The converts were
loud in his praise; the unbelievers silent and thoughtful. In spite
of himself, long before he had been prepared, he was launched on his
teaching. Every day he was called upon to speak; every day one
savage, at least, was convinced; every day the throng of interested
Indians was augmented. The elder missionaries were quite overcome
with joy; they pressed him day after day to speak, until at length
he alone preached during the afternoon service.
The news flew apace; the Village of Peace entertained more redmen
than ever before. Day by day the faith gained a stronger foothold. A
kind of religious trance affected some of the converted Indians, and
this greatly influenced the doubting ones. Many of them half
believed the Great Manitou had come.
Heckewelder, the acknowledged leader of the western Moravian
Mission, visited the village at this time, and, struck by the young
missionary's success, arranged a three days' religious festival.
Indian runners were employed to carry invitations to all the tribes.
The Wyandots in the west, the Shawnees in the south, and the
Delawares in the north were especially requested to come. No
deception was practiced to lure the distant savages to the Village
of Peace. They were asked to come, partake of the feasts, and listen
to the white man's teaching.
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