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+ text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i8 { + display: block; + margin-left: 8em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i10 { + display: block; + margin-left: 10em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i14 { + display: block; + margin-left: 14em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i18 { + display: block; + margin-left: 18em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i20 { + display: block; + margin-left: 20em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i22 { + display: block; + margin-left: 22em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i26 { + display: block; + margin-left: 26em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i28 { + display: block; + margin-left: 28em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Tale of the Kloster, by Brother Jabez + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Tale of the Kloster + A Romance of the German Mystics at the Cocalico + +Author: Brother Jabez + +Illustrator: Frank McKernan + +Release Date: November 6, 2011 [EBook #37942] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TALE OF THE KLOSTER *** + + +Produced by: Bethanne M. Simms, Bill Yeiser and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 424px"> +<img src="images/illus-1.png" width="424" height="600" alt="cover" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="c33" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus-2.png" width="600" height="409" alt=""'Thou queen of the Roses of Saron, art thou +holding court in thy temple of beauty?'"Page 216." title="" /> + +<span class="caption">"'Thou queen of the Roses of Saron, art thou<br /> +holding court in thy temple of beauty?'"<br /> + +Page 216.</span> +</div> + +<h1>A Tale<br /> +<small>OF THE</small><br /> +<big>KLOSTER</big><br /></h1> + +<p class="center p4"><b>A Romance of the German Mystics</b><br /> +<b>of the Cocalico</b></p> + +<p class="center p4"><i><b>By</b></i><big><b> BROTHER JABEZ</b></big><br /> +<i>Illustrations by</i> <span class="smcap">Frank McKernan</span></p> + +<p class="p2 center"><i>Oh, blessed solitary life,<br /> +Where all creation silence keeps!<br /> +Who thus himself to God can yield<br /> +That he ne'er from him strays,<br /> +Hath to the highest goal attained,<br /> +And can without vexation live.<br /> +Faith, toleration, love, and hope,<br /> +These all have come to his support.</i></p> + +<p class="left45">—<span class="smcap">Johann Conrad Beissel.</span> Translation<br /> +from the German by Julius Friedrich<br /> +Sachse, Litt. D.</p> + +<p class="center p4"><b>PHILADELPHIA</b><br /> +<big><b>Griffith & Rowland Press</b></big><br /> +<small><b>1904</b></small></p> + +<p class="center p6"><small>COPYRIGHTED 1904 BY<br /> +ULYSSES S. KOONS<br /> +Published December, 1904<br /> +From the Press of the<br /> +American Baptist Publication Society</small></p> + +<p class="center p6"><span class="smcap">TO THE MEMORY OF</span><br /> +<b>My Mother</b><br /> +<span class="center"><span class="smcap">THIS STORY OF THE LITTLE BAND<br /> +OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS<br /> +OF THE KLOSTER<br /> +IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED<br /></span></span></p> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></div> + +<hr class="c33" /> + +<h4>INTRODUCTION</h4> + +<p>A great New England historian has said that +"The colony of Pennsylvania was not only more +heterogeneous in population than any of the others, +but it actually was the principal center of distribution +of the non-English population from the seaboard +to the Allegheny Mountains. All of the +population of the Carolinas, as well as in Virginia +and Maryland, entered the country by way of +Pennsylvania, and this migration was so great, +both in its physical dimensions and in the political +and social effects which it wrought, that Pennsylvania +acquires a special interest as the temporary +tarrying place and distributing center for so much +that we now call characteristically American."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>It is undoubtedly true that into none of the +other colonies did there flow such a tide of German +immigration, bringing with it many a hardy +Swiss and French Huguenot refugee from the +Palatinate, along the lower Rhine.</p> + +<p>Up to the Revolution there were more Germans +in Pennsylvania than in all the other colonies together. +Benjamin Franklin, it is well known, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>feared that the State might become a German +province. Among the causes of this resistless +tide of immigration were: Religious zeal, fostered +by the teachings of William Penn and George Fox +and their followers, and Penn's far-sighted pledge +of tolerance as to liberty of worship, sectarian ambition, +escape from religious persecution, and bad +government.</p> + +<p>Especially were the first-comers inspired by religious +zeal, and it was to this that such old settlements +as Bethlehem and Germantown and Ephrata +owe their founding. Later, when the tide rose to +a thousand German immigrants a month, a great +majority came with the simple desire to earn a +livelihood in peace and safety—a desire played +upon by the glib-tongued, unscrupulous land agents +of that day so successfully, that shipload after shipload +of poverty-stricken German peasantry, enduring +uncomplainingly the sufferings and hardships +of hunger, thirst, and fœtid air of the crowded +hold and consequent ship-fever, poured into the +port of Philadelphia and immediately took the oath +of allegiance.</p> + +<p>Quaint and curious names they had, as is evidenced +by many an ancient shipmaster's list—patronymics +indicative of trade, occupation, profession, +personal characteristics, nicknames, names +that by a slow but sure process of anglization have +lost much of their humor and flavor, and are now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> +so changed in spelling and sound as hardly to be +recognized in their original form.</p> + +<p>But with all the fears of pauperism and disease +and racial deterioration and establishment of inimical +foreign institutions, this mass of crude, +uncouth peasantry, with their unpronounceable +names, besides bearing the brunt of Indian depredation +and massacre during the French and Indian +wars, became the ancestry of perhaps not less than +one-third of the population of Pennsylvania to-day.</p> + +<p>Beneath the unpromising exterior of these peasants +were firmly fixed the virtues that give strength +and stability, if not mercurial brilliancy—piety, +industry, patience, thrift, peaceful dispositions, and +intense love of home. The men were homemakers; +the women were homekeepers. Devoted tillers +of the soil, politics and business had few charms +for them.</p> + +<p>Although in such counties as Bucks, Lehigh, +Lancaster, Dauphin, Northampton, York, Carbon, +and Monroe, there are many communities inhabited +almost entirely by Pennsylvania-Germans, still +retaining their peculiar dialect, nevertheless their +German church service and German newspapers +are rapidly becoming things of the past.</p> + +<p>The present generation of Pennsylvania-Germans +is going to the public schools, normal schools, +and colleges, and in other respects is becoming +thoroughly English; for however strongly the more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> +conservative ones may cling to the old habits and +traditions, it is true that ere long Pennsylvania-German +and such things as Pennsylvania-German +singing schools, "Fóstnacht" festivities, "frolics," +and "vendues," will be matters of tradition.</p> + +<p>Perhaps no phase of their history is more interesting +than that of their early religious experiences. +In no other of the American colonies were +there at such an early date so many altars raised +to the various faiths—orthodox, sectarian, mystic, +and separatist, Lutheran, Moravian, Quaker, Mennonite, +Dunker, Seventh Dayer, and New Mooner. +But though differing in creed and tenet, and frequently +hurling at each other their broadsides, as +their controversial pamphlets were called, all these +sects were conspicuous for their thrift, industry, +and religious devotion; for though many of their +beliefs were extremely mystical and, showed every +vagary of pietism, one great fundamental idea inspired +and possessed these people, namely, to live +in the utmost simplicity of habit, manner and +speech, garb and diet, in strict conformity with +the practices of the early church, and as close as +possible to their Lord and Master, to whose service +their lives were consecrated. It is because of this +idea conscientiously lived out that this Commonwealth +is so greatly indebted to them.</p> + +<p>The author has selected as a type the Kloster at +Ephrata (a name fragrant with biblical suggestiveness),<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span> +the founder of which, Conrad Beissel, was +a strong, intensely earnest, impetuous religious +leader, who in a few years gathered about him a +number of zealous men and women, some of them +of considerable learning. In less than a decade +there arose a semi-monastic community which developed +into a religious, educational, commercial, +and industrial settlement that at an early date set +up in that far-away wilderness, many miles distant +from the chief city of the province, the third printing +press in the colony, and the first to print with +both German and English type.</p> + +<p>The little town, or "mountain borough," of +Ephrata lies about eighteen miles southwest from +the flourishing city of Reading and not more than +thirteen miles northeast of Lancaster, with its +memory of the Continental Congress, in the rich, +fertile valley of the Cocalico in the northern part +of Lancaster County.</p> + +<p>The Ephrata of the present day, numbering possibly +three thousand inhabitants, is situated at the +foot of the gentle northwestern slope of the Ephrata +Mountains. A broad main street that easily ascends +toward the southeast leads up close to the +"Ephrata Mountain Springs," a famous resort in +the days before the war of the Rebellion. But +directing one's way in the opposite direction, leaving +the little town with its banks and hotels and +industrial establishments, the unfailing accompaniments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> +of these prosaic, unsentimental days, the +wide, ancient thoroughfare leads northwestward, +the business features giving way to the neat, +pleasant, comfortable homes so characteristic of +the Pennsylvania-Germans. The houses, with the +peculiar feature of their gable ends toward the +side instead of facing the street, are well set back +in the grassy yards enriched with glorious dahlias +in crimson and gold and ivory white, purple asters, +bright geraniums, flaunting hollyhocks, and all the +other well-beloved, old-fashioned favorites, while +from the opulent garden in the rear, most likely a +magnificent sunflower in solitary gorgeousness +turns his dark, golden-fringed eye to his god of +fire and light, now and then the whisper of some +truant breeze swaying the stately head of the ardent +devotee into a half-wistful glance out over +the dusty road.</p> + +<p>But neither these nor the spacious front porch, +with its luxurious trellised vines and the inviting +benches before the front door, receive more than +an admiring and half-envious glance, and are left +behind as the road passes over the arches of the +old stone bridge that spans the Cocalico, flowing +along the northwestern edge of the town. In the +angle formed by the northern bank of the stream +and the southern side of the turnpike road, but a +short distance beyond the point of the angle where +the road leaves the bridge, lie the Kloster grounds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> +formerly known as "The Settlement of the Solitary" +(<i>Lager der Einsamen</i>), but now locally referred +to as "The Kloster," a full and excellent +description of which is contained in "The German +Sectarians of Pennsylvania," by Julius Friedrich +Sachse, <span class="smcap">LITT. D.</span>, in which he has, after years of +patient labor given us a most admirable, critical, +and legendary history of the Ephrata Kloster.</p> + +<p>Within the confines of this out of the way nook +the author has placed the personages of this romance, +which he fondly hopes may be of interest +not only to Pennsylvania-Germans, but to all who +delight in a story which is only a story. Over a +century and a half has elapsed since the Sisterhood +and Brotherhood were in the zenith of their +little world, and it were well-nigh impossible to +reproduce at this late day with absolute fidelity +such matters as dress, customs, manners and habits, +religious rites and ceremonies; and yet, thanks +to the exhaustive investigations of Mr. Sachse and +others, the author has been able to pattern forth +in the warp and woof of this tale more or less +distinctly, considerable that relates to the homely +architecture, the cloistral life, worship, rites, ceremonies, +and beliefs of these peculiar but devoted, +plain-living, high-thinking Sisters and Brothers.</p> + +<p>To reproduce their speech, even if possible, were +of course sadly out of place at this day; for the +German, even of the early settlers, was represented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> +by such various dialects as Swabian, Würtemberger, +Bavarian, Swiss, Hessian, Palatinate, and +others; and though these were all German dialects, +yet since those days there has been such a copious +infusion of English words, that to-day Pennsylvania-German, +though "it is still, in the articulation +of its bones and its general form and spirit, the +tongue of the Rhine country,"<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> is none the less +neither German nor English, but "a hybrid, non-descript +jargon,"<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> at best an Americanized dialect +of the German, but a dialect able to produce beautiful +flowers in the fields of lyric poetry under the +cultivation of such as Harbaugh, Hark, Zimmerman, +Zeigler, Fisher, Grumbine, and others.</p> + +<p>Pennsylvania-German being a dialect not of the +almost universal English tongue but of the German, +and what is especially to the point, a fast +declining dialect with but a small remnant who can +speak and understand it in the vernacular, the +author feels not only that he should by employing +this dialect address himself to an exceedingly small +audience, but might, moreover, justly incur the +charge of pedantry and affectation.</p> + +<p>Thus while it is true that the greater number of +the Sisters and Brothers of the Kloster were Germans +and spoke the mother tongue in their daily +intercourse, yet after all language is only the +means of conveying ideas, thoughts, and these we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span> +know have a language understood by all.</p> + +<p>Moreover, this volume is not presented from +the standpoint of the antiquarian or philologist. +The Brothers and Sisters of Ephrata, though celibates, +sworn to the love of the celestial Eve and +the heavenly Bridegroom, were none the less flesh +and flood, subject to the same passions and temptations +as the men and women of the present +day. They too had "eyes, hands, organs, dimensions, +senses, affections, passions," and were "fed +with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, +subject to the same diseases, warmed and cooled +by the same winter and summer." In a word, +they were men and women of like passions with +ourselves.</p> + +<p>It is of such men and women the author writes; +men and women unused "to the courtliness of +state, unskilled in the hollowness of vain compliment, +untutored in the frippery and polish of artificial +society, unacquainted with the insincerity +and diplomacy of the wider world, removed from +kith and kin and thrown upon their own resources +among strangers and amid new surroundings."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>The author, that he may not be held to have +drawn too deeply from his neighbor's well, fully +acknowledges his great indebtedness to his friend, +Mr. Sachse. Indeed, to do exact justice, it must +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span>be said that this volume contains nothing more +than a romance wound about the facts, incidents, +traditions, and descriptions, taken by the author +from the "German Sectarians," with the kind permission +of Mr. Sachse.</p> + +<p>Acknowledgment of indebtedness should also be +made to Rev. J. Max Hark and Hon. Samuel W. +Pennypacker, Governor of Pennsylvania, for the +use of translations, portions of which are prefixed +to Chapters XV. and XIX. It should also be +added that the initial letters used through the book, +as well as the design on the cover, are made from +reproductions of pen-work drawings executed by +the Ephrata Sisterhood.</p> + +<div class="caption"> +<span class="smcap">The Author.</span><br /></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER</td> + +<td align='left'></td> +<td align='left'>PAGE</td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>I.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Flight from the World</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>II.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">"Peter the Hermit"</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>III.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sonnlein</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_21'>21</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">We Leave the Hermitage</span></td +><td align='right'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>V.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ephrata</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_40'>40</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Concerning Taxation</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_51'>51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Right Prevails</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Our First Loss</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_77'>77</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Love Feast</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_86'>86</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>X.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Brotherhood of Zion</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_94'>94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Brother Agonius and his Prophecy</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_108'>108</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sister Bernice is Comforted</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_127'>127</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Comet and Brother Alburtus</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Our Sister Leaves Us</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Great Comet</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Far Journey</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">In a Strange Land</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_176'>176</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sonnlein Cometh to Man's Estate</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_193'>193</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">When Hearts are Young</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sister Genoveva is Gone</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_223'>223</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Brother Alburtus</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_235'>235</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Sonnlein Taketh the Ordeal</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_249'>249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Midnight Visit</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mine Enemy's Hiding-Place</span></td +><td align='right'><a href='#Page_281'>281</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The End of the Witch</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_295'>295</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Twain are Made One</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_305'>305</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td> +<td align='left'><span class="smcap">Retrospect</span></td> +<td align='right'><a href='#Page_324'>324</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></div> +<hr class="c33" /> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>FLIGHT FROM THE WORLD</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Happy the man who has the town escaped;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">To him the whistling trees, the murmuring brooks,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The shining pebbles, preach<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Virtue's and wisdom's lore.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">The whispering grove a holy temple is<br /></span> +<span class="i6">To him, where God draws nigher to his soul;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Each verdant sod a shrine,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Whereby he kneels to heaven.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">—<i>Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-f"><span class="dropcap">F</span></span>or a clearer understanding +of what I have here +written in the fond desire +that there may be +those who delight in a +tale simply told, even +though it be of my +brothers and sisters who +lived their quiet, peaceful +lives, with now and +then, 'tis true, a jarring +note, consecrated to their faith, in the solitude of +a new-world wilderness, I must set forth, without +weariness to the reader, I hope, somewhat of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +humble pilgrim whose now old and time-worn +hands pen these lines.</p> + +<p>I, Johann Peter Müller, son of a reformed minister, +under the inspection of <i>Kreis Kaiserslautern</i>, +was born in the year 1710, at Altzborn Oberamt +Kaiserslautern in the Palatinate, studied at Heidelberg, +matriculated 1725 at that university and in +my twentieth year volunteered in response to the +urgent calls for clergymen from the province of +Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>Leaving my beloved father and mother and +<i>Vaterland</i> in the summer of 1730, I floated on a +raft down the Rhine to Rotterdam, embarking +there for America on the good ship "Thistle," and +after a long, uneventful voyage arrived at Philadelphia, +August 28, 1730, taking the oath of allegiance +the following day, which oath I am proud to +say I have always kept. Almost immediately upon +my arrival I applied to the Rev. Jedediah Andrews, +for ordination, pastor of the First Presbyterian +Church in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>After asking me a great many questions he advised +me to apply to the synod. This excellent +advice was acted upon so promptly that in three +weeks after my arrival the notes of the synod recorded, +"It is agreed by the synod that Mr. John +Peter Miller, a Dutch probationer lately come over, +be left to the care of the presbytery of Philadelphia +to settle him in the work of the ministry."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<p>In pursuance of this resolution the presbytery +appointed three ministers to examine me for entrance +upon my holy office, and what they required +of me is best shown by a minute of the meeting +where I "came under Tryals and after a previous +Test of his ability in Prayer, Examining him in the +Languages, he read his sermon and Exegesis on +ye Justification and Various suitable questions on +ye Arts and Sciences, officially Theology and out +of Scripture."</p> + +<p>Briefly, the presbytery licensed me as a candidate +to preach the gospel "where Providence may +give him opportunity and call," and for four years +after my ordination to the ministry I preached the +word, during which period I received much assistance +from Conrad Weiser, one of my church officers, +who for years was consulted by both the +civil and military authorities in times of need and +danger, he being an efficient Indian interpreter to +the government.</p> + +<p>I officiated among my countrymen in Philadelphia +and Germantown, and in the Skippack Valley, +besides visiting the more widely scattered congregation +in the province. I was also called upon to +take regular charge of the Tulpehocken Church, +together with the Union Congregation of the +Lutheran and Reformed which had been formed +by the Germans living in the valley of the Cocalico +and the Bucherthal. This region was almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +wholly settled by those of the Lutheran and Reformed +faiths, the circuit being known as the +Canestoga congregation. Ere long a church for +the United Congregation was built about six miles +northeast of Ephrata on a commanding hill beyond +the Bucherthal, the Moden Crik (Muddy +Creek) Church.</p> + +<p>Having preached to mine own people for several +years, I quit the ministry and returned to private +life, not, however, without much prayer and meditation; +for about that time the Ephrata community +was in its infancy. I had never had much +inclination to join it, because of the reproach and +contempt which lay against the community by the +orthodox churches of the province; but my inward +conductor brought me to that dilemma, either +to be a member of this new institution or consent +to my own damnation. I chose the first, and received +baptism into the congregation in May of +1735, together with Conrad Weiser and a number of +families from the Union Church. We were baptized +by Conrad Beissel, whose inspired eloquence had +finally prevailed upon me to take this step.</p> + +<p>I did not much differ from a poor criminal under +sentence of death when I was led into the water. +However, the Lord our God did strengthen me +when I came into the water, and then I in a solemn +manner renounced my life with all its prerogatives, +without reservation, and I have found, in all my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> +long life, that all this was put into the divine records, +for he hath never failed to assist me in times +of need, and these have been many.</p> + +<p>But much wrath and indignation was engendered +against us by our baptism. We were called "seceders," +"rebels," "Beisselianer"; others said we +had been deluded by the witchcraft and sorcery of +Beissel; still others said that our conversion was +the work of the Evil One; others were for bringing +civil action against us; but in all the noise +and smoke of this great tumult, Brother Weiser +successfully prevented any charges being brought +against us. Pastor Boehm, my old Skippack rival, +hath kindly said of me in this matter in his report +to the Amsterdam Synod: "This Miller at the +same time drew the Tulpehocken church to himself, +against whose false spirit I frequently warned +them; but they continued to adhere to him like +misguided, silly people. Finally, the fraud against +which I warned them so honestly and continuously +has come to light, and this Miller publicly went over +to the dissolute Seventh-day Tumpler sect, and had +himself baptized Tumplerwise in the Canestoka, +in the month of April, 1735. He took out ten +families, Reformed and Lutheran, from the Tulpehocken +congregation, who did as he did."</p> + +<p>May the Lord forgive him for his narrow sneer +as I have long ago, for it hath ever been my rule +not to bear spite or malice, no matter how grievous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +the injury, knowing full well that what the Roman +philosopher hath said is true, and that is, "Malice +drinks one-half of its own poison."</p> + +<p>Brother Weiser, I regret to say, did not possess +himself of the same spirit; but on the contrary +always resented every insult, and it is still current +among us that shortly after he left the Kloster in +later years to accept a justice's commission offered +him by Governor Thomas, our Brother Weiser, +while riding the road to Reading, met the Reformed +pastor of the Cocalico, on his nag. Brother +Weiser, foolishly forgetting the spirit of humility +of the Kloster, cried out to the pastor that he +surely must think himself above his Lord whom +he professed to serve. Asked for an explanation, +Brother Weiser replied that where an ass was good +enough for the Saviour it should be good enough +for his followers, to which came the quick rejoinder +that this was perfectly true, but as Governor +Thomas had appointed all the asses as justices, +people were forced to ride upon horses.</p> + +<p>Within two days after our baptism, and in order +that we might cut ourselves entirely loose from our +former mode of life and thought, we determined +that all books which were now considered <i>libri +heretici</i>, such as the Heidelberg Catechism, Luther's +Catechism, the Psalter, and Arndt's "<i>Paradies +Gärtlein</i>," should be utterly consumed by fire. In +short, all devotional literature of the old faith not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +in accord with our new departure, we gathered +from the various families that had been converted, +and not a few from mine own little library, and +upon the appointed day Brother Weiser and the +converts and myself assembled at the little cabin +of Brother Fiedler, and there solemnly condemned +the pernicious volumes to be burned.</p> + +<p>The "<i>Paradies Gärtlein</i>," however, had a peculiar +sanctity attached to it by the German settlers; +for it was firmly believed that it was protected by +Divine interposition from both fire and flood. I +had heard, even in my boyhood days, many a story +of the miraculous preservation of this book. Some +present objected to its being included, for surely +the Lord would save it. Others, as ardent in their +new faith as they had been in the old, no more +honored the book as sacred, but were now firmly +convinced that as its immunity hitherto had been +from the Evil One, the greater the reason it must +be destroyed with the others.</p> + +<p>The brush heap was accordingly prepared in +front of Brother Fiedler's cabin. Each of the +participants gathered up an armful of the doomed +volumes, and at the word filed out of the little +doorway headed by myself, followed by the schoolmaster. +Arriving at the brush heap it was soon +set afire, and the various books were solemnly consigned +to the flames by Brother Weiser and the +schoolmaster and others, with the solemn invocation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +"Thus perish all priestcraft!" Afterward +the ashes were scattered to the four winds, and +we departed feeling that we had thus cut ourselves +off from the faith of our forefathers and had this +day taken a step pregnant with glorious promise +for the future.</p> + +<p>It was said the next day, and I firmly believe +this was an invention of our enemies, that one of +Brother Fiedler's family found among the now cold +ashes the little "<i>Paradies Gärtlein</i>," a trifle charred +on the edges, the leather cover shriveled and +blackened, the clasps almost burned to a crisp, but +the leaves still holding together, and not a page of +the print in the slightest impaired. Its preservation +soon became noised abroad, and was greatly +used as an argument against us by those who opposed +our step. As for me, despite the many +foolish and malicious charges that have been made +against my soundness of mind for taking part in +this thing (which I defend on the ground of necessity +and possibly due somewhat to youthful zeal) I +never believed that the book had been saved but +for the reason that when it was thrown into the +pyre it was tightly clasped and by chance fell to +one side of the flames, and as I have often noted +paper tightly pressed together yields but grudgingly +to the flames. Many good people, however, +believed the miracle story and feared extreme punishment +for condemning such a sacred volume to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +destruction, and the demand became so great for +the book that an edition was later printed by +Christopher Sauer, of Germantown; but strange +to say not one of his great output was able to +withstand either fire or flood when it came into +contact with these elements.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>"PETER THE HERMIT"</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Where I may sit and rightly spell<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Of every star that heaven doth shew,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And every herb that sips the dew;<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Till old experience do attain<br /></span> +<span class="i10">To something like poetic strain.<br /></span> +<span class="i10">These pleasures, Melancholy, give:<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And I with thee will choose to live.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i26">—<i>Il Penseroso.</i><br /></span></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-w"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>ithin a few weeks after +the events already narrated, +Brother Beissel +made another visit to +Dulpehackin with the +intention of forming +the converts into a new +congregation, with myself +as leader. When +this proposal was made +to me, I requested over night for reflection and +prayer. In my zeal I had thought my recent baptism +had cleansed and purified me from all fleshly +lusts and from all such heaven-separating vanities +as pride and ambition; but that night witnessed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +within me such a struggle between evil ambition +on the one hand, and the desire to surrender myself +completely to my Maker on the other, as I +shall never forget.</p> + +<p>To be elder of the as yet little band of followers +of Brother Beissel, what might it not lead to? +For I doubted not at the time but that the little +band would eventually grow into a large congregation +whose influence should be far-reaching. +Like the mustard seed it might grow and increase +until the whole world were living as one grand, +consecrated sisterhood and brotherhood.</p> + +<p>Some such splendid temptation the Evil One +dangled before my eyes during that long night, +but with the dawning my mind became clearer +and the last star had just closed its eyes when I +felt stealing over me a feeling of sureness that +I would do what was right, and with that I felt +myself pervaded with a sense of ineffable peace.</p> + +<p>When Brother Beissel saw me in the morning, +anxious for my reply, I told him I must decline +his offer as I intended to withdraw into the solitudes +and live unmolested from the frailties and +follies of the world.</p> + +<p>He acquiesced with a cheerfulness which I confess +hurt the remnant of pride in me and which, I +fear, hath ever been imperfectly suppressed, for I +had hoped he would show his appreciation of me and +what I was able to do by expressing at least some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +regret. But that pride is ever the forerunner of a +fall is, indeed, true, and my chagrin was not relieved +any upon Brother Beissel's calmly announcing, +as if it had all been prearranged, that he +would appoint as teacher, or elder, of the congregation, +Bro. Michael Wohlforth, whom I knew +and respected for his sturdy love of our cause, but +who, by reason of the infirmity of a harsh tongue +and violent temper—and I regret to say it, though +in charity—was not too well fitted for an office +that requireth a gentle tongue, there being, as +human flesh is made up, a limit even to Christian +forbearance.</p> + +<p>At that time, in May, 1735, the Solitary Brethren +and Sisters had dispersed in the wilderness of +Conestogas, each for himself, as hermits, and I, +following that same way, did set up my hermitage +in Dulpehackin, at the foot of a mountain, on a +limpid stream; and that they who in these days +live in their large, comfortable houses may know +what the hermits' homes were like, I shall set +forth how my own little hut, or cabin, was built, +as a great many cabins of the first settlers were +after the same pattern.</p> + +<p>These be the dimensions of the proper model, +which I set down in all particularity, so that if +there be of my readers who ever take themselves +to a life of solitude they may know how the true +hermit should be housed, for I know there be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +many that have not this knowledge and thus are +in exceeding danger of running after some vulgar +variation of the ideal model: Length, twenty-five +feet; breadth, twenty feet; height under joist, +eight feet six inches. The measurements must be +no more, no less. The door should open toward +the south to catch the sun, and above the doorway +must be a small overhead piece, or porch, six feet +from floor to ceiling. As I was fully six feet, if +not more, my head and my pride received at first +many a hard knock whenever I forgot that a hermit, +at least if he be tall, must not walk with too +haughty a stride. For the foundation we, my +faithful adherents and myself, took four large +stones, as flat and even as we could find, about a +foot thick, and laid them for the corners, so that +the floors of our huts would be clear from the +damp ground; but, and this was not so desirable, +not only the smaller wild animals would creep underneath, +but occasionally some straying serpent +would stick its repulsive head out at me and make +me regret that a hermit's hut must needs offer such +attractions to these monsters.</p> + +<p>Upon the stone foundations the ground logs +were laid. These were notched at the ends and +fastened with hickory pins. Smaller logs inserted +into these longer ones formed the floor joists, +though in most cases a solid log floor was laid. +The cabin was then raised upon the ground joists,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +the logs being run upon skids by the help of +wooden forks, the corners of the logs being +notched so as to bring them as close together as +possible. In this work I could not give much +help, for this notching and fitting together was +done by experienced ones, called the axe, or cornermen. +The less experienced of us carried the +logs and ran them up into place, the doors and +windows not being cut until all the logs were resting +snug and secure in their places. But with all +the care in fitting the logs closely, there were +cracks and crevices that had to be filled with a +mixture of loam and dry grass, so that the cabin +might be proof against rain or snow and not give +too draughty ventilation. For the rafters we took +chestnut saplings, hewn flat on the top, and these +were usually covered with shingles of flat oak, +although it sometimes occurred that a temporary +thatch or sod roof had to serve until the oak shingles +were prepared. Last of all came the fireplaces +and chimneys. Both of these were built of +loam and stones outside, at one end of the cabin. +Thus from the simple materials that lay at our +hands and feet—the trees, the stones, and the +earth—our cabins were built, and though small +and insignificant as the worldly-wise consider +things, were not too small to hold heads and hearts +that thought and throbbed greatly for God and +man. No iron was used, for as at Ephrata, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +it came to be organized into a community, we ever +regarded iron as an evil metal. The temple of +Solomon was built wholly without iron, and according +to the Rosicrucians, from whom we had +learned much concerning the mysteries of the Infinite, +we were taught that no dwelling or building +consecrated to the Almighty could have iron in it, +as that metal was the emblem of darkness and +destruction—nay, of the Evil One himself.</p> + +<p>My little hut, so securely built, is still there, +as are the old trees in the orchard I planted in +those early days. Sometimes in later life, when +even the Kloster wore upon me, I have resorted +to this sequestered spot, quietly and unbeknown +to the others, there to renew my faith and strength +by undisturbed communion with God, reading and +pondering with never lessening delight upon this +little page out of his wonderful book of nature, for +it was a lovely nook, an ideal retreat. The little +<i>Mühlbach</i>, clear and cold and sparkling and pure +as the water of life, came dancing joyously down +the dale, kissing many a wild flower looking at its +mirrored sweetness as it hung over the bushy +brink. Many a time have I wandered along its +wooded sides, drinking in, in all its fullness and +completeness, the solemnity, the holy stillness of +the long aisles of stately pine and heavy fir and +balsam, with their fragrant odors rising from this +woodland temple like incense toward heaven.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>The only sounds that broke the stillness were +the murmurous song of the stream, the chirp of +insects, and now and then the choiring of the +feathered songsters of these delightful glades. +Such was the incomparable spot selected by me, +now a recluse, for my probation and retirement, +and here I fondly imagined I might live in beatific +and solitary communion with Him; but I see now +that this blissful idleness was not to be mine; for +his service means more than a mere folding of the +hands and pious meditation and contemplation of +his beauty, his goodness, and his mercy.</p> + +<p>Here I lived in all the simplicity that seemed to +me best comported with the life of a hermit. My +bodily wants, though oft clamorous, displeasing +me much as showing how close I still was to +earth, had to be content with exceeding little; +my little cabin sheltered me from storms—a hard +bench to sleep on, a long cloak of most humble +make and material to form my covering; for drink, +the pure water from a near-by spring, varied sometimes +by acorn coffee; and for bread and meat, a +bread made from acorn flour.</p> + +<p>There may be those who care to know how this +acorn coffee and acorn bread were made, not only +by me, but by Brother Beissel and others who +were leading lives of solitude; and lest some think +we were utterly daft in relying upon this for sustenance, +it may be said that it was not original<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +with us; but we were taught that from the earliest +days of man the oak, wherever it grew, furnished +him both meat and drink from the acorn and contained +all that was necessary for his nourishment.</p> + +<p>For making bread the acorns were first soaked +in water, or steamed, to free the bitterness; they +were then dried and ground into meal which was +afterward worked up in the usual manner. This +bread, which we in German called <i>Eichelbrod</i>, had +as much sustenance as <i>Pumpernickel</i> (a favorite +bread among the German peasants), but was wont +to occasion more trouble for the digestion.</p> + +<p>As a substitute for coffee the largest and soundest +acorns were selected, only the thoroughly ripe +ones being used. They were then hulled and +taken out of their cups, cut into quarters and +scalded with boiling water, after which they were +drained and allowed to cool. After being placed +in a bake oven until they were thoroughly dry, +they were finally roasted and ground, in which +state they were ready for use.</p> + +<p>To make acorn coffee we would take about a +drachm of the grindings for every three cups of +boiling water, which we poured over the powdered +acorns and boiled for about ten minutes. I must +confess I never cared very much for this concoction +for it lacked both the taste and gentle stimulation +of the regular coffee. This acorn coffee was +accredited with wonderful medicinal and mystical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +properties and was supposed to drive all hereditary +taint or distemper from the system. Indeed, even +now it is frequently given to children afflicted +with scrofula. I recollect that afterward in the +early days of our community life at Ephrata there +came to us one Jean François Regnier, a French-Switzer, +whom we regarded as a visionary, as he +claimed to have been awakened in his seventh +year and professed great holiness. He was the +special apostle of the acorn diet, not only claiming +it to be good for food and as a substitute for coffee, +but he also made a sort of vinegar from acorns +and an excellent sort of whiskey which we used +only in illness, but never as a drink, for our community +never permitted the use of strong liquors +to corrupt the body and inflame the imagination. +Brother Regnier also made a sort of <i>Analeptikum</i>, +or tonic, to be used after any serious illness. For +this purpose the acorns were to be buried when +the moon was in a certain quarter, I forget which, +until they had lost their bitterness, after which +they were dried, roasted, and powdered and mixed +with sugar and certain aromatic herbs.</p> + +<p>For myself I never could see much in this acorn +diet, for I grieve to say that all my life I have had +a most unpriestly appetite. I fear I was never +made for scanty fare. Be this as it may, I know +that the Rosicrucians taught that the oak furnished +the first food for mankind, the acorn being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +the meat and the honey-dew (<i>Honigmüth</i>) the drink. +The Rosicrucians also taught that the rustle of +the foliage of the oak denoted the presence of the +Deity and even at Ephrata the Zionitic Brethren +were wont to wander in the forest and appeal to +the oracles of the oak, as the Druids had done in +Britain hundreds of years before. It was also +fully believed that when the time of the complete +restoration of brotherly love should come there +would come with it the primeval simplicity, when +man's entire sustenance would be drawn from the +oak. All these things were exceedingly difficult +for me to believe, and I was even suspected of +heresy because I could not subscribe to these +extravagant beliefs.</p> + +<p>Thus housed and fed I hoped to live out my +days; but how utterly foolish is the boasted wisdom +and foresight of man; for how true it is that +we never know what a day may bring forth! +When I went to my rest one night not many days +after my retirement to this spot I had no thought +but that here in this quiet, peaceful retreat, far +away from the distracting cares and temptations +of a gain-seeking, pleasure-loving world, I should +live a calm, serene life, consecrated by daily communion +with Him who filled it.</p> + +<p>In this mind, while above the roof of my hut +the night glowed with stars, sown by my Creator +as thickly over the blue fields of heaven as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +husbandman scatters his seed across his broad +acres, I sank into sweet, refreshing, dreamless +sleep; and yet not wholly dreamless, for it seemed +to me, far in the night, I heard a light footstep +near and saw a woman's form filling the doorway +that stood open as was my habit, night and day, +and then I thought I heard a cry—the cry of a +child—but which to my sleep-deadened ears was +also like unto the scream of some wild creature of +the dense mountain forest behind my hut; for I +often heard such cries and occasionally detected the +stealthy footsteps of the wild beasts that prowled +near my dwelling, under the dark mantle of night; +but dream or no dream, I heard nothing more and +slept on undisturbed until the light of the dawn +shining through the doorway bade me arise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>SONNLEIN</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">And when the sun begins to fling<br /></span> +<span class="i10">His flaring beams, me, Goddess, bring<br /></span> +<span class="i10">To archèd walks of twilight groves.<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And shadows brown, that Sylvan loves,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Of pine, or monumental oak,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Where the rude axe with heavèd stroke<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Was never heard the nymphs to daunt,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Or fright them from their hallowed haunt<br /></span> +<span class="i10">There, in close covert, by some brook,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Where no profaner eye may look,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Hide me from day's garish eye.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i26">—<i>Il Penseroso.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>he dawn was still blushing +at the greeting of +the sun when, as usual, +I took my way with +bowed head to an old +monarch pine, my altar, +to greet the day with +prayer. Absorbed in +pious meditations I knelt +down; but just as I was +closing my eyes, I felt something lightly strike, or +push, my knee. Still unheeding I knelt, when a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +more vigorous push made me turn to see what +venturesome creature had the temerity to disturb +my adorations. I shall never forget the bewilderment +that encompassed me when I beheld beside +me, lying at the foot of the old pine, the form of +a child, almost covered with leaves and cones. +But this little visitant, of earth or heaven, child +or cherub—I scarce could believe mine own +senses! In truth, I know not how long I knelt +there, mouth agape, eyes wide open and hands +outstretched. But finally I recovered myself sufficiently +to see that miracle or no miracle, the +being was a reality. And then brushing aside +the leaves I scrutinized the little foundling more +closely; for sleeping it was, as sweetly and trustfully +as if in the <i>Mutterchen's</i> arms, instead of on +the hard bosom of mother earth with a wilderness +about it. The little head with its tangled mass +of dark, silky hair was resting against a large, +sheltering root that reached out from the base of +the pine, in a broad, tender arm-like curve about +the babe. Recently dried tears had furrowed the +not over-clean face, flushed with sleep, with grimy +little water courses. A stained and tattered white +baby cloak afforded scanty covering for the child; +for beneath the frayed edges extended the poor, +tiny, wayworn feet, which, like the chubby hands, +were torn and scratched with thorns, filling my +soul with pity, and with indignation at the wretch +who could thus desert an innocent child; and my +wrath was not diminished when I felt that hair +and face and hands and feet were damp with dew.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 418px;"> +<img src="images/illus-3.png" width="418" height="600" alt="Illustration." title="" /> + +<span class="caption">"In truth I know not<br /> +how long I knelt there."<br /> + +Page 22.</span> +</div> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></div> + +<p>And yet the dear stranger slept on so unconscious +of such trifling things as dew and hard, +earthen cradle, I could not find the will to +awaken the little one. Instead, I turned again +toward the east and raising mine eyes to Him I +implored and beseeched him, with all the power I +could put into my petition, to guide and direct me +in the care and conduct of this lost, orphaned one; +for somehow—I never knew why—I accepted the +idea unhesitatingly that this child had come into +my life to be a part of it to the end of my days. +My prayer ended, I saw that my charge still slept. +I quietly sat down on a rock near by and watched +and waited for the awakening.</p> + +<p>How long I sat I know not, motionless as to +body but of a verity sadly puzzled in mind as to +how the child came there and what I should do +with it in my hermit life amid such wild surroundings. +From the leafy coverts about me came the +calls and the chattering of the birds greeting the +morn with such lusty will I was almost minded to +join in, but wisely refrained lest my heavy voice +arouse the sleeper and mayhap drive far from me +the cheerful songsters. A saucy red squirrel with +waving, rearward plume came down the old pine, +stopping now and then to bark defiance at sleeper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +and watcher. Still nearer the red rover came, +his proud plume fairly quivering with excitement. +Once he rushed down in a burst of half-hearted +confidence, coming almost to my feet, looking up +at me as though challenging to mortal combat—and +then with might and main he scampered back +again, his long tail almost brushing the face of the +little slumberer, as the bold tree-dweller rushed +far up into the branches of the pine, as if he never +again would be so rash and heedless.</p> + +<p>At last, however, the little form at the foot of the +tree moved uneasily and the yawnings and twistings +showed that the awakening had come; and +so it had. The little one sat up rubbing its eyes +and blinking and winking, when suddenly it saw +me and then such a full-lunged cry burst forth as +drove the red squirrel in precipitate flight far into +the depths of the forest and also drove me into a +state verging upon imbecility; for verily I knew +not what to do. The more I tried to soothe the +child, the louder it yelled and truly my patience +was tried most sorely. But I have since learned +that the cry of a healthy child, however lusty, does +not last long and so after many rubbings of the +eyes and gradually subsiding sobs, and sundry +sniffs, the little wanderer took out of my large, +awkward hands the pretty wild flower I had +plucked, and actually laughed as the big, dark +eyes looked trustfully into mine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>I asked it in German to tell me its name—where +was the <i>Mutterchen</i>? but the big eyes grew bigger +still and a quivering of the underlip warned me I +was only frightening the poor child. If not German, +surely English, and again I asked, and this +time in English, "What is thy name?" My little +visitor looked at me gravely and then as if surprised +that I should not know, said—a trifle +crossly, I thought—what sounded to me like +"Tass." "Tass what?" I insisted gently, but +he only replied more firmly as he rose to his feet +holding on to my hand, "No Tass Wot, Tass!" +And then as if a great thought had come to him +he said proudly, "Me gone be man some day; me +find faver." "Very well, 'Tass,' where's <i>Mutterchen</i>—I +mean mother, mamma?" But the mention +of "mamma" was too much for the over-burdened +little heart and flinging himself into my +arms, his tiny hands clasping my neck, he cried as +if he never would be consoled again. But I did +the only thing I could do, let him cry; and I have +since learned that it is an excellent thing not only +for the tiny folk, when troubles press heavily on +their little souls, but even for us larger children to +cry it out and have done with it.</p> + +<p>But when he was through crying for the time +at least for his "mamma," another problem stared +me in the face like some hungry beast; for the +poor child cried over and over with irritating persistence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +"Me wants sumfin to eat"; and "me +hungry"; or "Me want watta," or "Me want +mik." The "watta" I readily interpreted was +water, which was soon supplied to him from the +fresh, sweet product of the spring in the rear of +my hut; but what "mik" meant I could not for +some time decide; for I did not recollect that I +had ever heard such a word in German, or English, +or Latin, or Greek, or Hebrew, or any other +language. At last it struck me it was an English +baby word for milk. But I hardly knew how to +get him that, since I kept no cows or goats. In +short, in my hermit's life I never saw any milk +and I could not run the risk of destroying the +child's stomach with my acorn coffee; yet I did not +know how to get him the milk, for which he cried +incessantly. It was some distance to the nearest +clearing where I could procure milk and it was +much too far for him to walk, and indeed, rather +far for me to carry him. Moreover, I did not +care as yet to introduce him to the simple-minded +but suspicious settlers, for I knew full well what +a harvest of insults and taunts I should reap from +my enemies who had not gone out with me should +I suddenly appear with this little boy.</p> + +<p>But if I could not take him along I did not see +how I could leave him behind. However, I took +him into my hut, and for the first time it seemed +bare and cold and cheerless. I ventured a small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +piece of a loaf of acorn bread on which my teeth +had been paying penance for over a week. He +ate the hard dry crust as though it had been the +choicest morsel and then calmly announced that +he wanted "moe."</p> + +<p>"Merciful Father," thought I, "where am I to +find food for this little glutton?" as I respected +his request by handing him such a generous portion +of the loaf as I thought would surely keep +him quiet for the rest of the day.</p> + +<p>It was evident I must take account of his appetite, +and leaving him in the hut, closing the door +behind me and fastening it so, as I thought, that +such a small child could not open it, I marched +forth to the nearest settler's, to one of the families +that had followed me in my baptism by Brother +Beissel.</p> + +<p>After loading me up with <i>Swartzbrod</i>, a rough +sort of rye bread, but exceedingly wholesome, and +with a small crock of apple butter and some smoked +meat of the pig, besides giving me a jug of fresh +milk, the good sister remarked with that inquisitive +hunger for news that is ever present in the +lonely dwellers of the wilderness, whether I had +company, because I took so much more than usual.