ter
to go to them without special permit in times of peace, and not at all
in time of war.

When the Moravians came the restlessness which presaged war was stirring
among the tribes, becoming more and more pronounced, and one of the
Indian Chiefs said frankly, "Now our enemies are all about us, and we
can do nothing but fight, but if the Beloved Ones should ever give us to
be at peace, then we would hear the Great Word."

Tomochichi, indeed, bade the missionaries welcome, and promised to
do all in his power to gain admission for them into all parts of his
nation, but the time was not ripe, nor was his influence equal to his
good-will. Though called a "king", he was only chief of a small
tribe living some four or five miles from Savannah, part of the Creek
Confederacy, which was composed of a number of remnants, gradually
merged into one "nation". The "Upper Creeks" lived about the head waters
of the creeks from which they took their name, and the "Lower Creeks",
including Tomochichi's people, were nearer the sea-coast. Ingham, whose
heart was set on the Indian work, was at first very anxious to go to the
Cherokees, who lived near the mountains, at a considerable distance from
Savannah, having been told that they had a desire to hear the "Great
Word". On April 22nd, he spoke of his wish to Toeltschig, inviting
Seifert and, if they chose, another Moravian to join him in the work. It
was the best opportunity that had yet offered, and Seifert wanted to go
to the Indians, having already studied their language as best he could,
but they hesitated to undertake the work conjointly with Ingham. After
some time the Cherokee plan was abandoned. Oglethorpe objected on
account of the danger that they would be intercepted and killed, it
being a fourteen day land journey to reach the Cherokee country, and
he positively refused to let John Wesley go because that would leave
Savannah without a minister. Toeltschig says Wesley's interest in the
Indian work failed, and another writer says he gave up the work because
he could not learn the Indian language, but Wesley lays all the blame on
Oglethorpe.

In January, 1737, the question of going to the Upper Creeks was
submitted to the "lot", and the Moravians were bidden to wait for
another opening. Meanwhile an actual beginning had been made among the
Lower Creeks. On the 7th of May, Ingham and John Wesley went up the
river to the home of Mrs. Musgrove, the half-breed woman who at this
ti