their language, and they returned many thanks. Right after that Brother Joseph gave them new pipes and tobacco for smoking, as he discussed much with them, with which they were very pleased.
Brother Bechtel arrived from Bethlehem with his daughter, sister Jungmann and Brother Fransou. They were also very happy that they got to see so many Indians together at the same time.
At 5 o’clock these guests, who now numbered 107, had a touching individual welcome, at which only our Indian worker’s congregation was present. It was set up at first as a Lovefeast for our Indian congregation, but out of their love they allowed them to feast alone and wished that they might soon be united in one heart.
It had the dearest appearance and one could not help shedding tears of joy, at the sight of so many Nanticokes and Shawnees at once in our hall, and in such an order and silence, as if only one man had sat there. We felt well among them, and a gentle breeze of Grace wafted, and the Savior was near and present to us.
Translation by Rachel Wheeler & Irakly Chkhenkely
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