</p> + +<p>In my confusion, I hurriedly said "Nay," but +recollecting I must not lie, I shouted back as I +started off rapidly, "Yea, a little, not much," +leaving the good sister staring at my retreating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +form as though she greatly feared much piety had +made me mad.</p> + +<p>As I approached the clearing, burdened with my +rich cargo—even to this day I smile when I think +how eager and anxious I was to get back and find +that boy safe—I saw that the door of my hut was +wide open. I fairly gasped with apprehension. +Had he been spirited away as mysteriously as he +had come? I rushed into the cabin letting my +load fairly fall from me as I looked about everywhere +and into the most foolish places for this +strange child. Then out again and to the old +pine where I had first found him; but he was not +there; back again toward the hut, my heart in +my throat, I went, but how joy possessed my soul +when hearing a gurgling and a bubbling and a +laughing and crowing behind me I turned about +like a flash and there sat the blessed rogue, his +bare legs and feet swinging and splashing, kicking +up and down, in my spring.</p> + +<p>When he saw me he looked up with such a glad +knowledge of me that I forgot to scold him for his +vandalism and catching him in my arms I carried +him crowing and kicking to the hut, where he +filled himself so full with milk and meat and the +fresh rye bread that I was greatly alarmed immediately +lest he might become ill from his gorging; +but he minded it not in the least and ere many +hours had gone by was clamoring for more, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +that I doubted not the rest of my hermit life +would be spent in making trips to the settlements +for something to eat for this hungry mannikin.</p> + +<p>Indeed, I should like to tell of all his bright +ways and the wonderful things he would say all +during the remaining summer we lived here in +this lonely spot. At first he often cried for +"mamma," but gradually he seemed to forget her +and greatly delighted me by calling me "faver," +which in later years he changed to the more affectionate +<i>Vaterchen</i>. I tried almost every day for a +long while to get him to tell me his name, but +beyond assuring me it was "Tass," I never could +learn anything. At first, I called him <i>Söhnlein</i>, +but soon after, upon reflecting that he was English +and not German, it seemed but just that I +should make his name at least half in his mother +tongue, and this I did by calling him Sonnlein, for +a precious little son he was to me.</p> + +<p>The cloak I preserved most carefully hoping that +some day it might help me find my boy's parents; +especially did I care to keep it because I had +noticed worked on it in pretty red letters the initials +"C. S.," but beyond this there was absolutely +nothing about the cloak or any of the child's clothing +in which I found him, to tell who he was or +whence he came; nor did any reports come as to +any lost child, so that I was confirmed in my first +belief that he was mine for the rest of my days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>WE LEAVE THE HERMITAGE</h3> + +<blockquote><p>In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct +thy paths.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Bible.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>hus our souls came closer +and closer to each other, +day after day, and grew +into a love that bound us +together as one for life. +It seemed as though the +father and mother love he +had lost were all given to +me; for children must +turn their love toward +somebody or something, as surely as the rivers run +to the sea whence they come. As for me, I doubt not +that the love which is in every man, more or less, +saint or sinner, turned me so strongly toward this +pretty little fellow, with all his taking ways, as if +he had been my own flesh and blood.</p> + +<p>In this sweet companionship we drank in together +the springtime splendor all about us, when +the brook flashed bright as silver and the wooded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +hill in the rear of my hut was gay with the songs +of the little birds, their delicate harmonies frequently +emphasized by the harsh cawing of the +crows flying in a thin line overhead, while from +the deep recesses of the forest came now and then +the long drum call of some proud partridge calling +to himself with lordly air, so I imagined, his +numerous wives, or, perchance, bidding indignant +defiance to some intruding brother partridge.</p> + +<p>But the glory of the spring soon merged into +the glowing beauty of summer, and all too soon +for me and Sonnlein, who like the birds and the +beasts were ever out of doors, came the fall, with +its magnificent coloring of hill and woods; but +none the less the shortening days and the keen air +were portentous of the dying year and the cold, +dreary winter that ere long would shut us off still +more from my followers from whose visits I received +such great comfort and delight.</p> + +<p>But the inevitable, inquisitive mischief makers +also came all too frequently, and these, especially +they that held me as a heretic, presuming on my +meekness of temper could find no sneer or taunt +or insult too mean not only for me but even for +my innocent boy, who the malicious ones pretended +to believe was a child of mine and some +nameless woman's.</p> + +<p>Had my persecutors known how my soul raged +within me, the chains of my will being scarce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +stout enough to hold my wrath, when they thus +insulted Sonnlein and spat even on him as being the +"devil's spawn," just as they oft spat on me, they +had not been so bold; for though I always have +had the heart of a priest my Maker saw fit to give +me the strength and stature of a warrior, so that +it had been no great task for me to pick up my +tormentors bodily and hurl them headlong into the +brook—and at times I wondered whether I had +not been justified had I done so. But my wise +father had early impressed on me that any weakling +can resent injury, while only a truly great +nature can forgive; that the more we learn to +forgive, the more we grow like Him who suffered +everything and forgave all. So in all the afflictions +mine enemies heaped upon me, especially through +my boy, the chains, I rejoice to say, always held, +though greatly strained, and instead of revenging +myself I merely uttered an inward prayer for my +tormentors, and in the long years allotted to me—so +wonderful is God's wisdom—it hath fallen to +me more than once that they who treated me so +vilely came to see the error of their ways and +were glad thereafter to hold me in their esteem +and friendship. Truly, time and loving patience +conquer all evil.</p> + +<p>As the fall advanced I found though I had left +the world, the world had not left me, and the +melancholy temptations which troubled me every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +day did prognosticate to me misery and afflictions, +so that Sonnlein not infrequently seeing me in +this gloomy state would confide to his playmates, +the birds and flowers, that I was cross. Indeed, I +came to the conclusion that under the pretense of +holiness, I was doing nothing but nourishing my +own selfishness, and I knew full well that selfishness +cometh only from the Evil One.</p> + +<p>But while I was in this state matters were shaping +themselves for my redemption from this narrow, +hermit's life; for when I withdrew from the world +a number of brethren and sisters were living the +solitary life dispersed in the wilderness of the +Canestogues; but strangely enough and yet perhaps +not so strange—for the right human heart +leaneth toward the companionship of others—during +the summer a camp was laid out for all the +Solitary at the very spot where now the Kloster +stands, and where at that time Brother Beissel, the +leader of the hermits, among whom were the four +Eckerling brothers, lived down in the meadow, +near a spring, and nigh the Cocalico, which name +hath its ancestry from the Indian <i>Hoch-Hale-kung</i>, +meaning "the den of serpents," for that +the low lands along this stream were infested with +water snakes.</p> + +<p>The little camp on the Cocalico grew rapidly, +accessions coming from many directions. The +Germantown Dunkers after the death of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +patriarch, Alexander Mack, a veritable saint, sent +no less than seventeen members. Others came +from Falkner Swamp, from Oley and elsewhere, so +that the settlement soon grew into large proportions. +But for all these good people there was no +cabin or house large enough for the holding of +worship, as the little hermit huts were barely big +enough for their own occupants. The largest +building within the <i>Lager</i> was a cabin built against +the hillside, wherefore this cabin was called the +<i>Berghaus</i> (Hill-house); but even this was too +small to hold the love feasts and the meetings.</p> + +<p>While matters were thus progressing on the +Cocalico, I was greatly surprised one morning, just +as day was breaking, to see Brother Beissel coming +toward my hut, Sonnlein for a wonder being still +asleep. As he saw me, he hastened forward with +his gentlest smile; for though he could be as stern +and forbidding as Jove, our brother could, when it +pleased him, use all the wiles and arts of Mercurius; +so that, though I have ever been loth to +suspect others of aught ill, I could not help wondering +what new thing was on foot for tempting me.</p> + +<p>"Surely, my dear brother, I marvel not that +thou preferrest this paradise to our mean little +place on the Cocalico," he said; for he always +affected great humility, even though with all his +godly zeal he was exceedingly proud and stubborn +and often harsh and violent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Paradise it may be," I replied quietly, "and +yet every earthly paradise hath its serpent to lead +the sons of Adam into sin."</p> + +<p>"Thou meanest the child?" he insinuated.</p> + +<p>"Nay, not the child," I repeated with unbecoming +heat. "Were it not for his dear companionship +I had been unable long ago to remain apart +from the world."</p> + +<p>"It is verily true the hermit life hath its temptations +and tribulations," remarked Brother Beissel, +so quietly I should not have suspected anything +had it not been he was watching my face closely +all the while. But with all my simplicity I was +not such an utter stranger to his dissimulation +that he could wind me about his fingers like wax.</p> + +<p>"So," I merely responded, "it hath, verily."</p> + +<p>After a few minutes, during which he coughed +lightly a few times and scratched the ground with +his stick, he inquired indifferently, "Hast heard of +our change on the Cocalico?"</p> + +<p>"Naught much," I replied, also indifferently, +being determined to make him come to the point, +if it took all day, for I knew he had something at +heart which in good time I should hear.</p> + +<p>"Hast heard we have almost completed a large +building where our Brothers and Sisters may worship?" +he inquired.</p> + +<p>"I have heard so," I made answer, still with +seeming indifference.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then he paused even longer than before +and scratched the earth thoughtfully, neither of us +saying a word. Then he resumed as though partly +speaking to himself and partly to me: "This house +which we have erected to the glory of God we +have called Kedar, 'the house of sorrowfulness'"; +after another pause, "it containeth a hall for the +meetings and likewise still larger halls furnished +for holding the love feasts. There are also a +number of <i>Kammers</i> intended for the Solitary, +after the manner of the early Greek Church."</p> + +<p>"Ye have built wisely," I said, still quietly.</p> + +<p>Then the longest pause of all, at the end of +which he placed his hands meekly across his +breast, saying to me as he turned about to leave: +"When thou art minded to leave thy hermit's life, +we shall give thee welcome at Ephrata."</p> + +<p>He had actually proceeded, but slowly as if in +deep thought, almost beyond the farther boundary +of my little orchard, when he turned about gravely +and came back again like one who had forgotten +something. "Now," thought I, "shall I see the +kernel of the nut he hath been cracking"; for I had +not stirred, knowing he would return, and as he +came toward me he said, watching me closely: "Our +good Brother Michael Wohlforth exhorteth the Solitary +with exceeding harshness and violence."</p> + +<p>"Still they should heed him for I hear he is a +godly man," I replied.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But Brother Weiser and his followers can no +longer bear Brother Michael Wohlforth's temper."</p> + +<p>"A little temper will not hurt the Solitary."</p> + +<p>"But Brother Wohlforth hath been recalled as +teacher," continued Brother Beissel.</p> + +<p>"There be many among you to take his place," +I assured him.</p> + +<p>"Nay, not so many, for upon the recalling of +Brother Wohlforth, he was succeeded by Brother +Emanuel Eckerling."</p> + +<p>"A worthy man," I said strongly.</p> + +<p>"But he preacheth too long; sometimes he discourseth +even six hours without a stop."</p> + +<p>"Surely he is of most excellent zeal," I murmured, +smiling inwardly.</p> + +<p>"The Solitary incline to think six hours be too +long even for preaching," said Brother Beissel +doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Six hours' preaching doth seem of rather great +length," I admitted; "still an eloquent man maketh +the time fly on swift wings."</p> + +<p>"But our good Brother Emanuel is not eloquent. +Before he hath spoken half an hour, most of the +Solitary be asleep, so that this thing is a great disgrace +to us."</p> + +<p>"Surely the Brethren are not so rude and ungodly?" +I asked innocently.</p> + +<p>"Yea, I grieve that he too was recalled, and +now we have no one that seemeth suitable."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thou hast forgotten thyself," I reminded him.</p> + +<p>But he felt not the point. Instead he blurted +out as I liked better to hear him, forgetting all his +serpent's slyness—which I dislike greatly in man +or woman—"We want thee, Brother Miller. The +Solitary all want thee. We must have thee. I am +enjoined not to return without thee." Brother +Beissel could be just as outspoken as he could be +insinuating. "What sayest thou?"</p> + +<p>"Doth the invitation extend to the child?" said +I pointing to my boy who had by this time come +out to me and was hanging shyly to my hand, and +looking with no great favor upon Brother Beissel.</p> + +<p>"If needs be he come with thee, the invitation +extends to him," he replied, although I thought +reluctantly.</p> + +<p>"Then we come," I promised him, whereupon +our brother turned to say "Good-bye," but the +strange feeling between Sonnlein and Brother +Beissel, for some reason or other never wholly +left either.</p> + +<p>But even though I had chosen with so little +hesitation to cast my lot and Sonnlein's with our +Brothers and Sisters at Ephrata, I found that my +hermit's life, with all its lack of companionship +and intercourse with kindred souls was after all +very dear to me, so that I was almost resolved to +recall my promise; but in my bewilderment I +turned to Him for help and guidance, and after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +long and earnest prayer it became clear to me it +was my duty that Sonnlein and I join ourselves to +Brother Beissel and his followers.</p> + +<p>The simple preparations for our departure were +soon made. My hut and the little garden adjoining +and my apple orchard were consigned to the +care of one of my nearest adherents, and in a few +days after Brother Beissel's visit, Sonnlein and I, +my back loaded with my books, among them a +number of volumes on the law, of which science I +have been all my life an eager student, started out +together sorrowfully enough for Brother Klopf's +cabin, where he and his household, as well as +Conrad Weiser and Hans Michael Miller and their +families, and several men and women were gathered +waiting for me and Sonnlein.</p> + +<p>A brief season of the morning was spent in +praise and prayer, after which we solemnly proceeded +on foot—except Sonnlein, who had to be +carried much of the way on our backs—to Ephrata, +and by evening we were in the welcoming folds +of the little community of which Sonnlein and I +and most of the Dulpehackin converts became an +abiding part.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>EPHRATA</h3> + +<blockquote><p>That we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness +and honesty.</p> + +<p class="citation">—New Testament.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-i"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span>n this wise Sonnlein and +I came to Ephrata, the +"fruitful," or like Bethlehem +of Judea, the +"House of Bread," and +in this beautiful, peaceful +camp, whose narrow +domains embraced the +rich, green meadows +along the northern +banks of the gentle Cocalico +and the higher ground, named by us Mount +Sinai, rising from the meadows, Sonnlein and I +were destined to learn, after the long lapse of +years, the mystery of his coming to me. Surely, +then, I may look for forgiveness if at times I delay +my story to tell somewhat of the manner of our +life with the rest of the Solitary in this little +forest-hidden corner of our large world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> + +<p>When our little party arrived at Ephrata, we +received a grave but none the less soul-satisfying +welcome; but as the Solitary always had great +regard for the value of time, we new-comers, without +waiting to be bid, at once added our labors +toward the completion of Kedar, which though by +now was under roof, was unprepared for its sacred +purposes.</p> + +<p>I fear no contradiction when I state that this +structure was different from anything then to be +found in the New World. As in the building of +our cabins, there was no iron whatever used in the +construction of Kedar. The material used was +the timber we cut from the trees in the forest +about us. The spaces between the framework and +the floor joists were filled with wet clay from the +banks of the Cocalico and cut grass from the +meadow, the sides then being coated with a thin +layer of lime prepared from the rocks near by. +This filling was a peculiarity also of all our large +later structures and had the advantage that it made +the house warm in winter and cool in summer, and +what was also exceedingly desirable, this filling +was impervious to vermin. Incredible as it may +seem, even our fireplaces and chimneys were built +of wood and lined with this mixture.</p> + +<p>In height, Kedar was of three stories, of which +the chief one was in the middle. This contained +the <i>Saal</i>, or meeting room, as well as the rooms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +necessary for holding the <i>agapae</i>, or love feasts. +The first story, or ground floor, was divided off +into small rooms or cells called <i>Kammern</i>, for the +Solitary. These cells were so exceedingly small +that the Solitary had barely room to turn about +though there was but one Solitary to each <i>Kammer</i>. +The white walls, in their symbolism of heavenly +purity, were utterly bare of ornament. There +were no paintings or pictures, magnificent or otherwise; +in their stead the occupant of his narrow cell +had but to look out of the only window, glass and +small, and soothe his longing by gazing on a most +glorious picture of rich meadow, sparkling stream, +waving forests, dim, distant mountains, and blue +sky above, all painted and framed for us by Infinite +power and love. The only furniture was the hard, +narrow, wooden bench that ran at a right angle +along the length and the adjacent width, and on +these religiously uncomfortable beds, with their +flesh-mortifying wooden blocks for pillows, the +Solitary, after their daily toil, could sleep, unvexed +by troublesome consciences, with such peace and +refreshing as many a king in all his idle luxury +might well envy. The only mitigation against the +chilling winter was our daily dress and the heat +that sometimes drifted in to us from the fire-place +in the little hall at the end of the narrow corridors +leading into the <i>Kammern</i>.</p> + +<p>The uppermost story of Kedar was given to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +spiritual virgins who had pledged themselves to a +communal life. Shortly after, the ground floor +was handed over to the strictest of the single +Brethren for a similar purpose, these being Brothers +Wohlforth, Meyle, Just, and Theonis, while +two of the Eckerlings, Israel and Gabriel, as well +as Brother Kalckgläser and Sonnlein and myself, +as being the most important in the community, +outside of Brother Beissel, who occupied his little +cabin in the meadow, were quartered in the +<i>Berghaus</i>.</p> + +<p>Even before Kedar was wholly finished, <i>Nachtmetten</i>, +or night meetings, were instituted by the +Solitary. These were religious meetings held +every midnight; for it was at that hour the great +Judge was expected to come. At first they lasted +four hours from midnight, but as this allowed so +little time for necessary rest, two hours were held +sufficient. It was arranged that the Brethren +should hold their devotions first at these night +meetings and after they had filed out of the <i>Saal</i> +the Sisters would enter for their hour of prayer; +but this was soon changed so that the midnight +prayers were held jointly. This arrangement soon +gave rise to such gossip and scandal among the enemies +of our community that Brother Beissel exhorted +the Brothers and Sisters to pray earnestly that +these evil-minded ones might still their tongues; +but though we prayed earnestly and in all faith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +these gossiping tongues were something even +prayer and faith could not stop and so after these +joint meetings had continued a few months our good +Brother Sigmund Landert proposed to Brother Beissel +that Kedar should be kept exclusively as a Sister +House, in which event Brother Landert promised +he would out of the wealth God had vouchsafed +him, build a house adjoining Kedar, the new structure +to be used exclusively for assembly purposes, +provided, however, that he and his two daughters +be received into the settlement.</p> + +<p>Though Brother Beissel objected at first, matters +so arranged themselves finally that through +the generosity and devotion of Brother Landert +and another Brother, Hermann Zinn, a large +edifice was constructed on the hillside, the <i>Bethaus</i>, +House of Prayer. Besides the large <i>Saal</i> for joint +meetings and public worship there were ample +room for the love feasts, and at the time of the +completion of the <i>Bethaus</i> the <i>Saal</i> was the largest +and most imposing room for public worship in the +province. At one end, toward the east of the <i>Saal</i>, +was a raised platform for the gray-bearded fathers, +while on either side of the length of the <i>Saal</i> ran +the <i>Por-kirchen</i>, or galleries for the Solitary, the +Brothers sitting on one side and the Sisters on the +other. The body, or main floor of the <i>Saal</i>, was +for the secular members, or householders, as we +called them; for be it known our community was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +not composed entirely of Brothers and Sisters +pledged to lives of celibacy, but in addition to +these we had a large number of members from the +country round about us, husbands and wives and +their children, who believed as we did, that the +Seventh Day was the true Lord's Day, and who +differed from us in belief in this only that they +practised not celibacy.</p> + +<p>The <i>Bethaus</i>, like Kedar, was built entirely of +wood, and clay and grass for the filling, the walls +inside being made snowy white with lime, the only +decoration being a number of proverbs and sentences +of Scripture written in ornamental German +characters, in script, known as <i>Fracturschrift</i>, +which became famous far and wide for its beauty, +and even now, after the passage of over half a +century, these proverbs and sentences remain on +the walls of our meeting-houses as clear and +beautiful as the day they were first written.</p> + +<p>Upon the completion of the <i>Bethaus</i>, the Brethren +who had been quartered on the ground floor of +Kedar were again relegated to the cabins and +henceforth Kedar was handed over to the Sisterhood, +and the <i>Saal</i> upon the second floor now +became the chapel of the Order of the Spiritual +Virgins, and from that time on, while the night +meetings of the Sisters were held in the <i>Saal</i> of +Kedar, the Brethren held their meetings in the +<i>Saal</i> of the <i>Bethaus</i> for a number of years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus, these buildings were the foundation for a +more perfect communal life and in pursuance of +which all the provisions were delivered to the +Sisters in their kitchen, who daily prepared a supper +for the entire settlement, in the large dining hall, +the Brothers and Sisters divided from each other +by a screen, everything being done in order and reverence +according to the leading of the Holy Ghost.</p> + +<p>About this time too occurred the first, so far as +I know, of those mysterious manifestations that +for so many years were a great bewilderment and +anxiety not so much to the rest of the community +as to me, for that with rare exceptions it chanced +I must be the chief witness of the doings of this +strange being that so long harassed us.</p> + +<p>Even before Kedar was fully completed—being, +however, far enough advanced for dedication to +its glorious purposes—Brother Beissel made great +preparations for a general love feast; and <i>Einlader</i>, +or inviters, were sent throughout the province, +especially among all the German Baptists +and English Sabbatarians, requesting them to participate +in the dedicatory services. As the time +approached, ample preparations were made for a +great multitude; for from all the reports brought +unto us by our messengers we could not doubt +but that there would be a great gathering in our +humble little community to take part in the dedication, +and to this day—and I like not to be considered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +superstitious—I cannot account for the +failure of the dedication other than through this +mysterious influence; for as a matter of fact but +few strangers presented themselves, the only exception +being that quite a number of English Sabbatarians +from the French Creek visited us and +took an active part in the exercises.</p> + +<p>But not only were we greatly depressed by the +failure of the invited ones to come and add to the +glory of the occasion their presence and their +praise and prayer, but the night preceding the +love feast was exceedingly dark and cloudy. Moreover, +as the darkness grew the clouds seemed to +gather heavier and heavier overhead, so that toward +midnight the gloom and depression were +almost overpowering, so much so that about an +hour before midnight, Sonnlein being sound asleep, +I arose—so unaccountably disturbed and troubled +I could not sleep—and made my way, why or how +I know not, for I seemed almost as one walking in +his sleep, toward the cabin where Brother Beissel +was slumbering down in the meadow. Suddenly, +although I saw not his little hut, I heard a howl +like one in pain coming from the direction where +I knew our brother's hut should be. Then another +cry as in pain and a sound as if some one +were beating another with great force and violence. +I rushed blindly on in the darkness stumbling +and floundering until ere I knew it I had run up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +against what with feeling around I found to be +a hut. From within came moans and groans but +the beating had ceased while with the moaning +and groaning were mingled a sort of snarling and +growling and muttering as of some wild beast. I +had just reached the doorway, the door being wide +open, when suddenly there rushed out a something +which as it passed struck me a most violent +blow across the eyes fairly staggering me so that +all I could do was to make a wild clutch at the +beast, or fiend, that was now speeding away leaving +a trail of snarlings and growlings and cacklings +such as human being could scarce make.</p> + +<p>Recovering from the smarting blow over my +eyes, I groped my way inside only to hear Brother +Beissel say feebly, "Art come again, thou Prince +of Darkness, to persecute me?"</p> + +<p>"'Tis not the Prince of Darkness, brother; +whatever hath been here hath fled; 'tis Brother +Miller," whereupon with all his bravery he leaned +against me for support, seeming to find great comfort +in my being there.</p> + +<p>"Surely the Evil One hath troubled me most +sorely this night," said our leader more strongly +now.</p> + +<p>"But I smell not brimstone or fire, brother; dost +thou?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Nay, but I tell thee 'twas the foul fiend himself; +most grievously did he beat me with his long tail."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With his tail, brother—surely thou meanest +not that?" I protested.</p> + +<p>"But I tell thee Beelzebub took his tail in his +claws and beat me. Did I not see him in all the +darkness, lift his forked tail on high and bring it +down on me; and all the while he spat and snarled +as though he were about to rend me asunder."</p> + +<p>"Why didst not cross thyself?"</p> + +<p>"The foul one came so sudden. I verily believe +he rose up through the floor. I heard him not +open the door and I sleep lightly."</p> + +<p>"Yet thy door was open wide when I found thy +hut; and if 'twas the devil, he left not the way thou +sayest he came; for devil or beast as it rushed out +the door, this evil thing struck me across the face +so it still burneth."</p> + +<p>"'Twas the Prince of Evil," still persisted Brother +Beissel; "full well he seeth how we are shaking +the walls of his foul kingdom. He thinketh to +terrify us all by assailing me, your leader," and +even in the darkness of the cabin I could see our +commander straighten himself up as though he +feared not a legion of devils, and in truth, Brother +Beissel feared neither man nor devil, and I know +now that it was my brother's undaunted will and +courage more than aught else that ever gave him +such sway over my gentler, cowardly nature.</p> + +<p>Knowing he was firm in his belief I cared not +to dispute with him then that I thought it might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +not be the Evil One; but that, perhaps, some wild +animal had strayed into his hut or else some of +our enemies had taken this dark night for an +opportunity to beat him, it being well known that +among the German settlers were those who were +greatly incensed at our leader for that the wives +of some of them had left their homes and joined +the spiritual virgins; and, indeed, there were those +who upon hearing of the matter the next day declared +that no doubt our leader had been persecuted +by some one of our unfriendly neighbors. +But most of the Solitary were just as firm in the +belief which our leader unhesitatingly proclaimed, +that the Prince of Darkness, being greatly exercised +with our inroads into his kingdom had sought +our leader in person, thinking no doubt to terrify +him from further fighting against the powers of +sin. Be that as it may, while I at the time hardly +knew which side to join with, I myself felt certain +in later years that our community in the person of +Brother Beissel had received the first manifestation +of that evil influence I had such good cause +to dread for so many years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>CONCERNING TAXATION</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">E'en if a vicious man were like a leaky vat,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">That wastes what it receives, pour in, for all that!<br /></span> +<span class="i6">If vat and man are not in too decrepit plight.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Keep pouring in thy gifts. How soon a crack soaks tight.<br /></span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i28">—<i>Lessing.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-a"><span class="dropcap">A</span></span>nd now, early in the year +1737, occurred a matter +which hath been held +up against our community +as a great reproach; +for by reason of this +thing, which I shall set +out fully, hewing to the +line, caring not whither +the chips may fall, we +were regarded by many +who were ignorant of the truth, as disturbers of the +peace; others accusing us of being misers, while +still others went so far in their condemnation as to +hold us guilty of nothing less than treason.</p> + +<p>The whole trouble arose out of what was known +as the "Single Men's Tax," our province having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +passed an Act some twelve years prior to our first +introduction to it, providing that "those single men +whose estates shall not be rated at fifty pounds, +they shall be assessed after the rate of three shillings +a head upon a tax of one penny per pound, +both for poor rates and city and county levies."</p> + +<p>There were then, as before and ever since, those +who had no regard for the sanctity of religion, no +appreciation for what religion preserves better than +all our courts and justices, namely, the safety and +security of the State. For, let it be known to +our credit, though we like not to boast of ourselves, +we on the Cocalico did not spend all our time in +pious devotions and speculations upon the mysteries +of the infinite. Hard manual labor marked much +of our lives, and I glory to say that this labor was +not for ourselves alone. Up to this time, indeed, +works of charity had been our chief occupation. +Canestogues was then a great wilderness, but a +wilderness into which many a poor German settler +came to cut out of the deep woods a little clearing +for his grain, and to build a log cabin he could call +his home. These poverty-stricken brethren from +the <i>Vaterland</i> often called upon us to assist them +in building houses for them. To these calls we +always responded, and for many a summer we +were kept continually employed in hard carpenter's +work, so that by this too great consideration for +the needs of our poor neighbors our own poverty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +was so increased that we wanted even things necessary +for life.</p> + +<p>Not only did we build their homes and help +them till the soil, but we also bestowed such great +care on our lands in the plowing, sowing, and +reaping, that we often were blessed with such rich +harvests that out of our bounty we supplied the +poor for miles around with grain and flour, when +their own crops, through inexperience, or improvidence, +or rust, or drought, had failed.</p> + +<p>Substantial assistance was never refused to such +as needed it. The Solitary, whether sister or +brother, always imbued with God's priceless gift +of charity, were swift of foot to all calls of mercy +and humanity. In the early days of our Kloster +life we would not employ any four-footed animals +to do our heavy work, thinking it unchristian to +put on them what we should ourselves bear; and +thus all our hauling and carrying and plowing +was done by our own hands and feet and with our +own backs. I recall full well how the Brethren +and the Sisters, instead of mules and oxen, pulled +the plows through the hard soil of our fields for +the planting and sowing. Our life being orderly +and systematic, we had time for devotions, and for +work, and for charity, each receiving its due proportion, +but the greater proportion falling to works +of charity and benevolence. Indeed, this was the +chief reason, and not because of any foolish superstitions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +that the greater part of our devotions were +held at night.</p> + +<p>But though we lived in this primitive manner of +the early Christians and did all these works of +charity, yet there was a number of persons who +appreciated not our charity, or our stern but simple +piety, and the hardships of our mode of life.</p> + +<p>Such was the township constable, who, hungry +for his worldly fees, was bent upon making the +Brethren pay this "Single Men's Tax." With this +purpose the worthy dignitary, much swollen with +the importance of his high office, descended upon +us one day, as a chicken hawk swoops down upon +some unsuspecting domestic fowl, and with a loud +voice and boisterous manner demanded that we +pay the tax, all the while shaking his head and +holding his nose in the air as if he already scented +the fees that would fill his rapacious pockets.</p> + +<p>His coming, and more his loud, gruff manner, +threw great consternation into our hitherto peaceful +camp. Brother Martin at first sight of the fat +impressiveness of the bloated form of the constable, +and on hearing his loud voice of command, +shrank behind me and whispered timidly, "Is't the +king come for his tax?"</p> + +<p>"King! thou simple one!" I scowled at him, +"King's fool, more like!" for I did not much admire +the overbearing airs of this unmannerly tax +collector, who, like many another of his stripe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +evidently thought because we were a plain, simple +folk, we were easily frightened by the show of any +authority of the law, especially when emphasized +by bulk and big voice in the representative. But +our bawling officer soon found that while we were +ever a law-abiding people, not seeking to quarrel +with any one, yet we were not accustomed to hide +in terror every time the law appeared; so instead +of rushing forth in great haste with our taxes in +our hands and beseeching the collector to accept +them and leave us in peace, Brother Beissel, unheeding +the constable's commands to hurry up and +not delay him, summoned all the Solitary Brethren +to the <i>Saal</i> to have our views in the matter. And +at once there were formed two opposing parties; +one, headed by Brother Weiser—or Brother Enoch +as was his cloistral name—arguing that it was just +and right to pay unto Cæsar his tribute as commanded +by Scripture, and counseling that the tax +be paid and thus all trouble be avoided. The +contrary party, of which I was the chosen head, contended +the assessments should not be paid, because +by our manner of life we were entitled to immunity +from all taxation. And to support this I reminded +my brethren that in the Eastern countries +monks and hermits paid no taxes, it being a matter +of well-known history that when the monks and +hermits collected by their labors every harvest so +much grain as to supply regularly all the prisons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +in Alexandria with bread, Theodosius Magnus and +other Christian emperors declared all such monks +and hermits free from taxes. I could not see that +we were in any wise inferior to the ancient hermits, +and if not, it were contrary to custom to deny us +the same immunity.</p> + +<p>Brother Beissel interrupted loudly, forgetting +his usual subtility, "Brother Jabez, I doubt much +whether our constable will feel bounden by the +practices of the early church."</p> + +<p>"That I will not," growled the constable, who +had been admitted to the council; "the Act does +set forth the tax must be paid, and the tax will I +have ere I leave."</p> + +<p>"But the Act doth not apply to us, I tell thee, +or else I should counsel immediate obedience to +thy demands," I said as calmly as I could; "we +refuse not to pay this paltry tribute because we +care overmuch for the little money we have; but +we do not think it right for us to pay."</p> + +<p>"Of that I know not," came another cavernous +growl from the depths of the constable. "I know +I leave not till I am paid the tax."</p> + +<p>"Well, I for one shall pay it not," I cried out. +"If our Kloster labors were merely for the enrichment +of our coffers, then I should pay the tax as +being my share of the support of the province. +But we work not for ourselves further than is +necessary for our slender needs. The overflow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +of our abundance hath ever gone to the poor and +needy settlers far and wide. If we came not to +the relief of these, then would the province have +the burden of their support. In all ages it hath +been the custom and the law to grant immunity +of taxation to the church and to those whose lives +are spent in charity. I say I shall not pay the +tax, for it is neither right, nor custom, nor law."</p> + +<p>"If thou payest not the taxes thou goest to jail, +for so the Act declares," bellowed the constable.</p> + +<p>"So be it," I replied quietly, "and I fear not +but I shall have worthy company."</p> + +<p>"Thou goest not alone with this ungodly man," +answered me Brother Elimelech—his secular name +being Emanuel Eckerling—as he stood bravely by +my side.</p> + +<p>"I too go with thee into the camp of the Philistines," +said Brother Jephune, brother to Elimelech, +also coming to my side.</p> + +<p>Another of the Eckerlings, Brother Jotham, +stepped over to me and said quietly: "Even if it +be to the stocks or the gallows I go with thee."</p> + +<p>"And if I go with thee, Brother Jabez, as I +surely will, then thou hast all the sons of my +mother with thee," said Brother Onesimus.</p> + +<p>"With all these Eckerlings—Emanuel, Samuel, +Gabriel, and Israel—I fear naught, not even our +formidable friend, the tax collector," I said gayly, +not at all disturbed by his fierce looks and scowls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +at me, whom he regarded as the instigator of all +this little rebellion, although in truth there were +more than the Eckerlings and myself who thought +it not right to pay the taxes. But thus it ever +hath been, for doth not the Scriptures say that out +of the ten thousand who gathered to fight under the +banner of Gideon only three hundred were worthy +to be led against the enemy?</p> + +<p>"The devil take ye all for a lot of pious fools if +ye go not with me at once," thundered the constable, +choking with wrath, so that I greatly feared +from his purple face he might perish from the +palsy.</p> + +<p>"The devil, or his deputy, may take us now if +he be ready," I said to him, which but the more +enraged him, so that he rushed from us puffing +and wheezing as he floundered across the meadow, +the very swaying of his broad back expressing +his indignation at our disregard for the majesty +of the law.</p> + +<p>"Brother Jabez," said Brother Enoch, as the +majesty of the law disappeared down the road beyond +the meadow, "dost thou know if we pay not +the levy we shall be arrested and taken to jail?"</p> + +<p>"If the constable be a man of his word, I doubt +not thou art a true prophet," I replied, "but thou +knowest Ecclesiastes sayeth there is 'a time of +war and a time of peace.' It seemeth my duty to +oppose this unjust tax, and now is the time to set<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +our faces firmly against the levy. If we five must +go alone, so be it."</p> + +<p>Just then some one laid hold of mine arm, and +turning about I saw Brother Martin—Martin Brämer +being his secular name—our tailor. I asked +him: "What hast to say, Brother Martin, shall we +pay the taxes?"</p> + +<p>"Will they hang us if we pay not the king's +officer?" he asked, still with the image of the king +in his eye, looking first at me and then at Brother +Enoch and then at the four Eckerlings.</p> + +<p>"That I do not know," I said, after a pause. +"Brother Enoch," said I, turning to him, "thou +art learned in the laws of the province. What +will be done with us?"</p> + +<p>"Most likely ye will be imprisoned until ye +promise to pay the taxes," said our learned brother, +who afterward became one of the justices of our +province.</p> + +<p>"And our good Brother Jabez is so stubborn in +this, if we pay not the levies, then must we abide +in jail for all our days," sighed Brother Martin, +"for I know he will never make such promise."</p> + +<p>"Ye tailors are ever a timid folk," I broke in +with some impatience. "'Sufficient unto the day +is the evil thereof.'"</p> + +<p>And yet with all the differences about the taxes, +when the constable returned with five or six neighbors +who liked not our Sabbatarian views and who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +answered willingly to the summons to arrest the +"rebels" and "heretics," as it pleased them to call +us, I rejoiced exceedingly to see that not only the +whole Brotherhood but even the Sisters were +united in their determination to oppose the tax. +And so when the constable and his eager minions +came rushing across the meadow as though they +were about to storm some walled city, they found +us quietly gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai, +our hands meekly folded across our breasts, no +one saying a word, except that Brother Beissel, as +guardian of our flock, stood somewhat in advance +of the Brothers and Sisters, with me close to him, +to meet the first onset of the doughty constable +and his deputies.</p> + +<p>As they came nigh, they paused, and then came +to a full stop as they saw this goodly array of +Brothers and Sisters. Whereupon Brother Beissel +spoke up to the constable: "'Are ye come out as +against a thief with swords and staves to take us?' +Ye need not come in such haste and violence; our +good neighbors, though they seem overly anxious +to help thee in this, must say we have never done +violence toward any one. We are gathered here +to go with thee and to have our cause heard by +the justices."</p> + +<p>This was more than our constable had bargained +for, for they were hardly prepared to convoy such +a gathering, and we could but smile, Brother Beissel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +and I, and even the Brothers and Sisters, to +see the consternation that now reigned on the side +of the constable and our officious neighbors. +Drawing closely together they held such a lively +conference, in which each seemed bent on out-talking +the others, that it was no great difficulty +for us to hear everything that passed between +them. The constable was for taking me alone, +because he regarded me as the ringleader; another +argued just as violently that our superintendent +and I should be taken, as we were the leaders of +the community and therefore represented them; +still another loudly claimed that the four Eckerlings +and myself should be taken as being guilty +of open treason for saying we would not pay the +taxes; and still another thought we all should go.</p> + +<p>Finally, it was decided to take only the Eckerlings +and myself, and as Brother Martin cried out +from behind my back that he would not pay the +tax, he too was added to our number. As soon as +this result was achieved by our adversary the constable, +he stood forth and in a loud voice called +our names and demanded that we stand forth, that +we were arrested, and that we must go with him +to Lancaster to be heard before the justices. It +was with great difficulty that we prevailed upon +Brother Beissel and the remaining Brothers and +Sisters that they could not accompany us, for they +were all determined that in this we must make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +common cause. Finally, however, I succeeded in +showing them that we six represented the community +and were willing to stand trial for the sake +of all, and that it would be the duty of the rest to +remain at home and look after the sewing and the +spinning and the preparing of the fields for the +spring planting and to take care of the sick and +poor and needy.</p> + +<p>Thus matters at last having been settled, another +problem stared our enemies in the face. +They demanded that we provide some conveyance +in which to be taken to Lancaster, which was +some thirteen miles from us. To this I replied +that we had none; that we always traveled afoot. +Knowing this to be true, they had no more to say +other than that they would furnish conveyances at +their own expense, wherein we could ride to Lancaster. +This also we said we could not do because +it was our custom never to ride but always to walk, +with staff in hand like the early pilgrims. When +this conclusion was made known to the constable +I thought, in all truth, he would now surely die in +a fit; for he howled and stormed and raged like +some one possessed with a thousand devils; but +we merely stood quiet, saying not a word until the +storm had somewhat subsided and he was sufficiently +sensible to understand that if we were to +go to Lancaster it would be on foot and not otherwise. +Thus we departed after—with some misgivings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +it is true—I had first had a promise from +Brother Beissel that he would look after Sonnlein +until I came back again, the constable and his +deputies in the lead, and we following in single +file, with our staffs in hand, quietly and peacefully.</p> + +<p>At first our captors were disposed to heap on +us all the indignities and insults they could think +of, pulling us by our long beards which they in +their humor were pleased to liken to goats' beards, +and calling us "he-goats," "men with women's +frocks on," "bleached fools," "Beissel's lambs," +and spitting on us every now and then; to all of +which we raised not our hands or opened our +mouths but followed meekly, as was our custom +to bear all insult and indignity. Uphill and down +again, through dale and valley, long stretches of +forest broken only at rare intervals by some little +clearing with its humble log cabin, we trudged +along patiently and uncomplainingly only that the +constable and his deputies who at first set out +with such a high pace as though they intended to +devour the way in a few steps soon found that +even their spite and anger could not furnish endurance +for such a pace. Gradually they slackened, +the constable, by reason of his great bulk +and this unaccustomed exercise puffing most violently +and every now and then growling at our +stubbornness and our pig-headedness in making +them travel afoot and roaring and swearing most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +vile oaths that we should pay dear for this great +contempt of the law.</p> + +<p>Indeed, before we were more than half-way to +our destination our constable, not being built for +walking, was suffering severely in his feet and +limbs from these unaccustomed exertions, which +we, inured to such trifles, minded not in the least. +His deputies, who looked as lean and hungry as he +looked prosperous, also were in sore straits; for +they too found this walking not much to their +taste. It finally came to such a pass, while we +were yet some miles from Lancaster that the constable +announced savagely, looking at us as though +he would have liked to hang us from the branches +of the nearest tree, that he could not walk any +farther. A short consultation with the rest of the +Brethren, and I stepped up to him sitting at the +foot of a tree, puffing, and mopping the sweat from +his forehead, and said to him respectfully that if +he would tell us where to present ourselves we +would go straight ahead and give ourselves up to +the justices. At this he glared at us, if anything +more savagely than ever, and declared it to be a +scheme to escape. Whereupon I merely replied, +"Very well, we shall wait here, then, until thou art +ready to proceed with us."</p> + +<p>"No doubt ye would," he howled; "for I doubt not +it gives ye great pleasure to see what a sorry state ye +have brought me to by your pig-headedness."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Perhaps thou canst find a conveyance if we +press on, and thou canst ride the rest of the journey?" +I suggested to him gently.</p> + +<p>He was not to be soothed, however, for he +merely growled: "I know no place between here +and the justices' courts where I can find beast or +wagon to carry me."</p> + +<p>"Dost thou object if we carry thee there, we +and our kind neighbors who are helping thee?" I +asked.</p> + +<p>"Now are ye quite crazy, for do ye see anything +by which ye can carry me, or do you intend to take +me on your backs one at a time and thus carry me +a laughingstock into Lancaster?"</p> + +<p>"If thou wilt wait and hear the plan we have +formed in our minds thou wilt perhaps have more +respect for our foolish brains," I assured him.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is this great plan of thine?"</p> + +<p>"Sit there until thou seest, and if it do not +please thee thou needst not take it." So saying +I dispatched one of the leanest deputies who I +thought could best stand the strain of walking, +back a short distance to a cabin we had passed on +our way, for a hatchet and some strong cord, or +ropes, or perchance, nails. He grumbled and +growled, but upon the constable's bidding him go +on our fool's quest, the deputy left us. While he +was gone, my brethren and I made search in the +forest about us for such timber as we could make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +into a litter and when the deputy returned, scornfully +handing me the hatchet and some strong +cord, we cut down a number of saplings suitable +to the constable's weight, and with these formed a +sort of litter on which he could sit or lie, as it +might please him, while the rest of us carried him +along. He was much loth to trust himself to +what he considered a frail support for his mighty +frame, but after showing him it was strong enough +to hold him, he finally stretched his length thereon, +sending the deputy back with the hatchet, while +we waited his return.</p> + +<p>But the constable still doubting, growled, but +more softly, I thought, "Now what good is all this +litter; who shall carry me? My deputies, who are +themselves tired, cannot carry me all these miles +to Lancaster."</p> + +<p>"Nay," replied I, "but we six Brethren are +young and strong and we will take hold of the +poles and carry thee as far as we are able, after +which thy deputies may relieve us until we regain +our breath and strength when we shall again take +thee on."</p> + +<p>He sat up and said slowly and still doubtfully: +"Do ye mean to say ye will do this for me?"</p> + +<p>"That we will cheerfully," we all assured him; +"though thou hast not treated us over kindly it is +not in our minds to remember what thou hast said +and done."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are not up to some trick?"</p> + +<p>"Thou hast good reason to believe we be men +of our word," I replied somewhat stiffly; "my +brethren are not given to trickery."</p> + +<p>The deputy having now returned, my brethren +and I took the first turn and hoisting to our shoulders +the long poles extending beyond the framework +on which our constable sat in royal state, we +trudged along quietly but cheerfully, even though +our burden was not a light one, our neighbors, the +deputies, under the direction of the still distrustful +constable, attending to it that we departed not +from our proper course, which none of us had the +slightest intention of doing. Yet I must record +that the human heart, as the Holy Book sayeth in +its omniscient wisdom, is a deceitful thing, even +in the best of us; for we had not gone far with +our rude conveyance when we came to a most foul +and dirty pool directly in our way. Brother Martin, +being so small and slight and by reason thereof +in great danger of destroying the evenness of +the litter—which of course would not have been +well for the choleric temper of the constable—was +placed at my corner, in front of me, so borrowing +from my height and strength that the litter would +carry more evenly, and also our beloved little tailor +be not overly taxed by the burden.</p> + +<p>But surely the Evil One doth ever find an easy +entrance to idle minds, wherefore we of the Kloster<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +always made it our rule to be busy as far as in +us lay. Now in our anxiety to save our Brother +Martin from undue labor, we had made the mistake +of leaving too little on his shoulders, wherefore +instead of having his mind on pious things, +he was bent upon evil toward the constable; for it +grieves me to say that as we came to this filthy +pool and were about to step over it, Brother Martin +turned his head about and gave me a sly look +and made a motion of his body as of dropping our +end of the lifter, which foul deed, had we done it +at this juncture would most surely have dropped +the majesty of the law into this slimy pool. In +truth, so powerful is the mere suggestion of evil +to our weak, sinful natures that ere I fully thought +what I was about, I had responded by bobbing down +a trifle, but recalling myself in due time, straightened +up sternly, giving Brother Martin such a withering +glance as made him faithful for the rest of +the journey, if not for the remainder of his days.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, our constable never knew how near +he was to a ducking, and as we stepped carefully +over the pool—at which he looked with some apprehension—and +proceeded thoughtfully on our +way, very seldom relieved by the deputies—for +whom the farther we had come the more the heat +of their persecuting zeal had abated—I could see +assurance in the constable's features that we were +rising higher and higher in his regard.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE RIGHT PREVAILS</h3> + +<blockquote><p>The Lord trieth the righteous; but the wicked and him +that loveth violence his soul hateth.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Bible.