The Church of England refused to acknowledge the validity
of Lutheran ordination, because that Church had no Episcopate,
but the Moravians, influenced by Count Zinzendorf, himself a Lutheran
by birth, broad-minded, liberal, and devout, did not hesitate
to fraternize with the Lutherans, or even to accept the Sacraments
at the hands of Pastor Rothe, in charge of the Parish Church of Berthelsdorf.
At the same time they prized the Episcopate lately transferred to them
from the ancient Unitas Fratrum, and while continuing in free fellowship
with Christians of all denominational names, they now intended
to so ordain their own ministry that no church could question it.
When the three grades were established in 1745, a license to preach
granted by the Lutheran Church was considered equivalent
to the rank of Deacon, ordination in the Moravian Church
making the minister a Presbyter.
Now fully equipped for his mission to the English Colony of Pennsylvania,
Spangenberg left Savannah on March 15th, going on Capt. Dunbar's ship
to Port Royal, where he lodged with a man who was born in Europe,
his wife in Africa, their child in Asia, and they were all
now living in America! From Port Royal he went by land almost to Charlestown,
the last short distance being in a chance boat, and from Charlestown
he sailed to New York.
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