The life of Count Zinzendorf, called "the Apostle," one of the
leaders of the Moravian immigrants, glows like a star out of
those dark and troublous times. Of high birth and gentle nurture,
he forsook whatever of ease his station promised him and fitted
himsclf for evangelical work. In 1741 he visited the Wyoming
Valley to bring his religion to the Delawares and Shawanoes. He
was not of those picturesque Captains of the Lord who bore their
muskets on their shoulders when they went forth to preach.
Armored only with the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the spirit, his feet "shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace," he went out into the country of these
bloodthirsty tribes and told them that he had come to them in
their darkness to teach the love of the Christ which lighteth the
world. The Indians received him suspiciously. One day while he
sat in his tent writing, some Delawares drew near to slay him and
were about to strike when they saw two deadly snakes crawl in
from the opposite side of the tent, move directly towards the
Apostle, and pass harmlessly over his body. Thereafter they
regarded him as under spiritual protection. Indeed so widespread
was his good fame among the tribes that for some years all
Moravian settlements along the borders were unmolested.
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