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-i"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span>n brief, we traveled in +this way until we +reached the City of +Lancaster, which to us +seemed all bustle and +confusion. The constable, +as became his +dignity, alighted from +his litter and took the +lead, with his deputies +following, and we after +the deputies, in single file, creating great excitement, +especially as it was conjectured by some +that we were Papists—this by reason of our +monkish cowls and long cloaks and abstracted +air. Others of the idlers whom we passed jeered +us and spat on us as being spies—of what, I am +certain I never could learn—and that we were to +be hanged as traitors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>As no one had known of our coming, the idlers +and the busybodies were unprepared to give us such +greeting as they no doubt would have relished, +and we were led without any great difficulty to the +court-house where, upon refusal to pay the taxes +and in default of bail, we were committed to +prison. Here we were held in a cold, bare room +which we minded not; for our jailor permitted us +to occupy it together, which gave us great joy, +and we complained neither at the confinement nor +the coarse food, but the rather spent our time in +praising God and most of all praying for our persecutors, +all of us being unshaken in the hope +that deliverance would come from above and that +in due time our prison door would be opened +unto us.</p> + +<p>At last—and in this I believe our constable had +a grateful part—when Tobias Hendricks (whose +name I write here that his good deed may shine +far out into the world), a venerable old man and +himself a justice of the peace, came forth and +offered bail for us, though knowing none of us except +by rumor and repute, taking our bare word +for our appearance in court when wanted, we were +released from our captivity, and quietly and undisturbed +we started out for our beloved Kloster, and +upon the twelfth day of our departure with the +constable and his eager deputies, we six Brethren +once more filed into our little camp on the Cocalico,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +where we were greeted with all the love and affection +that the sobriety of our lives permitted.</p> + +<p>Not many weeks thereafter, the May Court convened +in Lancaster and we six Brethren, agreeable +to our promise, put in our appearance before the +commissioners and assessors of taxes who, when +they saw before them these six gentle Brethren, +in the bloom of youth, who had raised such a warfare +against the world, the fear of the Lord came +upon our judges so that they did not speak to us +otherwise than friendly and offered us every favor.</p> + +<p>The first question put to us was, "Will ye be +lawful subjects of the king?" To which we replied—but +in all respect—that as we had already +pledged allegiance to another King we could therefore +obey the earthly king only so far as his rights +accorded with those of our eternal King.</p> + +<p>To this our judges did not demur but asked another +question, namely, whether we would pay the +taxes? To which we replied respectfully as before, +but firmly, not the head tax, because we acknowledged +no worldly authority's right over our bodies, +since they had been redeemed from men and the +world. Moreover, we considered it unjust that, as +we were pledged to spend our lives in our present +condition, one of great benefit to the country about +us, we should be measured by the same standard +as vagabonds and be made to pay the same tax as +they; that we desired not to be considered disobedient,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +because it was our rule to live peaceably +with all men so far as within us lay, for thus we +were enjoined by the Scriptures; but that if the +judges would consider us a spiritual family we +would be willing to pay of our earthly possessions +according to what was just.</p> + +<p>All this was granted us and remains unchanged +to the present day; for the fear of God came upon +the gentlemen who were our judges when they +saw before them men who in the prime of their +ages, by penitential works had been reduced in +flesh, so that our judges used great moderation +and granted us our personal freedom under condition +that we should be taxed as one family for +our real estate, the judges even asking us how +much tax in our judgment would be just and fair—in +short, for us to assess our own rate.</p> + +<p>This we refused to do, but finally, after much +persuasion, we suggested to the judges that a tax +of forty shillings against our settlement as a whole +would be fair. This proving satisfactory to the +board of judges, we were discharged, and with +exceeding gratitude to these gentlemen for their +benevolent treatment of us, which was so different +from the persecutions we often endured from our +neighbors, who were so often bounden to us for +our charity, we set out with light hearts and winged +feet on our long tramp through forest and field for +the Kloster.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was late in the day and darkness had already +come upon us when we left the city of Lancaster, +but our joy made the journey seem short and by +midnight we arrived in the settlement just as the +night watch was in full session.</p> + +<p>In all my long life I have never forgotten and +shall never forget how we appeared to our Brethren +that night as we came to the narrow doorway leading +into the <i>Saal</i>, I being in the lead. We could +hear the fervent prayers that were being offered +for our release and for a moment while the Brethren +within were kneeling all unconscious of our +nearness, I held up my hand and beckoned the +Brethren behind me to wait a moment while we +stood there silently gazing upon the bowed forms +of the worshipers.</p> + +<p>I have myself attended more than one of our +midnight funerals of some dear Brother or Sister, +and though wonderfully impressive and touching +to one's heart, even they never touched me more +deeply than this impressive sight before us. As +we peered into the large <i>Saal</i>, with the upper galleries +shadowed in darkness, the only light the +flickering tallow candles in front of each of our +devout Brethren, we saw the dark, mysterious +shadows in the corners of the <i>Saal</i> with ourselves +standing in such a gloom we were not perceived. +But for a few moments we stood thus with a great +peace filling our hearts, when suddenly we walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +quietly in, the prayer still in progress, and with +heads bowed and hands crossed upon our breasts +like the penitents of the olden days ranged ourselves +in front of the platform whereon stood our +beloved brother and leader, Conrad Beissel, erect, +austere; and so far as we could judge from his +immovable features, wholly undisturbed by our +unexpected arrival, though well we knew that this +seeming indifference was but one of discipline +and self-control and that the heart within the +sturdy frame was beating warmly for each and +every one of us.</p> + +<p>The invocation in our behalf being ended there +was for a few moments as we stood before our +leader a silence so profound as to be almost painful. +Then suddenly the powerful voice of Brother +Weiser rang throughout the hall in that magnificent, +soul-stirring war-hymn of the <i>Vaterland</i> +and the Reformation, a hymn as strong and rugged +as the mighty warrior who wrote it, "<i>Eine +Feste Burg ist Unser Gott</i>."</p> + +<p>The first line had not yet been completed when +it was taken up by all present until the strains of +the full-voiced battle cry sounded and resounded +throughout the hall. For the time our Brethren had +forgotten all the repressing influences of our Kloster +life and poured forth their flood of praise and +thanksgiving from their very hearts; for such singing +had never before shaken the walls of the <i>Saal</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<p>After the hymn was ended thanks were duly +offered and the night watch closed with a powerful +address by Brother Beissel on the power of the +beast upon earth, and while I feel not at this late +day like stating aught that might savor of malice +or revenge, I find in looking over our old records +this note made with reference to our recent experience, +namely, "Upon those neighbors, however, +who had gloated over the misfortunes of the +Brethren there fell the terror of the Lord so that +they hurriedly left these regions"; and thus the +beast received his reward.</p> + +<p>After the services were over and the Brethren +were wending their ways toward their <i>Kammers</i> +for their much-needed rest I asked our superintendent +about Sonnlein; for though I had said +naught of him during these occurrences, yet he +was in my heart and in my anxiety most of the +time. I can still see and hear our leader, almost +shocking me by laughing, a thing he was most +rarely guilty of, as he said, "Thy Sonnlein is safe +enough in thy <i>Kammer</i>, but I assure thee not only +did I pray and hope for thy deliverance for thine +own sake and the sake of our Kloster, but I do +confess in all love for thee and thy boy that hadst +thou not soon returned to take care of him I had +either been compelled to give up my life here or +give up thy boy."</p> + +<p>I fear I did not even take time to thank him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +but hastened to my cell where I found my boy +soundly sleeping.</p> + +<p>It was no doubt thoughtless for me to waken +him, but I could not help it, and when he did +awake to throw his arms about my neck and hold +me tight, I felt that, perhaps, it was no great sin +after all to rouse him from his sleep. After very +many questions as to where I had been and why +the bad men had taken me, and all such questions +as only an eager, trusting child can ask, I finally +told him it was time to go to sleep, which he did +without any great difficulty.</p> + +<p>As he lay there sleeping in all the sweet innocence +of childhood and health, I looked first at +him and then out through the little window at the +perfect beauty of God's handiwork in his heavens, +and then I went to my rest, proud to be a son of +him who created me in his image and who had put +me into a world which, though full of dark and +evil deeds, yet held in it, if we only looked aright, +so much of beauty and joy and peace and love.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>OUR FIRST LOSS</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Let nothing make thee sad or fretful,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Or too regretful;<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Be still;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">What God hath ordered must be right,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Then find in it thine own delight,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">My will.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i20">—<i>Paul Fleming.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>he year 1738 is deeply +graven on my memory, +because it marked the +first death among the +Solitary, our Brother Martin +Brämer. Secondly, +because his death followed +so swift upon the appearance +of that strange being, +woman, witch, or devil, +who, time and again, thrust herself so violently +into our lives.</p> + +<p>In the first month of the new year, and on a day +when the sun was shining clear and bright, there +being no snow on the ground, I was on my way to +the Brother woods for an armful of firewood for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +the hall. Close upon where the Brother woods +merged into the Sister woods stood a mighty oak +within a little clearing on the Brothers' side, a +favorite haunt of the Solitary for their rare moments +of rest from their daily work.</p> + +<p>I had about reached the clearing under the +shelter of the wide-reaching arms of the old oak +when suddenly, for I was in my customary fashion +of deep meditation with mine eyes toward the +ground, I walked into Brother Martin, almost +overthrowing him, for that our tailor was so small +and slight. However, we gravely saluted each +other as though naught had happened; for each +knew it had been a mere accident, and were about +to pass on when I caught sight of his face, and +saw from his more than usual pallid features and +the twitching lips that he was suffering from some +great shock. Never of robust health he had not +been well lately, and I thought he was suffering +more than usual from his infirmity.</p> + +<p>I hailed him with brotherly solicitude, "Thou +art not well, Brother Martin! I fear the Solitary +press upon thee too sorely for thy keeping of them +clad as becomes their orders."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, Brother Jabez," he replied gently; +but I could hear the trembling and the fear in his +voice, "It is not my labors, which though toilsome, +lie pleasantly on me, because I love my +work, and those for whom I labor and strive to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +please seem to love me for what I do for them"; +and indeed this was true, for his gentle, unaffected +devotion to us and Him we served made our +Brother Martin universally loved.</p> + +<p>"But surely," I insisted, "thou'rt not well; +thou'rt disturbed and suffering, that I see plainly. +I beseech thee tell me what so sorely weighs on +thee."</p> + +<p>He looked up at me, his pale, bloodless lips +quivering, and whispered into mine ear, clutching +mine arm and leaning on it as though he needed +my protection, "I have seen the Evil One in +woman's form," and then he gasped, "I shall +surely die."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, my brother," I replied, as though +laughing at his foolish fears, "'tis true the Evil +One comes to us at times in woman's form to lure +us, as Solomon sayeth, 'to the gates of hell'; but +when the fiend comes as such it is not in horrid, +repulsive shape, but like those beautiful beings +who came to Saint Anthony with such artful, seductive +enchantments that none but saint could +say them nay. Surely if this Evil One hath appeared +to thee thou needst not look for thy immediate +dissolution, but mayst expect some grace +from the fair devourer."</p> + +<p>But my poor brother would not be comforted, +and merely stood shaking his head, saying mournfully, +"This was no beautiful enchantress; no seductive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +siren, as thou sayest; 'twas the foul fiend +in his foulest, most awful form, long, tangled hair +falling every way over a face through which there +gleamed eyes on fire with the hatred of hell. I +saw the eternal enmity of the Evil One in those +piercing eyes."</p> + +<p>"Where was all this, Brother Martin?" for I saw +he could not be laughed out of his terror.</p> + +<p>"Just beyond the oak," he replied; "she was +standing in a thicket covered with tangled vines +as foul and poisonous as herself. I had all unthinking +almost walked into her when suddenly I +heard a snarl like some ravenous beast; I saw her +horrible claws uplifted as though she were about +to spring on me and tear me limb from limb. I +jumped back, my heart almost standing still, thinking +naught but that my end had come. She came +no farther, but contented herself with crouching +there and glaring at me with those awful eyes of +hate that seemed to burn into my very soul."</p> + +<p>"Canst thou go with me where thou hast seen +this witch or devil?" I said boldly, although I had +not overly much stomach for the venture.</p> + +<p>As I said this he drew back and trembled violently +as he cried out, "Nay, not even for the very +hope of a safe hereafter would I go to that accursed +place."</p> + +<p>"Then remain there, thou gentle coward, whilst +I go," commanded I.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again he clutched me by the arm and cried out, +"Nay, go not, Brother Jabez; even if she touch +thee not her look will blast thee like lightning."</p> + +<p>"I fear her not," bragged I, and strode away, +leaving him shuddering with the terror that had not +yet grown cold, and with apprehensions for me.</p> + +<p>I had no trouble in finding the thick bush and +entangling vines Brother Martin had pointed out +to me. As I approached its dark, forbidding front, +I trembled like a leaf, and then grew angry at my +weakness. Then I went on, resolutely forcing my +way into the vile vines that caught me all about +my face and body and limbs so that I was ready +to affirm naught human could penetrate such a +wilderness; but though I looked carefully for any +signs that would show that some one or something +had thrust itself into these exasperating vines I +could find nothing, even though I had in all these +years learned much of the ways of the woods and +its signs.</p> + +<p>In great bewilderment I was about to turn back +to chide Brother Martin with having seen nothing +but a creature of his own imagining when I saw +in a small gully at the farther boundary of the +thicket a footprint, small, a woman's surely, in the +soft, clayey soil. Had the imprint been that of a +cloven foot I could not have been more startled; +for I knew that the Sisterhood seldom, if ever, +came to the Brother woods, and the good wives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +and daughters of the near-by settlers were too +timid and honest to trespass on our lands. Much +perturbed, for I knew this thing boded evil to our +community, I walked slowly back to my waiting +brother, vague remembrances strangely flitting +through my mind, but making no impression at +the time, of how Sonnlein had come to me, and +the midnight beating of our Brother Beissel.</p> + +<p>I found Brother Martin, still pale and fearful, +anxiously wanting to know what I had learned. +"Nothing," I said, "of witch or devil, but the +substantial print of a woman's foot."</p> + +<p>"Was there no smell of brimstone? No cloven +footprint?" he persisted.</p> + +<p>"Nay, thou simple one, else I had told thee. +Say thou naught of this; for they who would not +believe thee would only laugh at thee, and if any +believe what could that avail?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, dear Brother Jabez, nothing," he said +mournfully, a strange, fixed look in his wild eyes. +"A woman with an evil eye once looked upon my +little brother as he lay laughing in the cradle my +father had hewn out of a log. Until then the +child was strong and healthy, never having been +sick; but from that day he wasted away, with +naught that could help or cure him, and within a +month we laid him down in his little resting-place +in the orchard nigh our cabin. They whom the +evil eye look upon live not long." And then, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +one who goes forth to certain death, he looked up +at me smiling bravely through all his fears and +said, "If my time hath come, let it come quickly, +His servant waiteth."</p> + +<p>I found it impossible to free him from this +melancholy mood, and so we walked back slowly +and sadly to our <i>Kammers</i>, saying nothing more.</p> + +<p>A week passed, Brother Martin quietly, with +resignation, doing his lowly duties each day; but +we all could see he was in failing health. Only +he and I knew, however, that the tortures of mind +he was enduring far outweighed the lesser pains +of the flesh; for I hesitate not to say of saint +as well as sinner, that until death be actually at +hand, they fear alike the inevitable end.</p> + +<p>On a Friday night, just a week from the Friday +our brother had seen this thing, the midnight services +being over, and the Brethren and Sisters having +returned to their <i>Kammers</i> to rest their weary +heads on their hard wooden blocks, we were startled +by the ringing of the Kloster bell. Clear and +loud it pealed through the cold quietness of the +night. Like a flash, though I had not thought of +it before, I cried out to Brother Obed, who had the +adjoining cell, "'Tis Brother Martin," though not +more than a half-hour had expired since we had +returned, he with us, from our midnight devotions.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the pealing notes ceased, and then +came the slow, solemn tolling of the bell, a custom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +followed ever after on the death of any of our +number, until forty-eight were measured out, which +I knew was about our brother's age. His cell was +on the floor below, where I hastened as soon as +the last year of his life had been tolled. A number +of the Brethren, with bowed heads, stood sadly +in the narrow <i>Kammer</i>, in the still narrower doorway +and corridor. I had been filled, ere I saw him, +with a dread that his death agony might have had +its terrors increased a thousand-fold by the awful +memory of the witch; for I knew he had never +forgotten it. But when I looked down on the +slight form and peaceful face resting on the hard +bench and still more mortifying pillow, I saw no +trace of any overpowering, death-dealing vision. +Instead, his face, though greatly wasted and +altered, was as composed as though he had merely +fallen asleep in the arms of his beloved. The +little window looking out from his <i>Kammer</i>, as +soon as the last spark of life had died out, had +been opened so that his soul could take its flight +unhindered and unmolested to that place of pure +delights "where the wicked cease from troubling +and the weary are at rest."</p> + +<p>At the funeral, which was the following midnight, +as we carried the body out of the <i>Berghaus</i> +a bucket of water was poured upon the sill and +swept up, and the door immediately closed so that +his spirit could not return again to its earthly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +home, and to make further assurance against such +a return three crosses were marked upon the door +jamb with red earth.</p> + +<p>We buried him who had thus passed away in +the prime of his life, down in the meadow nigh +to where in later years we built our Brother house. +It was a dark, stormy night, no moon and no stars +to lighten up the gloom of the sky or the still +deeper darkness in our hearts; but with our fagot +torchlights sputtering fitfully, almost blown out +by the wind at times, we laid him to rest at the +midnight hour with all the honors and rites and ceremonies +of our holy order.</p> + +<p>Thus, on this weird, stormy night, in such contrast +to the peace and gentleness of this earnest, +zealous warrior of the faith who for almost nine +years had abided with us, we left in the meadow +his mortal remains, but took back with us the remembrance +of his godly services and his truth and +fidelity unto his profession and brotherhood during +his short life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>A LOVE FEAST</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">But when a lady chaste and fair,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Noble, and clad in rich attire,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Walks through the throng with gracious air,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">As sun that bids the stars retire—<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Then where are all thy boastings, May?<br /></span> +<span class="i6">What hast thou beautiful and gay<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Compared with that supreme delight?<br /></span> +<span class="i6">We leave thy loveliest flowers and watch that lady<br /></span> +<span class="i8">bright.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">—<i>Song of Walter Von der Vogelweide.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-i"><span class="dropcap">I</span></span>t accords not well with +my ideas of humility +and self-effacement that +I should ever be writing +of myself, and yet it +seemeth not possible to +tell this tale without +bringing into it much +that befell me in connection +with those who +were so dear to me, and +of whose lives it is my pleasure and pain to relate.</p> + +<p>And of those who were so precious to me there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +were none so dear to me as my Sister Bernice, +not even Sonnlein; for however beloved he was +of me he was none the less of my sex, while +my dear sister was of that sex which a true man, +so it appeareth to me, can no more help holding +with a more or less tender feeling than he +can help breathing.</p> + +<p>I know this will seem unto many as foolishness, +especially as I—like my Brother Beissel, who had +published his "<i>Ehebüchlein</i>," or "Booklet on Matrimony," +denouncing marriage as the penitentiary +of carnal man—have ever been an advocate of the +beauty and superiority of the virgin life; but in +my reading of history I have noted how more +than one man much stronger than I, changed +utterly his beliefs and principles for the love of +some daughter of Eve.</p> + +<p>It is not that I have never been greatly attracted +by the charms of my sisters, whom we in +Ephrata regarded not so much opposite as complementary +to our own, man's nature. I loved my +mother dearly; her love hath been as a sweet +fragrance to me in all my long life, and in many a +trial and temptation have I felt her presence near, +strengthening and upholding me in the right. +And however cold and indifferent I may have +borne myself outwardly to the gentler ones, still I +never could speak otherwise than tenderly, and +even reverently to them, as it seemed to me their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +pure, finer natures deserved; so that it hath ever +grieved me to hear any one belittle a woman.</p> + +<p>I shall never forget the first time I saw the +slight, delicate form and sweet face of Sister Bernice. +It was at one of our love feasts (<i>Liebesmahl</i>), +which with us was not like among the other denominations, +merely symbolic, but was patterned +after that of the early Christians; for we took a +regular meal—and not merely a wafer or cake—in +utter silence before communion, the love feast being +an introduction to the more solemn part of the +evening's service.</p> + +<p>I remember full well how the Brethren were +sitting on one side of the long table in Kedar, with +heads uncovered, the Sisters on the other side not +with their enveloping bonnets, but bedecked with +the pretty prayer covering, which they always +seemed glad to wear, which was a neat lace cap +with strings beneath the chin.</p> + +<p>After the reading of the Scriptures I raised my +head, and then for the first time in my life saw +the Sister opposite me—Bernice. I do not think +she saw me or in any way observed me, for she +seemed rapt in ecstatic adoration, her eyes turned +upward and her lips slightly parted, as if she already +saw and heard the glories of that heavenly +home she was to visit ere many years passed over +her fair head.</p> + +<p>I shall never forget that look, that face, nearer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +an angel's than any I have ever seen. An unaccountable +pity swept over me, and that pity I fear +was the beginning of another feeling I dared not +own. But my dangerous thoughts were soon interrupted +by the preparations for the <i>pedelavium</i>, +or feet-washing. Small tubs of tepid water were +brought into the <i>Saal</i>. The Elder washed the feet +of the Brethren and the eldest Sister performed the +same humble service for the Sisters, each Brother +and Sister after the feet were dried receiving from +him or her who washed the feet, a shake of the +hands and the kiss of love and charity. A wicked +wish came into my heart, grieving me days after +for my perverse, unspiritual longing, that I might +take the place of the eldest Sister, for I could +willingly suffer the kisses of all the other Sisters +for merely one touch of the lips of that young +angel opposite me.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, the Brothers and Sisters were so +busy in their devotions, no one noticed whether or +not my face reflected my guilty longings, for I was +so absorbed in them that when the Elder came +to me, instead of my feet I thrust my hands down +into the tub, and was about to place them on the +Elder's towel, when he, unobserved by the rest, +gave me a little nudge and said in a low voice but +sternly, "Art crazy, brother? knowest not thy +hands from thy feet?"</p> + +<p>I gazed at my hands for a moment, and then as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +I realized my folly, I dropped my feet into the +tub with such a splash that Brother Lamech who +was seated next awaiting his turn, being utterly +swallowed up in worship and forgetting whether +or not his feet had been washed, hastily stuck +them out past me into the Elder's lap just as I +was placing mine own feet there. For a moment +the Elder looked at us both in such solemn, puzzled +disgust, that in spite of my natural gravity I +almost laughed outright, which would have been +most sacrilegious. Happily, our Elder was a quickwitted +man, and drying our intermingled feet as +best he could, he passed quietly to the rest who +had not seen the little complexity down the line.</p> + +<p>The feet-washing being completed, and we all +having resumed the covering of our feet, we turned +around on our benches toward the table, the +Brothers and Sisters again facing each other. +Then came the evening meal, which with us consisted +of lamb soup as the chief dish, while bread +and apple-butter were served to the strangers and +visitors gathered in the hall. Brother Beissel having +breathed a fervent blessing on the meal we +turned to it in absolute silence. And yet not in +utter silence, for if ever heart spake to heart I +know mine was clamoring most violently, and I +verily believe hers was too, for now and then, not +slyly nor shamefacedly, the sweet face opposite +me would look up and the tenderest shadow of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +smile would be wafted to me. I know little of +these things, but I believe our hearts turned each +toward the other without the power to stay them, +just as certain as flowers turn toward the light and +warmth of the sun. Those gentle smiles, as innocent +and guileless as a child's, filled me with a +happiness, an ecstatic bliss I had never felt at any +other love feast. It was, ah me, truly a feast of love.</p> + +<p>I suppose we had sat there forever in perfect +happiness and content, had not the evening services +interrupted our foolish bliss. I shall not +describe what followed of the service, for they were +similar to the love feasts that are still observed by +our little congregation; the giving of thanks at +the end of the meal, the holy kiss, when Brother +kissed Brother and Sister kissed Sister. But if ever +the kisses of my Brethren seemed stale and unprofitable—may +I be forgiven for saying this—'twas +then, when there was so near in being but so far in +possibility, a kiss from my dear young sister.</p> + +<p>Alas, what a garrulous old fool I am to be writing +of such things at my age. But I cannot help +it, for if ever I had a true idea of what heaven's +bliss would be like it was that night. If such +transcendent joy could come from sweet flesh and +blood on earth, though in angelic shape, what +joy must it be to wander forever the boundless +realms of heaven enraptured with the love of the +celestial virgin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<p>That night as I lay down on my hard bench in +my <i>Kammer</i>, I felt for the first time as though it +were too small to hold all the joy of human love +and the pain of a conscience guilty of treason to +its celestial virgin. What little sleep visited mine +eyes that night brought visions of the dear sister +in the form of our spiritual Eve, and when morning +came I was so miserably happy, if I may so +say, between the two loves I hardly knew what to +do. Nor was I helped much during the day when I +overheard our Elder remark to Brother Joseph that +he had never seen such beautiful, soul-absorbing +observance of a love feast as that shown by Brother +Jabez and Brother Lamech the night before.</p> + +<p>This was more than I could bear, and I laughed +so heartily that Sister Maria, who afterward became +the spiritual leader of the Sisterhood, suddenly +coming upon me held up her hands in pious +horror at such unspeakable levity. I did many a +penance that week before I felt myself absolved +from my impious frivolity. I have often thought +since then how many a time we are praised when +we deserve blame and blamed when we merit +praise; and indeed it hath been a rule of my life +never to be unduly elated by praise, or on the other +hand unnecessarily depressed by censure. I have +always set one against the other, and in this manner +have contrived with my weak, erring temper +to preserve a fair show of equanimity and serenity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> + +<p>But I was resolved that I, Brother Jabez, the +associate superintendent of the community, would +not give way to this midsummer madness, and so +far as I could see, Sister Bernice was of the same +mind. I saw but little of her, and when we did +come nigh each other, which was seldom, her +averted gaze told me she too was struggling against +our sinful love. And so day after day passed around, +filled with its various duties, neither Sister Bernice +nor myself giving any sign, so far as either of +us was aware, of our poor, forbidden love, though +often in the long after years I wondered whether +all our self-denial of this sweet, human love was +not a greater sacrifice than He required of us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>THE BROTHERHOOD OF ZION</h3> + +<blockquote><p>Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man +upright; but they have sought out many inventions.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Bible.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>his poor love for my Sister +Bernice was not the +only thing that troubled +me about this time, which +was in the same year that +Brother Brämer passed +away. It was during this +very year of 1738 there +occurred one of the most +important events in the +history of our community, and this was the formation +of the Zionitic Brotherhood by the Eckerlings +and their deluded followers, and the erection +of a large building for the use of their mystical +society. While Brother Beissel and Brother Wohlforth +and myself and our followers rejoiced to see +that from all parts of our province and the adjacent +provinces men and women and their children +flocked to us and became part of our community—so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +that our secular congregation was now the +largest Sabbatarian settlement in the colonies—yet +our hearts were oft weighed down with apprehensions +as to the outcome of the doings of these +Eckerlings, to whose foolish and ambitious schemes +there seemed no end.</p> + +<p>These Eckerling brothers were the strangest +mixture of worldly wisdom, on the one hand, and +the most perverse and ridiculous religious beliefs, +on the other, I verily believe, I have ever seen. +While we taught and enjoined the purity and simplicity +of the mode of life of the early Christians, +the Eckerlings must continually be running after +strange gods, so that at this time and for many +years thereafter we were in great danger of total +disruption; for experience clearly showeth the +Scriptures say truly, a house divided against itself +must fall.</p> + +<p>Thus by our increased membership and by the +scheming of our Eckerlings it came about that the +Solitary Brethren clamored for a building similar +to the Sisters' house, Kedar, and while for a time +the project was kept in abeyance by lack of money, +which commodity was never dangerously plenty +with us, yet finally, Brother Benedict (and I say +this to his praise), a young Swiss from Kilcheryturnen, +a scion of a rich family of Berne, who had +joined our community, came forward with the +necessary funds. Whereupon it came to pass notwithstanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +our opposition, so I find it in our +<i>Chronicon</i>, that, "Inflamed by the love of God, he +resolved to devote his fortune to the erection of a +convent"; which was accepted as coming by divine +direction, and his proposition granted. There was +in the settlement a pleasant elevation from which +one had a beautiful view of the fertile valley and +the mountains lying opposite. Of this height the +Brethren in the hill house at that time held possession. +When now it came to the selection of a site, +the most held that the valley along the Cocalico +creek was the most desirable on account of the +water. The superintendent, however, went up the +hill until he came within the limits of the property +of the hill house, and there was the site chosen. +By this the spirit of wonders indicated at the very +beginning that the Brotherhood would at first build +its structure on the heights of reason and thus +soar aloft until at length by a great storm they +would be cast down into the valley; all of which +was afterwards fulfilled in the minutest detail.</p> + +<p>The site for the new chapter-house having been +settled, the eager Eckerlings, like children hastening +toward a new toy, could stand no delay. The +Brethren must be pressed into immediate service, +and every one joining in the work as though this +heathenish temple were unanimously desired, in a +wonderfully short time we had cut and framed the +timbers, and a day was fixed in the month of May<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +when the building was to be raised with much +ritual and ceremony.</p> + +<p>In those days when home or barn or mill was to +be built the "raising" (by which we meant the +putting into place the large, heavy timbers for the +framework) was made the occasion of a great +gathering. From miles around, the sturdy, broad-shouldered +farmers and their deep-bosomed and +hardly less broad-shouldered wives, and even the +children, would come trooping along to take part +in the raising, the men attending to the heavier +work of the building while the women folk took +care of the more delicate labor of the cooking, and +when we had our raising there was such a swarming +from far and wide that the Sisterhood, aided +by the visiting wives and daughters, were driven +to make such mighty preparations for the hungry +workmen we sometimes wondered where all the +food was to come from; but our kind helpers, +knowing the rigorous state of our larder and +relishing not overmuch our thin and ghostly fare, +brought along such a rich store of meats and +jellies and preserves as threatened to ruin forever +the stomachs of the Solitary. I grieve, moreover, +to say that on this occasion many a Brother—I +among them—and even Sister, did in the hilarity +and good cheer vary so much from our usual temperance +as to suffer in body and mind for some +days after our well-meaning friends had left us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not the least of the joyousness of this raising +was that in the evening when we were gathered, +tired and hungry as wolves, about the long, wooden +tables in Kedar, Sister Bernice and I in those few +days saw more of each other than in all the months +since that blissful love feast. It hath often puzzled +me, even now I know not the explanation, that it +happened every meal-time Sister Bernice waited on +me; for the Sisters and the wives insisting the +men must be fed first, knowing no doubt our fretful +natures when hungry, gave zest to the meals +by adding their womanly presence in the serving +of the food. So, as I have said, it chanced that +Sister Bernice waited on me, and whether or not +the others observed the foolishness of our sweet +love, I only know that when, most unaccountably, +in handing me the meats, and the bread and the +like, her hands would touch me, I came more than +once so near grasping those wonderful little, soft +things in mine, that most of the meal-time I was +distressed lest I do some utterly foolish thing that +would make my dear sister and me the laughingstock +of every one present, and this I determined +must not be, at least for her sake.</p> + +<p>Once, though, when the Evil One prompted me +no one was looking, and I pinched gently the dear +hand that for a moment rested lightly on the table, +just by my arm, whereat she smiled at me with +such well-nigh irresistible sweetness it seemed now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +I must simply take her in mine arms and say to +all, "This is my Sister Bernice; I am her Brother +Jabez. We love each other better than life"; but +some remnant of common sense and my ever-present +cowardice in all matters pertaining to love saved +us both from any noticeable outbreak of our sweet +delirium. Ah, me! Ah, me!</p> + +<p>But if there was great hilarity and good cheer +after the labor of the day when the appetites of all +did full justice to the food that came out of the +Sisters' kitchen, even this was nothing compared +with the bustle and noise and hurrying to and fro +that attended the raising of the timbers into their +place; for even the heaviest pieces had to be placed +by sheer physical strength, the broad-shouldered, +iron-muscled giants puffing and straining at their +tasks; it seemed to me as though Hercules and +Atlas had come to earth again, in the forms of +these powerful farmers and woodsmen. As was to +be expected, great rivalry, though in the best of +humor, existed between these giants as to which +could put up the heaviest timbers and the most +speedily, and sometimes, though more in fun than +for the value of the thing, wagers were laid as to +who should prove the stronger. Where there is +such a spirit work goes on rapidly, and in a very +few days the large posts and the beams and joists +were all up and our kind helpers ready to leave us +to complete the lighter but more tedious portion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +of the task. Fortunately we had among us Brethren +who were skilled carpenters, so that by fall the +building was ready for actual occupation, though +it was not finished until five years later.</p> + +<p>This building was erected on a hill, called by the +Brethren Mount Sinai, within the bounds of the +<i>Lager</i>, while the structure itself was called Zion. +It was three stories in height. The lower floor +consisted of one large room, known as the refectory, +connected with which were three small chambers, +<i>Kabinettchen</i>. Of these, two served as pantries +for storing the provisions and necessaries for +the forty days' seclusion which, according to the +beliefs of our Eckerlings, were necessary in connection +with certain rites to attain perfection. The +remaining chamber consisted of receptacles for the +paraphernalia used by the Eckerlings in their ceremonies. +The second floor of Zion was a circular +chamber without any window or means of admitting +light from the outside. In the center on a +pedestal was placed a lamp which was kept burning +continually during the forty days' rite.</p> + +<p>Thirteen cots or pallets radiated from the pedestal +like the spokes of a wheel. This chamber +was known as "Ararat," meaning thereby the +heavenly rest the Almighty had vouchsafed exclusively +to his chosen people, just as the ark of +Noah had settled down on the mount of that +name, there to rest forever.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>The third or upper story of Zion was the mystical +chamber, where the arcana of the rite were +unfolded to the Secluded. This room was entirely +plain and measured exactly eighteen feet square, +having a small oval window in each side, opening +to the four cardinal points of the compass. The +only access to this chamber was through a trapdoor +in the floor, and it was in this chamber that +the ceremonies and rites were performed by the +thirteen Brethren who were striving for their +moral and physical regeneration and seeking communication +with the spirit world.</p> + +<p>Zion was no sooner advanced sufficiently for +occupation than the necessary provisions and paraphernalia +were obtained and preparations were +made by thirteen of our Brethren to undergo the +ordeal, which, like the other rites and ceremonies +taught by the Eckerlings, were nothing more than +what was known as the "strict observance," or +the Egyptian cult of mystic Freemasonry.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of certain religious services, +among which was the repeating in concert of the +fortieth Psalm, a procession was formed and thirteen +elect of the Brethren were escorted up the +hill to the doors of the building, which, as soon as +the adepts had entered, were securely locked to +prevent any intrusion or interruption during the +forty days' retirement from the outside world.</p> + +<p>I had been greatly surprised to see that of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +thirteen selected for the ordeal, Gabriel Eckerling, +or Brother Jotham, had been chosen prior instead +of the eldest of the Eckerling brothers, Israel, or +Brother Onesimus.</p> + +<p>As the doors closed upon the last of the misguided +thirteen, I turned to Brother Beissel and +said, "Why hath not Brother Onesimus been +chosen prior?" for it was well known to all of us +that the eldest of the Eckerlings was the real +leader in all these schemes.</p> + +<p>Brother Beissel looked at me quietly for a moment +and then said so low only I and Brother +Wohlforth, who was standing near, could hear: +"It meaneth naught other than that Beelzebub +hath some deep plan laid for our undoing. What +sayest thou, Brother Wohlforth?"</p> + +<p>"I know not what it meaneth, but I feel sure it +portendeth some evil, for our Brother Onesimus +would not relinquish the honor of being prior if it +were not that he hath somewhat else to attend to +to complete his plans while our thirteen idolaters +are practising their abominations."</p> + +<p>"Perchance," I suggested, "our Brother Onesimus +thinketh it necessary to keep watch over us +while the others are shut up in Zion for their forty +days' regeneration."</p> + +<p>"I doubt not thou art right," said our leader, +and Brother Wohlforth also seemed to think that +Brother Onesimus did not deem it wise to incarcerate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +himself for forty days and leave us unwatched +by him for that time; but his own slyness +in time proved his overthrow.</p> + +<p>I have not space here to set forth in detail all +the practices of our thirteen neophytes, which at +this time were known only to the Eckerlings and +their followers, being, as I said, a sort of Freemasonry, +but in later years I learned from Sonnlein +a great deal concerning this ordeal and it may +be that, later, I shall have somewhat to say of it.</p> + +<p>I do know this, however, that at the end of the +forty days the thirteen emerged, claiming they had +successfully completed the ordeal, with physical +bodies as clean and pure as though new-born, their +spirits filled with divine light, visions without limit, +mental power sunbounded, and no other ambition +than to enjoy a state of complete rest and +peace while waiting for immortality, so that each +could say at the end, "I am that I am." So far +as I could see, and I say this not in levity or prejudice +but as being absolutely true, all the change I +could see beyond their looking even thinner and +paler than before, each of the regenerated could +say more truly instead of, "I am that I am," "I +am what I was before I entered." I could not see +in all my later life that physically or mentally or +religiously these adepts were any different or better +than the rest of us, but seemed subject to the same +weakness and infirmities as the unregenerated, only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +that the silly thirteen did ever after by their aversion +for labor show they really believed they had +attained a state of complete rest.</p> + +<p>All of which goes to show that in every community +error is bound to come and that there are ever +those who, not content with serving God in the +simple manner he hath set forth in the Scriptures, +must devise all sorts of foolish and even difficult +modes of living the Almighty doth not ask for and +which, I doubt, not do not please him.</p> + +<p>However, while our <i>Vorsteher</i>, or superintendent, +and Brother Wohlforth and myself were not in +accord with the Eckerlings and their followers in +establishing the Zionitic Brotherhood, who were +ever looked upon with awe and veneration by the +secular members, we did all in our power to live +peaceably with them, Brother Beissel even bringing +out a hymn book, known as the "<i>Weyrauch's +Hügel</i>" (Incense Hill), for the use of the Brotherhood +as well as for general circulation among the +Germans in the province.</p> + +<p>According to the ritual of the Eckerlings, <i>Weyrauch</i> +meant nothing more than <i>Gebet</i>, or prayer. +It was taught that the gum, made after a mystical +formula and kept exclusively for religious uses, +when ignited during supplication or prayer became +corporeal and was wafted in fragrant clouds to +heaven. <i>Hügel</i>, or hillock, also denotes an object +held in special veneration, as the rising sun first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +gilds the hilltops in the east, and it is well known +that from time immemorial hills have always been +designated as holy ground and were the chosen +places for offering sacrifices, so that the title of +the hymn book meant to the adepts more than a +mere hill of incense. It typified the book as a +volume of prayer which, if properly used would, +like the visible flames of the burning incense, go +direct to the throne of grace.</p> + +<p>But this peace offering, besides containing a few +old, popular German hymns, being chiefly made +up of hymns composed by Brother Beissel and the +rest of the Solitary, like so many other peace offerings +failed to effect its purpose. Not only did the +Eckerlings grow more and more swollen in their +power and arrogance, but the printing of the book +itself was greatly delayed; and as our good Christopher +Sauer, the printer, of Germantown, to whom +it was intrusted for publication, saw fit to make +himself a censor of the hymns, it so occurred that +when the four hundredth hymn was set up, a personal +controversy, exceedingly bitter, arose and +ended in an estrangement lasting fully ten years, +during which our leader and our printer hurled at +each other most violent accusations, the printer +evidently being firm in his mind that our leader +regarded himself as somewhat of a pope or a +Christ, before whom all others must bow.</p> + +<p>Indeed, there were during Brother Beissel's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +leadership many false stories current about him, +rising through superstition or enmity, the coarser +part of the people regarding him as a great wizard, +fully believing that the spirit whom he served had +at times made our brother invisible; wherefore it is +related that a justice of the peace sent a constable +after our leader with a warrant, taking care to send +an assistant. As the constable and his assistant +came toward the cabin down in the meadow where +our leader lived, they saw him go into his cabin +with a pitcher of water; they followed him, and +while one stationed himself at the door, the other +searched the house from top to bottom, but no superintendent +was to be found. Greatly bewildered +and even alarmed at such witchcraft they departed, +and after they were some distance from the house, +on looking back they saw our leader come out as +though naught had happened.</p> + +<p>It is also true, and I regret to say it, that many +of our Brothers, and even the Sisters, who seem +ever given to idolizing, fell to the other extreme +and, as in the case of John the Baptist, wondered +whether our leader might not be Christ. Even +Brother Onesimus once tried to poison my mind +against our superintendent by remarking that even +he thought that, perhaps, our leader might be +Christ, whereupon I rebuked our Brother Onesimus +so soundly for his folly, I never again heard +him repeat such nonsense.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus it went back and forth so that it seemed +the conflict between our leader and the printer +were never to cease, the printer publishing it far +and wide that our superintendent was born under +a strange conjunction of the stars and that a number +of planets manifested in him their characteristics: +from Mars, our superintendent had his +great severity; from Jupiter, his friendliness; from +Venus, that the female sex ran after him; while +Mercury had given him the arts of the comedian; +and not content with this, our printer must even +go so far as to say of our superintendent: "In +many points he is very close to Gichtel and still +closer to the little beast described in Revelation +13:11, which represents his peculiarity in spiritual +things. His figure is such that if one beseeches +him he has the horns of a lamb, but if one touches +his temper a little he speaks like a dragon, and +is, indeed, not to be regarded as the first great +beast, whose number is 66. He is not so beast-like, +but is also not clean Godly, but is humanly +peculiar and no other than CVnraDVs BeIseLVs +DcLVVVI—666."</p> + +<p>All of which goeth to show that when one +man hateth another beyond all reason, the hater +maketh a greater fool of himself than of him who +is derided.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>BROTHER AGONIUS AND HIS PROPHECY</h3> + +<blockquote><p>No great genius was ever without some mixture of madness, +nor can anything grand or superior to the voice of +common mortals be spoken except by the agitated soul.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Aristotle.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-b"><span class="dropcap">B</span></span>rother Agonius, +his real name being +Michael Wohlforth, or +Welfare, as he was +known among the +English settlers—what +a shock, notwithstanding +our boasted fortitude +and resignation, +his death was to us!</p> + +<p>He was born, as became his warlike soul, at the +fortress of Memel, on the Baltic Sea. Coming to +this New World in his early youth, he at once +joined himself to the Pietists, the Hermits of the +Wissahickon; but he remained not long there, for +his fiery, intrepid zeal left him no other mind but +that he must journey to and fro, near and far, even +making a long and dangerous journey to the Germans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> +of North Carolina, preaching to them as he +did to every one, in season and out of season, +wherever he went, to repent their godless lives and +to submit themselves wholly to the Master's will.</p> + +<p>Upon his return, in 1723, from that distant +province, he joined himself to our <i>Vorsteher</i> who, +as "Brother Beissel," was then living the life of a +Solitary in the depths of a forest not many miles +north from Ephrata, which at that time had not yet +been founded. In the solitude of this forest these +two hermits, so alike in their energetic, impetuous, +stubborn zeal, lived a life of silent contemplation +and adoration of the mysteries of the Creator for +some time, and from thenceforth even though they +differed not infrequently with all the force and +outspoken directness of their strong-willed natures, +yet were they firm friends and companions until +death separated them.</p> + +<p>I recall how in later years in our Kloster life at +Ephrata, when we had built Kedar and the other +houses of worship, as I have already related, he +became alarmed at their size, and deprecated especially +the innovation of the innocent bells, so that +for a time he withdrew from us and again became +a hermit, in the mountains of Zoar, some five +miles from the Kloster; but he soon resumed his +life with us to remain as a valued co-worker for +the rest of his days.</p> + +<p>And now that he was gone, how we missed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +him! His boldness, aggressiveness, his fearlessness +and fidelity in proclaiming far and wide his +doctrine as to the Seventh Day Sabbath made his +death a heavy loss not only to our community, but +to all the Sabbatarians, German and English, in +the province. He would travel on foot, no matter +how hard and toilsome the way, staff in hand, in +pilgrim garb, and no matter whether by country +roadside or in the slave markets in the streets of +the chief city of our province, in church or meeting-house, +wherever he could find an audience, +large or small, to listen to his voice, he would +stand boldly forth, yet in the spirit of humility, +and exhort and admonish with all his power, in +German or in English, speaking both with equal +ease, oblivious of taunts and revilings and persecutions, +that his hearers live in obedience to God's +commands as to the Sabbath day.</p> + +<p>To Brother Beissel and to me the death of our +brother came with far greater force than to the +rest of the Solitary. Even more than our superintendent +and myself he was unalterably opposed +to the Eckerlings and their unchristian innovations; +for it can be said in all moderation that +hardly would we three succeed in overthrowing +some especially offensive scheme of the Eckerings +when one of the remaining four would present +something new to torment us.</p> + +<p>One of their abominations, which originated in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +the busy mind of Emanuel Eckerling, Brother +Elimelech, was the baptism of the living for the +dead, and so persistent and subtle were his arguments +that he finally won over to him our superintendent +in spite of all that Brother Agonius and +I could do to save our leader from this tremendous +foolishness.