One of the most heartbreaking stories in American history is the story of the Moravian native Americans who were discipled by David Zeisberger. Here is an extremely simplified version of their story:
They were driven from their native home along the East coast to Gnadenhutten, Ohio, where they planted crops. After being driven to the area that is now Michigan because of further problems and mistrust from white settlers and other native tribes, they found themselves with no food. In a desperate situation, about ninety of them decided to return to Gnadenhutten, Ohio to harvest their crops and bring the food back. They were either mistaken for local hostile tribes or not trusted by the local militia and captured upon their return. After refusing to fight and remaining non-resistant, they requested to spend the night in prayer (which was granted) -- the men in one cabin and the women and children in another cabin. The next morning, all ninety-six of them, including 28 men, 29 women, and 39 children who prayed and sang until the end, were massacred by the militia who then burned the entire village. Two boys, one of whom had been scalped, escaped to tell the story. Faithful missionaries gathered the bones of the martyrs and buried them in a mound south of the village. There are varying details, of course and I acknowledge that.
A few years back, one of my eighth grade classes chose this topic for a class chapel after we had read and researched it in our history class. I was privileged to visit the site on the way home from the Ohio music camp. Although this is an incredibly sad story, it is rich in history, poignant, and a great example for our young people. The Warrior's Challenge, a book about this story by Dave and Neta Jackson, is pictured below. It's always in my junior high and high school classroom.
