By degrees
its use became more and more restricted, and has been long since
entirely abolished.
In its perfection the lot was simply this, -- human intellect solving
a problem so far as earnest study and careful deliberation could go, and then,
if the issue was still in doubt, a direct appeal for Divine guidance,
in perfect faith that the Lord would plainly answer his servants,
who were seeking to do his will. This standard was not always maintained,
but the leaders of the Moravian Congregation in Savannah
had the early, absolute, belief that God spoke to them through the lot,
and felt themselves bound to implicit obedience to its dictates.
Their custom was to write two words or sentences on separate slips,
representing the two possible answers to their question,
and after earnest prayer to draw one slip, and then act accordingly.
Sometimes a third slip, a blank, was added, and if that was drawn
it signified that no action should be taken until another time,
and after further consideration.
Some time in July, Peter Rose and his wife, (the widow Riedel) went to live
among the Lower Creeks, giving all their time to learning the language,
and teaching what they could about religion.
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