</p> + +<p>So it came about that on a certain day a procession +was formed of the Brotherhood of Zion, the +Spiritual Virgins, and the secular congregation, +and as they wended their way slowly and solemnly +down the hill and across the meadow to a pool in +the Cocalico, Brother Agonius and I having steadfastly +refused to countenance in any way the thing, +were nevertheless compelled to say to each other +that our Brothers and Sisters were an impressive +sight. The solemn procession having arrived at +the pool special hymns were sung and fervent invocations +were made, intended no doubt to ascend, +but which to my wrathful mood seemed more fit +to descend.</p> + +<p>I care not to dwell longer on this irreligious +proceeding than to say that, with Brother Beissel +as administrator, Emanuel Eckerling was immersed +for his dead mother, and Alexander Mack the +younger, for his dead father, although these departed +ones had both been baptized in their own +flesh in Germany. Indeed, this baptismal fever +became so virulent that everybody, irrespective of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +faith, was becoming baptized for some deceased +relative, so that I gravely wondered whether or +not some utterly daft ones would be baptized for +Adam and Eve.</p> + +<p>Another scheme of the Eckerlings, into which +our leader fell without the slightest hesitation, was +that instead of "Brother Beissel," he should be +called "<i>Vater Friedsam</i>" (Father Friedsam, meaning +the peaceful one). This suggestion caused +great uproar among us which finally settled itself +into an agreement that the Solitary should call him +"Father," and the secular congregation, "Brother," +and so it remained for a number of years, but as +for me, I always called him "Brother"—"<i>Timeo +Danaos et dona ferentes</i>."</p> + +<p>Would I could say I were done telling of these +Eckerlings, for it seemeth to require as long to +get rid of them here in the writing as it did to get +them out of our community. About this time a +pilgrimage from Ephrata was made by Brother +Beissel and Brothers Elimelech and Onesimus and +one or two others of the Solitary to the Dunker +settlement at Amwell, in our sister province of +New Jersey, with whom we had become acquainted +about two years prior hereto. The charge of this +pilgrimage was in Brother Elimelech, but he was +with our Amwell Brethren only a short time when +he succeeded in making as much trouble for them +as he had already made for us. First, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +when he preached he kept on and never knew +when to stop so that even though his hearers were +used to long sermons the utmost patience could +not endure his protracted discourses. Secondly, +because of his proposing midnight watches and +the like, such as had been fastened on us, so that +finally he was dismissed and returned to us in disgrace. +But as there is some good in all misfortune +so it resulted that out of the strained conditions +in the Amwell congregation a number of +their brethren, among them Dietrich Fahnestock, +Conrad Boldhauser, Johannes Mohr, Bernhard +Gitter and several others with their families, came +to us and either joined the Solitary or our secular +congregation.</p> + +<p>Hardly had this storm subsided than our Brother +Onesimus, thinking no doubt it was his turn, concluded +that even though properly baptized and +notwithstanding he had taken the vows of celibacy, +yet there was nothing to prevent him from +re-entering the world and marrying, so he advised +the Brotherhood to make a new covenant with the +Virgin Mary as the patroness of their Order.</p> + +<p>As a visible sign of their betrothal to the virgin, +Brother Onesimus advised that the Brothers and +Sisters all cut the tonsure. Brother Beissel, who +always counseled chastity and celibacy, fell into +this folly of the Eckerlings just as readily as he +had into the former ones and hardly had the prior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +convened the Brotherhood in the chapter house, +where each Brother in turn kneeling down repeated +his pledge of celibacy and had his hair cut and his +crown shorn, when our leader, not to be outdone +by the prior, called together the Spiritual Virgins, +in their <i>Saal</i>.</p> + +<p>After reconsecrating the assembled Sisters to +the heavenly Bridegroom, Brother Beissel, with +the assistance of another Brother, cut the hair of +each of the Sisterhood in the manner of the primitive +Christian church, after which the crowns of +the Sisters were likewise shorn, our superintendent +gathering up the tresses and carrying them to Zion +where he laid them upon the altar expressing the +wish that he might live until the Sisters' heads +were gray—and it was further resolved and ordered +that the tonsure was to be renewed every +three months and in the meantime no one was to +put shears to his or her head. Thus was another +madness inflicted upon us.</p> + +<p>Our prior continuing to exalt himself in his +priesthood, had our Sisters make for him a robe +or costume such as is described in the Bible as +having been worn by the high priest in the temple, +and when our prior presided thereafter at the +<i>agapæ</i> and baptisms he presented to the unsophisticated +a most gorgeous sight, while to me the +whole thing was disgusting. Following the tonsure +and the priestly robe Prior Onesimus introduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +night-watches and processions, which resulted not +only that our superintendent was virtually superseded +by our cunning prior, but what was far worse, +these abominations, so foreign to our simple Sabbatarian +precepts, becoming known to the surrounding +country brought additional ridicule and contempt +upon us and for many years wherever we +went we had hurled at us such epithets (<i>Schimpfworte</i>) +as <i>Glatzköpfe</i> (bald heads), <i>Vollmonde</i> (full +moons), <i>Bettel-Mönche</i> (beggar friars), and <i>Pfaffenmucker</i> +(Papish double-dealers). Not only were +we compelled to listen to such nicknames, but by +reason of this aping of the monastic customs of +the Middle Ages we incurred the ire of the Scotch-Irish +settlers, hard-headed Presbyterians, between +the Octoraro and the Susquehanna, so that no +matter what we or our friends said to the contrary +these stubborn old Covenanters were sure we were +nothing but a nest of Jesuit emissaries, and the +"croppies," as our Presbyterian friends were wont +to call us were decried from their pulpits as well +as held up to scorn by the members of that church +wherever and whenever the opportunity afforded.</p> + +<p>Still the Eckerlings went on in their unceasing +activities. Having built Zion according to their +own ideas, they were, however, not contented; for +as they had left no room for the congregational +gatherings all the assemblages and love feasts +were held in the house of prayer adjoining the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> +Sister house, Kedar; but as the Zionitic Brotherhood +had to traverse the intervening distance in +all kinds of bad weather and as the nightly processions +had to take their way toward the habitation +of the Spiritual Virgins all sorts of unfavorable +comments were made by the outsiders, who, +judging from their own evil minds, did not hesitate +to call into question the honesty of the Brethren +in their adherence to their vows.</p> + +<p>Thus it was determined to erect a building which +should be a combined prayer and schoolhouse, to +adjoin Zion and be large enough to accommodate +the secular congregation as well as all the Solitary +within the community, and so rapidly did the work +progress and so favorable was the weather (although +it was late in the fall not a drop of rain or flake of +snow or frost appeared until the middle of the following +January), that the work on the chapel went +on without intermission or hindrance, so that by +the following summer, Zion's <i>Saal</i>, as it was called, +a stately three-story structure, was completed, the +lower floor being for worship and the second for +the love feasts and <i>pedelavium</i> and the third being +divided into small cells for the Solitary Brothers +of the Zionitic Order. In July of 1740 the last +joint services were held in Kedar, to which all the +Sabbatarians, far and near, were invited, not excepting +the Welsh and English Brethren in Nantmill +and Newtown, invitations being scattered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +broadcast even among the Germans beyond the +Schuylkill, and to all who came the hospitality of +the community was most cordially extended. After +that time Kedar fell exclusively to the Order of +Spiritual Virgins.</p> + +<p>Not two weeks later the Brotherhood of Zion +dedicated their new temple, at midnight, the prior +not losing the opportunity for making the occasion +remarkable for an interminable number of processions, +incantations, prayers, and mysterious ceremonies, +said to date from Pharaoh, from whose +bondage we, unlike the children of Israel, did not +seem able to free ourselves.</p> + +<p>About a month later, our Brother Beissel, being +now the acknowledged superintendent of our entire +community, must surrender himself so completely +to the vanities of the Eckerlings that in the presence +of the whole congregation, from among whom +I saw Sister Bernice look at me with shy pride, he +solemnly consecrated Brother Onesimus, Brother +Enoch, and myself to the priesthood, by the laying +on of hands, after which with most solemn and +ancient ceremony we had conferred on us the centuries-old +Order of Melchizedek, although what +this order had to do with our Christian life, I confess +I have never yet found out, only consenting +to the doubtful honor in order to appease our +superintendent's displeasure, whose rigorous spirit +often pressed on my slower one.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now, our superintendent, assuming the rôle +of Grand Master of the Zionitic Brotherhood, deposed +Brother Jotham and in his stead, despite the +protests of himself and his following, appointed +Brother Onesimus, Prior, or Perfect Master, of the +Brotherhood. Our new prior, however, was even +worse than his brother and applied the discipline +of the order so rigidly that I was compelled to +write to a friend, that "Now was there between +the poor devotees of Ephrata and the wool-headed +African slaves no other difference than that we +are white and free slaves," and indeed, I fear I +almost felt toward the Eckerlings like the English +king who wondered whether there was no one to +rid him of his enemies.</p> + +<p>At the risk of trespassing too far on the patience +of those who may read this, I shall narrate of the +clock and bells donated to the community by my +father, and which the Eckerlings obtained permission +to place in the steeple over the roof of the +<i>Saal</i>. This clock held an ingenious attachment +for chiming the bells and for ringing them at certain +times during the day and night, to call us to +our various and now almost innumerable devotions. +When this bell was rung at midnight, +not only did the Solitary arise from their wooden +couches, but for miles around, whenever the notes +of the bell could be heard, all the families arose +also and held their worship at the same time; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +though the fires of first love for their faith burned +strongly among the secular members at this time, +yet it finally came about that the congregation +demanded a house where they could worship unhindered +by the exacting rules and ceremonies of +the Brotherhood of Zion, who seeing in this an +excellent opportunity for securing their temple +wholly to their own uses, fell in with might and +main to prepare the frame and timbers for another +prayer house, nominally for the exclusive use of the +secular members.</p> + +<p>And now, though all our houses of worship were +on the higher ground, the site for this new temple +was chosen down in the meadow, and this less pretentious +<i>Saal</i> still survives, while its loftily situated +and proud predecessors have long ago passed away. +Thus as the Lord hath promised doth he exalt the +lowly and bring down the haughty.</p> + +<p>In size the new prayer house was to be forty +feet square and that many feet in height, thus +symbolizing the perfect number, although it hath +been claimed that some of the builders wondering +what might happen if they followed not the perfect +proportions, made the width two feet narrower +and the height somewhat greater than forty feet. +Be that as it may, I have not seen in these fifty +years since the building was put up that the variation, +if there were such, hath made any difference +for good or ill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the good fortune attending us during the +building of the <i>Saal</i> forsook us now, for many delays +and heavy disappointments fell upon us ere +our task was performed; for the weather during +the fall and winter of 1740 and 1741 was exceptionally +hard, there being the severest storms and +the extremest cold. Never since have I seen such +cold and sleet and ice and snow as during that +awful winter. The Cocalico was completely hidden +under its thick covering of ice and snow so +that a stranger would not have known there was +a stream there. At times the snow was three feet +deep on the level, and where it had drifted from +the winds, cabins and outbuildings were completely +covered over. Families were imprisoned in their +homes. Cattle died from want of fodder. Even +the wild beasts in the forest, though knowing so +well how to take care of themselves, died of hunger, +so that deer were found dead in the woods. +Indeed, it was no infrequent sight to see the pretty +animals, usually so timid, driven by their great +hunger to the very cabin doors for food, sometimes +even mingling with the cattle. The settlers, especially +of the more remote districts, suffered greatly +from lack of bread, and had little to live on but +the carcasses of the deer found in the swamps. +Even the Indians suffered on account of the lack +of game. Often during the night there would be +borne to our ears the strangest sounds, heavings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +and groanings from the ice-bound, rebellious Cocalico, +the walls of our buildings even seeming to +strain and crack as though they would fall asunder. +Sometimes at long intervals during those dark, +bitter, cold nights there would fall from the +depths of the sky the trumpet calls of wild fowls, +winging their way I know not whither, but still, I +know, within His care. At times, these shrill cries +came with such strength and suddenness that Sonnlein +would jump up out of the soundest sleep, cuddling +up close to me as though only I could save +him from those mysterious, threatening voices.</p> + +<p>But the Solitary, despite the severity of the winter, +pressed on at every relaxation of the weather +toward the completion of our new prayer house, +and as the spring opened, we being now joined by +the congregation at large, the work went on rapidly, +though the building which our superintendent +named "Peniel" (being the name Jacob gave to +the place where he wrestled with God), was not +made tenantable until the following December, +when it was duly consecrated to God.</p> + +<p>All during this hard winter I could see that +Brother Agonius, his hardy frame worn out by +excessive zeal, was suffering keenly from the cold, +piercing winds, and I felt with deepening sadness, +day after day as I saw his infirmity increase, that +our brother must soon cease to be among us. How +bravely he fought to remain with us and how uncomplainingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +he faced the inevitable end, his rugged +heart mellowing and ripening into sweeter and +more resigned humility before being plucked from +its stem by the Master's loving hand!</p> + +<p>Spring had not yet yielded itself to summer—for +it was only the latter part of May when the +fields and the woods were gay with flowers—when +what he stubbornly maintained was only a slight +weakness passed into the serious illness that in a +few days ended his labors on earth. But such +was his unyielding will that on the Sabbath before +his death he was at meeting, and the following +evening there were good hopes for his recovery.</p> + +<p>About an hour before midnight—Sonnlein having +gone to sleep soon after dark—I bethought +me to go to our brother's <i>Kammer</i> and give him +such comfort as he might need. I found him +alone in his little cell sitting feebly on his wooden +bench, so that I could see he was suffering great +weakness. At first he resisted my gentle persuasions +to lie down and rest, but finally consented +thereto, even, after much coaxing, letting me +spread my robe under him and rest his head on +it; for he was so thin I could not bear to see +his poor frame with nothing between it and the +hard board's.</p> + +<p>I rejoiced to see him drop off into a deep sleep +that I fondly hoped would last until the morning; +but there was a something about his sleep so unnaturally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +deep and profound I feared it might be +the forerunner of his speedy dissolution.</p> + +<p>It was close now to the midnight hour and soon +there rang out from the darkness the clear notes +of our bell calling the Brothers and Sisters to their +wonted devotions. Scarcely had the first stroke +died away when I was startled almost out of my +wits to see Brother Agonius sit up straight on his +bench, looking ahead with a fixed, steady stare.</p> + +<p>"What seest thou, brother?" I asked softly and +I know my voice trembled, for I understood not his +strange gazing.</p> + +<p>But he heeded me not in the least only that he +appeared to be muttering to himself. Then his +voice, becoming more firm, he said, still as though +to himself, "Ye foolish Eckerlings; flee ye from +the wrath to come!"</p> + +<p>"What meanest thou?" I asked wonderingly; +but still he heeded not, only muttering as before +something about the Eckerlings of which now and +then I would catch some few words, which seemed +to me like, "O ye Eckerlings; ye poor Eckerlings; +driven away—alone—captured—tortured—separated—persecuted—homeless"; +and then my +brother sighed as though a world of woe oppressed +him and murmured, "Repent ye; repent +ye"; all this time my flesh creeping with dread +as the low tone of the dying man uttered this +marvelous prophecy; for such, in truth, it was.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>Finally he lay down again, but still muttering +and mumbling, only lower than before. Once he +mentioned my name and it seemed to me he said +pityingly, "Poor Brother Jabez," and then after a +long pause, "Poor Sister Bernice," and then after +a still longer pause, during which I waited anxiously +for what might follow he said more clearly, +"The fight will not be long; comfort thou him, +Lord"; so that I could not keep out a great fear +for that he should couple my name with my dear +sister's so strangely; for I had oft heard that +dying ones see not only the past but even the +future with great clearness, and I could not help +the dread that held my heart as though with a +hand of ice.</p> + +<p>When the Brethren dropped in after their devotions +our brother was again suffering such agony +that he declared—being in his senses again—his +sacrifice on the cross was now complete, wherefore +he did not know whether any saint had ever +suffered such martyrdom, and while the Brethren +were singing at his request the hymn, "The time +is not yet come," he asked that they intercede with +God that he might open to him his prison door.</p> + +<p>As his end drew near he asked that certain +psalms and parts of Tauler's "Last Hours" be +repeatedly read to him, after which he asked to +be anointed in the manner of the first Christians. +This was done, Brother Beissel applying the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +chrism. On the Wednesday following, Brother +Agonius kept looking keenly toward the hour-glass, +for it had been revealed to him that his end +was to come at the ninth hour of that day. And +so when the ninth hour came he sat up straight +on his wooden bench, but immediately fell over +scarce breathing; but he revived again and asked +feebly whether he had not died. With the end of +the ninth hour he passed away with the senseless +sands of the hour-glass.</p> + +<p>The next day his mortal remains were placed in +a neat coffin where the Brethren and Sisters and +the settlers of all denominations for miles around +could gaze once more upon the face and form of +this unconquerable Christian soldier and martyr +and pay their last respects to the memory of our +eloquent exhorter. I shall not dwell upon the +rites and ceremonies that made his burial so +solemn and memorable. As his body was lowered +into its resting-place in the meadow a little +to the east of Brother Beissel's cabin, a special +funeral hymn was sung by the Sabbatarians, composed +for the occasion by his lifelong friend, our +superintendent.</p> + +<p>After the singing of the hymn the Brotherhood +of Zion, being nearest about the grave, closed with +its mystic rites the funeral ceremonies, the Sisters +in a tearful group standing beyond us, and all +being surrounded by the sincere friends of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +departed brother, and the curious ones who ever +attend such sad occasions.</p> + +<p>A modest tombstone marks his sleeping-place, +bearing the following German inscription by +Brother Beissel, which I translate freely thus:</p> + +<h4>HERE REPOSES THE GODLY WARRIOR<br /></h4> + +<h3>AGONIUS<br /></h3> + +<h4>DIED ANNO 1741.<br /></h4> + +<h4><i>Aged 54 years, 4 months, 28 days.</i><br /></h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Victory brings the crown<br /></span> +<span class="i8">In the fight for faith, grace, and renown.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Thus blessings crown the warrior true<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Who bravely sin and Belial slew.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Peacefully he passed to his chamber of rest<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Where now he is free of all pain and distress.<br /></span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> +</div></div> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>SISTER BERNICE IS COMFORTED</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Girls and gold are the softer the purer they are.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18">—<i>Jean Paul Richter.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>he beautiful flowers that +grew down in the meadow +where we laid our +Brother Agonius in his +chamber of rest, like him +were soon gathered up +into the arms of the Master +Reaper. The enchantments +of the long, hot, +summer days had worked +silently but surely the entrancing spells that now +spread over field and forest the glowing vestments +of the early fall.</p> + +<p>But one day as I was resting at the foot of the +venerable oak where Brother Martin had been hastened +to his death by that strange woman not +many years before, suddenly I heard a piercing +shriek from the thick woods back of me and a +wild, terrified rush toward the little clearing where +I was standing erect, fairly astounded. In a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +moment more Sister Bernice fell almost headlong +at my feet, whence I lifted her unconscious with +fright and terror into my arms.</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing what to do I stood there helplessly +gazing at her sweet face and then at the +crown of hair that lay like a golden fleece over my +arm, her hood having fallen to the ground, so that +I was thankful some remnant of womanly vanity +had saved her from the hideous tonsure. But I +bethought myself to lay her gently on the ground, +her head, a dear burden, in my lap, fanning her +face as best I might with my large, toil-stained +hands. At last the fluttering eyelids and the +gasping breath told me of returning consciousness. +At first she opened her eyes and gazed at me +wonderingly, vaguely, and once she closed them as +if to shut out some awful sight. I rubbed her +hands, her wrists, softly smoothed her brow, and +spake to her gently, "'Tis naught but Brother +Jabez; thou needst not fear him. What hath he +done?" and by such soft entreaties and with +tender pressures of the hands I sought to soothe +her to herself again.</p> + +<p>Finally, she sat up weakly, but leaning so sweetly +and helplessly against me—it being necessary to +hold her safe with mine arms for great fear she +might faint again—that I longed to sit there forever. +She, however, after a while freed herself +somewhat from my too careful protection and said +"Nay, my dear sister, my—Bernice, I never +had much faith in such wild tales," said I, as she +lifted those clear, trusting eyes to mine. And may +I be forgiven for this unblushing, unscrupulous +lie; for did I not know of the witch of Endor? +Many a tale had I heard in the <i>Vaterland</i> of the +malign influences of the evil eye, so that now I +felt a vague dread I dared not make known to my +poor little sister, who had flown to my arms as a +birdling to its nest.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 411px;"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +<img src="images/illus-4.png" width="418" height="600" alt="Illustration." title="" /> + +<span class="caption">"In a moment more Sister Bernice<br /> +fell almost headlong at my feet."<br /> + +Page 128.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p><p>"Think not of her more, my sister; she cannot +harm thee now, dear Bernice." Upon which +boastful assurance she smiled confidently enough +and said with a look I would not have changed for +a kingdom, "That I know quite well, thou great +giant; wast thou ever afraid, Brother Jabez?"</p> + +<p>"Never," I responded valiantly, recklessly adding +another lie to the record I this day seemed +bound to cover with falsehoods.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that I could be so brave, Brother Jabez; +but I have ever been weak, such a coward; the +<i>Vaterchen</i> and the <i>Mutterchen</i> always shielded +me as though I were in all truth a baby." Here +she paused as if to catch her breath, and then +slowly again as with difficulty she said quietly, "I +have been growing so weak lately, I wonder what +ails me?"</p> + +<p>And now my selfish joy, after all these gloomy +months without sight of her, gave way to a pain +that shot through me like an arrow as I saw how +much more delicate and ethereal she had become +since that blissful love feast. For a moment my +soul was in hot rebellion at all the hardships and +privations that made our Kloster life almost unbearable +to the strongest and which were so heavy +on the frail shoulders of this sweet angel at my +side. Something of my wicked wrath must have +expressed itself against my will, for she suddenly +looked up at me alarmed, crying out, "What is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +wrong, Brother Jabez? Thou hast such a hard, +angry look in thy eyes, such as I have never seen +there before."</p> + +<p>"I am not in anger, Sister Bernice" replied I, +softening my evil looks to fit my words, "merely +thinking hard—exceeding hard."</p> + +<p>"And dost thou look so stern and fierce and +frown so, when thou art lost in great thoughts?" +she asked looking up so innocently I felt myself +an unregenerate and abandoned soul for such +shameless lying. "If thou dost," she went on +slowly, "I shall be afraid of thee."</p> + +<p>"Yea, sister," I lied again unhesitatingly, +"thou hast yet to learn that like many other silly +men and women I save my smiles and cheerfulness +for those whom I know the least and am +sternest and coldest to those that know me and +love me best."</p> + +<p>"That I know to be false," she cried out, smiling +up at me brightly, in such a way I thought I +never could let her go; "thou art not a hypocrite. +Who in all our Kloster does not know and love +our big brother, Brother Jabez, for his kindness, +his patience, his tenderness, his charity, for every +one, good or bad, and most of all for that mischievous +Sonnlein?"</p> + +<p>All this sweet-sounding anthem to my unmerited +exaltation made me so sinfully happy and irreligiously +proud I fairly forgot myself in my foolish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +joy, so that I pressed the gently resisting girl—for +a mere girl she was—to my breast, and was +about to insult her trust and purity by an unhallowed +kiss, and doubt not I had done this great +wickedness, had I not seen too near for me to +venture on such indulgence, the form of some +Sister straying our way.</p> + +<p>I hurriedly urged Sister Bernice—who not +seeing the approaching Sister, marveled much at +my sudden coldness and failure to complete the +sweet enterprise on which I had embarked: "Go +thy way, my best beloved sister; think no more of +witches; I shall not let them harm thee." And +with that she smiled more heavenly than before, +but obeyed my will and betook herself to her +<i>Kammer</i>, while I passing on in the opposite direction, +went straight for that accursed spot where +Brother Martin had been the first ill-fated one to +see that grisly shape.</p> + +<p>But though I searched most diligently, scrutinizing +the vines, the brush, the ground, I saw no +sign of her, and I was making my way back, sorely +puzzled, to the oak, when suddenly I heard a quick +rustling among the leaves, such as a bird might +make, and turning sharply, beheld, not more than +a child's throw, in the gloomy shades of that thick, +dark forest, the bent, crouching form of that +hideous hag, a wild-eyed, savage-featured she-fiend!</p> + +<p>The memory of poor Brother Martin, the terror<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +of my harmless, innocent Bernice, moved me to +such anger as never before or since overcame my +patience and moderation.</p> + +<p>"Thou witch, or devil, whatever thou art," I +yelled at her in my passion as I pulled out of the +ground a stone as large as my clenched fists, "it +is in mine temper to crush thee where thou standest, +polluting these holy grounds, thou pestilence!"</p> + +<p>With that she rushed forward fiercely for a few +steps as though with clawlike hands and fanglike +teeth she would rend me to pieces; but now that +my blood was on fire, I quailed not, whereat she +suddenly stopped, the more especially as my hand +was drawn back ready to hurl the stone should she +come any nigher.</p> + +<p>As she stood there glowering and glaring at me, +snarling and choking for the world like some angry +beast, I marveled not that the others had been +terror-stricken at such a forbidding shape. Again +I commanded, drawing up my figure to its full +height, "Begone thou vile beast ere I forget myself +and slay thee as I would a snake!" and with that +I advanced on her, my face distorted with such +anger—for the passions are ever destroyers of +comeliness—I doubt not she knew, if, indeed she +had a mind for knowing, that I meant my threats.</p> + +<p>I was but a few paces from her, when she made +a spiteful sweep at my face with one of her talons +that would have sadly marred me had I been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +reached, and then, bent and crouching, she slunk +away sullenly, still snarling and muttering inarticulate +sounds. I stood there until her evil shape was +swallowed up by the woods, and then I first knew +I was shaking like a leaf and that I was as wet as +though I had just come out of the Cocalico.</p> + +<p>In this frame I walked back slowly to my <i>Kammer</i>, +so sick at heart with forebodings of evil I +dared not think of, which not all the joy of having +had Bernice in my arms could make me forget.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE COMET AND BROTHER ALBURTUS</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Night's curtains now are closing<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Round half a world reposing<br /></span> +<span class="i8">In calm and holy trust;<br /></span> +<span class="i8">All seems one vast, still chamber,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Where weary hearts remember<br /></span> +<span class="i8">No more the sorrows of the dust.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i20">—<i>Mathias Claudius.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-h"><span class="dropcap">H</span></span>ardly had Peniel been +completed and dedicated, +when there occurred +an event that +wrought great consternation, +not only in our +little community but +among all the settlers +in the province. This +was nothing less than +a comet. Many firmly +believed this celestial visitant to be the precursor +of war and its kindred evils, famine and pestilence; +for full many of our German settlers had still fresh +in their minds the fiery comet that had appeared +in the sky of the <i>Vaterland</i> immediately before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +Thirty Years' War, when the Palatinate was devastated +from end to end and almost depopulated. +Thus it was feared this fiery, flaming star foretold +similar bloodshed and disaster in this hitherto +peaceful New World. Many of our Brotherhood +thought the flaming tail was a bundle of switches, +with which the Almighty was about to punish the +unrepentant and unregenerate.</p> + +<p>To our brother hermits of the Wissahickon the +comet was looked upon as a harbinger of the celestial +Bridegroom, for whose coming they had so +long devoutly waited.</p> + +<p>I remember well the night this wonderful star +appeared. It was early in the year 1742. The +Kloster bell with its sweet tones was calling the +Brotherhood of Zion to their midnight devotions. +I still see our long slender line in cloaks and cowls +file out of the narrow corridors, and silently and +reverently take up our march toward the Hall of +Prayer on Mount Sinai. There was no moon, but +through the clear, frosty air was spread the light +of a multitude of stars that twinkled brightly over +head. Not a twig stirred on the leafless trees. +Everything was quiet, Kedar and Zion looming +up distinctly on the hillside, and the sharp roof +of Peniel, down in the meadow, seemed wrapt in +deep slumber.</p> + +<p>As the notes of the bells died away there was +absolute stillness, save for the creaking and crunching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +of our wooden shoes on the frozen ground. +We had passed over half the distance to the prayer +house, when suddenly we saw in the eastern heavens +a blazing star, with its bright, fiery tail flashing +upon the face of the sky. I shall never forget the +awe that took possession of us so that we trembled +with fear, Brother Obed who was next to me, his +teeth chattering violently, whispering hoarsely it +was the judgment day and Gabriel would blow his +horn. I myself was not without a feeling that +something dreadful was about to happen, for it +was the first comet I had ever seen, and I knew +not what it portended. Still, I am glad to say I +was not so utterly bereft of my senses as most of +my poor brethren seemed to be.</p> + +<p>Brother Alburtus, however, was least concerned +of all, a peaceful smile lighting up his face as +though the celestial Bridegroom were coming on +some fiery chariot to take him to heaven; but +Brother Onesimus fell on his knees on the hard +ground, and prayed for mercy and that the great +evil and calamities foreshadowed by the fiery messenger +in the heavens might be turned aside and +that the Almighty would hear our prayers.</p> + +<p>And then I felt moved to quote the sublime +words of Job:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Is not God in the height of heavens?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And behold the height of the stars,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How high they are.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></div> + +<p>After the first shock of this sudden apparition +was somewhat abated, Brother Beissel ordered +the bells rung throughout the community, and +deputed me to order all out for religious services +in Peniel, where we prayed and sang until the +dawn, some of us fondly hoping as the daylight +appeared and the glare of the comet died away +our prayers had been answered, only to find the +direful visitant in the sky on the following night +and many nights thereafter.</p> + +<p>Brother Obed held that the comet augured the +end of the world and Brother Philemon agreed +thereto; for he recollected, which we all remembered +now, that Brother Agonius some weeks before +his death, had earnestly prophesied the long-looked-for +millennium was at hand.</p> + +<p>Special prayers as provided for in our ritual were +said, and certain Brothers, detailed for that office, +read these prayers at the services of the Sisterhood +and the congregations of the households at +Peniel. This liturgy consisted of the reading of +the fourth Psalm, closing with a special invocation, +these being changed each day according to the secret +ritual of the Zionites. The sign for Sunday +being the Lion; the corresponding angel Raphael, +and the planet Chamma, the Sun. For Monday the +sign was the Crab, the angel Gabriel; and the +planet Lewanna, the Moon, and so on, a different +sign and angel and planet for each day of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +week, the sign for the Sabbath being the Waterman +and the Goat, the angel Chephziel; the +planet Sabbathai, or Saturn.</p> + +<p>Brother Jephune, who was skilled in astronomy +and astrology, informed us the comet was near the +equinoxes of the heavens the first night and in the +tail of the Eagle the following night. For a few +nights the heavens were so hidden by heavy clouds +and fogs we did not see the comet again until the +following Saturday, when the star stood near Lyra, +having taken a northward course; by the next +night the comet had flown to the tip of the Swan's +wing, and so rapid was the wanderer's flight it +traveled five degrees north within twenty-four +hours. The next night the comet entered the +head of the Dragon, after which the awesome visitor +vanished again into space, many of the Brethren +stoutly maintaining it had been swallowed up +by the Dragon.</p> + +<p>But the long-looked-for millennium did not come +either with the comet or its vanishing, but happily, +on the other hand, neither did those dire disasters +and calamities fall upon us which many had predicted; +and though it was a long time before we +outlived the fear inspired by this erratic body, if +another had come shortly after there is little doubt +in my mind our terror would not have been quite +so great, for this is the nature of man.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the star made a wonderful and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +more or less lasting impression upon all of our +community, and from this time a number of our +hymns date, which afterward were incorporated in +the collection named by our superintendent, "<i>Paradisches +Wunderspiel</i>" (Paradise Wonder Music). +These hymns were full of prophetic insight and +represented the mysteries of the last days so +clearly it seemed to many of us as though the +kingdom of heaven were already at hand.</p> + +<p>But what troubled me far more than this flaming +star was that which occurred the very next day +after the comet disappeared. A few years after +Sonnlein and I came to Ephrata, there joined the +Solitary one whom I have already mentioned as +Brother Alburtus, that being his Kloster name. +What his real name was no one in our community +seemed to know. And lest it be thought strange +that we knew not who he was, it behooveth me to +enlighten the reader by explaining that at Ephrata +we seldom, if ever, demanded of man or woman +desiring to join us, other than whether they had +renounced the world and were willing to serve God +in the simple manner we had agreed upon as being +the best for our Master's cause.</p> + +<p>And thus it came about that in our tolerant +little republic all were welcome, no matter what +their previous faith, Protestant or Catholic, or +what their condition, high or low, rich or poor. +Nor did we inquire overmuch into the past life of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +any who desired to join us; for what concerned +us more than the past was the manner of life our +brethren and sisters lead after joining us, and in +this were we exceedingly strict.</p> + +<p>But our Brother Alburtus was always a puzzle to +me as, indeed, he was a great mystery to the rest +of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood, though we all +were regarded as peculiar by outsiders. He was +very tall, even taller than I, and broad-shouldered, +so that even with his habit of walking humbly, with +bowed form, he yet towered a veritable giant above +all the rest of the Brotherhood. A pronounced +roll in his gait, such as men receive who have +served long on the sea, inclined many of us to +believe such had been the greater part of his +life, and there were rumors current in the neighborhood +that our Brother Alburtus had been captain +of a vessel; while still others—especially the +busybodies, who always imagine evil of others—gravely +asserted he had been a pirate and had +sought refuge among us from those who sought +his capture; but the only thing I ever saw as supporting +the charge of piracy was a long, livid scar +across our brother's brow, giving his otherwise +gentle and benign countenance a rather forbidding +aspect. Whether or not he had been a rover of +the seas I never learned; from his face I could +not believe he had been a bloodthirsty pirate, +though I know full well that oft beneath the form<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +and features of a saint dwell the thoughts and passions +of the Evil One; for the Scriptures say the +human heart is a deceitful thing.</p> + +<p>But this I do know, and in later years it was a +great comfort to me, that in all the twenty or more +years our brother was with us he lived a life of +such saintly peace and gentleness as put to shame +many a Brother who professed more but acted not +so well. Whatever his past life, I felt sure with +us he lived a true Christian; for a man cannot +well live a hypocrite long with his fellow-men and +not be found out.</p> + +<p>Yet he had two great peculiarities we often +marveled at and of which one was, that no matter +where or when one saw him, he would ever be +clasping and rubbing his hands together. Day +after day, month after month, year after year, all +the time I knew him, I believe I never saw him +but that he was clasping and rubbing those hands +and looking at them in a strange, abstracted sort +of way, and even when the Brotherhood were at +their meals, if he was not attending to the needs +of the inner man, he would be still rubbing and +clasping those hands, which looked white and +peaceful enough to me, so far as I could see; but +the suspicious ones—and they are ever a plenty—in +our community and in the country round about +were firm in the belief that those hands had been +stained with the blood of men and even fair women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> +and dear little children, and for whose deaths he +was doomed for the rest of his life to imagine he +saw the blood there which he must ever be trying +to rub off.</p> + +<p>Mine own opinion was that our Brother Alburtus, +who was one of those absent-minded ones who +never know what they are doing, had simply fallen +into this habit, which, as is the nature of habits, +became a very part of him.</p> + +<p>His other peculiarity was that often without +leaving word with any of us he would wander off, +or as I have often thought, lose himself in the +woods, sometimes being absent weeks at a time; +but as he always returned safely, albeit his body +and his cloak a trifle the worse for his ramblings, +we never attempted to restrain his freedom. He +and Sonnlein seemed to have great regard for each +other and this too made me love our harmless +brother, and often I saw the two, Sonnlein leading +the way, tramp off to the woods on some wonderful +trip of discovery.</p> + +<p>As I have said, this matter which I wish to relate +came upon us the day after the comet left. I +was walking in the Brother woods not far from +the old oak that had witnessed more than once the +manifestations of the old witch. It was a cold, raw +day so that I felt it needful to have my cowl over +my head and I was greatly surprised and yet not +entirely so—for he always walked about as if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +regarded not the weather—when Brother Alburtus +meandering bareheaded in the woods walked past +me, clasping and rubbing his hands as ever, looking +abstractedly at them and I felt sure never +seeing me though his cloak almost brushed mine.</p> + +<p>He had gone but a few steps beyond me when +suddenly from out of a thicket there flew at him +what for the instant I could not tell whether it +was wild beast or human being; but as something +bright flashed in the air like a knife or dagger I +saw it was that horrible old hag, who in another +moment would have surely killed our brother, +standing there simple and helpless, had I not despite +all the scratching and clawing, torn the vile +form from him and hurled her crashing to the +earth so that she rolled for a few yards from me.</p> + +<p>I was too much startled and in such passionate +anger at this assault upon our gentle, unoffending +brother to say aught as the foul shape lay writhing +and twisting but a second or two where I had +hurled her. Then as she arose slowly from the +ground as in pain—though I had heard one could +not hurt a witch—and hobbled off into the forest +I bawled after her: "Again have I let thee go, +but 'tis the last. The next time thou dost assail +any of us I shall surely kill thee"; for I was so +beside myself with cruel, wicked rage I knew +not what murderous threats were coming from my +unbridled tongue.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then I turned to Brother Alburtus and +was surprised to see him standing there looking +vacantly into space as if naught had happened, not +even asking me what it was that had so violently +attacked him, so that I wondered whether he even +realized that I had saved his life. Thus I thought +it not worth while to ask him why it was this +strange woman had tried to kill him, as with all +her violence she had never attempted actual harm +to the others of us to whom she had appeared.</p> + +<p>But what I failed that day to understand and +for many long years was a riddle to me, came out +clearly in the end.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>OUR SISTER LEAVES US</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">O death, where is thy sting?<br /></span> +<span class="i10">O grave, where is thy victory?<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i20">—<i>New Testament.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-w"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>ell hath he of great +afflictions said, "Man +is born unto trouble as +the sparks fly upward." +Thus I said unto myself +the night following +the fright of my Sister +Bernice as I sought in +vain for sleep, for I felt +the shadow of some +heavy sorrow hanging over us. Not even the +prattle of Sonnlein, or my unremitting daily toil, +God's antidote for corroding care, could efface +from my mind the wan features of Sister Bernice, +the extreme delicacy of her fragile form, and the +shock she had received from the witch.</p> + +<p>And yet, for so He hath ordained, as time +dragged its slow length away, my forebodings +almost vanished, and the days were beginning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +pass "swifter than a weaver's shuttle," so I was +not without hope that, after all, my fears had +been the result of a too tender solicitude for my +dear sister.</p> + +<p>Thus almost a year passed away in which I saw +her in fleeting glimpses, but not to hold sweet converse +with her or once again to feel the touch of that +hand I longed to harbor in mine and shelter from +all the storms of life. How my poor human nature +struggled with me those days, so that at times I +thought I must take her in mine arms and with +Sonnlein flee to some retreat where we could pass +the rest of our days in perfect love and peace!</p> + +<p>But "happy is the man whom God correcteth," +for after all we are not fit for heaven until all the +dross hath been tormented out of us, leaving the +pure gold for his kingdom.</p> + +<p>Whether my sister was enduring all these pangs +of unspoken, forbidden love I knew not; I only +knew that if by chance our eyes met, which was +all too seldom, I thought I could see in their pure +depths a tender, beseeching longing for me.</p> + +<p>And now the glory of autumn had passed away. +The fields about the Kloster lay cold and bare. +The naked branches of the trees shivered in the +chilling airs. How bleak and cheerless the world +seemed in these early days of winter before the +touch of ice and snow had transformed the fields +and the forests into fairyland!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>The last day of November was drawing to its +close. The Brethren had partaken, in solemn +thankfulness, of our simple evening meal and I +had gone to my <i>Kammer</i>, first putting Sonnlein +to rest, after having recounted to me all the marvelous +happenings of the day, and was about myself +to lie down to sleep, when hearing a step near, +I looked up and saw Brother Beissel, even graver +and sadder than usual. "Brother Jabez, Mother +Maria hath come saying she would see thee and +me." At once a great fear gripped my heart—something +about Bernice.</p> + +<p>"I am ready to see her, brother," said I quietly, +rising to my feet. Just outside the door of Zion, +for she would not come in, stood our prioress, a +deep sadness in her usually hard and inscrutable +features.</p> + +<p>When she saw us, she waited first for Brother +Beissel to bid her speak, and then she said quietly, +with tears in her voice, for which I ever felt grateful +to her: "Sister Bernice is leaving us; she is +dying." And then duty overcame grief and pity, +and looking up steadfastly into our faces, Mother +Maria said, almost sternly, I thought: "Our Sister +Bernice doth entreat us that before she die Brother +Jabez may see her. I told her gently 'twas 'gainst +the rules of our order for Sister to be in Zion or +Brother in Kedar."</p> + +<p>We stood silent for a few moments, and then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +looking at me as though he would read my very +soul, Brother Beissel said to me softly: "Art thou +and our Sister Bernice aught to each other?"</p> + +<p>"But for our vows the world would know we +loved each other," I said humbly, but looking not +unsteadily into those eyes that seemed to read +men's hearts like open books.</p> + +<p>"Now I know for a surety that which thy troubled +face hinted to me of late, my Brother Jabez. +I know thou hast fought a hard fight. I command +thee go see our sister, thy Bernice; no fear of idle +tongue or hard letter of the law shall keep us from +the true promptings of the spirit." And then, pushing +me gently along, he said: "Go, haste. Mother +Maria, it is my wish that thou take our brother to +our sister; be thou the only one present."</p> + +<p>And thus this wonderful man, who had in him all +the fiery, unyielding hatred of sin of a Jeremiah, +and yet a woman's tender sympathy, bound me to +him, though oft we differed in opinion, for life.</p> + +<p>When Mother Maria and I entered the narrow +doorway leading from the corridor into the cell +where Bernice lay, the Sisters gathered there were +sent obediently to their cells, though the hearts of +each of the gentle nuns longed to be present to +soften the last moments of their young sister who +for so many years had been a dear companion. +Only Mother Maria and I remained with Bernice. +At first, in the dim light of the little paper lantern,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> +she did not seem to notice me as I knelt down +beside her, Mother Maria standing in the doorway +and so thoughtfully filling it that no one could see +into this little chamber already hallowed by the +presence of the angel of death.</p> + +<p>As I knelt there I took one of my sister's dear, +white, wasted hands into mine, and lifting into my +arm her head, from which flowed the golden masses +of hair that gilded the hard, wooden pillow, I murmured +to her, "Bernice"; and as she opened those +eyes that had ever the look of heaven in them, I +breathed softly to her, "Tis thy Brother Jabez; +dost not know me?"</p> + +<p>And then she looked at me with understanding +in her gaze and whispered so weakly I thought my +heart would burst with love and grief: "I know +thee; I am so happy." And as she said this, she +smiled so sweetly I held her closer in my arms, +our souls meeting in our first kiss.</p> + +<p>For many moments I knelt sheltering her dear +head in mine arms, each of us unspeakably happy +that now even, though in the hour of death, we +could say freely with our lips that which our hearts +had told each other long ago. Outside was stillness, +and so inside the hall. Mother Maria still kept her +watch in the doorway, grim and sad, as though she +neither saw nor heard my sister and me.</p> + +<p>"I could not leave thee without telling how I +loved thee," she whispered, lifting up the hand I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +had not imprisoned in mine, and resting it on my +shoulder, where it lay like a lily. "I tried so hard +to forget thee, but since that love feast—thou +knowest which one—thou wast ever with me."</p> + +<p>"That love feast was paradise, my beloved sister; +but thou must not talk so much, I fear."</p> + +<p>"Nay, I know my end is near; I am not afraid +now."</p> + +<p>In a few moments she whispered shyly, "Dost +remember the witch?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, I could have slain her for frightening +thee so."</p> + +<p>"But when thou didst take me into thy great +arms and soothe and pity me like some little child, +I was almost glad I had seen the witch."</p> + +<p>"Thou foolish girl, how canst care so for such +a great, clumsy, stupid brother like me?"</p> + +<p>She lay a few minutes as if she could not whisper +more, and then, after I thought she had forgotten +what I had just said, she whispered, but +more feebly than before, "Thou'rt not clumsy or +stupid; thou art so strong but so tender—I love +thee better than life." And then she seemed so +exhausted I was obliged to lay her head off my +breast to her pillow thinking she could breathe +more easily, but the gentle pressure of her hand +on my shoulder and the nestling touch of the one +on my own told me she preferred it thus.</p> + +<p>I know not how long I held her in mine embrace,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +but she again opened her eyes and whispered, +pausing between each word, "Thou wilt be with +me in heaven?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, <i>mein Liebchen</i>, forever and forever," I murmured +holding her to me still more closely, whereat +she smiled and whispered, but so low and broken +I could hardly hear it, "I am so happy," and then +I felt a shudder pass through the dear frame in +mine arms; her head fell limp and lifeless from +my shoulder, and I knew that from within the narrow +walls of the bare, cold cell, and out through +the dark night, there was winging its way to heaven +the soul of my sister, my Bernice.</p> + +<p>For a long while I knelt holding her in mine +arms, the tears raining down my face as never +since childhood. Then I laid her down on the +bench which could no longer crucify the earthly +habitation of my Bernice; I kissed the dear face +for the last time, and then rising, I said as calmly +as I could to Mother Maria, "Our sister hath gone +to her home," and then I left the "House of Sorrow" +with the light of a great peace in mine heart, +for though I knew that earth had lost much of its +sweetness, yet the bitterness of my short sojourn +here was as naught compared with the added bliss +heaven now held for me.</p> + +<p>Thus Sister Bernice was the first flower to die +of the Roses of Saron and the first of the Solitary +to be laid away in the little God's Acre down in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +the meadow by the roadside. Mine own wish, had +it been expressed, would have been that our sister +be buried in the simplicity which marked her gentle +life, but those in authority thought it best to +make her burial an occasion for all the imposing +honors and ceremonies of our Order.</p> + +<p>At midnight, while earth and sky were held in +intense darkness—the chill, wintry winds sighing +a mournful requiem more sad and mournful even +than the chanting by the heavy-hearted Sisters and +Brothers, of the dirge composed in loving memory +by Sister Foeben—six of the Brothers clad in their +long cowls tenderly and reverently carried the +body of our dear Bernice from Mount Sinai down +to the narrow little <i>Kammer</i> where all that was of +earth of her could rest in peace until the call of +the last day.</p> + +<p>My heart was too full to note all this but dimly +and to hear but faintly our footfalls upon the hard +ground and the solemn tolling of the convent +bells, the flickering rushlights shedding a weird, +ghostly light over the sad, thin line of mourners.</p> + +<p>Tenderly as a fond mother lays her child to +sleep at evenfall we laid our sister to rest with +all the symbolic beauty of the ritual of the Brotherhood +of Zion and then having performed our last +sacred offices for our departed one, we filed slowly +back to our cells. The room Sister Bernice had +occupied in Kedar was now closed to remain so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +for some time, and upon the walls of her <i>Kammer</i> +was hung a legend, or <i>Segenspruch</i>, composed by +our Brother Beissel, and lovingly executed by the +Sisters in their beautiful Gothic penwork:</p> + +<p>"<i>Bernice, Freue dich in ihrem gang unter der +Schafweide, und sey freundlich u. huldreich unter +den Liebhabern.