Chapter Five. „Alles Geht Seinen Schleppenden Gang“ – Expansion, Movement And Sluggish Progress

Abstract

At Ramahyuck in Gippsland, the Moravian missionary Friedrich Hagenauer gained increasing influence in the Colony of Victoria through his connections to other religious societies and the Colonial Government. This chapter examines some of these relationships. It explores how Hagenauer manipulated events and people in his running of Ramahyuck, as well as in the establishment of the mission to the 'Interior,' demonstrating the power which he was starting to accrue not only within the Moravian Church's mission to Australia, but also within the broader colonial religious scene. The Moravian missionaries believed entirely in the infinite wisdom of God. Thus, a converted Aboriginal man could live in a camp and still be a good Christian. The Moravian world-view was one in which God reigned supreme. The chapter argues that, despite the change in the missionaries' own perceptions, the Moravian Church's global view of Aborigines was not challenged.Keywords: Aborigines; Colonial Government; Friedrich Hagenauer; good Christian; Moravian missionaries; Ramahyuck; Victoria