ONWARD Page 6 October 2003

ONWARD

MORAVIAN MISSIONS
OCTOBER 2003 VOL XX11 – NO. 9

PAGE SIX
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The Final Word OCTOBER, 2003

John H. Giesler

We welcome Br. Tom Shelton as a contributor with his article about the famous Spangenberg book, Idea Fidei Fratrum. It appeared in the Friedberg Folio last month and we are indebted to him. Dr. James Nelson, a Lutheran scholar, author and specialist in 18th century theology, considers this book to be the first true Biblical theology and in his eyes the most important book of that century. Because Spangenberg was commissioned by Zinzendorf to head the party to survey North Carolina in 1752 and select 100,000 acres to purchase from Lord Granville, he is in reality the founder of the Southern Province. He selected the name Wachovia, because it resembled Der Wachau, a Zinzendorf estate in Europe. Br. Will Sibert, an ordained Moravian minister and former coordinator of our Mission in Central America, continues to move around the world with BEE and gives a view of the scope of his work. The Texas Unity of Brethren continues to work hard on missions and we commend them in the search for their next mission. Br. Milton Maly is the editor of their Journal. All of us were touched by the passing of four career Moravian clergy in a short time last month. They all deserve a fuller obituary. The memoir of Br. Barnes was a beautiful summation of his life and his family. I’m sure the other three had wonderful memoirs as well.

All will have obituaries in the MORAVIAN as well. All were missionaries or supporters of our missions. Br. Al Frank had a longer article in the Moravian Music Foundation Newsletter, which we have edited to fit our needs. The joy of having a group to represent perhaps the most vigorous and successful brass program in the Moravian world was a great addition to the 2003 Moravian Music Festival here in Salem. We heard much about the South African Brass Bands, when the Salem Trombone Choir participated in Blåsertag 2001 in Berlin. Both of our regular leaders, Bishop Iobst and Br. Geis give us much to ponder and pray about in their contributions this month. Thanks to all who have contributed to this issue.
On September 11 we leave on our Trail of Tears Tour from Salem to Cherokee and from Springplace, GA to New Springplace in Oklahoma. We include many descendents of missionaries who served the Cherokees in the century of our mission to these people. Barbara and I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to visit the site of the School in Cornwall, CT where four of the leading graduates of the fine Moravian School in GA, received a higher education. They all served as leaders of the Cherokee nation in the adult lives. We will be repeating this tour in the first week of May in 2004.