</i>"</p> + +<p>Which meaneth: "Bernice, enjoy yourself in +your sojourn among the sheep pastures and be +affable and gracious among the suitors."</p> + +<p>Ah me, ah me!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE GREAT COMET</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">The Lord his signs makes to appear,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To call us to repentance:<br /></span> +<span class="i8">A monstrous comet standeth there<br /></span> +<span class="i8">That we our sins shall flee from,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">But we, alas! scarce give it a thought<br /></span> +<span class="i8">For each one thinks it cometh not,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">The punishment and danger.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>he winter winds had swept +o'er the grave of our dear +sister not a month, and +hardly had our little camp +on the Cocalico been restored +to its usual evenness +of temper after the +wordy warfare Brother +Hildebrand and I, under +the leadership of Brother +Beissel, had waged against our ancient foes, +the Moravians at Bethlehem—for they believed +not in celibacy—when we were again roused to +a high pitch of excitement by that which was no +less than a second comet which, following closely +upon the one that flashed so suddenly upon us the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +preceding February, left no longer any doubts +even in the minds of the most skeptical and unbelieving, +that we were within the portent of some +great crisis.</p> + +<p>It was on the evening of Christmas a number +of the Brotherhood, among them the Eckerlings +and Brother Weiser—for though he had gone +back to the world he oft revisited us—our superintendent +and Sonnlein and I, were gathered on +the highest point of Mount Sinai, nigh to the +Brother woods. The sun had hardly sunk from +view and the twilight begun to deepen over the +unbroken expanse of forest and upon the slopes of +the distant hills to the west, when suddenly Brother +Jephune, our astronomer, clutched Brother Weiser +by the arm, and exclaimed in awe-struck tones, +"See, look, the comet!" as he pointed all in a +tremble to where the sun had just disappeared.</p> + +<p>Startled by his voice and his intense gaze, we +turned sharply. I could see naught but a single +small star, shining dimly, but I held my peace.</p> + +<p>Brother Weiser was the first to break the strain +in a cold, calm, judge-like tone, "I see naught but +a small star; Brother Jephune, thou seest ever +visions."</p> + +<p>"It were better for thee, our Brother Enoch, +didst thou see more visions instead of having thine +eyes stubbornly sealed against the mysteries of +God," quietly interrupted Brother Onesimus.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Brother Jephune, mine eyes are yet strong. I +see naught but a star, nor do our brethren see +thy comet," said our leader.</p> + +<p>Brother Jephune apparently heard not his critics, +for he still stood motionless and gazed most intensely +upon what appeared to us an innocent star.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he turned to us again and whispered, +"'Tis the very comet of last winter. I told ye +the sun had swallowed it and now the sun hath +spit out again the fiery monster," and then he +wailed, "Woe, woe, be unto all the ungodly who +shall be destroyed by this fiery serpent!"</p> + +<p>Because I did not always agree with the many +foolish and unscriptural speculations of the Eckerlings, +they oft accused me of irreverence and +lacking in spirituality. Be that as it may, and although +I knew many comets had appeared to the +eyes of men since the creation without any apparent +change in the rules and order of the universe, +yet I felt the same awe that enveloped our +little group. Calling Sonnlein to me I said to him +as we all clustered about him, "I have taught thee +somewhat of the stars; thine are the youngest +eyes here. Look thou carefully. Is that yonder +pale star such as thou seest at night?"</p> + +<p>And then with our awe reflected in his childish +face he gazed steadily at the star, and then turning +as in doubt, he said to me as though the others +were not present, "'Tis a star, <i>Vaterchen</i>."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What knoweth such a child?" exclaimed our +astrologer peevishly.</p> + +<p>"Have patience, my good brother; look again, +my son; make a funnel of thy hands; thou +knowest how I taught thee to," I said gently to +Sonnlein, who in loving obedience put his hand +rounded like a spyglass to his eye, and again he +looked steadily at the apparition. Then my boy +turned again to me and said simply, "It is but a +little star, <i>Vaterchen</i>," and as if it were of no importance +he added, "There is something like smoke +behind it."</p> + +<p>"Smoke! What nonsense is this?" cried +Brother Enoch in disgust.</p> + +<p>"Smoke," shouted Brother Jephune, "the child +seeth that which I tell ye I see, ye blind scoffers. +Was the smoke like a tail or a bundle of switches—had +it shape?" he cried eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Like a tail," said Sonnlein timidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, wondrous sight of innocent childhood," +murmured the astrologer, "to see what world-blinded +eyes cannot see!"</p> + +<p>And indeed a comet it was, for it rapidly increased +to great size and brilliancy, and for two +months from early evening until after midnight +flamed fiercely across the northwestern sky, a +fearful, awesome sight, even to the least superstitious +among us.</p> + +<p>Brother Jephune, and many with him, accepted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +the star, since it had appeared on the twenty-fifth +day of the month, as the one prophesied in the +Zohar, which was to hang in the heavens for seventy +days, to be seen of all men as a warning, at +the end of which time there would arise a great +tumult and confusion upon the earth, to be followed +by the universal peace of God's kingdom. +The settlers in the country round about us relying +upon Num. 24 : 17, 18, fully believed this was the +"Star out of Jacob," and that a sceptre should +arise to smite the evil in the earth; that the millennium +was nigh, and Brother Beissel taught with +his usual fiery zeal that when the fulfillment of the +prophecy finally came, our Mount Sinai would be +the center of the New Jerusalem in this evening +land; that the Brotherhood of Zion would be +chosen as the Priests of the Temple, and many +there were who though hitherto they had hardened +their hearts against our preaching and our +charity, now through fear and superstition hastened +to be gathered under the protecting wings +of our community.</p> + +<p>In this perturbed state we were for over two +months, when on an evening a number of the Solitary +Brethren were again gathered at almost the +same elevated spot on Mount Sinai, hard by the +Brother woods that we had occupied the evening +Brother Jephune and Sonnlein had been the first +to see the comet.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p>We had been standing in utter silence for a long +while, when Brother Gabriel turned to Brother +Weiser, and said as though in reproof, "And still +thou believest this strange vision in the sky foretelleth +naught?"</p> + +<p>"It speaketh to me of the wondrous power and +majesty of God," replied Brother Enoch reverently, +"naught else."</p> + +<p>"And yet thou knowest in 1680 there appeared +a comet in the <i>Vaterland</i>—oft have I heard my +father tell of it—not so great as this, nor with so +long a tail. After that comet there followed a long +and weary war, from which our beloved <i>Vaterland</i> +hath never recovered. Dost thou not fear this +fiery star, so much greater than the other, portendeth +war and famine and pestilence to this +New World?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," I heard Brother Enoch say, "the holy +word promiseth all such dire calamities because of +man's wickedness, not because of comets."</p> + +<p>"But comets may be the sign of His displeasure, +as the rainbow is the sign of his covenant with +Noah," persisted Brother Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"I only know the holy book sayeth naught of +comets."</p> + +<p>"The comet is the fiery sword of the Lord +whereby he shall cut down all the scoffers and the +ungodly," interrupted Brother Jephune warningly. +"I tell thee there will be much sickness and death,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +and as the comet will disappear in Pisces, so I read +its course, it presages misfortune to all the fish +within the waters, and in this our Brother Christopher +Sauer, of Germantown, agreeth."</p> + +<p>"And yet, Brother Jephune," rejoined Brother +Weiser with a faint smile, "the innocent fish +have not sinned."</p> + +<p>"Brother Sauer also reporteth," continued our +astronomer, unheeding the mockery in Brother +Weiser's voice, "the good people in New England +take it seriously to heart that God is threatening +a great judgment upon the evil ones of earth."</p> + +<p>"And heed thou, Brother Weiser," enjoined +Brother Gabriel, "thou sittest not in the seat of the +scornful when the judgment cometh."</p> + +<p>"Nor thou with the sorcerers and those who +practise enchantments!" retorted Brother Enoch.</p> + +<p>"What else doth our Brother Christopher say of +this glaring visitant?" asked Brother Beissel in the +hope of pouring oil upon the troubled waters.</p> + +<p>"The printer sayeth that while the star first appeared +in Aries, the habitation of Mars, and set in +Pisces there shall come great changes, disturbances, +wrath, confusion, and disorder, upon the +nations of the earth. This cometh from Mars. +As Pisces is the dwelling-place of Jupiter it foreshadoweth +equal disturbances in spiritual things; +there will be many changes and great confusion +followed by dreadful quick-coming judgments. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +the star latterly hath so rapid a course, and burns +like unto a great flaming torch with a long, fiery +tail, he holdeth that the destruction of the religious +Babylonian order is near at hand."</p> + +<p>"Sayeth he no more—what cometh after all +this destruction of evil? Surely light must follow +darkness!" inquired our leader eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Even so; for our learned Christopher sayeth, +and I agree with him, that a newer, better order +will follow. The comet seemeth again to be moving +toward the sun as if to effect conjunction with +it in the middle line. This foretelleth that the +comet, the evil, shall be swallowed up by the sun, +the source of light and life. Thus the darkness +of sin shall disappear from the face of the earth +and the light of His grace, and mercy shall shine +forever from the hearts of men."</p> + +<p>"Even so, Lord, let it be," said our leader most +solemnly, "let thy kingdom come quickly."</p> + +<p>To which we all responded in equal solemnity, +"Amen."</p> + +<p>And then just as we were about to take our way +back to our <i>Kammers</i>, there arose without the +slightest warning such a savage, blood-freezing, +wailing cry from the woods hard by us, that by +one accord each gripped the other by the arm as +if in the presence of some awful, common danger, +my poor Sonnlein rushing into mine arms almost +speechless with terror.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<p>In truth, each for the time was paralyzed with +that cry that sounded like the wail of a soul in the +torments of the damned. Finally, Brother Gabriel +whispered, his teeth chattering so that he could +scarcely utter a word, "'Twas the Evil One, he +knoweth his end is nigh."</p> + +<p>"Doth not Revelation say Satan is to be bound +and thrust into the bottomless pit?" gasped +Brother Beissel.</p> + +<p>"Heard ye not the clanking of the chains?" +whispered Brother Onesimus.</p> + +<p>"What was't, <i>Vaterchen</i>?" whispered Sonnlein, +who was still shivering in my embrace.</p> + +<p>"Some wild beast that hath strayed nigh;" for +in my hermit days I had more than once heard +the panther's terrifying howl, in the darkness of +the night.</p> + +<p>"Was't an Indian, <i>Vaterchen</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, my son," replied Brother Enoch for me, +"the Indians are at peace with us. 'Twas no +human voice."</p> + +<p>"Was't some wild beast, thinkest thou?" asked +Brother Gabriel.</p> + +<p>"Nay, it sounded not so to me; I know not +what it was. It is a great mystery to me," replied +Brother Enoch slowly, which was a great deal for +our clear-headed brother to admit.</p> + +<p>"'Twas the cry of the Evil One, naught else," +declared Brother Jephune.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And in this I agree with thee," solemnly spake +our leader; "great and gracious is our Lord to +show us these marvelous signs of his coming. Let +us go to our rest in peace and gladness, and await +the dawn of his kingdom in the earth."</p> + +<p>And so we went full of such devout hopes to +our narrow cells; but somehow I could not shake +from my mind that the cry came from our old +enemy, the witch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A FAR JOURNEY</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">With God—over the sea;<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Without him—not over the threshold.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i22">—<i>Russian Proverb.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-a"><span class="dropcap">A</span></span>t the time of which I +write this, the fall of +1744, Prior Onesimus +and his three brothers +were in the ascendency, +and for a time it seemed +as though Brother Beissel +would be completely +overthrown in his rule +by these designing Eckerlings; +but they who +thought our superintendent easy to overcome reckoned +without their host, for while to the worldly +minded he had not the graces and attractiveness +that marked our prior, our superintendent, though +harmless as a dove, had the wisdom and subtilty +of the serpent, and thus at this time, when the +strain between these two had increased from day +to day, Prior Onesimus, no doubt for purposes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +his own, conceived the idea that we make a pilgrimage +to the Sabbatarian communities in Connecticut +and Rhode Island. I recollect full well +that when he made his desire known to our superintendent, +suggesting possibly a short absence +would tend to heal their differences, Brother Beissel +at once gave his consent.</p> + +<p>But if our prior had thought to surround himself +with his own followers and thus make this enterprise +redound solely to his credit he was greatly +mistaken, for the superintendent quietly suggested +the prior take with him his own brother, Jephune, +and Brother Timotheus (Alexander Mack), and +myself as traveling companions, the prior being +promised by our superintendent that in the meantime +he would attend to the prior's duties at the +meetings. This was not exactly to our prior's +liking, but Brother Beissel pointed out that these +brethren were selected in order to insure the success +of the expedition as well as the welfare and +comfort of the party. Thus the prior would represent +the Zionitic Brethren and the Theosophists +of the community; Brother Timotheus, the secular +congregation and the Baptists in general; Jephune, +our mystic and astrologer, would serve as the +physician of the party; while I was to be the +theologian and interpreter.</p> + +<p>Thus it was arranged and we at once began our +brief preparations for the journey: extra soles for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +our wooden sandals, the points of our pilgrim staffs +sharpened, a day's provisions for the inner man, a +copy of the "<i>Weyrauch's Hügel</i>," and a few of +Brother Beissel's "<i>Theosophische Episteln</i>" for the +spiritual man. I have it on my records that this +occurred on the Friday of September 21, 1744, +almost a year since our dear sister had left us, on +the night of which an unusually solemn love feast +was held in the <i>Saal</i>, at Zion, in our honor. The +services lasted far into the night, even the hours +between the midnight prayers and the dawn being +passed in prayer. The next morning being our +Sabbath we all were present at the meeting of the +congregation, where every one bade us a most +loving God-speed.</p> + +<p>But in all these simple preparations and pious +services I confess I had nigh forgotten my Sonnlein, +and when the thought of him came to me on +that Sabbath Day as to what he would do in my +absence, I feared I should have to seek my release +from the superintendent, for I am proud to say, +never did boy hang to his mother's skirts more +closely than did Sonnlein follow upon my heels, +so much so it became a byword in our little camp +that it could be depended on when one of us appeared, +it would not be long until you saw the +other, and indeed we were inseparable. During +the day he would trot after me wherever my duties +took me, whether in the fields or in the printing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +room, or rambling in the woods for wild flowers, +and as he grew older he insisted upon attending +the midnight devotions, just as the grown-up +Brothers and Sisters. With the exception of my +brief sojourn in Lancaster in the matter of the +levies, we had never been separated for more than +a few hours at a time, and I knew if I left him +now for this long journey the poor boy would be +utterly disconsolate. I also knew full well that +our Brother Beissel, though not a hater of children, +still had little patience with them, and I +doubted much whether he and Sonnlein could +stand the trial of my long absence. I called Sonnlein +to me and told him I was about to go away +for a great many weeks. At once he danced and +jumped about me in a most uncloistral manner, +apparently never doubting for a moment that, as +in the past, he would be with me; but when I said +to him, "'Tis a far journey, Sonnlein, too far for +thee," I saw the tears in his eyes, though he tried +to keep them down as he asked:</p> + +<p>"Am I not to go with thee, <i>Vaterchen</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, I fear not, Sonnlein; 'tis a long way over +rough roads and through tangled paths, through +great, lonely forests, where there are wild beasts, +and then the wild sea to make thee sick. We know +not what hardships we may have to endure."</p> + +<p>"But I can walk, <i>Vaterchen</i>; I am not afraid of +the lonely woods, not if I am with thee."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But how about the sea?"</p> + +<p>"Thou canst give me physic," he replied so +innocently I could not refrain from laughing, +whereat he pouted and grumbled, "I'm not afraid +of the sea, and on land I can walk as well as 'Old +Air-smeller.'"</p> + +<p>"What!" I cried in amazement. "Whom dost +mean by such irreverent name?" I demanded.</p> + +<p>"Brother Jephune," he confessed; "he sticketh +his nose into the air when he walketh about, so he +falleth over everything."</p> + +<p>"Is't needful you call him such name?"</p> + +<p>"So the neighbors call him."</p> + +<p>"Must do what foolish ones do?"</p> + +<p>"Nay;" and then, looking up with repentance +writ all over him, he said, "May I go? I can +walk and I won't mind the water. Thou knowest +I am fond of water," which was the truth, for +when he was not with me he was swimming or +fishing in the Cocalico, or hunting in the woods +when the Cocalico was too cold.</p> + +<p>Indeed, I doubted not he could endure the journey +as well as most of us, for he was a hardy, +active boy, and with our healthful life had never +known a day of sickness. I liked no better to be +separated from him than did he, and had he quietly +taken my suggestion to remain I had been greatly +disappointed; but when I broached the matter to +my brother pilgrims they at first demurred, and yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +they loved my boy, for with all his mischievousness +he was always ready and willing to do the +bidding of any of them. Finally, upon my persuasions, +they acknowledged it would be safe for +him to make the journey. Accordingly I prepared +a little pilgrim's staff for him and saw that he had +a stout pair of sandals, and with a little bag of provisions +for him we started out at six o'clock of that +Sabbath evening on our journey, the assembled +Brotherhood and Sisterhood watching us from +Mount Zion until we were out of sight.</p> + +<p>But once fairly upon our way, we walked, as was +our custom, bareheaded and silently, in single file, +Prior Onesimus at the head and myself at the rear, +all except Sonnlein, who neither kept silence nor +in file, almost exhausting me with his innumerable +questions; at one moment he would be ahead of +us and the next in the rear, now stopping to gather +a handful of nuts that had dropped from the trees +along our way or else to pluck the wild grapes +that hung in royal purple from the luxuriant vines, +and then rushing after me, tempting me to share +his feast.</p> + +<p>At first our course led us through the settlements +of our German brethren in the eastern part +of Lancaster County; thence among our English +brethren in Nantmill, where we stopped for a few +days and held several missionary meetings. From +the Falls of French Creek we took the road among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +the German families; thence across the Schuylkill +to the German settlements along the roadside +leading to Germantown. A somewhat prolonged +stop was made with our brother mystics on the +Wissahickon, among whom we found much solace +and comfort; thence a short visit to the brethren +of the faith in the city of Philadelphia; thence our +missionary tour took us to the Pennepack.</p> + +<p>Thus far our pilgrimage had taken us mainly +among the brethren of our own belief, and yet +wherever we went our bare, cropped heads, long +beards, white cloaks and cowls, our silence and +manner of traveling, attracted considerable attention +and even ridicule and grossest insults. Sonnlein, +however, being never late in informing the +curious ones who we were; and while I admonished +him frequently against his too great freedom +with strangers, there is no doubt that by his frankness +he saved us much annoyance, for I have long +ago learned that one will be forgiven much if he +only be open and candid, no matter how wicked he +be; but if, like a turtle, he keep within his shell +and mind his own business like a good, honest +turtle, every idler and good-for-naught must hurl +stones at him to crack his shell.</p> + +<p>After crossing the Neshaminy Creek at the +falls we were ferried across the Delaware—a wonderful +sight to Sonnlein—and entered our sister +province of New Jersey. Arriving at Amwell, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +were greatly rejoiced to find the converts baptized +some six years before by some of our brethren +still keeping up their organization and considering +themselves a branch of the parent community +at Ephrata.</p> + +<p>We remained here for some time and then +parted from our dear brethren in mutual sadness, +for we knew not whether we should ever see each +other again.</p> + +<p>And now our journey took us through long +stretches of forest and for miles and miles our +way was but a narrow path among tall, solemn +pines so thickly grown and so crowded with brush +and vines underneath as to have a most gloomy +and depressing effect even upon the most cheerful +of us. Now and then we came upon some little +stream or pond that looked almost black under the +shadows of the bordering pines. These streams +and ponds were the only changes in the landscape +excepting the occasional sand hills, and the only +sound to break the monotony would be the note of +some bird. Houses we saw not for hours and +even for days, and many a night we slept within +the folds of these dark and gloomy forests, our +roof the thick, heavy branches of the pines, through +which, on clear nights, the stars smiled down +cheerily.</p> + +<p>But though the nights were already cold and +frosty and I feared exceedingly Sonnlein would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +suffer from the exposure, still with a fire burning +all night to keep us warm and to frighten away +wild beasts we minded not the hard, rough earth +with the thin carpet of pine twigs and needles any +more than our hard benches in our <i>Kammers</i>. +Sonnlein invariably slept between me and Brother +Timotheus, thus being sheltered somewhat from +the winds that even the thick forest could not entirely +keep from us.</p> + +<p>After some days' travel in this wise we finally +came to the region between the Shark and Squan +Rivers, where we found a little community of about +fifteen adult members, Sabbatarians, who had migrated +from Stonington, Connecticut, and Westerly, +Rhode Island, and who had signed a covenant +binding themselves to live and walk together +as Christian people, although they had no church +or pastor. A number of meetings were arranged +in our honor, and at these I preached and admonished +them to remain steadfast in their faith, so +that I was gratified to note our efforts resulted in a +church's being organized, Brother William Davis, +the elder, although in his eighty-first year, being +chosen pastor.</p> + +<p>Leaving Shrewsbury, as this church is referred +to in our records, we wended our way southward +until we came to a place on the west shore of Barnegat +Bay, almost directly opposite the outlet of +this beautiful bay into the ocean. Here was another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +settlement of New England Sabbatarians, +who were known as "Rogerines," a band of about +twenty-one persons. They received us with open +arms and we were most hospitably entertained by +Brother John Culver—the most prominent among +the Rogerines—who had made several visits to +Amwell and to Ephrata and upon whose earnest +invitation we had come to Barnegat. These good +people looked upon us as holy men, so that they +brought their sick to us in the hope that they +might be healed by the very laying on of hands +and prayer, as our Rogerine brethren used no +medicines nor would they employ physicians, relying +upon strictly scriptural means for relief from +illness. While we agreed not on all doctrinal +points, still in so much of our manner of life and +belief we were in such perfect accord that our stay +was exceedingly refreshing to our souls, and it was +through these good people as much as anything +else we extended our visit to New England, stopping +on our way to visit one John Lovell, an old +Pythagorean, who lived as a hermit in the dense +woods about four miles from Burlington, throughout +the seasons, without fire, in a cell made by the +side of an old log, in the form of an oven, not high +enough or long enough to stand upright in or lie +extended.</p> + +<p>I mean not to be harsh or unjust to this surly +hermit, who lived more like a beast than man, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +in his boyish straightness of speech Sonnlein spoke +out full well what was in my mind and I doubt not +in my brethren's also when he said, "Brother +Lovell hath his soul from a pig or else would he +not be so dirty," for we did not believe that our +Lord any more than mortal man cared to look +upon dirty, sour faces. We held that a contented +mind showed itself in a bright, cheerful face, and +thus it was our habit at Ephrata, with both Brother +and Sister, always to be satisfied and to bear ever +a glad countenance, even though the bitterness of +death were upon us, and for this we have the +Scriptures.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>IN A STRANGE LAND</h3> + +<blockquote><p>Oct. 10, 1744. I went to John Bolles to see 4 men Yt +come from beyond Barnegat, with long beards 8 or 9 inches, +and strangely clothed, no hats and all in white, but they +were not there.—<i>Extract from diary of Joshua Hempstead, +of New London.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-f"><span class="dropcap">F</span></span>rom the hermit's hut we +proceeded to New Brunswick, +and by good fortune +found, as though +especially waiting for +us, a vessel about to sail +for New England. Our +journey thus far had +been mainly among +friends; but now, even +though we had a letter +of introduction from our Barnegat brethren to the +Rogerines in New London, we could not with all +our faith and fortitude repress the dismal forebodings +of trials and persecutions we should encounter +there on account of our beliefs—all except +Sonnlein, to whom this pilgrimage was full of +marvel and delight, and now that he was about to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +go out upon the sea his joy knew no bounds, for +verily he was born under Pisces.</p> + +<p>But having put our hands to the helm we would +not look back, and Brother Onesimus having secured +passage for us we set sail, and barring that +our good prior was most wretchedly seasick all of +the voyage, while Sonnlein was sick but the first +day, when he would have neither food nor physic, +we landed near New London in less than a fortnight, +safe and sound, hundreds of miles from +home, in a strange country, no friends, and so +despised because of our white dress and our otherwise +monkish aspect that whoever saw us fled as +though we were the plague.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, our letter rescued us from much +annoyance, for a prominent member of the Rogerines, +Brother Bolles, hearing of our arrival came +to us and on reading our letter received us affectionately +and harbored us so hospitably, not far +from the town, that we soon forgot our forebodings. +And yet no sooner did our coming become known +in New London than did a new danger arise against +us, for the very day we landed the little seaport +was wild with excitement over the news that +France had joined issue with Spain against England. +This coincidence coupled with our unusual manner +and garb was too weighty a proof to be disregarded +that we were Jesuit priests, French spies in disguise. +Forthwith officers presented themselves at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +the quiet little homestead of our Brother Bolles, +arrested us, and marched us into New London, +and had all the threats hurled at us by the excited +inhabitants while on our way to the justices been +executed, we had been undone.</p> + +<p>Happily our host, a respectable and influential +citizen, personally vouched that we were Protestants +by birth and profession, whereupon our freedom +was at once given us, and we were once more +taken in charge by the Rogerines of New London, +by whom we were so held in kindness and esteem +that whenever we stirred abroad we had in our +train no less than fifty persons, among them black +men—of whom Sonnlein was sore afraid, never +having seen human beings of such color—and +Indians, the former being servants, and for whose +spiritual welfare their masters were as solicitous +as of their own, which thing we much admired.</p> + +<p>We found the people of this region in a state of +great religious excitement, the Congregationalists +and the New Lights being especially bitter against +each other, so that wherever representatives of +these beliefs came into each others' presence they +did nothing but argue and dispute; and so far was +this pernicious custom carried that when a Congregationalist +met a New Light, unless both were +deaf and dumb, they would seat themselves on +chairs, while about these wordy knights of the +gospel would gather the listeners, in a circle, disputants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +and listeners often giving vent to the most +violent passions, all of which greatly shocked my +brethren and me, yet showing us that, the world +over, men are much the same when it cometh to +difference in belief.</p> + +<p>At the time of our visit they mostly disputed +about the perseverance of the saints, and if the +saints were as persistent in meek obedience and +loving deeds as were these wordy warriors in their +vociferous arguments, I have not the slightest +doubt but that the saints have received rich reward. +However, my brethren and I did all in our +power, in patience and long-suffering, to allay the +bitterness of this unseemly strife that left no peace +whatever in this and the neighboring towns; and +I rejoice to say our presence and persuasions did +much toward this desirable end, for in all their +heat they could not but see we had no other +motive than to speak the truth, fairly and impartially, +and with due consideration for the views of +the contestants.</p> + +<p>We soon grew to love and esteem our good +Rogerine brethren, and I feel we endeared ourselves +to them. We had much in common; we +like them were regarded by the world as a peculiar +people. Even the tolerant laws of Penn were not +always sufficient to save us from persecutions, just +as our New England brethren, because they conformed +not to the beliefs in power, suffered fines,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +imprisonments, and even the awful indignity of +public whippings for His sake.</p> + +<p>Unlike us they practised not celibacy, but they +held firmly to the doctrine of non-resistance and +that the reading of set public prayers and preaching +for pay was utterly unscriptural. They agreed also +with us in regard to keeping the seventh day instead +of the first, the administration of the Lord's +Supper, and baptism by immersion. But like their +Rogerine brethren on Barnegat Bay it was contrary +to their tenets to employ physicians or to use medicines +in case of sickness, although for ordinary +ailments some of the less extreme Rogerines used +the customary remedies and were excellent nurses, +being ever ready to minister to the sick.</p> + +<p>Having thus so much in common it would seem +there should have been no danger of any serious +disagreement between us, and yet it tried my +brother pilgrims and myself sorely to prevent open +rupture by reason of our being unable to admit +all our good friends claimed as to the scriptural +manner of healing. Finally, upon mutual promises +that if any one on either side should become +angry the discussion should stop immediately, we +took up the question of healing.</p> + +<p>Thus spake the <i>Rogerine</i>, calmly: "We base our +beliefs on the teachings of the New Testament."</p> + +<p><i>Brother Onesimus</i>, <i>similiter</i>: "We also base our +mode of life on the Bible."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, still calmly: "The Almighty not only +hath infinite power to cure diseases, but hath also +blessed willingness so to do."</p> + +<p><i>Brother Jephune</i>, gently: "We admit the Almighty +hath the power, but whether he hath the +willingness we are not ready to say."</p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, a trifle ungently: "The treatment the +physicians give is bungling and dangerous and +greatly uncertain. Were a dozen doctors to treat +the same man that man would receive physic for +twelve different diseases. Christ's cures were all +perfect."</p> + +<p><i>Brother Timotheus</i>, graciously: "Truly should +physicians be modest men, for theirs is a difficult +art in that so many different diseases have similar +symptoms. And yet we regard healing as an art, +though imperfect as is all human art. Christ was +perfect preacher as well as perfect healer, yet +there be bungling preachers as there be bungling +physicians."</p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, positively: "Christ healed without +physic and the disciples had his promise of such +cures for all who asked in faith."</p> + +<p><i>Brother Jabez</i>, humbly: "Though Christ healed +without physic, nevertheless he pointed to the use +of natural means by the spittle on the blind man's +eyes and washing in the pool of Siloam. Naaman +bathed in the Jordan seven times. Is it not written +we are created in his image? Doth that not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +mean that these wonderful bodies of ours and our +surpassing marvelous minds were made to perform +wonderful and marvelous things? Ye will also +admit that not only did Christ heal the halt, the +lame, and the blind, but that he also fed the five +thousand with but a few loaves and fishes; Elijah +was fed by the ravens; the widow's cruse of oil +never failed. No doubt the Almighty hath power +to heal us better than the physicians, who oft work +in darkness, and to feed us better than the husbandmen, +who are not always certain of their +harvests."</p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, indignantly: "Would ye ask of Him +that while we sit here idle, with grain in the fields +for bread, and abundance of fish in the sea for +meat, we should expect him to feed us like idle, +helpless children?"</p> + +<p><i>Brother Jabez</i>, smiling subtilely: "Why not? If +with our God-like powers we do not search into +the healing properties of the herbs of the fields +and the salts of the earth, and try to heal ourselves, +it seemeth to me we have just as much Scripture +to sit still and let him feed us."</p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, indignantly: "Brother, thy speech +seemeth almost blasphemous. We hold our views +from the Scriptures."</p> + +<p><i>Brother Jabez</i>, still mildly: "So do we; but it +is with the Scriptures as in the law; he who sticketh +to the letter loseth the true meaning. My beloved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +brethren, for indeed ye are so to us, he who +readeth not God's holy word in the Spirit cannot +understand it and findeth therein many inconsistencies +and grounds for unsafe doctrines. We too +believe that faith can perform miracles, but the +Almighty never intended we should nourish and +heal our bodies by dependence on miracles, or else +would not he have given us these miraculous bodies +and minds."</p> + +<p><i>Rogerine</i>, quietly: "We thank thee, brother, but +are not convinced we are in error. Let us not +imperil our love by useless argument."</p> + +<p>"So be it," I replied, and thus the discussion +was safely ended.</p> + +<p>But so great was the faith of one of our Rogerine +brethren, we were told, that when the smallpox +raged in Boston some twenty years before, he +journeyed one hundred miles to the infected city +to prove his faith would save him from the terrible +contagion; for it had been his custom for over +forty years of his life to minister to those sick of +that disease. This time, however, he caught the +distemper, which developed after his return home +and brought him to his grave, as well as two other +members of his family; and in this connection, to +show how we poor mortals are prone to carry our +beliefs and doctrines to most foolish lengths it was +also told me, by the Rogerine brethren themselves, +and not by their enemies, that a few years prior to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +our visit a certain skin disorder had broken out +among the congregation; but as their faith forebade +the use of medicines they knew not what to +do. In this predicament a church meeting was +called to deliberate how they might get rid of the +disorder and yet preserve a clear conscience. After +a most prolonged meeting and the profoundest deliberations +in which holy writ was thoroughly +searched for precedent, it was solemnly resolved +that this most uncomfortable disease, which we +were told was the itch, was not a bodily ailment; +but was a noxious animal which had burrowed into +their flesh. Of course, there being in their belief +nothing to prevent the destruction of wild animals +the usual remedies for this particular species were +accordingly applied, whereupon the "itchy beasts" +were duly slain and eradicated, and the consciences +of our pious brethren preserved.</p> + +<p>From New London we made an extended visit +to our Sabbatarian brethren of the Newport and +Old Hopkinton churches, in the province of Rhode +Island. Here too, our appearance created much +excitement but fortunately provoked no arrest. +Our visit here, like all our visits, was a season of +great refreshing for our souls, and it is my belief +that we helped and strengthened our brethren as +they did help and strengthen us.</p> + +<p>Upon our return from Rhode Island to New +London we were entertained by our good brother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +Ebenezer Bolles, one of the town's wealthiest merchants. +At that time he lived a single life, being +a blessed virtuous man. We tried to persuade him +to remain in this most perfect and holy state, but +shortly after we left he married. Many years +afterward we heard at Ephrata with great sorrow +that he had passed away; that a few days before +his death, being then in good health, he had been +cutting some vines of the poison variety, whereby +he was poisoned, and his body swelled to a great +degree. He would not allow a physician to be +near him; nor would he receive the most simple +medicines. Just before he expired, when in great +pain, he seemed desirous of some help, but the +Brethren and Sisters would not allow it, lest he +deny the faith.</p> + +<p>I confess I was exceedingly displeased with myself +that on our visit to our Rogerine brethren I +had not spoken more strongly against their pernicious +doctrine of the utter reliance on their so-called +scriptural healing, for I doubt not the physicians +could have saved Brother Bolles, even though +ivy poison yields not easily to herbs or salts.</p> + +<p>When we made known to our Rogerine friends +our determination to depart for Ephrata, they insisted +on paying our passage to the city of New +York, and when the day at last arrived in which +we were to leave this "fruitful garden of God," as +it is referred to in our records, our departure was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +made a gala day in their little seaport, into which +we had made so unpropitious an entrance. A large +concourse of persons, irrespective of denominations, +including many souls converted by us during +our stay, accompanied us to the wharf, and after +pressing upon us numerous gifts—so that we returned +home richer than when we left—wished us +a loving God-speed.</p> + +<p>As our vessel passed out into the sound, even +though we were returning to our beloved Kloster, +we could not wholly subdue our sadness at parting +with these dear friends, who so long as we were +in sight wafted their blessings to us. I think +none of us even spake a word so long as we could +discern our friends; but favorable winds soon +swept us from their view, and then as we turned +to each other again each of us, even Sonnlein, expressed +his sorrow in a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>With the exception that Brother Onesimus, who +was but a poor waterman, was seasick again all +the voyage, nothing worthy of note occurred until +we set foot in the chiefest city of the province of +New York, where our monastic garb again attracted +much attention and suspicion, so that we +were arrested as Jesuits from New Spain; and +again a kind gentleman, a justice, knowing our +circumstances, interceded so effectually we were +promptly released, whereupon we shook the dust +of that city from off our feet and immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +started on our long journey for Ephrata, by way +of Philadelphia, and it was not long when we were +at New Brunswick again, whence we journeyed by +foot to Trenton, where we crossed the Delaware +and soon were in our own Philadelphia, among +dear friends. Here we stopped for a few days +with our Brother William Young, to rest before +continuing our journey to Ephrata, which still lay +ninety miles to the west, only that Sonnlein, with +his ceaseless activity and insatiate boyish inquisitiveness, +gave himself no rest whatever, but must +be continually about this great city, especially at +the wharves, where the incoming vessels, with their +cargoes from all lands under the sun, were to him +a perpetual wonder.</p> + +<p>Our rest in this great, noisy, worldly city being +at an end, for which I was not sorry, though our +brother did all he could for our comfort and entertainment, +we set out over the king's highway for +Lancaster, whence we intended to reach Ephrata +by way of the Reading road, for the season being +now late we could not risk the less traveled ways, +for even the best highways were now in a difficult +condition. Sonnlein, however, being by this +time such a veteran pilgrim, seemed not to mind +what to our prior, and Brother Jephune particularly, +was a most tiresome journey, our worthy +sky-gazing brother floundering into every muddy +bog in our way.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<p>When we reached Lancaster we were, with all +our endurance, so worn out we were necessitated +to make another brief stop, but as soon as our +bodies would obey our wills in any wise cheerfully, +we started again for Ephrata, arriving weary and +footsore within sight of Mount Sinai just as the +sun was setting behind the hills. Falling on our +knees we offered up to our Father our heartfelt +thanks for our safe return, for indeed it was much +to be thankful for that after our long wanderings +we all had been brought back as safe and well, +albeit a trifle weary and worn, as when we had +started on our pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>A little farther on we made a short stop with +one of the house-fathers, as the brethren of our +secular congregation were called, intending to time +ourselves to arrive at Zion for the midnight devotions, +once more to be enraptured by the strains +of celestial music from the lips of our beloved +brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>Our good house-father and his family were +minded to make a great ado about our gaunt and +haggard features, as though we had passed through +great tribulations little less than martyrdom, all +of which sympathy, though we liked not to confess +it, was sweeter to our ears than even the voices +of our choiring Brothers and Sisters, only I could +not see how Sonnlein merited any great compassion, +for the rogue, though he fared like the rest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +of us, looked as ruddy and healthy as any of our +good house-father's chubby, rosy children who +swarmed about us inquiringly, not fearing us in +the least, which thing pleased us greatly, for we +did not like to be dreaded by the little ones.</p> + +<p>When we thought it time to leave for the midnight +services, our brother's little ones being long +before with all their unquenched curiosity packed +to bed, we started, as usual, in single file for the +Kloster, Sonnlein lagging a few steps behind me.</p> + +<p>We had almost reached the Kloster confines +when, while our way was yet under the dark +shadows of the overhanging trees that shut out +the stars, I heard a scuffling noise behind me, and +turning quickly saw Sonnlein in the grasp of some +dark shape that was striving against all his squirming +and fighting to drag him into the thick woods. +Without a thought I hurled my pilgrim staff, with +all my strength, lance-like into the bushes 'gainst +the beast or being hanging over my boy, and then +for a moment closed my eyes with an awful fear +my staff might crush him; but it had hardly left +my hand when a piercing cry of agony cleft the +air, and then, retreating from us, came fainter and +fainter a moaning and snarling as when some +desperate beast receives a mortal wound.</p> + +<p>We found Sonnlein lying limp and almost lifeless +by the way, and as we gathered about him +and one of us struck a light from our tinder box,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +I saw my boy's throat was scratched and torn and +bleeding, but happily not profusely.</p> + +<p>"'Twas such a devil's cry we heard when +we saw the comet, dost remember?" whispered +Brother Jephune hoarsely, for the matter had +startled us greatly.</p> + +<p>"What wast, Sonnlein?" I asked him now that +he had come somewhat to his senses and was on +his feet, for beyond the choking and fright he +seemed not much hurt.</p> + +<p>"'Twas some beast with great claws caught me +by the throat so I could not cry for help," he +replied all in a quiver.</p> + +<p>"Well, it hath gone now; no doubt my staff +struck it right fairly. Get on my back while I +carry thee; we must make haste else shall we be +late," said I, first marking the spot with my eyes +where I had hurled my staff.</p> + +<p>Great was the surprise of our dear brothers +when we filed silently into the <i>Saal</i>, Sonnlein +having come down from my back, for we arrived +wholly unannounced. After the loving greetings +were exchanged over and over, our superintendent +ordered a general love feast in Peniel for the following +Sabbath to celebrate our safe return and +to listen to our report, we having kept an exact +diary of our pilgrimage. A full account of the +whole journey was written from this diary and the +doings of each of us, except Sonnlein, which he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +minded not in the least, being too young for such +older weakness. This account was then handed +over to our superintendent and became the property +of the Brotherhood.</p> + +<p>After the events of this pilgrimage were over, +we each resumed his usual work and devotions as +calmly as though we had not been so long away, +only that the day after we arrived I easily found +the bushes into which I had with such unchristian +violence hurled my staff. I found my traveling +comrade lying full length in the depths of the +wayside thicket. The iron point was reddish like +as if with blood, but I could find no ghastly trail +of blood leading away from the staff, but after +close examination of the soft earth I did find what +I believed were the prints of a woman's shoes, for +I knew they were not those made by Sonnlein.</p> + +<p>Could it be that our old enemy, the witch, had +done this thing? Who or what was this baleful +influence that hung over our sacred Kloster like +some foul miasma? Did this being merely embody +the evil that must ever be present in all +earthly things? Whence came it? No matter +how I turned it over and over in my mind I could +not solve the mystery. So far, though our paths +had frequently come close to the other, they had +not yet crossed in direct conflict, and yet I felt, +and even longed, that some day I should come face +to face with the sphinx and either she or I be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +destroyed. There had never seemed any disposition +to seek direct injury to me, and yet of all +our Brotherhood I apparently was chosen to witness +most of her hellish manifestations. Why? +I could not tell, for surely I knew not I had ever +wittingly injured any one.</p> + +<p>So weighted down was I by my unexplainable +dread that for many a day I had little inclination +for work or study or prayer. I could see too, that +Sonnlein, though he and the rest knew naught but +a wild beast had flown at him, was greatly impressed +when I warned him he must not wander +into the woods until he was older and abler to +take care of himself against the beasts, which +warning, it eased my mind much to observe, he +heeded as well as a strong, healthy boy can heed +anything.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>SONNLEIN COMETH TO MAN'S ESTATE</h3> + +<blockquote><p>For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, a +woman shall compass a man.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Bible.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-m"><span class="dropcap">M</span></span>any were the changes +that came over our little +community while +my boy was growing +into a man!</p> + +<p>It was not long after +the Solitary had united +themselves at Ephrata +that the Eckerlings conceived +various enterprises +whereby our cells should be filled with +what to so many weak mortals is as precious as +honey to the bees, namely, money.</p> + +<p>In our early life our chief labor was the tilling +of the soil, for which we had by reason of our +scanty means and our own peculiar views the most +primitive methods, so that we not only dragged +the plow but even drew our carts, and oft when +we traveled we resembled a caravan of camels, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +heavily laden were we. I can still see when the +plowing came to be done the whole Brotherhood +trooping around the hill of Zion. Under the +Eckerlings, however, we consented to the use of +beasts of burden for our heavy work; but in +reparation of what many of us considered an unjust +use of these animals we treated them with +exceeding kindness.</p> + +<p>Our first industry under the Eckerlings was the +building of a bakehouse, which we used not only +for our own modest requirements but even in the +interests of the poor settlers, no charge being +made whatever for the bread or the baking.</p> + +<p>Another movement looking toward our enrichment +was the planting of a large orchard of over +a thousand apple trees, as well as a row of fruit +trees entirely surrounding the Kloster grounds. +The Eckerlings also proposed to set out a vineyard +on the hillside; but this met with such determined +opposition the project was abandoned, +for we feared it might lead to winebibbing among +us, and this we could not have, as we permitted +the use of fermented liquors only when actually +necessary as physic.</p> + +<p>Then came a small grist mill, the first to be put +up in this region, which we purchased shortly after +the death of Brother Agonius. The mill we entirely +rebuilt in stone, increasing its capacity to +three run, and day after day for a number of years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> +the splash, splash of the water wheel and the rumbling +murmur of the mill stones were sweet music +in the ears of the Eckerlings and their followers.</p> + +<p>Soon after came a sawmill; and then what was, +perhaps, more important to us, the paper mill, +whereby we made not only all the paper for the +printing of our various hymns and books and +pamphlets, but also furnished much of the paper +that was used at this period throughout the province, +our Brother Christopher Sauer making frequent +demands on us.</p> + +<p>Within a few years an oil mill was put up, the +stones of which were unlike any others in America. +This oil, like our paper, was not only used in our +printing, but was sent far and wide for the making +of printer's ink. There were looms for weaving +linen and cloth, and a mill where the homespun +made in the community and by the neighbors was +fulled and prepared for use; and as there was no +end to the money-making projects of the Eckerlings, +a tannery was erected, where both tanning +and tawing were carried on, in the meadow a +short distance west of where we later built the +Brother House.</p> + +<p>Then of necessity, as one evil deed ever requires +its fellow, followed a mill for grinding the +oak and hemlock bark. This leather, by such as +were hostile to us, was called in derision "Jesuit +leather," but the nickname did not in the least<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +injure the quality of the leather or impair the +demand for it, for—and I say it not boastfully—this +leather, like our paper and cloth and flour and +other products, was all of good, honest quality, +and sought far and wide for its excellence.</p> + +<p>The Brothers and Sisters thought more of how +well they could do that which they were called +upon to do than how much they were to receive +for it. Thus they ennobled their work and gave +dignity to their humble labors, all of which honesty +of work and affection for it was expressed +in the quality of the products; nothing slipshod, +nothing half-finished in haste was permitted; +nothing could go forth from our hands unless +it was as sound and wholesome and perfect as +our means and skill could make it—and surely +there is nothing more honorable in man than to +serve his Maker and his children by faithful, honest, +affectionate toil.</p> + +<p>To meet the demands of our various industries +horses and wagons were procured, so that three +teams were almost constantly kept upon the road. +Agencies were established in Philadelphia and elsewhere +for the purchase and sale of our different +products, and material, and my records show that +among such agents were well-to-do citizens of +Philadelphia, as Johannus Wüster and Christopher +Marshall, the former being the same gentleman +who in later years honored us by plucking from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +our little garden one of the most beautiful of the +Roses of Saron, our dear Sister Anastasia.</p> + +<p>But as we had a printing press we must needs +have a book bindery, and in a short time we had +the largest and best-equipped bindery in the colonies, +and I must say in justice to the Eckerlings, +that however I disagreed with them in many of +their various enterprises, I always felt we owed +them much for establishing the printing press and +the bindery, for man without books is as a plant +without light.</p> + +<p>Even the Sisters were not forgotten, for in addition +to the domestic duties that ever so fitly fall to +the lot of woman, they were constantly engaged +in spinning, besides assisting in the lighter work +of the fields. Many of the Sisters acquired great +skill in embroidery and in calligraphy; and hundreds +of our hymns, composed by our superintendent, +the Sisters, and the Brethren, were written in +the beautiful style of the Sisterhood, so that even +now after the lapse of almost half a century since +our sisters—many of them now resting in their +narrow graves along the roadside—placed their +love and devotion for their Master in their humble +tasks. We greatly prize our hymn books—the +notes and letters and graceful decorations coming +from our sisters' hands shining forth still in all +the clearness and purity of their first writing.