Page 80 - Pilgrims in Georgia I

Johann Martin Boltzius - Shepherd of the Salzbergers

Born in Germany Johann Martin Boltzius, had received his theological education at the
University of Halle where he studied a form of Lutheranism called Pietism, “which emphasized
salvation by grace, strong ethics, vigorous pastoral leadership, and social compassion.” He was
chosen to serve as the pastor of the Salzburger refugee colonists to Georgia and he
envisioned their undertaking as a journey "into danger, but closer to God“. He recognized this
a more of a religiously motivated pilgrimage than as merely an emigration and as an
opportunity draw nearer to God in the face of unknown dangers and hardships. Further, he

foresaw this community as being one that was governed by their common faith in God as
their Lord, provider, and protector. He said, “Our Salzburgers did not leave their home for the
sake of good living; under the merciful guidance of our miraculous God they landed in this
quiet corner of the world in order to strive first and foremost for God's kingdom and His
justice.”
Johann Martin Boltzius

He and the other pastors would serve as the administrators and
managers of the colony governing according to God Word but to do
this, he had to first learn the Salsburg form of German and English
which he accomplished. Soon he married one of his parishioners in
1735, Gertraut Rohrmoser; they would have four children together.

As a pastor to his people, he was key to the decision to move them
from their original settlement known as Ebenezer to “New”
Ebenezer. Though he was good friend of Oglethorpe, Boltzius was
willing to disagree with him and threaten to disband their settlement
for the Salzburgers sake if they were not allowed to move. Increasing
hardships and deaths had appeared to him to be partially blamed on
the poor location that they had been settled in due to military
considerations and he demanded that his people be relocated to
better area. Oglethorpe relented and they moved to the location the

settlement is still in today.
Salzburgers with Boltzius