d without his
consent, wished they had not entered into an agreement with "the
associates of the late Dr. Bray", but under the circumstances felt
themselves bound to give the work at Purisburg a fair trial. In
December, Schulius went to Purisburg to look over the field, and make
acquaintance with the people, while Boehler waited at Savannah for
Oglethorpe, and finally, when his patience was quite exhausted, followed
the General to St. Simons. Oglethorpe persisted in his intention to have
the school at Purisburg, and when he learned that his wishes would be
obeyed he gave instructions for the renting of a large house and two
acres of ground, and for supplies to be furnished from the store at
Savannah.

In February, 1739, therefore, Boehler and Schulius settled in Purisburg.
Young Harper seems to have been with them in Purisburg on some of their
earlier visits, but was sent temporarily to Savannah, and as he does
not reappear in the records, he probably went back to his English home.
David Zeisberger, Jr., joined Boehler and was his willing helper in many
ways.

At first the outlook was rather more promising than they expected. There
were very few colored children for the school, but "daily more were
bought and born," there was some interest aroused among the older
negroes, and the owners were disposed to be friendly, and allow the
missionaries free access to their slaves. The German and Swiss settlers
were unaffectedly glad to have the Moravians in their midst, and begged
for religious services, and instruction for their children, so Boehler
and Schulius agreed on a division of labor, the latter to devote himself
to the white residents and their little ones, while Boehler spent most
of his time visiting adjoining plantations.

But when the warm weather came Boehler was taken with fever, and from
June to October he suffered severely. From time to time he was able to
be up, and even to visit Savannah, but he was so weak and his feet
were so badly swollen that walking was very difficult, and of course
missionary tours were impossible.

On the 4th of August, George Schulius died, after an illness of eighteen
days' duration. Boehler was in Savannah when he was taken sick, but
returned in time to nurse him, to soothe him in delirium, and to lay him
to rest amid the lamentations of the Purisburg residents. At his death
the school for white children was given up, for Boehler was too weak to
shoulder the additional load, and