</p> + +<p>In this wise matters went on until our Eckerlings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +almost proved our undoing, for it gradually became +noised about that we were nothing more than merchants, +tradespeople using our kloster life as a +cloak to give us the appearance of honest, devout +people, caring naught for gain; and there was +much truth in what our printer at Germantown +published, that in a short time the ringing and +clinking, tinkling, clanking, and dangling at Zion, +Ephrata, Kedar, Peniel, and Saron would equal +Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Babylon.</p> + +<p>The only remedy for this show and excessive +love of money lay in the removal of the Eckerlings. +This all the rest of the Solitary who loved +a simple life knew must come sooner or later, and +yet they dreaded the coming. Wherefore they +groaned heavily in spirit under the bondage of the +Eckerlings for seven long years. Then, and I +have not space to relate how all this came about, +were the Eckerlings dethroned, and their lording +it over us brought to a certain end.</p> + +<p>On a bright day in August the Solitary Brethren +arranged in a circle about a heap of burning brush +fed by most willing hands, we consigned to the +glowing embers all the books and writings of +Onesimus, among them being his polemic against +the Moravians; and three days later the Sisterhood +of Saron repeated a similar ceremony, upon +which occasion two of his German broadsides and +a pillar against the Moravians as well as his hymns +were consumed by the fire. And to make sure +naught of contamination remained with us, on the +sixth day the brethren of the Secular Congregation +gathered all the writings and mementos of +Onesimus and committed them also to the flames.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus-5.png" width="600" height="441" alt="Illustration." title="" /> + +<span class="caption">"We consigned to the glowing embers<br /> +all the books and writings of Onesimus."<br /> + +Page 198.</span> +</div> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></div> + +<p>Not many weeks later the prior and his brother, +Jephune, with Timotheus and several other followers, +fled about four hundred miles toward the setting +of the sun, until beyond all Christian government +they reached a stream which runs toward the Mississippi, +New River by name, where they were +joined soon after by the rest of the Eckerlings.</p> + +<p>With their exit an immediate change took place. +The mills were immediately closed, and word sent +abroad that all our agreements were cancelled—only +we would fulfill our standing orders—but that +hereafter no grain or seed or logs or rags would +be purchased by us, excepting such as would be +absolutely necessary for our own use. Our horses +and wagons and oxen were sold, and the different +helpers who were not of our belief discharged, for +we were determined that, as we had come here to +serve God and not Mammon, God we would serve. +But in spite of our resolution such was the excellence +of the flour and the wheat and the oil, and +the quality of the paper and cardboard we had +made, that for many years demands were made +upon us repeatedly; but I rejoice to say no effort +was made in all the long after years again to reinstate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +these things for anything except our own +uses, and when two years later three of our mills +were lost by fire, which certain malicious ones attributed +to our superintendent, and which could +not be extinguished either by our wooden fire +charms or our incantations, not one of us greatly +regretted the event, so far as the loss of the mills +themselves were concerned, only that we felt the +loss of the large stores of wheat and other grain. +Thus as Brother Lamech hath well said, "Did +the fire, with God's permission, make an end to +all the mammon which the Eckerlings, by their +flaying, scraping, miserly conduct had gathered in +the former household."</p> + +<p>And now I feel I must turn again to my Sonnlein, +who by this time was a sturdy boy of about +thirteen, and that it may be known from his actions, +instead of my great love for him what manner +of boy he was, I shall tell of his first fight, +that is, the first one I knew of; and this I can say +of him, even though he was not a perfect example +of the doctrine of non-resistance, he cared naught +for fighting, but suffered in silence many a taunt +and vile insult that made the blood rush to his +cheeks; for not only did the neighbors' children—learning +this from their idle-tongued parents—call +him a "nobody's child"—for as he grew +older he soon found there were ever ready ones to +poison his happiness by telling him of his unknown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +parentage—but the elders themselves oft nicknamed +him "Brother Jabez' chicken," for that +he was always under my wing.</p> + +<p>But one hot day in summer—and I take an unholy +pleasure in writing this—Sonnlein and a lot +of other boys and girls, were paddling bare-legged +in the cool waters of the Cocalico, nigh the turnpike +ford, filling the air with their thoughtless +shrieks and laughter, so that the quiet-loving +Brothers and Sisters were sorely tried in patience. +Suddenly the harmless shrieks and laughter rose +into a tremendous uproar, and so unusual was this +tumult to mine ears I started hurriedly for the ford, +fearing some awful calamity had befallen the children. +As I came nigh I saw a lot of boys of all +ages and sizes—so I wondered where they all came +from—gathered in a struggling, yelling mass in +the meadow along the creek, a fringe of frightened, +white-faced little girls in the background—each +boy, large and small, with might and main +pressing forward toward the center of the howling +little maniacs as if something of great moment +were proceeding there. And indeed there was, for +I was almost on them before they saw me or +heard me call out sternly, "What meaneth all this +noise?" When they did hear me and see my form +hanging over them like some great thunder cloud +they fled quickly, only that some from a distance +in derision of my tonsure cried out at me, "<i>Alter</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +<i>Blatkopf</i>" (old baldhead), so that like Elisha I +wished the bears to eat them up.</p> + +<p>All but two had fled, and they were rolling +about in the grass, now one on top and then the +other, then to their feet, striking, clawing, and +scratching like nothing so much as two angry +cats; but suddenly the smaller but more active +one, who seemed to me strangely like Sonnlein, +delivered a marvelously directed blow full upon +the upturned nose of the other, bringing forth a +goodly stream of rich, red blood, whereupon the +bleeding one put across the meadows, his hand to +his face, bawling at the top of his lungs, the victorious +gladiator following a short distance and +crying after the vanquished, "Dost want some +more of 'Brother Jabez' chicken'?" and then +horrors upon horrors, I saw through all the mud +and dirt and disordered hair, and the fierce, distorted +features, 'twas my boy Sonnlein!</p> + +<p>He saw me about the same time, and then the +angry face fell into one of shame as I called +to him, "Come hither!" He came obediently +enough, saying nothing; but the wild passion of +conflict could not die out at once, and as he stood +there, digging his toes into the earth and casting +sullen, rebellious glances at me, such as I had +never received from him, and sorely they wounded +me, he blurted out, "He began 't."</p> + +<p>"Have I not often told thee," I demanded, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +much in sorrow as in anger, "thou must not +fight? Would couldst see thyself now to know +how much like the beasts we become when we +stoop to fight and tear each other asunder."</p> + +<p>Still he said, but less defiantly, "He began 't, +I tell thee."</p> + +<p>"Art thou not sorry for breaking his nose?" +I asked.</p> + +<p>"Nay, he began 't; I had to fight. He hath +been calling me names and trying to stir up a +quarrel. Now he hath what he looked for."</p> + +<p>"Couldst thou not have left him? Thou hast +legs to carry thee," I reminded him.</p> + +<p>But he only replied more firmly, "I'm glad I +beat him, and that right well. He will trouble +me no more."</p> + +<p>And then as I took him by the hand and we +were about to go to our cells I noticed within a +few steps one of the little girls who had formed +part of the frightened group in the background. +She seemed about my boy's age, perhaps a trifle +younger, with such deep blue eyes and long yellow +hair, I thought of our Sister Bernice, only that +our poor sister was never so rosy-cheeked and +strong looking as this pretty little maid standing +timidly nigh, and finally bursting into a plaintive +appeal, "Don't whip him, Brother Jabez, it was +Johann's own fault." Johann I suppose being the +name of the still fleeing one.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And why should I not punish Sonnlein for +fighting, my little sister?" I asked gently.</p> + +<p>"Because," she replied falteringly, and I could +see her face was red as fire.</p> + +<p>"'Because' may be reason sufficient for little +girls, but not for big men," I replied still gently.</p> + +<p>"Johann called him names," she rejoined.</p> + +<p>"But surely hard names break no bones. If we +fought whenever we heard ill of ourselves we +should have little time for else than fighting. Now +tell me truly why did they fight?"</p> + +<p>And then I felt Sonnlein tugging at my hand and +looking up at me more shamefaced than ever as he +cried out, "Let us go, <i>Vaterchen</i>, I told thee why we +fought," all the while frowning at our little sister +as though warning her not to say anything.</p> + +<p>I am not overly inquisitive, but now I was resolved +to know all, so I said to her sternly, "My +little sister, tell me the truth," and then more tenderly +I said, "thou knowest Brother Jabez would +not hurt thee or Sonnlein—not overmuch." Upon +which great assurance she spake up as bravely as +she could between the sobs that would not keep +back, "Johann said I must be his wife when I was +grown up, and Sonnlein said I was to be his wife, +and—and—I—I—said so too."</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?" I asked between stern surprise +and tenderness as she wiped the tears from +her eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, then we will keep house together," she +replied innocently.</p> + +<p>"I meant not what ye were going to do. I +meant what did Johann do after thou didst promise +thyself to Sonnlein?"</p> + +<p>"Why Johann called Sonnlein bad names and +struck me in the face and Sonnlein hit him." And +then she said with such proud defiance I was +greatly shocked, "Sonnlein licked him."</p> + +<p>"And so ye two are to be man and wife when +ye are grown up? What is thy name?" I asked +turning to the little shrew.</p> + +<p>"Mary."</p> + +<p>"Well," and I spake out strongly, "let me not +hear of this again, else will I tell thy parents, +Mary; and as for thee, Sonnlein, if I hear aught of +this man and wife wickedness again thou shalt +have opportunity to celebrate thy first whipping." +Thus did I threaten in my unwisdom these poor, +innocent children.</p> + +<p>"Ye do promise ye will never again speak to +each other such nonsense?"</p> + +<p>Whereat they both promised so willingly they +would not that I greatly doubted the promise +would stand any great strain.</p> + +<p>As Sonnlein and I turned back again to the +Kloster, leaving Mary to find her way home without +the protection of her young knight, he looked +up at me innocently and asked as sweetly as though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +he had never known such fierce feeling as fighting, +"Wast never in love, <i>Vaterchen</i>?"</p> + +<p>I was about to reply with unwonted crossness, +"What is't to thee," but just then I caught a +glimpse of the mound, not more than a stone's +throw to our right, beneath which lay our Bernice, +so I merely remained quiet and answered not at +all, only I could not help thinking that even Ecclesiastes +sayeth there is a time for love and a time +for war, and though Sonnlein was rather young for +me to predict what his manhood would be, it will +be seen that my fond hopes were none of the +brightest for making him a gentle, peaceful celibate.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>WHEN HEARTS ARE YOUNG</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Come, Corinna, let me kiss thee!<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Come, my dearest, to me here!<br /></span> +<span class="i8">I would know why joy should miss thee,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">I would have thine answer clear.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Smiling sweetly said she, "No,"<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Then demurely yielded so.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">—<i>Francis Daniel Pastorius (of Germantown).</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-h"><span class="dropcap">H</span></span>ow the years slipped by! +Twenty years ago my +Sonnlein had come to +me a little toddler. Now +he was a tall youth—even +taller than I—strong +and straight as +the pine under which I +found him; full of healthful +animal spirits that +sometimes in their exuberance +give me vague fears as to what his active, +enthusiastic nature might lead him to. Thus far +he had done naught to shake my confidence in him. +He was a constant solace to me. Brother Obed, +with unwearying patience for Sonnlein's lively<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +ways, was exceedingly proud of his acquirements, +for between Brother Obed and me Sonnlein had +not only learned to speak our mother tongue like +one of us, but even in Latin and Greek he was +no indifferent scholar. We had also taught him +the arts of rhetoric and logic and mathematics, and +had versed him in literature and history, poetry +and music.</p> + +<p>But above all mathematics, history, language, +and literature, Brother Obed and I had taught +Sonnlein what we knew and what we could teach +him to find out for himself about this world of +ours, this delightful book of nature our Creator +gave us to read and search with no less diligence +than his written word, and so the moon and the +stars by night, the sun by day, the ever-recurring +seasons, calm and tempest, the sparkling streams, +waving trees, the sweet and lovely flowers, the +creatures that fill God's earth, man, bird, and beast—all +these were taught so that our boy understood +them as so many manifestations of his power and +beauty and love and tenderness for us who were +created in his image. And that our boy might have +the best of all guides for the interpretation of this +visible life and the unseen world beyond the gates +of death, we taught him gently but persistently +God's holy word, for in our simple view of life it +seemed a great shame that one should know all +about the kings and princes of this fleeting earth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> +but know naught of the Prince of princes and the +King of kings. Thus our boy, we fondly trusted, +was prepared to fill any place in this world according +to his gifts, happily for himself and others.</p> + +<p>But I dare not pretend that he was a youthful +saint, for frequently to my poorly concealed amusement +and the evident chagrin of our superintendent, +Sonnlein often put the former to utter rout in +the discussion of some of his finespun interpretations +of holy writ. Indeed, I fear there was no +love lost between our estimable leader and my boy, +for Sonnlein had that inexorable logic, that sure +keenness of mind that pierces a sophistry as a +skillful archer wings his arrow to the center of the +mark. At times Sonnlein's apparent want of reverence, +his seeming irreligion, his lack of deference +for Brother Beissel's peculiar views, threatened to +disrupt the brotherly relations that ever existed +between our superintendent and me, his associate; +for with all his sternness, his austerity, his unbending +will and ambition, I recognized that our leader +was no ordinary man, and while not a scholar he +was a man of great and many talents—all in all, +just the one to hold together our little community.</p> + +<p>The trouble was that while Sonnlein had much +of the sweet reasonableness and charity that comes +from the study and contemplation of the humanities, +he added to his poetic, philosophical temperament +the energy and will that mark the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +of action. An ardent, impetuous, positive nature +like his was bound to clash with one like the +superintendent's, and more than once it called +forth all my wits to prevent actual rupture between +the two, which would have scandalized us sorely. +Thus it was that while I frequently reproached +Sonnlein for his irreverence for Brother Beissel, +I just as often placated the latter by pleading Sonnlein's +youth and inexperience.</p> + +<p>I recall especially one occasion when our leader +had delivered a long discourse on one of his pet +theories, that in heaven we should have the same +occupations we had followed here. Sonnlein's +brief comment, so it was brought to mine ears, +was he pitied grave-diggers and the like if that +was all the reward they were to receive. In our +Kloster there were tattlers and talebearers, just as in +more worldly places, and our leader hearing of the +thing, which I knew Sonnlein had said more in jest +than in disrespect, came to me in high dudgeon and +demanded Sonnlein make open apology before all +the Brotherhood. This I knew full well Sonnlein +would not do and I besought our worthy leader +to overlook the matter and forgive him. I shall +never forget how he almost yelled at me, his small +frame quivering with righteous indignation beneath +my towering stature. "Forgive him! So +sayest thou ever. I verily believe thou couldst +forgive the devil!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In truth, dear brother, I oft have done so," I +replied, smiling quietly and looking down into his +angry eyes meaningly.</p> + +<p>He straightened up and, as he walked savagely +away, delivered this parting shot: "No doubt; +thou hast had abundant opportunity in thy precious +Sonnlein!"</p> + +<p>It was my turn to flush now, but happily I controlled +myself and said nothing, consoling myself +with the reflection that our superintendent's witty +retort would go far to appease his indignation and +that by the morrow he would greet me with his +accustomed affection and good-will, for in order to +make others love us it is only necessary to make +them love themselves, and many a rascal by this +knowledge hath overcome many a wise man.</p> + +<p>That night I spake to Sonnlein kindly but +firmly, reminding him how poorly it accorded with +his manhood's estate to indulge in such levity; +that even if he could not always agree with the +hair-splitting speculations of our worthy superintendent, +it were surely wiser to hold one's tongue +lest that unruly member poison all our peace.</p> + +<p>"But," replied he gently, as was ever his way +toward me, "<i>Vaterchen</i>, Brother Beissel hath +something about him that everything he says and +does irritates me. It passeth my understanding +why he alone of all our Brothers and Sisters so +affects me. I sometimes fear I hate him and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +he returns the same feeling, yet I know not that +he hath ever harmed me. I promise thee to curb +this tongue of mine. Good night, <i>Vaterchen</i>; +<i>schlafen Sie wohl</i>," and so saying he went meekly +to his <i>Kammer</i>, from whence I could soon tell by +his deep, regular breathing what I had said was +not greatly disturbing his sleep.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon of the following day, being +now in the wane of what we have since learned to +call the "Indian summer," I was wandering, somewhat +aimlessly I confess, along the borders of the +Sisters' close, when suddenly, on lifting mine eyes +from the earth, I perceived one of the Sisterhood +directly in my pathway, but a short distance ahead, +sitting quietly on a projecting root, which, springing +from the base of a towering chestnut tree, +formed a comfortable seat.</p> + +<p>She had not observed me, I felt sure, and thinking +not to disturb her meditations, for I doubted +not she was rapt in contemplation of the heavenly +Bridegroom, I stepped quietly aside into the cover +of a near-by thicket. I hardly had done so when, +not far beyond the Sister, a rich, deep voice rang +out in an old German hunting song:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Out into the woods three hunters went,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the white deer's chase their wishes bent."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>From my hiding-place I saw the form at the foot +of the tree sit more erect in listening posture, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +as the face was uplifted, the fair features of Sister +Genoveva met my gaze, such a pensive wistfulness +and tenderness informing every feature of the +lovely face turned unwittingly toward me, I somehow +thought of my Bernice, who so soon was called +to her celestial Bridegroom.</p> + +<p>Again the fine, strong voice rang out, still +nearer:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Down under the fir-trees' shade they lay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The same strange dream came to each that day.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"THE FIRST.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'I dreamt I beat on a sheltering bush,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From out its fold sprang the deer, husch, husch!'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>And now I caught occasional glimpses of the +gray fox-skin hunter's cap Sonnlein wore when on +the chase, for I had recognized his voice full well. +Some one else too seemed to know, for I could not +help seeing, e'en though I never have known much +of the signs and symptoms of love, that Sister +Genoveva's pensiveness had given way to a gentle +smile that brought an added charm to the wonderful +loveliness of the most beautiful woman I +have ever seen.</p> + +<p>Still nearer came the trumpet tones:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"THE SECOND.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'And as he sprang from the hound's hoarse laugh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I branded him deep on the hide, piff, paff!'"<br /></span> +</div></div> +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></div> + +<p>Where had the scamp learned to sing with such +faithfulness to the sense? I heard plainly the +"hound's hoarse laugh," the "piff, paff!" And +again I wondered where he had learned to sing so +true. Surely not from our leader; no Æolian +harp about these manly, resounding notes:</p> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"THE THIRD.<br /></span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'And as on the earth him slain I saw,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lustily into the horn I blew, trara!'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>That "trara," like the blast of a hunting horn, +transported me to my boyhood days in the <i>Vaterland</i>, +where often I had heard the huntsmen call to +each other in the thick forests and mountain glens.</p> + +<p>And then mockingly came the stanza:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"So there they lay and bragged these three—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And there, ran by them the white deer—free!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Surely the light-hearted boy, for boy he always +has been to me, was meant for a minnesinger.</p> + +<p>And now he was so nigh only a thin wall of +brush separated him, all unconscious, from Sister +Genoveva and me, as she sat in the little clearing +at the foot of the tree. Her eyes were now sparkling +with merriment; delicate dimples of mirthfulness +played hide and seek over chin and cheeks, +despite the dignified efforts to maintain a sober +mien as became one of the holy Sisterhood. Surely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> +she was thinking of the surprise in store for him +when he should burst the bushy barriers—and see +her. It seemed to me she might have left the +spot, for certain it was there was no lack of opportunity. +Once, in faith, I was about to call to her +sternly, but I could not, for verily I believe we +both were held by the witchery of his song.</p> + +<p>Then came the last verse, still strong and clear, +with its vein of mockery:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But hardly was he within their sight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He was gone again over deep and height<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Husch, husch! piff, paff! trara!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The echoes of his stentorian tones had hardly +died away when he was on us. Rather, I should +say, he was in the presence of Sister Genoveva, +for I was safely ensconced in the thicket, resolved +now to see the meeting to its conclusion. And +what a picture they made in that leaf-strewn clearing, +all red and brown and gold with the jewels of +the dying year, the chestnut stretching its arms +out over the two forms as if in a blessing!</p> + +<p>Not all the studied plainness and cloistral severity +of the black dress could suppress the womanly +grace and beauty of the full, rounded form of Sister +Genoveva; nor could the hideous hood, which had +fallen on her shoulders, have hidden from view +those sweet features, so delicately strong and full +of noble calmness and serenity—and yet no cold,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +marble, nun-like face, for the full red lips, the +rosy flush of the rounded cheeks, the dimpled chin, +and the warmth of those luminous, deep blue eyes +betokened an affectionate and loving heart; and +now that I saw her with such opportunity to scan +her without myself being seen, I could understand +the reports that had come to me of the wonderful +influence she already exerted over the Sisterhood +by reason of her clear vision, her piety, her strong +will, her even temper, and above all that largeness of +heart that made her sought even more than <i>Mutter</i> +Maria in the troubles and fears and temptations +that even our simple, secluded life could not wholly +shut out from our little world.</p> + +<p>But if she was the perfect Eve in this little paradise +under the spreading chestnut, Sonnlein was no +unworthy Adam. I knew not which of the two most +satisfied my carnal eye with their fresh, young, +healthful beauty. From beneath his gray cap his +thick black hair hung in heavy, wavy masses about +his neck and shoulders. His ruddy, sunburned face +glowed with the spirit and animation of his song. +At first, when he burst upon her, he started back in +surprise, and then he called to her in gentle gayety, +as he dropped on one knee, cap in hand, bowing +gracefully (so that I wondered where he had caught +those courtier-like airs which not at all pleased my +plain ways), "Thou queen of the Roses of Saron, +art thou holding court in thy temple of beauty?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then, for I could have sworn when he burst +upon us she had been thinking of him in maidenly +tenderness, she looked up indifferently, even coldly, +and rebuked him, "Shame on thee to disturb these +sacred grounds with thy worldly, boisterous song, +thou noisy reveler. Thou idle, mighty Nimrod, +where are the fruits of thy chase? Perchance" (and +I saw a sly twinkle in her eyes that his abashed +face did not observe) "thou didst dream too long +under the fir tree and the white deer escaped thee? +Gay garments torn from innocent beasts to add to +vain adornment do not make one a great hunter."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Sister Genoveva," he replied more earnestly, +"no white deer ran through my dreams; no +fir trees' shade soothed mine eyes to sleep. Wide +awake was I, and yet I dreamed of a fair, sweet +rose that I, even though it had thorns to prick me, +would wear next my heart."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, thou poet, thou speakest as though +inspired with love. Surely it is time thou dost +take the vow of loyalty to the celestial Virgin +and join the consecrated Brotherhood; why delayest +thou so long? In her love thou wilt find +no thorns."</p> + +<p>"But, dear sister, I want the rose with the +thorns" (how delicately he emphasized the "with"). +"Canst thou not see whom I mean, or dost thou +not care to know?"</p> + +<p>And then I saw the delicious mockery leave her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +face and voice as she said to him in solemn tones, +"Nay, my brother Sonnlein, I dare not know; for +thy sake as well as mine I must not know. Thou +art possessed by some idle fancy the Evil One hath +put into thee. Thou must not disrespect me by +making my woman's heart struggle 'gainst my +vows of celibacy."</p> + +<p>He lifted his head and looking into her eyes that +met his so fearlessly, his passionate heart burst +forth into a very torrent of love, so I wondered she +could withstand him. "I do love thee, sister," +murmured tumultuously the low, warm voice, +"with all my heart and mind and body and soul. +I do not hold thee lightly in my respect or I had +spoken of this long ago; but my respect for thee, +for <i>Vaterchen</i>, for our Holy Order forbade; but +I can no longer withhold myself." And then +masterfully he stood erect and in strong, earnest +tones declared, "I for one am not ashamed of +human love. I should rather be ashamed of myself +did I not love such as thou art to me." And +then, the eloquent diplomat, "Brother Beissel, +whom the Roses of Saron worship as little less +than God himself, hath he not declared, is it not +the very foundation of your vows of celibacy that +man was first a spirit containing both the elements +of man and woman; that this spiritual virgin, the +<i>Sophia</i>, left him? Then was woman formed from +a rib of his side, whereby man lost his woman's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +attributes and retained merely man's? Thou must +not smile and shake thy head, my sister. Thou +art, I care not if the wide world know it, my +<i>Sophia</i>, my angel, my celestial virgin, that left me +in my creating. Canst marvel and deem me mad +or blasphemous because I long to come to mine +own other self again, to have thee, mine own sweet +rib, evermore at my side, beneath my heart, caressing +it and content to hear it murmur its undying +love for thee—my sister, <i>mein Liebchen</i>—tell me, +dost thou not love me?"</p> + +<p>How like one inspired he pleaded! Surely she +would yield, for I saw the steady light in her eyes +falter, and for a moment she clasped her hands +meekly before her, like a humble captive before +some proud conqueror, but just for a moment—strange +is the heart of woman—and then I was +most inconsistently displeased to see her lift her +gaze all unabashed to his as she said lightly, +"What an orator thou art; now know I what we +oft have marveled at, how thou wheedlest our good +Brother Jabez into so much forgiveness for thy +indifference to our holy life."</p> + +<p>"So our good brother is wheedled," thought I, +indignantly at first, and then smiling in a superior +manner at the impossibility of such a thing as my +being wheedled.</p> + +<p>But my boy was not one of those who could +easily be laughed away from his purpose, for I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> +taught him—in season and out—never to let sarcasm +or ridicule have the slightest effect on him +when he had once chosen his ground and knew he +was right. If he did feel Genoveva's gentle mockery +he showed it not, but instead did what I never +could have had the courage to do, unless upon +modest invitation, and that was to step resolutely +forward and take Sister Genoveva by the hands +and hold her thus against her feeble striving to +free herself while he said to her boldly, "Thou +dost love me or else wouldst not tease me so!"</p> + +<p>"Hast forgotten our promise to good Brother +Jabez when thou didst fight Johann, that we would +never again talk to each other of love?"</p> + +<p>"That promise hath no life; we were but children, +and secondly, 'twas drawn from us by fear. +Such promises <i>Vaterchen</i>, who knoweth the law, +himself sayeth are not binding."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thou lawyer," thought I to myself; "thou'rt +far too worldly-wise for a minnesinger."</p> + +<p>"Thou dost love me," he again said strongly.</p> + +<p>"Thou tyrant to hold me against my will. +Loose thy hold or else I shall not doubt I dislike +thee," she declared right vehemently, though it +seemed to me she might have struggled more earnestly +to loosen his grasp.</p> + +<p>But like a true-hearted man he obeyed her request, +dropping her hands and saying softly, "Thou +dost not hate me, then, thou cold-hearted nun?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nay, naught of reason have I to hate thee, +Sonnlein"—and how sweetly she said his name—"but +dost not know, thou mighty hunter, woman +expects little less than perfection in him she would +love," and then she said maliciously, so I could +not fathom her, "surely thou dost not think +thyself perfect?"</p> + +<p>"As to thy last," he rejoined, "I shall make +answer, I am human. I leave it to woman to be +perfect"—the flatterer. "As to thy first I doubt +not thy sex ever looks for perfection in our imperfect +sex, and it strikes me this accounts more +for our Sisterhood than does their love for their +heavenly Bridegroom, whom they see not until +after death."</p> + +<p>"Thou irreverent scoundrel," thought I.</p> + +<p>"And yet," continued he, "when I think of +him for whom our Sister Eunice lately left the +Roses of Saron, it seemeth as though some of +thy sex at least look not for perfection."</p> + +<p>"Still I say our foolish hearts yearn for the +ideal, but when we love the attainable we forgive +everything, and this is woman's weakness."</p> + +<p>"Nay, sister, 'tis her most glorious strength +that she, an angel, can stoop down and make him +see heaven in her."</p> + +<p>"That I had the gift to speak with such a golden +tongue," thought I, and then fortunately for us +all—for I liked not my spying, and yet I could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +leave unnoticed—Sonnlein chanced to see Brother +Alburtus approach. Suddenly that scamp of +mine kissed her full on her sweet lips. How she +blushed and said not a word, as he held her close +to him for a moment whispering passionately, +"Thou must love me as I love thee, forever!" +and then as they both saw Brother Alburtus perilously +nigh, she quietly sat down again at her +former place, most demurely, while Sonnlein passed +on toward his <i>Kammer</i>.</p> + +<p>As Brother Alburtus came upon her he stopped +for a moment, hand rubbing hand as usual, looked +at her in grave absorption and passed on as +though she were not there.</p> + +<p>And then I could have sworn I saw peering at +her, and next at the departing form of Brother +Alburtus, the loathsome features of that awful +woman whom I had not seen for over ten years, +from the shelter of a tangled clump of vines and +brush, which I solemnly promised myself should +be cut down on the morrow, root and branch.</p> + +<p>Stealthily I crept out of my hiding-place and +proceeded to where it seemed I had seen the witch, +but as I came near I saw naught, and yet as I +walked slowly away there came faintly to mine ears +as though receding from me, that horrible, cackling +laugh I had reason to hold in so much dread.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>SISTER GENOVEVA IS GONE</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">O thou whose glory fills the etherial throne,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And all ye deathless powers, protect my son!<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i28">—<i>Iliad.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>wilight was fast deepening +into night when I +returned to my <i>Kammer</i> +in the large Brother +House, or Bethania, +which we built a few +years after the departure +of the Eckerlings, down +in the meadow, nigh the +Cocalico, and facing the +Sister House, or Saron, Brother Beissel's cabin +sitting circumspectly between the two houses of +our Order.</p> + +<p>Here, as in Zion, Sonnlein and I had adjoining +cells. I was not greatly surprised as I entered +mine, to hear him whistle softly a worldly tune, +though where he had caught it I knew not—surely +not from me—for our sober lives never favored +such godless puckerings and twistings of the lips!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he hummed the blasphemous thing for a +while, changing into whistling again, and in his +humming and whistlings making such vain and +perverse changes, flying from high to low, from +loud to soft, mingling with it all such sundry quiverings +and queer little runs and trillings, until not +able to stand it longer—for it seemed he would +never stop—I marched sternly to the doorway of +his cell, flung back the light door and spake to +him, "Art crazy or in love?"</p> + +<p>"Both, <i>Vaterchen</i>, both!" he fairly shouted, +as he grabbed me ere I knew what was up, and +spun me around so I could hardly keep my feet.</p> + +<p>"Surely thou'rt mad," I gasped feebly as I +sank down on his bench, "Hast been drinking?"—though +I knew he had not.</p> + +<p>"Yea," he shouted again even louder than before, +"from the loving cup of the gods!"</p> + +<p>"Be not so boisterous, thou blasphemer! +Wouldst have the Brethren think thee drunk?"</p> + +<p>"The Brethren are not about; I am not so wild +I know not how to save thy gentle reputation, +<i>Vaterchen</i>"—and in truth in his adventures he +ever regarded me.</p> + +<p>"Still it poorly becometh thee to act like a +thoughtless boy," I remonstrated.</p> + +<p>"Surely, <i>Vaterchen</i>," he laughed gayly, "if +thou didst but know what it is to be in love thou +couldst not scold me so!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Every man to his trade," I replied dryly, not +trusting myself to look at him; "my trade is +preaching and trying to behave myself. Thine +appears to be loving," saying the latter as sarcastically +as my dislike for sharp words and my love +for him would allow.</p> + +<p>But he only laughed the louder as he said, +"'Tis a trade that never had to advertise for apprentices."</p> + +<p>"Cease thy levity; canst not be sober-minded? +If thou must make music we have hundreds of +noble hymns in our books."</p> + +<p>"They are not framed to my mood, but"—and +now in truth he looked more serious and manlike, +as I most admired him—"dost thou agree with +our superintendent that marriage is a sinful state?"</p> + +<p>"Dost ask for mere curiosity, or hast found +some foolish woman who careth for thee?" I +asked with seeming ignorance.</p> + +<p>He flushed at this, and then said gently, the +schemer, "Nay, but sometime I might see one +foolish enough, as thou sayest, to love me and perchance +I might commit in all ignorance the grievous +sin of marriage."</p> + +<p>"I commend thy great thoughtfulness," said I, +looking at him in a way that made him in turn +look at me as though wondering whether I knew +more than I cared to tell. "To relieve thy anxiety +I shall tell thee, which I would not have proclaimed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +from the housetops, there being those +who hold to stricter views, I do not regard marriage +as sinful. The word of God sayeth not so. +In truth it esteemeth marriage highly. We base +our views of celibacy on what Paulus sayeth, thou +rememberest, 'For I would that all men were even +as I myself,' meaning unmarried."</p> + +<p>"But Paulus himself wrote that he spake this +by permission and not of commandment."</p> + +<p>"True, and so say I, now that I am older and +wiser. We practise celibacy, and praise it because +we believe that, as good soldiers of the Lord, we +can go better to battle than if we are impeded by +wives and children."</p> + +<p>A long pause and then anxiously, as though +much depended on my reply, he asked with a +touch of reverence in his voice, "Wouldst think +it wrong for any of our Sisters to marry?"</p> + +<p>"Our vows are binding only on our consciences. +We compel no one to celibacy. Each follows his +own will. Thou knowest many of the Brethren +and Sisters who were married when they joined +our order left us again to live together and no +one said them 'nay,' but our single Sisters and +Brethren have almost invariably remained with us."</p> + +<p>"If I were to marry one of the Sisterhood, +wouldst thou condemn either of us?" he asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"When thou'rt sure thou hast found one to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +break her vows for thee it were time to ask me +that," I admonished him; and then, as I arose to +return to my cell, I said smiling, not meaning it +with malice, "thou knowest much may happen +between sunrise and sunset."</p> + +<p>Hardly had I said this—and oft it hath come to +me how like it was to the fulfilling of a prophecy—when +the Kloster bell rang out from Mt. Sinai +strong and clear as though calling us to face some +sudden danger. Alarm was writ plainly on our +faces as we looked out of the little window, fearing +to see the glare of fire against the sky, but +we saw nothing. Soon the hall and corridors were +filled with the anxious brethren, for it was still a +few hours from midnight, and each of us knew +something of great moment must be about to cause +this hurried ringing so early in the night.</p> + +<p>As Sonnlein and I hastened out of the corridor +and the low doorway for Brother Beissel's cabin, +the rest of the anxious brothers trooping after us, +we saw our prioress and a number of the Sisters +gathered about our leader in front of his cabin, +the changing light from the fat lamps showing +clearly enough the fear and consternation oppressing +us.</p> + +<p>As our leader saw me, he called me to him and +said, his voice trembling in spite of him: "Our +Sister Genoveva cannot be found; no one hath +seen her since sunset."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>I could feel Sonnlein's grip on my arm like the +hold of a drowning man, but he said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I myself saw her then in the Sisters' close, +sitting at the foot of a large chestnut tree," said I +slowly, for I could not help thinking of that evil +face I now felt certain I had really seen peering +at our sister from behind the thicket.</p> + +<p>"She may have gone to some of the neighbors +to attend some sick one," suggested Brother Beissel, +but saying it as against his own belief.</p> + +<p>"But first she would have left word with us," +the prioress reminded him, "for such is our rule."</p> + +<p>"Still, there may have been sudden illness that +left no time for word to us," persisted our leader.</p> + +<p>So far, no one had said a word as to the great +fear that I knew was clutching the hearts of my +Brothers and Sisters, which was that the Indians +had either killed or carried away our Genoveva; +for over a year had gone by since the French and +Indians had taken up musket and tomahawk +against the English settlements, and though we +had thus far been spared the horrors of this savage +war, yet we heard now and then of awful massacres +of the whites by the Indians not many miles to +the north and west, among the outlying settlements +off our province, so that the whole country, +by reason of these barbarous deeds and the want +of proper defense, was in a great state of excitement +and apprehension.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<p>Calling Brother Alburtus to me, I asked him +slowly and distinctly, for he seemed oft not to +understand one: "Thou wast in the Brother woods +and the Sister woods at sunset. Didst see signs +of Indians, the red men?"</p> + +<p>But he only shook his head with his accustomed +vacant air, so that Brother Beissel exclaimed impatiently: +"'Tis waste of time to question him; he +never seeth aught."</p> + +<p>"Brother Beissel, if thou wilt send of the brethren +among the neighbors to inquire of our sister, +Sonnlein and I will go to the Sister woods," and +with this I turned about for Sonnlein, but he was +gone as though he too had been swallowed up, for +I had felt him but a moment before at my elbow. +My flesh was beginning to creep and prick with +unmanly fright when one of the brethren spake:</p> + +<p>"He hath just gone with a fagot to Mt. Sinai," +and as I looked where my brother pointed, I saw +the occasional glimmer of a light through the trees +and bushes.</p> + +<p>Without waiting for a light, though the night +was dark and overcast with heavy clouds, threatening +rain, I dashed after my boy as fast as the +gloom and my knowledge of our Kloster ground +would let me.</p> + +<p>When I reached him he was already at the +chestnut tree, kneeling, torch in hand, closely +searching the ground. As I came nigh I saw his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> +face was hard and drawn, and though I could see +his hands tremble, his voice was firm as a rock as +he commanded me, as he never spoke to me before, +to stand back a moment.</p> + +<p>All around the base of the tree he looked, missing, +as I thought, not a leaf or twig or stone, I +wondering now at the patience of him who never +since I had known him had been overly patient.</p> + +<p>Then slowly he got up from the ground, still +holding his torch close to the earth, and started +off, now stopping as in doubt, then holding aside +a branch or vine in his way, I all the while following +as meekly as a little boy his parent, but rejoicing +now that Sonnlein's living in the woods so +much had taught him what I knew so little of. +On we slowly and surely went, he often stooping +down and scrutinizing the earth as though he had +lost his guiding marks, but always finding them +again, until we had gone down over the hill and +were aiming toward the Cocalico where it wound its +course fully a half-mile below the Brother House.</p> + +<p>A great fear again chilled me to the bones. +Our sister had thrown herself into the cold waters +of the creek rather than weakly surrender herself +to love for man! But when I had seen her last +she seemed not over-weighted with grief or remorse. +Nay, not self-murder!</p> + +<p>And now as we were following the right bank +of the Cocalico and were treading the wet, soft<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +earth, I could see plainly now and then what a +child could have seen—through the weeds and +grasses, footprints of three people, one of whom +I felt sure was our sister, for some of the prints +were small and delicate, such as would be made by +the wooden soles of her sandals. Other of the +prints from their size were those of a grown man, +but whether white or Indian I had not sufficient +woodcraft to tell. The other marks were too +small for a man's and yet not Genoveva's, being +differently shaped.</p> + +<p>We had not gone far along the Cocalico, when +suddenly the grassy bank spread out into a stony, +gravelly beach, where the deep pool we had been +following dwindled away to a shallow, rippling +stream. On this hard beach I at once lost the +footprints, but Sonnlein never hesitating led the +way, still silent and grim, to the water's edge, and +there again I plainly saw the foot-marks in the +soft mud among the stones.</p> + +<p>He paused but a moment as he looked at the +marks, and then plunged into the stream without +waiting to see whether or how I might follow. +My selfish indignation at his indifference to me +lasted but the space of a lightning's flash, for I +immediately thought of the great trouble that had +come to my boy, and without any ado I plunged +into the icy waters that, despite its shallowness, +caught me knee-deep at times, and with such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> +savage eagerness as I feared more than once would +sweep my feet off the slippery bed of the stream +and no doubt drown me, for in my neglect of +earthly things I had never learned to swim.</p> + +<p>But with all my floundering and splashing I did +at last reach the farther side, where I found Sonnlein +following the shore looking closely for the +footprints, of which I could see none. But suddenly +we found them again quite a distance below +where we had emerged from the Cocalico, and I +realized now that the captors had practised the old +trick of walking in the water some distance to +destroy all pursuit.</p> + +<p>But now Sonnlein's fagot was almost burnt out +and the rain was beginning to fall, lightly as yet, +though I knew it would soon be drenching us to +the skin, and by washing away the footprints +make it impossible to follow any further.</p> + +<p>I tried to call Sonnlein's mind to the utter folly +of hoping to accomplish aught in the darkness +and the rain, but his only reply was to make a +fresh torch from the dead branches of an old tree +overhanging the creek. Lighting the sticks from +his fast expiring fagot, he suddenly turned to me, +as if for the first time since we had left the chestnut +tree he were aware of me, and said shortly, +"Stay thou here till I come back," and with that +he plunged into the heavy brush, mine eyes following +anxiously as far as I could the light of his torch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was not long until, with all the straining of my +sight, I no more could see aught of his light, and +then heavy-hearted—as I had not been for many +a year—and wet and shivering from the cold rain +that was beating down faster and faster, I crouched +up close to the dry side of the old dead tree, and +patiently awaited in all the misery of my body +and mind the return of my boy.</p> + +<p>Not that I feared he could not take care of himself, +for I knew he had the strength of a lion and +the quickness of a cat, but I knew his determined, +persistent nature, and that he would go to the +ends of the earth, if needs be, for her he loved.</p> + +<p>How long I waited under the old tree I remember +not. Through all the rushing of the rain and +the sweeping of the winds, I heard faintly the +Kloster bells, and I knew it must be midnight. I +could see in mind the Brothers and Sisters file out +of Bethania and Saron for our little chapel for the +accustomed devotions, and I found much comfort +because I felt sure earnest, loving prayers were +ascending to Him to watch over our sister and +my boy and me, and bring us back safe and whole +to the fold.</p> + +<p>But mortal flesh is ever weak, and as I stood +and waited with the storm howling about me, +wondering where our sister was in all this wind +and rain, wondering where my boy was and when +he would come back to me, I lost heart and faith.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +Besides the wind and the rain and the murmuring +of the creek, everything was absolutely silent. I +seemed utterly alone in the world. I thought to +myself, Who or what am I in all this great universe? +What careth God for me? While in this weak +mood an owl hooted overhead, and though I had +never before found the hooting of owls aught but +sad and mournful, this one sounded to me almost +as sweet as our own dear bells. And then I +thought of what our Master had said about a sparrow's +fall—and I doubt not he also regardeth +owls—so that I felt better again.</p> + +<p>And great need I had of comfort, for hour after +hour I waited for my boy. I was drenched to +the skin and so cold I shook like a leaf. More +than once as I had made up my mind to wait no +longer I started to leave, but then crouched closer +to the tree again, ashamed of myself for wanting +to leave my post. Still as the long, awful night +grew toward morning and the faint light of a +gloomy dawn came on, I thought to wait longer +were of no avail, and so in great anguish of mind, +heeding not the lesser pains of the flesh, I made +my way back, heavy-eyed and still more heavy-hearted +to my cell, drying myself as best I might, +and then throwing myself on my hard bench to +seek in sleep some peace for body and mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>BROTHER ALBURTUS</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">When death immortal stays the mortal pulse.<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i26">—<i>Lucretius.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-w"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>hen I write here that I +slept until after the seventh +hour—which was +midday with us—I fear +it may be thought I +missed not much our +sister and my Sonnlein, +but I like not to be misjudged, +for though I +slept so long and even +soundly, it was because +of a healthy body and for the still better reason +that it was the rule and habit of Brother and Sister, +so far as we could school our weak, rebellious +flesh, never to fret or worry or complain about +anything, whether, as blind mortals regard things, +it were good or ill.</p> + +<p>But when I did get up stiff and sore, my first +thought was of Sonnlein, hoping he had returned +by now, but as I opened the door into his <i>Kammer</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> +my hope sank within me as I missed not only his +presence but everything else that would indicate +he had returned during my sleep.</p> + +<p>Inquiry among the Brethren confirmed my fears. +He had not returned. No one had seen him since +the night before nor had they learned anything of +Genoveva among the neighbors. I reported first +to our superintendent what Sonnlein and I had +found and how he had gone on against my will, +but I said nothing about my dread of the witch, +for while I was sure she had something to do with +our sister's disappearance, yet the footprints had +shown some other than the witch among the captors.</p> + +<p>Our leader at once called a meeting of the Brothers +and the nearest house-fathers and set before +them the substance of my report. It was soon +agreed, as I had expected, that the red men had +stolen our sister. But what was to be done was +not so easy to decide. Even if the rain had not +washed away the footprints none of us were sufficiently +skilled to trace the savages. To make +matters worse, this war with the French again +aroused all the distrust our monastic mode of life +so often inflicted on us. The old accusation was +revived that we were Jesuits, through whom the +French and Indians were continually receiving +secret information that enabled them to perpetrate +massacre after massacre with impunity. Indeed, +so important in this respect did our enemies make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +us and so bitter was the feeling against our little +community that finally the governor of the province +was actually prevailed upon to appoint a commission +to inquire into these charges that rankled +in our breasts in spite of all our humility and +fortitude.</p> + +<p>We could endure much in the way of false accusation, +but we loved in our quiet, peaceful way our +chosen home in this new world, and while, with +our view of war, we refused to bear arms against +the French and Indians, we were always zealous +to do all we could for our province, and this we +proved fully when in after years the colonies fought +for independence we gave up freely of our property, +never asking to be repaid therefor, to the +cause of our beloved Washington—ever our friend—and +not only our property and our services, but +many a Brother and Sister cheerfully and lovingly +gave up his or her life in nursing the hundreds of +soldiers that lay dying of fevers in the halls and +cells of our Kloster. It is for the sake of these +dear martyr Brothers and Sisters I write this, which +to others may seem idle boasting, but which is the +glorious truth, as the records will show to him that +careth to read.</p> + +<p>The governor's commission came in due time +and with great pomp and ceremony to our humble +little camp, but as we hid nothing from them and +answered freely and fearlessly the questions as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> +our mode of life, these gentlemen soon left, satisfied +that we were not Jesuits nor spies—traitors, +but were what we claimed to be, quiet, peaceful +monks and nuns, serving faithfully according to +our peculiar ideas the same God and the same +country as those who were so unnecessarily alarmed +about us.</p> + +<p>But all the distrust and suspicion and hatred in +the minds of those who would not have it other +than that we were spies did not keep us from writing +out hundreds of notices of the capture of our +sister. These we spread as far and wide as the +state of affairs would let us, and, as day after day +passed without bringing to me my Sonnlein or any +word of him, I also sent out notices of his departure.</p> + +<p>In our great trouble it came to me that our justice, +Brother Weiser, might help us, for not only +was he ranger, taking care of all stray horses and +cattle, but as Indian interpreter for the government +in this cruel war he saw much of what was +going on and of necessity met a great many people. +Acting upon this thought, I sent him a letter +setting forth in full about our sister and my boy, +knowing our stern but great-hearted brother would +make our loss his and leave nothing undone to +restore to us our own.