For what God started, he would surely accomplish. God was at their side and would sustain and uphold them. Once, at a critical moment of seeing how their plans would proceed, they read in the Daily Text from Numbers 23:19-“Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?” Reading these words encouraged them not to doubt, but to go on with their plans. As all human help completely forsook them they clung more and more to their Lord and Master who, now and again, in special ways, upheld and comforted them. But they remained steadfast in what they were called to do. Had the intention of these two brethren been merely selfish-had their going been of their own will or desire-they would not have been able to withstand these bitter disappointments they went through. But before they left he gave them a letter to his sister. Anthony even tried to change the mind of these two brethren. Now suddenly he denied he had ever pleaded for this! His good intentions had been smothered by the influence of the folk who were dead set against the missionaries. Thomas-and himself-to hear the word of God. In Herrnhut he had expressed the deep desire of his sister and brother and others in St. To all of these difficulties experienced by the two brethren was added one more disappointment, the great grief that the Negro Anton (Anthony Ulrich), who was the real reason why they were going to St. How could they reach their goal if they joined the army? Some in Copenhagen suggested that Dober and Nitschmann even join the army as a means of income, but they emphatically refused. They told this to men of the West Indies Company, friends of Count Zinzendorf who were in favor of spreading the gospel of God, and asked for their help, yet these men were decidedly against helping them accomplish their goal. He was sure that he could provide a living for both of them. Thomas, Nitschmann answered that he would use his trade as a carpenter. When questioned about their means of livelihood once they reached St. The brethren were held in the highest esteem, on the other hand, because they were willing to give up everything for the spreading of the gospel. These people, knowing of the climate and the very hard life the slaves endured, were convinced that it would really not be worthwhile going. He and Nitschmann thought that in that way they would be able to reach them in their pitiful condition and tell them the way of salvation.īut this was considered absurd and almost laughable by their friends for no one was ever allowed to become a slave. Their hope of preaching the gospel to the slaves was considered impossible.ĭober answered that they themselves were willing to become slaves. The people there tried to convince them of their folly, first, by saying that no ship would take them and, second, that if they ever did arrive in St. The brethren were told that they would only have the greatest difficulties. In Copenhagen, where they arrived on the 15th of September, no one agreed with them or with their calling. It was such an encouragement to hear the countess speak in that way for until then, only Count Zinzendorf had spoken encouragement. Only Countess von Stollberg at Wernigerode strengthened the brethren in what they planned to do and encouraged them to venture all for Christ’s sake. Seeing how strongly they objected, the brethren did not try to contradict them, but remained true to him who had called them, assured that they could do nothing but follow their convinctions. They sought to show them the impossibility of their ambition, and the disadvantages which lay in front of them and that at the end of their indescribable and untiring efforts there could only be certain death for them. Hearing of their calling and plans, these people tried hard to change the men’s minds. On their joumey to Copenhagen they visited various God-fearing friends, many of whom advised them against going. “Let yourself always be led by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” said the count. Count Zinzendorf himself blessed Dober by laying his hand on this man who had felt called to go forth as a witness. Yes, with their lives they would venture all, having received the blessing of the congregation at the meeting in Herrnhut on the 25th of August 1732. THESE TWO BRETHREN, Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann, started their journey, sure of their heavenly calling and determined to persevere for Christ’s sake in spite of all of the difficulties.
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