</p> + +<p>But over a month went by without a word or +sign of our lost ones and to most of us they were +now as dead; but though my mind and heart were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +oft assailed with a great dread that I should never +again see my boy in this world, yet through all the +dark clouds that hung over me there would now +and then fall on me the bright sunshine of hope.</p> + +<p>Another month went by. It was midwinter, +and though I knew Sonnlein, like me, never made +any great worry about the weather, no matter how +severe, I could not help wondering where, if he +were still alive, he had place to lay his head in all +this broad earth.</p> + +<p>While in this mood I received a long letter from +Brother Weiser. He had as interpreter taken +part in many negotiations with the Indian chiefs +in various parts of the province. At every opportunity +and wherever he had been he had sought +information about Genoveva and Sonnlein. It +grieved our brother much that he had been able +to learn nothing anywhere. There had come to +him strange tales from some of the Indians he had +met about a tall, strong white man who was wandering +from village to village and tribe to tribe +seeking for his white squaw. The Indians had a +name for him which meant one who wandered +about searching without ceasing. There had also +come equally strange stories to our brother of a +young white hunter who was fighting among the +hills and valleys of the Blue Mountains to the +north and west beyond the block-house forts with +untiring and savage ferocity against the French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +Indians, by whom the young hunter was known as +"The Firebrand," some of the Indians regarding +him as mad for that he rested not night or day, as +it seemed to them; that the savages believed he +bare a charmed life and that all the red men feared +him exceedingly. More than this our good brother +could not tell us, but somehow it left no doubt in +my mind that this young wanderer, this fiery hunter, +must be none other than Sonnlein, roaming the +wilds so far away in the undying hope that somewhere +he would find our beloved Genoveva.</p> + +<p>In this uncertain, harassing state stood the welfare +of my Sonnlein and our sister, when one day +thinking even more than usual about him, I found +myself wandering along the banks of the now icebound +Cocalico. Ere I knew how far I had wandered +thus aimlessly I had arrived at the place +where Sonnlein and I had crossed the creek on +that awful night. I could see through all the ice +and snow where the pool narrowed at the stony +beach and on the opposite side some distance down +the creek stood the old, dead tree from whose +gaunt and gnarled limbs the owl had hooted to me +to be of good cheer.</p> + +<p>I crossed the snow-covered ice and slid and +walked along the bank until I came to the old +tree, where I paused for a moment to consider the +direction Sonnlein had taken when he left me that +night. And now, like him, I plunged into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +undergrowth that overran the lowlands in this little +valley of the Cocalico. Often I slipped and stumbled +over some log or stone or brake through the +snow into a hole or gulley, so that I marvel now I +did not break my legs. The branches and the +vines caught me about the arms and feet and more +than once stung me across the face, but it seemed +I had only a great overpowering desire to press +forward in the direction I knew Sonnlein had gone.</p> + +<p>In this wise I stumbled on in the snow for some +distance without seeing any sign of any human +being. As I stopped for a moment, nearly exhausted +with my wild enterprise, to catch my +breath, I gave a great start as I saw but a few paces +ahead of me tracks in the snow, and which, as I +hurried on, I saw to be the footprints of some grown +person. The tracks were running directly across +my path, and whereas I had been pursuing my mad +course to the southwest, the footprints of this unknown +person were pointing toward the southeast.</p> + +<p>I had not the slightest idea that they were +Sonnlein's and yet I know not why I suddenly determined +to follow them. It may be that all unconsciously +something told me they were the footprints +of our Brother Alburtus who but a few days +before had disappeared again from the community +so that at the time in my own trouble I had paid +little heed to his absence.</p> + +<p>As I went on, the tracks, showing clearly in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> +deep snow, left the lowlands for the hills, winding +in and out among rocks and trees and bushes all +the time going higher and higher into the mountains; +and now and then I would see a little trampled +space as if the unknown one had paused for +a moment to rest, or, perhaps, to look down over +the beautiful, snow-covered valley.</p> + +<p>In this wise I went on and on until finally I was +way up in the mountains that range themselves to +the south of our Kloster grounds and, indeed, occasionally +through the openings in the trees I +could see Mount Sinai and the towers and roofs +of our little monastery.</p> + +<p>I believe I had gone but a short distance beyond +my last view over the valley when suddenly I +turned about sharply to my right whence I thought +I heard a low moan. My next thought was that +my fancy had played some trick on me, but as I +stood in complete silence looking about in every +direction I heard again this same sound as of one +in pain, and as I pushed forward I noticed that the +footprints turned toward the direction of the sound +and I saw a large rock in front of me, the snow on +it displaced and disturbed here and there as if +some one had mounted it. I was about to scale +the slippery height when again I heard the moaning +sound so near I thought it must almost be at my +feet and yet I could see nothing; but a moment +later as I broke through a thicket I started back +horrified to see at one side of this great rock the +cloaked form of our Brother Alburtus prostrate in +the snow.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus-6.png" width="600" height="397" alt="Illustration." title="" /> + +<span class="caption">"Again I spake to him. 'Dost not<br /> +know me, Brother Alburtus?'"<br /> + +Page 243.</span> +</div> + +<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></div> + +<p>Then as I rushed to him and lifted his head on +my arm I saw the blood rushing freely from a long +cut directly across his brow so that I might have +thought the scar he so long carried had been +opened by the force of some fall. I could see too, +he had not been hurt long, for the blood flowed too +freely for that. With the pity and horror in my +heart was also a strong feeling of guilt that we had +so carelessly let our brother leave us without following +and protecting him in his aimless wanderings.</p> + +<p>When first I lifted up his head I saw that he +was unconscious, but I wiped away the blood as +best I could and bound the ugly wound with pieces +from my cloak, and then rubbed his face with snow. +After a long while he opened his eyes and looked +at me wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"'Tis thy Brother Jabez," I said gently; but he +only looked at me with meaningless gaze, his hands +lying so still and helpless it would have rejoiced +me to see him rub them together as of old.</p> + +<p>Again I spake to him, "Dost not know me, +Brother Alburtus?" But still he seemed not +to regard my words, and leaving him for a brief +space, fearing his lying in the snow would be his +death even if the wound would not, I brake from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +the trees and bushes about me armful after armful +of twigs and branches making a bed of them on +the southern side of the rock where he would be +sheltered from the cold winds and we could catch +the warmth of the sun shining down through the +trees. Then I dragged him tenderly upon his +rough bed making him as comfortable as I could, +rubbing his hands to warm them and then putting +them within his cloak so they might not freeze, +during all of which he seemed not to pay the +slightest attention to me.</p> + +<p>After a long wait he tried to lift his head, and I +said to him, "Art feeling better, Brother Alburtus?" +whereat he looked at me in great wonderment +and said weakly, "Dost not know me, +Thomas? Where am I? What is wrong with +my head?"</p> + +<p>"He mistaketh me for our Brother Thomas," +thought I, and so I said smiling to him, "Nay, 'tis +Brother Jabez; thou hast wandered from our +Kloster and hast fallen from this high rock, +Brother Alburtus."</p> + +<p>But he only glared at me as he replied in such +weak anger that my heart smote me, "Why dost +thou torment me so, Thomas? Thou knowest I +am David Seymour, thy own brother!"</p> + +<p>"What meaneth he?" thought I to myself; +"surely his hurt hath taken his mind from him so +he knoweth not he is Brother Alburtus." Thinking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +it best to humor him I spake gently, "Yes, 'tis +thy brother; what aileth thee?" To which he answered +feebly, "The tree hath fallen on my head; +take me to the cabin to 'Lisbeth and the baby."</p> + +<p>"Surely," thought I, "we know not what we +say when the mind is wrong," but still thinking it +better to humor him I merely said, "Yea, as soon +as help cometh we shall carry thee to them," +whereat he smiled gratefully and lay back more +contentedly.</p> + +<p>But though I sat and shivered by the side of +our brother for hour after hour, sheltering him +from the cold with my cloak, I could see as the +afternoon wore on, and his sighing and groaning +grew fainter and weaker, that his days were numbered, +and so with the sun's setting behind the +hills to the other side of the valley, there was +opened for our brother's coming, not the door of +his humble cabin but instead the ever-shining gates +of those mansions beyond the skies He hath prepared +for his well-beloved children.</p> + +<p>But now that the spirit of our brother had left +its earthly prison house, I stood for a few moments +and prayed earnestly that his soul might see clearly +that which on earth had been shown darkly as +through a glass, to our bewildered brother.</p> + +<p>Then it came to me like a great shock, what +was to be done with his body? At first, it seemed +to me I could not let it lie in these cold, dreary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +mountains. And yet I could not unaided bear +him to the Kloster. Neither was I certain I could +find my way back on the morrow with the Brethren, +for these hills were utterly strange to me. And +yet, for such was my faith, though it may seem +harsh to some, why could he not rest here as well +as anywhere else? The imperishable, immortal +soul had gone to its Maker; that which remained +was merely the earthly shell that would mix with +the elements, no matter where buried.</p> + +<p>Much against my will I finally persuaded myself +I must leave him in this wild, lonely spot. But I +could not leave him exposed to the winds and the +rain and the beasts of the woods, and yet I had +nothing to dig up the hard frozen ground to make +him a grave. And then just as I was about to +give up in despair thinking I could do no better +than cover him with brush, I saw a short distance +farther up the mountain two long rocks, meeting +at one end, but spread out at the other like a sharp +angle, the opening toward me. Like a flash it came +to me I could enrich these rough rocks by using +them as a resting-place for Brother Alburtus.</p> + +<p>I hastened up the hill and swept and scraped +the snow out from between the rocks, making a +bed of twigs on the hard earth. But it was no +light task getting the great form of our brother up +that steep slope, and more than once it seemed I +must give up. But at last I did get him lying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +snugly between the two huge stones. Then I +made a roof over him by laying heavy branches +across the rocks, on top of the branches placing +such heavy stones as I could loosen from the hard +ground. In this manner I also closed up the end +of my brother's death <i>Kammer</i>, and to help me find +the spot, should I have call to revisit it, I rolled a +large stone at the upper end of the little vault, and +after a last prayer for the soul of our sainted +brother, I left, sad at heart, but rejoicing I had +been able to do these last honors for our dead.</p> + +<p>It was dark when I started down the mountains +and so rough and slippery was the way I had many +a fall ere I reached the foot; but the longest and +most toilsome way hath nevertheless an end, and +though the night was well on when I reached my +cell, I arrived none the less, safe and sound, only +that our brethren were greatly alarmed at my absence, +fearing I too had been captured by the +Indians.</p> + +<p>At the midnight meeting I recounted to my +brethren the doings of the day, the death of Brother +Alburtus, but not saying anything of his last words, +requesting rather consideration as to what should +be done with his body. As the greater part of us +thought nothing could be done while the way was +so rough and slippery with rocks and snow, we +decided to let our brother rest for the time at least +in his strange grave; but we held special services<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +in his memory and in his cell we hung, as was our +custom, a tablet, on which were inscribed in beautiful +letters by the Sisterhood the words:</p> + +<p>"Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death +of his saints."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>SONNLEIN TAKETH THE ORDEAL</h3> + +<blockquote><p>There are more things in heaven and earth than are +dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio.</p> + +<p class="citation">—<i>Shakespeare.</i></p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-o"><span class="dropcap">O</span></span>ver a month had passed +away since the death of +our Brother Alburtus +and his lonely burial far +up in the mountain. My +brethren, though at first +of a mind to bring him to +our little graveyard in +the meadow, at last reluctantly +came to my +way of thinking that he +should be left to rest undisturbed where I had +laid him.</p> + +<p>Often as the days came and went I wondered +what Sonnlein would say when he returned, to +find his dear Brother Alburtus gone. Oftener +still in those dreary days I would ponder and puzzle +over the dying words of our brother. I could +understand how by the great shock of his fall he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +did not know me, for I had seen more than once +what a misty veil cometh over the sight of the +dying so that they know not at all even their most +beloved ones. But what I could not solve was +why he called himself by a name I had never +heard before. Was David Seymour his own, right +name or the name of some friend of earlier days, +and did our brother in his last moments imagine +himself that other one? And 'Lisbeth and the +baby, were these wife and child, or merely long-buried +memories of acquaintances revived in the +very shadow of death? With all my pondering and +puzzling I could not solve the matter, and gradually +it left me, though never wholly cast aside.</p> + +<p>Indeed, with the wandering away of our Brother +Alburtus and his dying up in those lonely mountains, +and the loss of our Genoveva and my boy, +my cup of woe was well-nigh running over. The +winter was now on the wane, almost three months +having elapsed since Sister Genoveva and Sonnlein +had gone, and still we knew no more than +when they left us; for though our justice kept me +and our little Kloster in most affectionate remembrance, +I receiving many letters from him in all +his great work and responsibility, yet he had nothing +to tell us other than not to lose faith and courage; +and for this we loved him, even though he +gave us no knowledge of our lost ones.</p> + +<p>But surely it is cowardly and ungrateful in man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +or woman to complain because the infinite Father +doth not always explain to our narrow, little minds +why and wherefore he doeth this or that, for I +have ever found that if one will but possess his +soul in patience and cease repining and keep on +doing his work all will come out right in the end.</p> + +<p>So on a beautiful moonlight night, after I had +retired to my <i>Kammer</i>, shortly after the midnight +services and had fallen into my usual sound sleep, +I felt, or at first dreamt I felt, a shaking of my +arm; but as I was about to turn over in my drowsy +state, I received another shake of the arm, this +time so decided I no longer doubted I was awake. +As I sat up more frightened than I care to tell, I +saw bending over me a form—surely it could not +be! but then as I heard my boy call me, "<i>Vaterchen</i>," +with such sadness and despair and weariness +in his voice as I thought would make my +heart burst with very pity for him, I clasped him +in my arms and kissed him and wept over him as +some mother over a long-lost child. Such a simpleton +was I, as all will agree, and yet I doubt not +I should do the same thing over again were there +similar occasion for it.</p> + +<p>I know not to this day whether or not my boy +wept, but his voice was soft and gentle as a +woman's as he said to me, "I could not wait till +morning."</p> + +<p>"If thou hadst let me sleep till morning and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +not know of thy coming I would never have forgiven +thee," I assured him joyfully, holding him +by the arms. And then I turned toward the door +of my <i>Kammer</i>, and was opening it when he said, +"Where art going? Surely thou'rt not tired of +me so soon?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, to tell our leader and the Brothers and +Sisters of thy return. It were selfish to keep all +this great joy to myself," and again I turned toward +the door, first lighting my fat lamp; but then as +the flame grew up I saw my boy was so faint and +weak he would have fallen to the floor had I not +caught him to me and helped him to my bench, making +him as easy as our hard life would allow.</p> + +<p>And surely I was well repaid for what I had +suffered in all these months; for as I lay down on +the floor of my cell—not finding it to my liking to +let him go to his own—he whispered tenderly before +he dropped off to sleep, "Thou'rt the same +old <i>Vaterchen</i>;" and this praise, with my poor +weakness for kind words, I held snug and warm +in my heart for many a year.</p> + +<p>Thus we both slept long into the morning, only +for once in my life I slept not so soundly; for I +could hear that Sonnlein was tossing and murmuring +in his sleep, contrary to his former habit, for +like me he had always been good at sleeping.</p> + +<p>With the bright light of the morning I saw +plainly now what his voice and bearing had told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +me but faintly in the night; for as he lay asleep, +stirring often uneasily I could see that he was but +a mere skeleton, his face gaunt and haggard, with +great hollows under the deep set eyes, and the +beard he had let grow was tangled and unkempt. +A sudden fear clutched my heart that he had come +home but to die.</p> + +<p>But truly the healing powers God hath placed +in these bodies of ours are wonderful things to set +us straight if they be given a chance to work in +peace and quiet; for though I must spread the +joyful news of Sonnlein's return to our leader and +all the Brethren, not forgetting the Sisters, who +were of a mind to make a great hero of my boy, +and though the Brethren passed my cell more +quietly than ever often during the day, not one +with all the desire to give him greeting would disturb +his rest; for he slept on until evening, not +even waking ere then to take the lamb's broth our +prioress had prepared for him.</p> + +<p>But early in the night he sat up, and said, +"Such a sleep have I not had for many a day."</p> + +<p>"Art not hungry?" I asked anxiously, "shall I +not warm this lamb's broth Mutter Maria hath +made for thee?"</p> + +<p>"Blessings on our good Mutter Maria!" he +cried out with some return of his old, fun-loving +spirit, "but if thou lovest me," he said, as he +gulped down greedily the broth—and I dislike<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +hasty feeding—"bring me the lamb itself, for I +am hungry as a wolf."</p> + +<p>And, indeed, when I did coax our good prioress +to give me such a load of things as she declared was +not safe to give him, it did seem to me as though I +had food enough for ten men; but he merely +smiled when I cautioned him against eating all +this stuff, and in less time than I can tell it he had +actually eaten up everything so clean not a crumb +was left, so that I had not been surprised had he +lifted the dishes to his face and licked them off, as +he had often done in his childhood.</p> + +<p>Thus for a few days I made him take abundance +of rest and sleep, and between the Sisters +and me he suffered not for food, but I refrained +from asking anything of his absence, thinking it +better to wait until he were more himself again.</p> + +<p>But one evening, as we were sitting in my <i>Kammer</i>, +about a week after his return, neither of us +saying a word for a long while—for with all his +lively nature he was never so garrulous as I—not +being able to curb my curiosity longer, I finally +asked him, "What hast thou learned of our Sister +Genoveva?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," he replied sadly, "though I have +sought everywhere for her."</p> + +<p>"Hast been among the Indians?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, and more than one of the French devils +hath gone to his long home," he replied savagely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hast been among the Conestogas?" these +being a peaceful Indian tribe living in a little +town or village not many miles beyond Lancaster, +toward the Susquehanna.</p> + +<p>"I went there straight on leaving thee, for that +way pointed the footprints."</p> + +<p>"Could the Conestogas tell thee nothing?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, could not or would not—I know not +which—though a half-witted one whispered to me +when he thought none could hear, that he knew +where the white sister was; but on pressing him +for fuller knowledge he merely pointed back toward +the northeast, whence I had come, saying, 'Up, +high, with old woman,' but I paid no great heed +to him, for he was not right in his head."</p> + +<p>"That night what didst thou make of the footprints?"</p> + +<p>"One was Genoveva's, that was plain to be +seen; the largest, an Indian warrior's; the third, +a squaw's or young Indian lad's, I have never +made up my mind which," and then he said nothing +more for a long while, but at last he looked at me +suddenly, saying as though much puzzled, "Would +that I knew what the half-witted one meant; it hath +been with me day and night lately, so that I had +no other will in me than to come back, for it is in +my mind that Genoveva, if she be still alive, is +not far away." After a bit he looked up at me as +though he were ashamed to ask, "Dost believe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +<i>Vaterchen</i>, that if she be nigh her spirit hath called +me back?"</p> + +<p>To which I could only say, "I know not, though +there be among us who claim they have had such +communication, both with the living and the dead."</p> + +<p>And then in all the simpleness of a boy he +asked, "Dost think our sister was caught up into +the heavens like Elijah?"</p> + +<p>Ere I knew what I was saying I replied with +some heat, for his question seemed like blasphemy +to me, "Nay, nay, Elijah was a saint!"</p> + +<p>"Dost mean Genoveva was not good enough to +be taken up like old Elijah?" he cried out angrily +at me, as he had never yet spoken to me.</p> + +<p>"Quietly, my Sonnlein, quietly; my reply meant +not that I think not highly of our sister; but +though we have holy writ that Elijah was translated, +yet there have been, as thou knowest, many +good men and women since that time who have +had to go to heaven by way of the gates of death. +I do not think our Genoveva was taken up to +heaven, and in this I mean no disrespect."</p> + +<p>But he heeded not the gentle reproof in my +voice, and after a while he asked, "Dost believe in +the state of innocence taught by Brother Onesimus +and his brethren while they were with us, and of +whom thou hast told me so often?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, I ne'er had much faith in their heathenish +practices," I replied shortly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>Still he persisted, "They who pass through the +ordeal of purification come forth with limitless +vision and with mental powers unbounded."</p> + +<p>"Who hath infected thee with this disease?" I +asked crossly.</p> + +<p>"I remember now that the day before Genoveva +was taken from us Brother Benno, who was one +of the thirteen that took the ordeal—and thou +hast said thyself he was of the number—told +me that since he had been purified he had often +spoken to the spirit of his dead mother, and hath +from here even seen his brother, who liveth in +the <i>Vaterland</i>."</p> + +<p>"Brother Benno is an exceedingly pious man," +was all I could say.</p> + +<p>"Dost not believe he speaketh the truth?"</p> + +<p>"To the contrary I should be the last to doubt +his word; but in my short stay on earth I have heard +pious men and women tell of things which to my +thick understanding were not possible. It never +seemed to me that man or woman could in the +short space of forty days attain to physical and +spiritual perfection. What I have seen of my +fellow-man compelleth me to hold that even the +longest lifetime is much too short for the making +of ourselves in any wise so much as near perfect."</p> + +<p>But he only replied slowly, as if not convinced, +"Still Brother Benno may be right; at least it can +do no harm to try."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Try what?" I said very quietly to hide my +dread his remark had put in me.</p> + +<p>"The ordeal. I have tried everything else. +This one thing remains for me to do."</p> + +<p>To which I made stern answer, "All this nonsense +cometh from the Evil One; thou art tired, discouraged, +worn out in body and spirit. Rest for a +few days, and with new strength and courage thou +wilt have no inclination for such foolishness."</p> + +<p>To which he made no reply, but I could see his +mind was, with all his love for me, set on going +through this pernicious thing. And that it may +be known why I dreaded this ordeal, which I hoped +after the Eckerlings left us would never be undergone +again by any of us, I shall set forth the manner +in which the neophyte sought first physical +regeneration, in order that he might be properly +prepared for moral regeneration, and thus attain +perfection.</p> + +<p>This was the way of it: the seeker for perfection +must with a single attendant retire to a hut +or cave in the forest on the night of the full moon +in the month of May, and for forty days live thus +secluded in fasting and prayer. No drink was +allowed other than rain water which had fallen +during the month of May. This and dry bread +crusts were all the nourishment the neophyte could +have. After being weakened by such rigid fasting +for sixteen days, on the following day the recluse,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +that his physical nature might be further +subjugated, had several ounces of blood taken from +him, after which certain white drops were administered, +though what their composition I never +cared to know, only it was not poisonous, and +for this remnant of good sense I give cheerfully +to the originators of this iniquitous ordeal their +proper dues.</p> + +<p>Six drops of this elixir, which was prepared +only by adepts, were taken at night and a like +quantity mornings, the dose being increased by +two drops a day until the thirty-second day when +some more blood was drawn upon the rising of +the sun, the seeker for perfection then retiring to +his couch to remain there until the completion of +the forty days.</p> + +<p>At sunrise of the following day, being the +thirty-third, the first grain of <i>materia prima</i> was +to be taken, this being the universal and invisible +principle out of which God made all things and +which he had created to confer immortality upon +man when first made in paradise, but which substance, +by reason of man's fall, was lost to the +race, only to be thereafter obtained by favor of +such adepts as were within the highest circles of +the Rosicrucian brotherhood.</p> + +<p>My hope is that they who may care to read this +tale will have more patience in the reading of this +Rosicrucian folly than I have had in the writing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +of it; for surely, whenever I think of this worst of +all wickedness inflicted on us by the Eckerlings, it +requireth all the Kloster restraint and moderation +to keep me from strong and strange words.</p> + +<p>But spiteful words seldom cure things, so I +shall tell of this <i>materia prima</i>; for such was its +power that the moment the neophyte took it he +lost all speech and recollection. Three hours +later convulsions and heavy transudation set in. +After these subsided, the serving Brother changed +the couch and a broth made from lean beef and +sundry herbs was given. On the next day another +grain of the <i>materia prima</i> was taken, in a cup of +this broth, after which in addition to the convulsions +and transudations a delirious fever would set +in, which ended with a complete loss or shedding +of the skin, hair, and teeth of the subject.</p> + +<p>On the thirty-fifth day a bath of a certain temperature +was given the neophyte and on the following +day the third and last grain of the <i>materia +prima</i> was taken in a cup of precious wine, after +which the seeker fell into a gentle, undisturbed +sleep, during which a new skin appeared, and also +the hair and teeth shed two days before were +miraculously renewed. On his awakening he was +placed in an aromatic herb bath.</p> + +<p>On the thirty-eighth day of the ordeal an ordinary +water bath in which saltpeter had been dissolved +was taken, the votary then resuming his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +habit and exercising his limbs, and on the following +day ten drops of the elixir of life, or "grandmaster's +elixir" or "balsam" were administered +in two large spoonfuls of red wine.</p> + +<p>The fortieth day ended the period of perfection, +and the votary being now restored to the state of +innocence man had before the fall, left his hut or +cell with the power to lengthen his earthly existence +to the limit of five thousand five hundred and fifty-seven +years, in perfect health and contentment.</p> + +<p>After this came the forty days moral regeneration, +which if successfully passed, gave the seeker +power to communicate with the spirit world.</p> + +<p>Small wonder that I was strongly set against +this perilous and utterly foolish thing. But I +found the next day Sonnlein was stubbornly resolved +he would undergo it; and though I had +great comfort in the thought that it wanted some +months ere May were here, yet, even this solace +was quickly denied me, as he declared his intention +of suffering the purification at once. To this +even our poor, benighted Brother Benno objected, +for he held that the slightest deviation from the +prescribed particulars of the process would render +the whole without avail.</p> + +<p>But as Sonnlein declared he would go off in the +woods and take the ordeal himself—and I knew in +his sicklied state he would do so—Brother Benno +and I finally compromised with the stubborn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +youth by going to "Ararat," the second floor of +Zion, where Sonnlein took one of the thirteen +cells for himself while Brother Benno and I each +took an adjoining cell.</p> + +<p>Here in this deserted old chapter house, relic +of the pride and folly of the poor Eckerlings, we +lived all alone for almost a week, and never in my +life was week longer; for though Brother Benno +and I attended all the services, yet the solicitude +of the Brothers and Sisters was such—they believing +that we had moved Sonnlein to the hill for +purer air in his illness—that Brother Benno and +I were not permitted to do any of our usual work.</p> + +<p>This, indeed, suited our purpose most opportunely, +for Brother Benno desired to keep constant +watch over the treatment, while I was resolved to +keep strict watch over my boy's safety.</p> + +<p>Thus the first day, the second, and the third +and even the fourth, and the fifth day passed, during +all of which I was not permitted once to see +my boy. Nor did I even hear anything, for +Brother Benno and Sonnlein dared not so much as +exchange a word. Only that on every opportunity +I would seek Brother Benno and in a whisper, so +my boy could not hear, would I get report of him, +Brother Benno invariably saying Sonnlein was a +most obedient votary and that he was in good +health, though weak. Thus I allowed myself to +become a sharer in this wicked thing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>But on the night of the fifth day, after coming +from our midnight devotions, Brother Benno having +given me his usual favorable report, I sought +repose in my cell, though it seemed as I lay awake +for a long time I could hear Sonnlein turning uneasily +in his cell and murmuring continually in a +great fever. Then for a long while all was quiet +only that I thought I could hear him breathing +heavily in his sleep. Reassured by this I dropped +off into a heavy sleep, for in my anxiety I had +kept vigil in my <i>Kammer</i> almost every night. It +seemed to me I had not slept long, but I know +now I slept almost until daybreak, when in my +sleeping I heard a rumbling like thunder and then +as a flash of lightning illumined my narrow cell, +followed closely by a crash of thunder—for such +storms have we at times even in winter—I jumped +up fully awake and shaking like a leaf, though I +never feared much the noise of thunder. And +then without knowing what I was doing and heedless +of Brother Benno's injunctions, I rushed into +Sonnlein's cell, my heart almost standing still as I +noted in all the darkness that he was gone!</p> + +<p>I rushed madly for Brother Benno's cell, but my +agitated steps had roused him from his slumber, +and as I met him in the corrider I clutched him so +that he shrank from me in fear as I howled at +him, "Sonnlein, my boy, where is he?" and then +ere my startled brother could reply I heard from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> +down the meadows, mingling with the crashing +and rumbling of the thunder Sonnlein's voice crying +out again and again, "Genoveva! Genoveva!"</p> + +<p>I know not how I got out of Zion or whether +or not Brother Benno was following as I darted +down the hill for the Cocalico, once in a flash of +lightning imagining I saw my boy plunge into the +creek for the other side. But though I ran to the +spot in all the darkness and the storm and though +I rushed wildly through the stream, and into the +woods on the farther side, all the while crying out +his name, I had no reply, and at last feeling now +as though I had indeed more than I could bear, I +returned half-dazed to my cell in Bethania, not +wishing ever again to set foot in that house of evil +on the hill.</p> + +<p>Brother Benno informed all the Brothers and the +Sisters that Sonnlein had wandered away in his +sickness and though everybody in the Kloster and +also the good neighbors sought most earnestly and +lovingly, even wading the icy creek for him, thinking +most likely he had been drowned, naught of +anything was found of my boy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>A MIDNIGHT VISIT</h3> + +<blockquote><p>In the meantime the wants of the body are also to be restrained +and attention given so that the voice become angelic, +heavenly, pure, and clear, and not strong and harsh, by a +coarseness of food, and consequently prove valueless. But to +gain the right tone, so that no unseemingly harsh screeching +and creaking be heard in place of the proper melody.</p> + +<p class="citation">—Brother Beissel.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-s"><span class="dropcap">S</span></span>urely God's ways for +setting things right are +not the ways of man's +narrow wisdom! How +often doth he take the +lowly, simple, and even +hideous things of earth +to confuse the lofty and +the wise whose faith and +love have been weakened +with much learning.</p> + +<p>A number of weeks had gone by since Sonnlein +had been swallowed up in the wilds, for in truth +he could not have left less trace of himself than if +the earth had opened up and engulfed him; but +finally the mystery was solved, and if I come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +slowly to the mark I humbly ask the forgiveness +of all those who are not inclined to wait patiently +for an old man's laggard step. Thus it came +about. From the very founding of our Kloster we +paid great attention to music, especially singing, +and I would that I had time and space to write +fully about the system of music invented by our +leader, with the assistance of one of our housefathers, +Ludwig Blum, who was a master singer +and also versed in composition.</p> + +<p>But as we had been careful in everything else +to conform as little as possible to the spirit of the +world, instead shaping ourselves in everything to +the heavenly spirit, so also it was in respect to +singing. As hath been said, "<i>Musicam divini +quid spirare</i>," if she sounds out the praises of the +Most High, for which purpose she is solely calculated; +so that we like not to see her noble character +abused by theatrical diversions and her heavenly +sweetness marred by their curled compositions; +for it is well known they sometimes dwell two +minutes on one syllable which is nothing else than +a great nonsense. We also held it to be a great +mistake to join all sorts of instruments with vocal +music, without consideration, thereby eclipsing the +dignity of the human voice; for the human voice +is a most noble instrument, by which man may +reveal his most intimate recesses; for when God +made himself known in his created work he spake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +the word, "Let there be light," and surely it was +far more sublime than if it had been announced +with a flourish of braying instruments.</p> + +<p>For this reason we at Ephrata did not concern +ourselves greatly about instrumental music, though +indeed, when our superintendent prepared our system +of music he knew very little except some +notes which he had learned on the violin; but +such was our leader's genius and his independence +of spirit and energy that instead of borrowing anything +from the so-called masters he took his style +from the music of nature, our singing, in a word, +being an imitation of the Æolian harp. Naturally, +'twas a style very peculiar, as the worldly minded +regard things, in concords and execution, the tones +issuing from the choir like very soft instrumental +music and carrying such a sweetness and softness +and spirit of devotion as seemed almost superhuman +to the listener.</p> + +<p>To carry out this idea of the Æolian harp, the +music was set in two, four, five, and sometimes +even seven parts. All these, save the bass, which +was set in two parts, high and low, were led and +sung exclusively by the females, the men's voices +resembling the deep tones of the organ and in +combination with one of the female parts producing +a contrast which was an excellent imitation of +the hautboy.</p> + +<p>And in the perfection of this heavenly art we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> +spent much time and labor, for we felt that we +were no greater than the angels, who themselves +when they sang at the birth of Christ had to make +use of such rules as we employed; and for that +we held music was truly an angelic art our leader +gave us very many rules, especially as to our diet, +for the refining of our voices. The Brothers and +Sisters being formed into different singing classes, +were each put upon a distinct diet with the intention +so to affect the vocal cords and mold them +that they would give forth the required pitch assigned +to each class.</p> + +<p>Thus the diet for the bass singers was entirely +different from that of the tenors, while the second +bass and the baritone varied as greatly as that +selected for the soprano and the alto, and it being +absolutely necessary to know what sorts of foods +quicken the spirit and make the voice subtle and +thin and to the contrary make the voice coarse +and sluggish and heavy, our leader took great care +that all those selected to sing should abstain from +the use of foods which in great injustice man is +accustomed to take from the animals, such as milk, +which causeth one heaviness and uneasiness; and +cheese which maketh one fiery and hot-brained; +and butter, which maketh one so lazy and stolid +one desires neither to sing nor pray; and eggs, +which awaken various and evil desires; and even +honey was forbidden, for as our brother held that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> +though this sweet essence of the flowers causeth +light eyes and a cheerful spirit, it maketh the voice +not clear.</p> + +<p>Even among the vegetables we had not free +scope, for beans came under the ban as being too +weighty a food and making one heavy in spirit; +but above all things our leader held that the spirit +of this art since it is of such virgin purity can +suffer no love between man and woman; for love +in young hearts inflames them so exceedingly as +to make the sufferers entirely unfit in mind and +heart and voice and spirit. And, indeed, to this +extent I agree fully with our leader, that people in +love are not only useless for music but for almost +everything else.</p> + +<p>As to drink, our brother taught it had been settled +long ago that in the straight path there is +naught hath greater righteousness than the innocent, +pure water just as it comes from the well, or +made into soup to which a little bread was added. +Otherwise, all cookery whereby water is deprived +of its beneficent nature and changed by unseeming +art into a sort of delicacy our leader ever regarded +as sinful, an abomination of abominations.</p> + +<p>After our leader had assumed the rôle of <i>Capellmeister</i>, +singing schools were held upon certain +evenings in the Sister House, the sessions lasting +four hours, during the third, fourth, and fifth, and +sixth hours, corresponding in wordly time from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +eight o'clock to midnight; and so on this night, +the brethren being in snow-white garments, which +our ruler insisted upon as representing the necessary +purity of heart and mind, he himself strictly +adhering to this, met us as usual at the low doorway +of Bethania and led us in long procession to +the Sister <i>Saal</i>, the Sisters proceeding thither +from Saron in the same manner, led by the prioress. +The Brethren as usual took their places, +being divided in their respective classes about their +proper tables on the floor of the <i>Saal</i> while the +Sisters took the places set apart for them behind +the latticed galleries above.</p> + +<p>It was seldom we sang through an entire session +of these evening schools that some brother +or sister did not receive a severe scolding from +our leader; for he ruled these classes with an iron +hand, so that often there were bitterest dissensions +where all should have been peace; for at the +slightest sign of levity or frivolity there would descend +upon the offender such an avalanche of rebukes +and scoldings as were, indeed, hard to bear +even by the meekest of us.</p> + +<p>This night was no exception, for though we sang +our hymns one after the other in the utmost peace +and order until after the fifth hour (eleven o'clock), +suddenly the storm came, for our sisters Keturah +and Priscano, being so busily engaged in some, I +doubt not, trivial talk, noted not as another hymn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> +had been taken up and was passing around the +hall from one class to the other, that their response +had come, and forgat utterly to sing, so that we +all were fairly amazed, and sat with bowed heads +for the blast we knew would sweep over us; and +instantly it came, so fiercely that if one had not +known our leader it might have been thought he +were a man of the most violent and unchecked +passions.</p> + +<p>I had often heard him scold, and, indeed, had +more than once felt the force of his temper in that +I had never much voice for singing, and more than +once was I rebuked for singing out of tune, which +to our leader was as great an hurt as if one had +stuck him with a sword, but this night so outrageous +was the affront our poor sisters had given him he +fairly seemed beside himself with righteous rage, +so that, looking up at him out of the corner of my +eye, his figure with all its insignificance of size +seemed truly majestic.</p> + +<p>I know not how long we had been compelled to +sit there shivering and cowering like disobedient +children, when suddenly we heard a voice, to me +familiar enough, from the rear of the hall near the +doorway, cry out half-sneering, half-snarling, "Thou +fool!" Then as we all turned about, frightened +almost beyond the telling by this unearthly voice, +we saw crouching in the dark shadows about the +doorway the form of her whom, though unknown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +to the rest, I knew well to be my old enemy, the +witch; but from the terrified Sisters huddled together +in the galleries and from the awe-struck +Brothers below not a hand or voice was lifted +against the apparition, even our fiery little leader +for the once forgetting his anger and his fearlessness, +making the sign of the cross on his breast as +he shrank back from the menacing shape at the +other end of the <i>Saal</i>.</p> + +<p>For what seemed an age she stood there glaring +at us. Then she straightened up straighter than +I had ever seen her, and there was in her voice +such unusual sadness and dignity and lack of hate +I greatly marveled as she cried out, even pityingly, +"Ye poor fools, to fear him," pointing her long +finger at our leader, and then, breaking out more +fiercely, she snarled, "How many homes have been +destroyed by his false teachings! Oh, thou needst +not threaten me, a poor, weak, crazy woman, thou +brave giant!" she sneered at me as I started forward +with menacing mien.</p> + +<p>"What dost thou here?" and then a sudden +thought flashed through me, our leader and all +the brothers and sisters marveling greatly at this +show of spirit in their meek Brother Jabez as I +cried out boldly, "What hast done with our sister, +thou she-devil?"</p> + +<p>And then she forgot all her brief softness as +she screeched back at us, "Ye fools, now ye know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> +what it is to have one stolen from ye," and then +she snarled defiantly, "Come and get your sister +if ye can, ye women-men!" and with this she +rushed out of the doorway, leaving us utterly bereft +of our wits.</p> + +<p>But then I leaped for the doorway, our leader +crying out, "Hold him; the witch will kill him!" +but I shook off savagely the hands of the Brothers +trying with great love of me to hold me back from +pursuing the grisly shape, for now I was on fire +with the resolve to follow and learn once for all +where this being held herself and who she was.</p> + +<p>Although the early part of the night had been +dark, I saw as I burst out of the doorway that the +moon had come up, making the Kloster grounds +as bright as day, so that I had no difficulty in seeing +the fleeing figure skirting the foot of Mount +Sinai and speeding down the meadows along the +Cocalico. I doubt not I could have quickly overtaken +her, but such was not my purpose. I had +but one thought now and that was to follow her to +her retreat, and, having this in view, I rejoiced +that the moonlight showed plainly the form of the +witch. But the moonlight, if a help in this way, +was a hindrance in that if she looked back she +could not but see me even though I took advantage +of the shadows of every bush and tree.</p> + +<p>Somehow I was not at all surprised that she followed +the course of the creek to the very spot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> +where Sonnlein and I had crossed that night; but +surely she would not attempt to pass over on the +thin ice that still lingered on the pool ending at +that stony beach where the swift stream had weeks +ago worm away its icy covering! And yet so +feather light did she skim over the thin, treacherous +surface, and with such gliding, ghostlike ease, I +was almost minded to give up the chase, fearing, +though I had never believed such vulgar tales, she +might fly away on a broomstick, or through some +other hocus-pocus elude me and I make all my +desperate endeavor for naught. And for all I +knew she might, if pressed too hard, turn on me +and change me into some vile beast, for I had +heard of such things.</p> + +<p>But not for long did I hesitate by reason of +these childish fears. There was no turning back +now, come what might. I placed one of my heavy +feet delicately on the thin ice, and, then bearing +on it my weight more heavily, I went through to +my knees, almost falling full length into the pool, +for the ice would not begin to hold my great weight.</p> + +<p>There was but one way left, and, fearing I would +lose sight of her did I pause longer, I dashed into +the swift current below the pool with such hotheaded +recklessness that ere I knew it and with +all my slipping and stumbling I was safely on the +other side, and though I wasted no time then in +idle philosophizing, which hath ever been a weakness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> +of mine, I have often thought since and have +come to the conclusion that there be times when +one loseth all by dilly-dallying.</p> + +<p>As I shook the water off me like some big dog +I plunged into the brush with the same recklessness +I had crossed the creek, though now my wet +garments by their weight and their clinging about +my legs impeded my progress almost beyond endurance; +but as I stood panting and almost choking +for breath I saw at no great distance ahead in +a little, moonlit glade, mine enemy, still not looking +back, so that I felt relieved to know she had +not yet seen me.</p> + +<p>On and on we went in this manner, she seemingly +without effort, while I stumbled and fell repeatedly +over rocks and gullies and fallen trees, +yet beyond being severely shaken and bruised I +received no great hurts. Of a sudden, as we reached +the foot of the mountain she changed her way, +hitherto toward the southwest, abruptly to the +southeast, almost at the same spot I had come on +the footprints of Brother Alburtus that sad day. +She too, now as I continually kept nigh enough to +catch sight of her among the bushes and trees, +followed that same winding way up the mountain +side, higher and higher. Once she turned half +about and stood still as though listening carefully, +and ere I could hide behind a tree I thought she +saw me, but if so she gave no sign by hastening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> +her flight, if flight it could be called, for she appeared +in no great hurry. But now and then she +would turn sharply about and stand still for a moment +as if listening, and always when I was in +plain view.</p> + +<p>We had now come nigh to the very spot where +I found Brother Alburtus dying in the snow. +Farther up the mountain I could see plainly his +rocky tomb, and then, though I had glanced but +a moment aside from my pursuit, she had completely +vanished. I looked about me in every +direction, but I could see naught of her, nor could +I as much as hear the faintest sound. And then +as suddenly as though it had come out of the +earth, I saw on the top of that great rock whence +our brother had fallen such a sight as for a moment +almost benumbed me with fear; for there +standing out clear in the bright moonlight was the +tall figure of some dark being, so that my first overpowering +fear was the witch had suddenly changed +her human shape into that of the Evil One.</p> + +<p>For a few moments I stood almost powerless +with fear, the forbidding shape on the rock being +also absolutely motionless, with its front toward +me; and then, so that I have often wondered what +it was gave me such unusual boldness, I felt a sudden +strength take hold of me and such a courage +as feared naught, as I cried out fiercely, "Be thou +Belial himself, or the son of Belial, I shall fight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +thee!" and with that I tore from its earthly fastening +a young sapling most like my wrist, and having +twisted off the top I advanced threateningly with +my club, at which the figure on the rock gave a +most unearthly screech or howl, such as for a brief +moment chilled my resolution; but on again I +went, yelling back, "Thou mayest spit and snarl +all thou hast a mind to, thou foul one!" as I +crossed my breast, knowing that the Evil One ever +feareth the sign of the cross.</p> + +<p>Suddenly I saw the right arm of the dread figure +draw back, and like a flash something came hurling +at me that would have dashed out my brains +had it not been that He who doth watch over his +own had placed between me and my foe a small +branch, light and trifling almost as air, and yet +great enough in his hands to turn aside the missile, +so that instead of catching me fair on my brow, it +barely escaped the side of my head.</p> + +<p>Tearing my cloak from me and tossing it and my +club aside, I dashed ahead, and ere my foe knew +it I was on the rock, and we were in each others' +arms struggling with all our might to hurl the +other down, and if ever I needed the great strength +that so often in my life I had been foolishly +ashamed of as being unworthy of my calling I +needed it now; for whatever my antagonist was I +speedily found it flesh and blood like myself; for +that he was not burdened with much clothes as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> +was I, my hold often slipped from his greasy body +as we rolled over and over, now I on top and then +he, each grasping for the other's throat or trying +to trip or throw the other down from the rock.</p> + +<p>Surely my only salvation now was that in +spite of my great love of books, yet have I ever +loved the open air, and in my Kloster life was +never afraid of my share of hard, daily toil, so +that e'en now I felt that my foe, with all his +strength and quickness, had not an easy task cut +out for him. Finally I wrenched myself from his +hold, and then, both breathing so hard it was no +great difficulty to know we were in deadly earnest, +we stood apart glaring at each other and waiting +for returning strength to renew our fighting.</p> + +<p>All the while I kept my eye closely on him, prepared +for any sudden spring or trick that my sly +foe might try on me, and now as we stood there +scowling at each other I saw plainly if it were the +Evil One he had assumed the form of an Indian. +Neither of us said a word, but all at once I saw +my dark antagonist draw himself together and like +a stone from a catapult hurl himself at me; but +that which was meant to overpower me by its suddenness +proved my enemy's undoing, for—and I +believe to this day Providence was with me—an +old trick came back to me I had learned in my student +days in the gymnasium, but of which I had +no thought it still were within me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<p>And thus it was as my foe came flying upon me, +I suddenly dropped on one knee, and ere he knew +what I was about, I had caught him with both +hands fairly under his middle, and then with all +my power and strength gave such a mighty upward +heave as with his own impulse threw him +back over me so that he landed clean on the other +side of the rock, where I heard him fall with a +tremendous crash. And then, so savage is the +human heart, I rushed to the edge of the rock +eagerly hoping I had killed him outright. And, +indeed, there he lay still enough, so that I knew +whoever my foe had been, it had not been the evil +one, for surely no mere man could kill Beelzebub.</p> + +<p>As my breath and strength returned to me, +though for a long time I was so weak in my limbs +I could do little less than totter, I picked up my +cloak and wrapped it about me; but with returning +strength came a great horror that I had killed +a human being, and unless one be of a gentle +heart he knoweth naught what awful feeling possessed +my soul as I thought upon my savage deed +which, though I had done it in self-defense, yet +seemed to me little less than murder.</p> + +<p>For the time all thought of the witch was cast +aside, my only fear being now that I had killed the +Indian. I hastened to his side, and though I found +him bleeding from some wound in the head, yet +the violently throbbing heart told me there was life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +there so that my own heart leaped up with a great +joy and hope I had not killed him; and—praises +be to His name—as I knelt there anxiously waiting +for return of sense to him, my red foe finally +came to himself and sat up, holding his wounded +head, which I had now bound up, and rubbing +himself about his back and limbs so that I feared +perchance these had been broken; but to my +great joy—for now I thought no more of fearing +him—from sitting up, he gradually, with many +gruntings and groanings, stood erect as he could +in all his weakness, and then, as he seemed for the +first time conscious of me, he grunted in broken +English, "Big woman-man, big chief; me only +papoose; me go back to Conestogas and be squaw; +white chief-woman must help self," and then before +I could speak and ere my scattered wits knew +what all this talk meant, he limped away down the +mountain-side and was soon lost to sight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>MINE ENEMY'S HIDING-PLACE</h3> + +<blockquote><p>Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the +morning.</p> + +<p class="citation">—The Bible.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-m"><span class="dropcap">M</span></span>y vanquished foe had +hardly disappeared +down the mountain +when I recovered sufficiently +from my dazed +state to recall the witch, +who I feared had escaped +me while I was +engaged in desperate +conflict with the red +man. No man who hath not gone through such +adventures can understand what a weakness and +loneliness came upon me way up there in that wild +spot, with no foe to fight or witch to pursue; for +surely idleness afflicts one with many foolish fears +and vain imaginings.</p> + +<p>I crawled stiffly, now that I had cooled off somewhat, +to the top of the rock and looked carefully +in every direction, straining my ears for any sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> +of her; but I saw and heard nothing. I fairly +groaned in my childish despair. It seemed to me +I must find out this night the haunt of this sorceress. +And then, as I jumped down from the +great stone so heedlessly I almost fell, something +leaped out of the dark shadow of the rock with +such suddenness I shrank back trembling like a +leaf; but as I saw, despite my shattered wits, the +form of the witch fleeing still higher up the mountains, +I rushed after her with such a vengeful whoop +as startled even myself; but with all my violent +efforts she gained steadily on me, for that she +knew the way, dodging in and out among the trees +and bushes with the greatest ease, while I stumbled +and fell repeatedly bruising and tearing my +hands and knees almost beyond endurance.</p> + +<p>Yet how truly it hath been said that often victory +cometh when we are ready to give up; for as +I was passing a cluster of tall, gloomy looking +pines only a few paces from me, I saw a white-clad +figure which as I advanced cautiously toward it, +suddenly rushed forward and ere I could hinder +threw itself into mine arms with a cry that was +nigh to weeping, "Brother Jabez!" As I recovered +from my amazement and stepped back into +the moonlight I could hardly believe my senses, +not knowing at first whether it were another trick +of the witch; for she who lay so quietly in my protection +was none other than our Sister Genoveva!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<p>But she was not senseless as I first supposed; +for in a moment or two she stood up by herself, +though trembling, and said with a great gladness, +"The Lord be praised thou didst overcome thine +adversary." Then with a vanity I trust King +David never had, I boasted to my sister, "Didst +see me fight the red man?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, and when thou didst throw him so mightily +I feared thou hadst killed him; for I knew thee +not until I saw thee leave the rock in such hot +haste after this poor creature."</p> + +<p>"Where hath she gone?" I asked eagerly. "I +have vowed not to rest until I track her to her vile +retreat, though she take me to the gates of the +lost." And then our sister smiled so brightly I +was hurt that she should feel thus at such a time, +as she said, "Wouldst like to see her vile retreat, +as thou callest it?"</p> + +<p>"For that and for thee I am here."</p> + +<p>Still smiling she said more softly, and it seemed +to me almost teasingly, "Art strong enough to +stand a great surprise?"</p> + +<p>To which I replied boastfully, "After such a +night of surprises can I endure anything."</p> + +<p>With that she took me lightly by the arm and +led me into the shadow of those dark pines and +when in the very midst of them, I saw what appeared +to me like one of the cone-shaped houses +of poles covered with skins the red men are wont<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> +to live in, only this one was larger than any I had +ever seen before and so hidden by the enfolding +branches of the pines that one might have passed +it within a few feet even in daylight without knowing +there were human habitation nigh.</p> + +<p>"See," said Sister Genoveva, "this is the vile +retreat of her whom thou callest the witch. 'Tis +substantial, I assure thee; 'twill not vanish into +the air."</p> + +<p>And then, as she stepped down and lifted aside a +flap that gave entrance to the structure, the moonlight +shining through the opening fell full upon the +form of some one lying within, seemingly asleep, +just beyond the glowing embers of a bright fire +that spread a soothing warmth throughout the rude +dwelling. As I hung back, not knowing but that +I was under some spell of the witch and that all +this enchantment would be my undoing, Sister +Genoveva assured me of herself by pushing me +forward gently, saying, "'Tis not she whom thou +hast frightened away by thy unseemly screeching," +and as I still hung back for—I say it to my great +shame—I feared perhaps the witch had changed +herself into the form of our sister to lure me to +my destruction, our sister said to me mockingly, +"Surely a fighting man like thee is not afraid!" +With that I stepped forward with a brave showing, +for the man that can endure being called coward +by woman is beyond recall.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> + +<p>But then as my feet sank into the soft floor—for +it seemed thickly strewn with the skins of wild +animals—the prostrate form moved uneasily and +murmured weakly, "Genoveva," and before she +could hold me back I flung myself down beside +my boy, calling to him like one crazy with joy, +"Sonnlein! God be praised for his mercy!" forgetting +the witch and Sister Genoveva, knowing +only that in his wonderful way he had brought me +back to my own again.</p> + +<p>Best of all he knew me and though I feared the +shock of my sudden coming might increase his illness +he soon drove away my fears by saying, with +such simple faith, and the tenderness illness often +brings even to men, as made me more wickedly +vain than ever, "I knew thou wouldst come."</p> + +<p>Much had we to say to each other after all our +grievous trials, for Sonnlein would talk against all +the admonishing from Sister Genoveva, and once +when she insisted more firmly than before that he +cease talking and go to sleep he retorted softly, +slyly winking at me—though I detest winking—"Surely +thou art not going to scold me ere we +are married?"</p> + +<p>"Married!" I burst forth, "much time hast had +to make love if thou hast been sick since thou left +us, and I doubt not thou hast been nigh to death."</p> + +<p>But he merely smiled more wickedly than before +as he said, "When a man is too old or too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> +sick to make love 'tis time for him to die, and I +feel not like dying, I assure thee."</p> + +<p>So long as he had such nonsense in him I knew +he was not in any critical illness. Indeed, Genoveva +declared he was gaining so rapidly she knew +not what to do, for that he was all the time promising +she must be his wife so soon as he were well.</p> + +<p>But finally, for with our Kloster discipline still +upon us even in all these wild surroundings, in that +we came slowly to what we most cared to hear, I +prevailed upon our sister's modesty—for she would +not have it that she had endured anything unusual—to +tell me about her capture and long stay +from us; but she insisted in making so light of +all she had suffered and endured in body and mind +that her story was over much too soon, though +Sonnlein fell most ungallantly asleep ere she was +half-way through, greatly tempting me to waken +him with the reminder that he was the one who +acted as though he and Genoveva were already +married; but no doubt his illness was adequate +apology; for truly no man worthy the name, so it +seemeth to my inexperience, could even wish to +sleep while his lady love were talking to him; +though I have heard it stoutly averred that after +marriage a great change cometh over the man so +that he goeth to sleep whenever he feeleth like it +even though his <i>Liebchen</i> be talking to him; but +this I never could believe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> + +<p>But it is not seemly that I, a monk, should attempt +instruction in love and marriage, and therefore +shall I turn to our sister's tale of her capture; +and very discreetly she said nothing about Sonnlein's +meeting her under the chestnut tree; nor +did I think it wise to refer to the matter for fear—though +I never doubted her word—the temptation +for falsehood would be too great; for it hath ever +seemed to me a most dreadful thing that the fair +sisters, whom the Lord hath created so like unto +the angels, should ever be guilty of untruth.</p> + +<p>But here I am preaching again, as usual, so that +it seemeth I shall never get to our sister's story. +Yet now shall I proceed to it without further deviation. +And thus it was: She was sitting under +the tree but a short time after Brother Alburtus +had passed her when suddenly some one from behind +grasped her roughly by the arm and as she +turned about, in her first thought believing it had +been some jesting one stealing upon her, she looked +up and saw bending over her threateningly the tall +form of a red man, with an evil-looking old woman +directly back of him. As our sister was about to +cry for help he made such menacing motions and +gestures that she knew it would be foolish to make +resistance; but instead she went with them as they +led the way down Mount Sinai through the meadows, +and along the creek, crossing it where Sonnlein +and I had seen the footprints.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first their course was to the southwest from +the Kloster, and in this direction they had gone +for some miles, and though in the darkness that +soon came upon them they went slowly through +the thick woods, the captors not seeming inclined +to be harsh to our sister, yet so oft did she stumble +and the swinging branches strike and sting her +face that she was compelled to stop for rest.</p> + +<p>But now, though our sister understood not their +speech, the red man and the old woman seemed to +be disputing, the former wanting, our sister made +out, to go back to the mountains, for thus he +would point while the witch would shake her +head and beckon to the southwest; but at last she +consented to the red man's persuasion, for suddenly +they changed almost directly about, so that +for a moment our sister had the cheering hope +they were going to take her back to the Kloster.</p> + +<p>This hope, however, lasted not long, for instead +of returning to the Kloster her captors soon +turned toward the mountains. Beyond the spiteful +glances the witch would cast at our sister there +seemed no inclination to injure her; but though +the way through the valley had been rough it was +as naught to the unbroken path up the steep hillside +in the darkness of the night, for they had no +light, only that the red man went ahead as freely +as though it were midday, with our sister next to +him, and back of her the witch, to prevent escape.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last they came to the great rock, from whose +top a view could be had down over the valley of +the Cocalico. The red man having ascended the +high stone looked long and carefully in the direction +of the Kloster. All at once he called the +witch to him and pointed out something of great +interest to both, causing Genoveva to climb upon +the rock and look in the direction he was pointing. +She saw now and then a light moving down from +what she guessed to be Mount Sinai toward the +Cocalico in the direction she and her captors had +taken, and she doubted not that some one was +coming to her rescue.</p> + +<p>But though her hope was again revived it was +but for a brief season, for heavy clouds had gathered +after nightfall, and even while yet on the +rock a few scattering drops of rain fell, so that +her captors after a few moments more of careful +examination of the valley proceeded up the hill and +led her to this hiding-place. Hardly had they +reached its shelter when the rain came down, and +she knew as it came faster and faster none of us +would be able to find their trail.</p> + +<p>In this lonely spot she had been all these +months with no other companion than this strange +woman, who seldom spoke to our sister, but would +often sit muttering to herself. Sometimes she +would leave her hiding-place, and be gone for days +and even weeks at a time, and had it not been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +that the red man, who seemed to have a shelter +somewhere nigh, had supplied Sister Genoveva +with the flesh of wild animals and other food she +would have starved; for when the witch was absent +our sister had thought to make her escape, +but every time before she had gone far the red +man would suddenly appear, and without saying a +word lead her back to the hut.</p> + +<p>Nor could she learn from him the reason of her +capture and who the witch was, as he—according +to the silent nature of Indians—would say nothing +more than that the witch was friend to his tribe, +"Conestogas," had often taken care of them in +sickness, and was regarded by his people as having +wonderful powers.</p> + +<p>Thus day after day and night after night she +lived here during all the cold of winter, though +snugly enough housed within the shelter of these +pines, that sometimes with all her hope and faith, +it seemed she must go mad; but she never failed, +no matter whether rain or snow or biting cold, to +rise at the midnight hour and seek peace and comfort +in praise and prayer. Often she heard the +clear tones of the Kloster bell, even at this far-off +height, if the wind were not in the contrary direction, +and saw the cheering lights that shone out +from Mount Sinai and from the wide scattered +settlers' huts throughout the valley, so that she +felt not utterly alone in the world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then she came to that which she knew I most +cared to hear, and that was how Sonnlein had come +to her. And the manner of this has always +seemed to me little less than miraculous, for it is +beyond me to explain it otherwise. All that night +that Sonnlein was with Brother Benno and me in +the chapter house, our sister—the witch at that +time being in her hiding-place—could find no rest. +It seemed impossible for her to fall asleep. She +held her usual midnight devotions from the rock +looking down toward the Kloster, so that she might +feel she were praying with us, and though this gave +her some peace, yet when she returned again to +the hut and lay down to sleep she found no rest; +but toward the morning she finally fell asleep, but +only to have it filled with a strange dream; for it +seemed to her she saw Sonnlein lying on a hard +couch in one of our <i>Kammers</i>, worn and wasted and +suffering from some great illness, and then suddenly +he arose from his couch and rushed from his cell and +out of Zion down over the hill toward the Cocalico, +calling her name, once, twice, a number of times, +whereat she struggled to go to him but could not! +She awoke with a great start only to hear a heavy +storm roaring all about her; but though she knew +she was awake she still saw, or imagined she saw, +Sonnlein rush through the creek and into the +woods on the other side, as though he were +coming directly to her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first she tried to shake the matter from her +mind as merely a dream, but she could not do so. +Something even against her own persuading +seemed to tell her that Sonnlein was seeking +her, that she must go to meet him, and ere she +knew what she was about she found herself outside +the hut, rushing in all the storm down the +mountain as fast as she could, the witch closely +following.</p> + +<p>Our sister could not tell how long or how far +they had gone in this wild, headlong manner, but +they were not far from the foot of the mountain, +when suddenly at no great distance above them, +seemingly the very way they had come, she heard +a faint cry, "Genoveva!"</p> + +<p>Not knowing whether she were bewitched or +really gone mad from all these months of loneliness, +she stood like one dazed; but then again, +and even a third time, she heard her name as +though the one calling were going farther up the +mountain. The witch too heard the cry and together +they hastened up the hill, but hearing no +longer the calls; and in this wise they came back +again to the great rock, and there, so that she +could hardly believe her own eyes, it now being +broad daylight, lay the figure of a man face downward +as though he had fallen that way, who as +they turned him about she saw was Sonnlein.</p> + +<p>Here I interrupted our sister most foolishly by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> +asking, "What didst do—kiss him?" To which unmanly +question she made no reply, only that I feel +sure had it not been so dark in the hut, the moon +having gone down, I should have seen exceedingly +rich blushings on the face of our dear sister.</p> + +<p>But she and the witch, the latter seeming to +have the strength of a man (and in truth Genoveva +was no weakling) carried Sonnlein into the hut, +where he lay for weeks with a raging fever, and +though she and the witch watched over him and +nursed him, our sister despaired of his ever coming +to himself again. Had it not been that the witch +possessed wonderful knowledge of the herbs she +gathered in the woods and made into physic for +Sonnlein, our sister felt he surely would have +died. But for some reason the witch became +greatly devoted to Sonnlein, nursing him as tenderly +as though she were his own mother, sometimes +seeming jealous of our sister, so that until +this night the witch had not left the hut since +they had found Sonnlein lying on the rock; but +gradually under the witch's care he had come to +himself again, and was now quite strong and in +his own mind, only that he was continually pestering +our sister that she must marry him.</p> + +<p>To this I made question, "But being a Rose of +Saron thou wouldst not marry him?"</p> + +<p>And to which she replied softly, "So have I +oft told him, but he sayeth he careth naught what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> +I say, that he will marry me whether I have him +or not, and thou hast so spoiled him all his life by +letting him have his own will I fear I can do +naught but let him have it in this."</p> + +<p>I merely made reply, "May thy reward be great +for sacrificing thyself so willingly to the result of +my over-indulgence!" whereat she laughed so +merrily, 'twas like music, for though quick to feel +the soft sting in my retort she was too great-hearted +a woman to be hurt at what she knew was +only meant in jest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>THE END OF THE WITCH</h3> + +<blockquote><p>For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face.</p> + +<p class="citation">—New Testament.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-t"><span class="dropcap">T</span></span>hus we sat and talked +until the morning light +streaming through the +partially opened entrance +to the hut showed me +more fully my boy, still +sleeping soundly; and +for this we were thankful, +knowing how much +better than all physic is +the healing power of sleep. I could see now by +his thin face and wasted hands that he had been +through a dangerous illness; but his breathing +was so even and there was such absence of fever, +I said gratefully to Sister Genoveva, "Thou hast +saved Sonnlein's life."</p> + +<p>But she replied, blushing at my praise, "Nay, +'tis to the witch thou must give thy gratitude. +She hath wonderful wisdom with the herbs she +findeth in the woods."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then for the first time in all these years, it +came to me that, perhaps, I had misjudged this +woman whom I held in such abhorrence. 'Tis an +awful thing to think evil of an innocent person!</p> + +<p>Suddenly I asked our sister, "How did she treat +thee?"</p> + +<p>"At first I feared she meant me harm, for she +would look at me with an evil glare as though she +felt like killing me; but the red man spake something +to her whereat she seemed less sullen so +that I lost fear of her."</p> + +<p>"Thou dost not look as if thou hadst been pining +away with fear," I said, smiling to our sister; +for as I glanced at her with such admiration as +made her blush again, I marveled not how my boy +could be so bent on having her to wife; for I had +seen him make love to her when he was in the +full flush of health, and if a man when he be well +can feel tenderly toward a woman, how much +dearer must she be to him when she appears in +the guise of a ministering angel.</p> + +<p>Not that our sister was one of those delicate, +etherial ones whom a man must watch over like +some frail flower; for the clear, honest light of day +showed fully what the deceitful moonlight had +only half revealed; the pure, healthful beauty of +that graceful, rounded form and sweetly calm, +noble face, so full of womanly strength and character +not in the slightest dimmed or marred by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +her hard life in this wilderness, far harder even +than the rigorous life of our Kloster; for though +this rude hut were proof enough 'gainst wind and +cold and rain, yet I could see from its meagre furnishings +that she had endured more than usually +falls to the lot of woman, so that it came to me, +if Sonnlein were set upon marrying her, surely in +all this wide world could he not find a fitter mate, +in body, mind, soul, and spirit, as man and woman +should be mated.</p> + +<p>But now it came to me I must get Genoveva +and Sonnlein home again, for in this dreadful war +with the French and Indians, I knew not what the +witch might do; for though the Conestogas had +been accounted a peace-loving tribe, yet there +were many of the white settlers who charged the +Conestogas with secretly assisting the French +red men, and indeed, not many years after this, +the Paxton boys killed a number of Conestogas in +their little town.</p> + +<p>Much against my will I was compelled to leave +our sister and Sonnlein alone in this unprotected +hut, while I with a great joy in my heart that +made me forget my hurts and loss of sleep, +tramped down the mountains, laughing to myself +at the good news I should break to my admiring +brothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>I arrived at the Kloster while the morning was +still young, and reported briefly to our leader of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +my having found Sonnlein, saying naught yet to +the Solitary of Genoveva, for I preferred to keep +this as another joyous surprise, and though the +Brothers and Sisters were of a mind to make +much of me as one having been snatched from the +very jaws of death, not doubting the witch had +killed me, I finally, after each curious one had +heard with more or less fullness of detail of my +wonderful experience, succeeded in getting made +a stout litter, and securing eight Brethren as bearers +for Sonnlein.</p> + +<p>With me proudly in advance I led my little +band of God's warriors, by as unobserved a way +as possible—dreading show and excitement—up +the mountain to the great rock, my brethren walking +in silence as usual, but I know inwardly burning +with a great zeal for their loving mission.</p> + +<p>For some moments my brethren and I stood on +the great rock with its beautiful outlook over the +delightful valley where lay our little Kloster, and +then I told them of how I had found here our +Brother Alburtus and how I had placed him in +his stone grave, which I pointed out to them; +nor could I keep my vanity from telling how I +had overthrown my red adversary, so that Brother +Hänsly looked at me with such awe I was not +greatly displeased.</p> + +<p>Then, at my bidding, my brethren followed me +up the hill toward the hut, my heart now beating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> +hard for fear the witch and her red man had in the +meantime carried our sister and my Sonnlein away +again, for everything seemed so quiet and I saw +no sign of Genoveva.</p> + +<p>But as we came nigh the clustered pines, being +in the lead I caught glimpses of Genoveva coming +toward us, though I said not a word to my followers +until we were almost upon her, who, stepping +out suddenly from behind a bush almost killed my +little band with fright, for to many of the Solitary +she had long been held as dead.</p> + +<p>Yet as they saw me greet her boldly, they, +though still in great bewilderment, gathered about +us, Brother Hänsly, slyly reaching from behind +Brother Theonis, feeling her skirt to make sure +she was no spirit; whereat she had him come to +her much as a mother draweth to her some mischievous, +beloved child, so that our diminutive +brother's face reddened like a girl's.</p> + +<p>We stood but a few minutes thus when from +within the hut, so that my brothers were given +another start, came a low call, "Genoveva," at +which it was her turn to redden like a rose, as she +said, "Thy Sonnlein hath so little patience; he +surely is getting well," and as she turned to go to +him we all trooped after her into the hut, almost +filling it, each one greeting Sonnlein with such +affection as to make my eyes wet in my foolish +pride that my brethren cared so much for my boy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> + +<p>And then against all his declaring he would not +be carried like some great baby to the Kloster, we +took a number of the skins from the hut and +made a soft couch for him on the litter; but before +leaving, we went where lay our Brother Alburtus, +at the relating of whose sudden taking away Sonnlein +and Genoveva were much grieved. And because +our brother had received such unusual +burial, it seemed fitting to us ere we departed to +honor his memory by singing and prayer.</p> + +<p>Then sadly and silently, with slow and careful +steps we carried Sonnlein safely to the foot of this +rugged mountain. Here we rested for a short +time, and then by as unobserved a way as we had +come we arrived at the Kloster early in the afternoon, +where we all received such joyful welcome +as I shall never forget, only that there were among +the Solitary some who seemed never fully able to +forgive Genoveva for returning to life after they +had so long maintained she had been translated +like the prophets of old.</p> + +<p>Sonnlein was at once taken to his cell adjoining +mine, in Bethania, where with the nursing I gave +him and with Brother Gideon's physic, not forgetting +the feeding the Sisters and the housemothers, +near and far, insisted he must have, it was not long +ere he was up and out and so continually tagging +after Genoveva that our Sisters and not a few of +the Brothers must needs feel greatly scandalized.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> + +<p>But now I must tell of this strange woman +whom I in my hasty judgment had ever thought +was of the Evil One.</p> + +<p>One day, a few months after the return of Sonnlein +and Genoveva, we were thrown into the greatest +alarm by the sudden appearance of a red man +among us one bright spring morning. As he came +across the meadow from down the Cocalico, seeing +he was alone I stepped out with Sonnlein from +the timid group of Brothers and Sisters to meet +the intruder; but on seeing me he lost all his +pride as he said meekly, "Woman chief dying up +hill, want white rose and sick brother," pointing +to Sonnlein, "come see her," and then he looked +at me carefully and said, "Big brother come too."</p> + +<p>Though our leader and many of the Brothers +and Sisters sought to dissuade us from going with +the red man, dreading it meant nothing but a +scheme for taking us into captivity, Sonnlein and +I, and even Genoveva, were resolved to go with the +savage, for we somehow felt he told the truth.</p> + +<p>Once again we went that long toilsome way to +that far-off mountain hut, and by noon we all were +standing within the rude dwelling where lay the +witch dying, as we could clearly see.</p> + +<p>At first she seemed so near the dark shore she +saw us not, and then as though she noted neither +the red man nor me nor Genoveva, the dying +woman gazed lovingly at Sonnlein, and murmured,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> +"David, my David, thou hast been away so long"; +and then as Sonnlein, obeying some gracious impulse, +knelt down beside her she folded her feeble +arms about him, holding him as though she never +would let him go. Outside the birds were flitting +from tree to tree, chirping merrily, as though death +and sorrow never came to them; but else all was so +quiet we could hear naught but the heavy breathing +of this poor woman. Great tears stood in our eyes, +even the red man bowing his head sadly for her +whom his tribe held in such high regard.</p> + +<p>But with all the solemnity of a soul's leaving its +mortal home, my mind was fixed upon the mystery +of the life of her who had always seemed to me +so hideous, but who now in the refining hour of +death had lost her forbidding aspect, so that I +could believe that before suffering and hate had +poisoned her whole being she had been a comely +woman.</p> + +<p>With such thoughts in my mind we watched +over her, Sister Genoveva, with her woman's finer +sensibilities, doing all she could to make the end +more easy; but mine enemy—now mine enemy no +more—still seemed to see only Sonnlein, caring +for naught else.</p> + +<p>Later in the afternoon she passed quietly away +like a slowly expiring lamp; but just a few moments +before her soul's flight, the dark veil that +hung between her and the long ago was lifted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +slightly as we heard her murmur to Sonnlein: +"Charles, where is Charles?" and then she +seemed to wait for some one's coming, but soon +forgot her wish, and lay quietly, her arms slipping +from Sonnlein's neck, and we knew her stormy +life was over, and though we had strict views as to +who could enter into the joys of the blessed, yet a +fervent prayer went up from my heart that He +who pitieth us as a father pitieth his children, would +take her to him as one of his own.</p> + +<p>As Sonnlein arose and looked long and earnestly +at the poor handful of dust lying at his feet, I could +see that he too was turning over in his mind the +mystery of this old woman; but he said nothing, +and then Genoveva bent down and brushed +back the tangled gray hair and folded the hands +over the now quiet breast and straightened out the +already stiffening form.</p> + +<p>But the long May day was drawing to its close, +and it came to us that ere we left we must make +proper and respectful burial of the dead. With +the suddenness of a flash of light an overpowering +thought came to me that we should lay her +alongside our Brother Alburtus. When I suggested +this to Sonnlein and Genoveva, both, with all their +sorrow, rejoiced I had thought of this, and even +the Indian, when our plan was explained to him, +grunted his approval by saying, "Big brother, +good man."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fortunately, though the stones were large and +exceedingly heavy, yet by our combined strength +and the using of pieces of wood as levers we worked +the rocks far enough apart to make a resting-place +for her alongside Brother Alburtus, whose mortal +frame, by reason of the purity of the air and the +cold in this mountain height had suffered no great +change since the day of his burial.</p> + +<p>And then having placed her whose life had been +so troubled and tempestuous by the side of him +whose days had been so gentle and peaceful, Sonnlein +and Genoveva sang over them softly a few of +our noble, heaven-inspired hymns, I following with +a short prayer that this poor woman might see +Him face to face, after which we closed up the top +and ends of the little vault with heavy stones, +knowing that at the last great day some bright-winged +angel would find even this lonely sepulchre +and roll away the stones.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE TWAIN ARE MADE ONE</h3> + +<blockquote><p>Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth +favor of the Lord.</p> + +<p class="citation">—The Bible.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="dropcap-w"><span class="dropcap">W</span></span>hat a bundle of contradictions +is poor human +flesh! Here have I +been all my life preaching +the beauty and +sanctity of single life, +and am I not the same +man who once at the +command of Brother +Beissel printed an argument +against the Moravians for that they practised +not celibacy and being called to task by our +leader for the moderation of my views, I added so +much salt to my polemics that Brother Beissel was +greatly pleased and I doubt not our spiritual enemies +completely overwhelmed?</p> + +<p>But here am I now in my old age delighting in +telling of the day when my boy and our beloved +Genoveva were made one, our dear sister having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> +finally consented to give up her celestial Bridegroom +for an earthly one.</p> + +<p>Over a year had slipped by since the death of +that poor woman, and how often I tried to solve +the mystery of her life by the light of her last +words, her strange devotion to Sonnlein in his illness, +her clinging so to him in her last moments; +and then the death of Brother Alburtus would +come to me, and how he thought himself another +person, calling himself David Seymour; but though +my mind would continually hang over these two +so that at times I thought I had caught the answer, +yet I was often on further reflection compelled +to confess I had not the solution of all this +mystery, which I often feared would never be +made clear.</p> + +<p>And now sweet May had come again, to me +ever one of the most pleasing months of the year, +when the dandelions and the buttercups gleam in +our meadows like stars, and the meek little violets +nestle lovingly in the deep grass, while from the +fields and the woods come the clear notes of the +birds, mate calling unto mate with such delicious +tenderness that I often wonder whether there be +not a heaven for flowers and birds, and for everything +He created. And yet I mean not the same +heaven for all, for I like not snakes and bugs.</p> + +<p>Indeed, 'twas either the enchanting spring days +or else this getting my boy and our Genoveva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +wedded that seemed to go to my head like wine; +for half the time I was flying about the Kloster +grounds like a bee in a bottle, and yet if it ever be +necessary for one to keep his wits from bumping +against the other surely it is when there is intrusted +to him the tremendous responsibility of +tying together two young hearts in wedlock.</p> + +<p>My Brothers and Sisters, though at first consistently +opposing themselves to all this marrying, +finally—for so great was their love for Sonnlein +and Genoveva—took almost as great interest as I +in the matter, especially the Sisters, notwithstanding +their vows; for I have observed that the weaker +sex can no more keep away from weddings than +honey bees from the flowers.</p> + +<p>After much talk with the Sisters—and even the +Brethren deigned to give most grave and solemn +suggestions which I gratefully accepted and wisely +disregarded—it was decided the wedding, or <i>Hochzeit</i>, +should be held in Peniel, which as will +be recalled we built in the meadow during that +dreadful winter just before the death of our poor +Brother Agonius.</p> + +<p>So great a delight did our little community find +in the wedding to be, that not only were invitations +sent out to all the housefathers, their good +wives and sturdy sons and buxom daughters; but +we even sent invitations to our English Brethren +in Nantmill and Coventry and to our German<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +Brethren on the Wissahickon; for we were not +ashamed to let the world see that although we +had high regard for our views of celibacy, yet we +knew when it became us to bow gently to that +which could not be helped, for surely when two +be bent on marrying each other naught availeth +to hinder them.</p> + +<p>And now that we had decided upon such grave +matters as the fixing of the day, the selection of +the person to perform the ceremony, our justice, +Conrad Weiser, having graciously accepted that +honor, and the sending out of the invitations, the +Sisters immediately set to work for the feeding of +the great multitude we earnestly hoped would +come, for on such a day we must feed our guests +well and not subject them to the thinness of our +Kloster fare.</p> + +<p>Then too, though Sonnlein concerned himself +not much about his wedding suit, the Sisters made +great ado that their beloved Genoveva could in no +wise be properly married unless she had most +beautiful garments befitting such a wedding as +this; so that between the baking and sewing and +all the other endless things that women ever seem +to regard necessary for weddings, I fear that at +our midnight meetings Sisters and Brothers did +not always have their thoughts turned toward the +heavenly Bridegroom and the celestial Virgin, the +hymns having more of love in them than ever before.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> +Whether this was mere coincidence I know +not, and I leave this for wiser men to determine, +only that Brother Beissel the day before the wedding +complained to me he verily believed it were +next to useless to hold any more midnight services +until we got through with this marrying business; +that even so solemn and stern a Sister as the prioress +seemed now to think only of one thing, +which was that Genoveva should be married in +proper state.</p> + +<p>But even wedding days, like all other days, are +bound to come around if only one waiteth patiently +and hath found a mate, and so Sonnlein's +came, a perfect spring day, neither hot nor cold, +but just such a day of mild, pleasant air and cloudless +sky as might make one content to live on this +earth forever. I have heard it said the most +solemn one on a wedding day is he who is to be +married, some claiming this to be due because he +feeleth that thereafter he hath lost his freedom as +being subject more or less to the will and wishes +of another. Whether this be true I know not, +only I can set it forth that Sonnlein greeted the +morn of his wedding day not at all as one going +to a prison other than one walled and barred by +the love of his Genoveva.</p> + +<p>So, early in the forenoon of that wonderful day, +a great multitude was gathered on the grassy plot +between Saron and Bethania as we had not seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +for many a year, so that even Brother Ezechial, +with all his dread of womankind, came at Sonnlein's +call to his cell and finally consented to peer +out of the little window, but in great trepidation, +seeing so many plump forms and rosy faces, the +merry, tempting daughters of Eve laughing and +talking—whenever their elders ceased to remind +them we liked not such levity—like a lot of chattering +birds.</p> + +<p>"Art not sorry thy cell overlooks the Cocalico, +good brother?" asked Sonnlein soberly.</p> + +<p>"'Tis an awful sight!" whispered Brother +Ezechial, shaking all over and turning his eyes +from the gay medley below.</p> + +<p>"Meanest thou the old one yonder who hath +such fierce look?" said Sonnlein, pretending he +missed our brother's meaning. "Thou needst not +look at her. See, haste thee, that pretty maid is +smiling to thee! Art not going to reply to such +challenge?'"</p> + +<p>"God forbid!" exclaimed Brother Ezechial fervently +as he turned hastily from the window and +in mortal fear shut himself in his cell, though I +never have believed one should be this much afraid +of woman.</p> + +<p>Shortly after midday we all, that is, all of the +great crowd that could possibly get in, were +crowded into the large <i>Saal</i>. At the farther, or +eastern end of the hall, in the middle of a small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> +platform, sat our one-time Brother, now Justice +Conrad Weiser, grave and impressive, as became +the dignity of his high office, and yet not deeming +it unworthy of the occasion to appear in such +resplendent apparel as confirmed many a good +Brother and Sister that our justice was, alas, beyond +redemption; for from his long, black swallow-tail +coat gleamed a row of gold buttons, his +waistcoat being a color as I can liken only to the +soft richness of a ripe plum; and more proudly +sinful than all this were the silver buckles where +the long black silk stockings met the dark knee +breeches, and even on his black slippers were +large silver buckles, the buckles and the buttons +twinkling and glowing like little lamps, so that we +all were quite dazed with the dignity and radiance +shed upon us by our good justice.</p> + +<p>To the front of our justice and a trifle to his +right, being also on the little platform, sat our +worthy <i>Vorsteher</i>, the lifetime apostle of celibacy, +with such a look of humble resignation upon his +face as would have softened the stoniest heart, +even though he was clad in all the solemn grandeur +of the sacred robes, which, in imitation of +those worn by the Jewish high priests, the Eckerlings +had wheedled him into wearing.</p> + +<p>To the front and left of our justice sat our prioress +in the robes of the priestess of the Roses of +Saron, stiff, stern, and erect as ever, her tight,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> +evenly pressed lips giving her the inscrutable +look of a sphinx, though well I knew our <i>dura +mater's</i> heart was beating warmly for our beloved +young sister.</p> + +<p>And now having disposed of the high dignitaries, +I come to my boy and his Genoveva, he sitting +directly behind our leader and not at all +abashed, though I have ever understood it becometh +a bridegroom so to appear, for he fairly shone +with health and happiness, so that more than one +wistful glance was shot slyly at him by the softhearted +girls; but as to what he had on, bless me, +even though he was my beloved Sonnlein, I cannot +recall, only that he was clothed as was the custom +of the young men of the secular congregation, +some plain black cloth, so near as I can tell, forming +the staple of his attire.</p> + +<p>To Sonnlein's left and behind our prioress and +beyond the splendor of our justice sat our Genoveva, +and though I know little of cloths and fabrics, +especially of woman's dress, if my memory faileth +me not she was clothed somewhat after the manner +of the Sisterhood, only instead of the plain, coarse +black dress or grayish ones they sometimes wore, +her snow-white gown was of some wonderful material +such as I had not seen since my student days +and which gleamed and shimmered much as I have +seen the sunlight play on the ripples of the Cocalico.</p> + +<p>And whereas the Sisters ever had their beauty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> +enveloped in those hideous hoods, so completely +hiding their virginal faces from the brothers, Genoveva, +being already within the freedom that marriage +brings to woman, had on no hood, not even +a veil to hide that crown of golden hair waving so +gracefully and simply from her brow and tied in +the back with some beautiful band or ribbon formed +into a cunning bow, among the folds of which were +ensnared the sweet little violets Sonnlein had +plucked for his bride, and these little violets she +hath to this day, for thus is the heart of woman.</p> + +<p>There were those, indeed, among the Sisters +who had gravely asserted our sister could not be +properly married without a veil, but Sonnlein and +I being of one mind that everybody would desire +to see how beautiful was our Genoveva, we stoutly +held it were almost ungodly to hide her 'neath a +hideous veil. And so as she sat there blushing +modestly whenever Sonnlein glanced at her, which +the rascal was doing most of the time, I know +many a man's heart envied my boy, for surely +never did I see anything to equal her simple, high-souled, +woman's beauty.</p> + +<p>Thus I write it down that when one hath the +gift of loveliness one need not gorgeous raiment.</p> + +<p>Directly in front of the low pulpit from behind +which shone the majesty of the law was myself, on +a short bench, feeling very big, as though all the +glory of this wedding were mine. In front of us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> +and facing our way sat the Brotherhood on the +long benches running across the hall, cloaked and +cowled, hands folded meekly across the breasts, +tonsured heads bowed, and eyes looking neither +to the right nor the left, though assuredly there +was abundance of attractive provocation. Even +our Brother Ezechial had been prevailed upon to +leave the safety of his retirement for the awful +perils of the crowded <i>Saal</i>. And our good Brother +Gottleib, who ever maintained that all jewelry was +made in the workshop of the Evil One, for once +overcame his scruples sufficiently to wear the gold +ring—containing a bit of holy writ inscribed in +Greek—that proclaimed our brother a duly initiated +member of the Holy Order of the Mustard Seed.</p> + +<p>Back of the Brothers and under the galleries, +along the north and the south sides of the hall, +were the gray-bearded housefathers, and behind +them, filling every vantage place within the sacred +walls, were the sturdy sons of the housefathers +and the male friends and guests who had flocked +from all directions to see a Kloster wedding.</p> + +<p>And lest it be thought that I, being a surly +monk, lack the gallantry due the weaker vessels, I +shall mention that in the broad, northern gallery of +the hall were clustered the Roses of Saron, while +the robust wives and rosy-cheeked daughters of the +house elders and the female friends and guests +were assembled in the southern gallery.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>These galleries, or <i>por-kirche</i>, as they were called, +were screened with lattice work, following the custom +of the synagogues in Holland and Germany, +wherein the women were relegated to the screened +galleries, for, with Paulus, we held that women +should keep silent in the churches and remain +modestly in the background, and I rejoice that I +can write in all truth that our Sisters in the northern +gallery, like our Brethren on their benches +below, maintained strict and decorous silence. I +cannot say so much for the wives and daughters +in the southern gallery who from behind their lattice +kept up such a whispering and commotion and +bustling and peering about as greatly offended our +order-loving souls, even our leader, who had it ever +in him to be all things to all men and who could +be pleasant as well as stern, frowning most severely, +so that half the time I was in a tremble lest he +would burst forth into one of his scoldings.</p> + +<p>But at last there was some semblance of order +in the crowded <i>Saal</i>, and then, at the word from +our leader, our Brothers and Sisters rose to their +feet and sang a number of our hymns, and surely +never was our soft Kloster music more heavenly +sweet, a great hush falling upon all the rest in the +hall, for such power hath pure music over the +human heart.</p> + +<p>And then, Brother Weiser having first read from +the Bible, discreetly selecting a chapter that had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> +naught of marrying in it, motioned Sonnlein and +Genoveva to stand forth, whereupon they stood +up, she in womanly grace and modesty and he as +proud as any lord, my boy, by reason of his royal +stature and his being on the platform, fairly towering +over us as our justice called out whether any +one had aught to say why these two should not be +made husband and wife.</p> + +<p>For a moment there was absolute silence and +then from the rear of the hall came a loud, brutal +voice from one not of our number, I rejoice to say, +who in season and out of season had lost no opportunity +ever since my baptism by Brother Beissel +to heap upon me every foul insult and taunt and +ridicule. And now with a hateful devil's smile on +his face and a foul fiend's spiteful laugh, my persecutor +cried out, "What name doth our good +brother's Sonnlein give his wife?"</p> + +<p>Had lightning fallen upon us from the clear sky I +know we had not been more dazed, for though we +had provided for everything else, it had never come +to us that Sonnlein must have a name to give his +bride! For a moment a great bewilderment held +me fast, and then, as mine enemy laughed loudly +again at our consternation, not heeding the angry +looks of the more excitable of our housefathers +and their sons, I could see that it required all of +Sonnlein's will to keep him from this ungentle +intruder who with his evil heart seemed to find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> +most exquisite delight in our torment as he laughed +more brutally than before, "Call thyself 'Müller,' +Sonnlein, and thou goest not wrong, I swear."</p> + +<p>At this vile insult I thought Sonnlein would fly +from the platform and rend the villain limb from +limb, for such passion was in my boy's face as I +had rarely seen, but I gently pressed him back +while I spake quietly but steadily so all could hear, +"If Sonnlein careth for it and our sister will bear +the burden of so humble a name as Müller I give +it gladly," and then I cried out proudly, "For all +that mine enemies and the enemies of our holy +Order may think or say to the contrary, 'tis a +name my boy need not be ashamed of!"</p> + +<p>"And the only one that belongs to him, thou +bald-pated hypocrite!" sneered mine enemy so all +could hear, whereat I so forgot myself to cry out—for +it is foolish to lose one's temper and bandy +foul names—"Thou liest!" but I was beyond all +endurance and had I said the word I could see by +the lowering looks of our adherents it would have +gone ill with this hate-poisoned man, but I controlled +myself, though how I know not to this day, +and again I spake softly, "I entreat you all to hold +yourselves in patience but a few moments until +my return," whereupon I left the <i>Saal</i>, some following +me anxiously with their eyes, fearing my +peace-loving spirit was making me run away from +all this untimely quarrel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a few moments I was back again holding +something under my cloak out of sight while I +related how Sonnlein had come to me and about +the dying words of Brother Alburtus and the last +moments of that poor woman, and as Sonnlein +and Genoveva and the Brothers and Sisters added +their testimony so far as they knew I could see +the great wonderment creeping over the faces of +all present, even mine enemy, despite his hate and +unbelief, remaining quiet for once.</p> + +<p>And then, having brought the assemblage to +this mood, I suddenly pulled out from beneath my +cloak the little white baby garment I had found +on Sonnlein that morning in the woods in the +long ago hermit days. Holding up the stained +and soiled cloak so all could see, I fairly shouted +to mine enemy, "Come and see the pretty letters +on this child's cloak, 'C. S.,'" and lifting mine +hand on high, I declared solemnly, "Before the +Great Searcher of Hearts I swear I know not how +those letters came there or what they stand for!"</p> + +<p>And then came a thrilling cry from the rear of +the hall, "Praise the Lord, 'tis David's boy!" and +then some one rushed forward through the crowd +that fell back who for a moment I thought was +our Brother Alburtus returned from the dead, +some of the Brothers and Sisters and of the secular +members actually whispering in their fright, +"'Tis Brother Alburtus."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the stranger heeded not the commotion +only pressing forward the tears running down his +face, and shaking in every limb, as he caught +Sonnlein's hands in his, holding them as if he +never would let go, saying over and over, "My +brother David's son; my brother's only son!"</p> + +<p>Finally as the stranger became more composed, +he turned to me. "Didst ask the child its name +when thou didst find him?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, the first thing I sought was his name, +but he only would say 'Tass,' and such name have +I never heard. To this day I know not what he +meant, though often have I thought on it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thou wise, simple monk! 'Tass' was +naught more than baby for 'Charles,' which his +unpractised lips could not frame into other than +'Tass.' We all called him 'Tass' for a pet name."</p> + +<p>I could not doubt 'twas so, for I could see more +than one of the housefathers and the housemothers +exchange nods and smiles with the nighest one as +much as to say, "How stupid our Brother Jabez +hath been not to see this long ago!" But how was +I to know, not having any great knowledge of the +little ones?</p> + +<p>Then turning to our justice I bowed humbly, +and said, "Brother Weiser thou art a justice, and +if I mistake not hast power and authority to administer +an oath or an affirmation."</p> + +<p>To which our justice gravely responded, "Such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> +power reposeth in me by virtue of my commission +as justice."</p> + +<p>"I shall ask, then, good brother, that our friend +who sayeth his name is Thomas Seymour be +affirmed that he will speak the truth."</p> + +<p>And then as the stranger faced about toward +the pulpit, our justice with his full, round voice +that ever sounded to me like some strong, deep +toned bell, said to the stranger:</p> + +<p>"Dost thou, Thomas Seymour, solemnly and +truly declare and affirm that thou wilt tell the +truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, +and so thou dost affirm?"</p> + +<p>To which the stranger as solemnly replied, and +yet distinctly in the breathless silence of the hall, +"Yea!"</p> + +<p>And now, after all these long years, my boy +found his own, right name; and mine own reputation, +often so bitterly assailed by those who held +not with our mode of life, was cleansed from all +stain and dishonor; for truly "a good name is +better than great riches."</p> + +<p>And thus our good brother, Thomas Seymour, +whom many present with us this day vouched to +be one of our most devout and influential English +Sabbatarians, from Coventry, had come all this +long journey merely to honor us with his presence; +but in the providence of God destined to find his +brother's son and to have all this dark mystery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +about Brother Alburtus and the witch and Sonnlein +made as light as day.</p> + +<p>Briefly, as our Brother Seymour related it to us, +he and his brother David, known to us as Brother +Alburtus, with his wife Elizabeth and their boy, +Charles, our Brother Thomas being a bachelor, +had lived together in Coventry. By the fall of a +tree, which they were felling nigh their cabin, +Brother Alburtus received the great gash across +his brow, the hurt taking his mind from him so +that one day he wandered away leaving no more +trace of his departure than if he had been taken +up into the sky, only that he had frequently after +his hurt spoken ramblingly about joining the +hermits on the Cocalico. Inquiry among the +Solitary showed he was not with them; for it was +not until some years after Sonnlein and I came to +Ephrata that Brother Alburtus joined our community, +and where and how he lived ere that no +one ever knew. Some weeks after he had left his +wife, she, unable longer to endure her suspense, +left suddenly with the little boy, while our brother +Thomas was absent from the cabin. She and the +child also were swallowed up so completely by the +wilderness that with all his long searching naught +could he find of them, though he had visited the +Conestogas, on a rumor that there was a white +woman living with them, but they could not or +would not tell him aught. At last, almost heartbroken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +and despairing of finding the lost ones, +whom he now believed to be dead from the wild +beasts, or starvation, or the Indians, he left Coventry, +not returning again for over ten years after +the loss of his brother David and his wife and child.</p> + +<p>More we never learned, but it was clear to all +that the fearsome witch was the wife of Brother +Alburtus, that he was David Seymour, the brother +of Thomas Seymour, and that Sonnlein was the +baby. Many an eye was dimmed in the <i>Saal</i> at +the plain, unadorned recital of our brother's tale, +as we thought of all the long years of darkened +mind that had held our Brother Alburtus, so that +he knew not his own boy though so nigh; but +most of all our hearts went out in a great sorrow +for that poor woman who half crazed by unwearying +search and ever-recurring disappointment had +suffered all these years the bitter pangs of separation +from husband and child; and I know many a +silent prayer arose from our hearts for those two +who at last were sleeping side by side in that rude, +mountain grave.</p> + +<p>Indeed, it was a relief to our strained feelings +when Johann, who long ago had forgiven the beating +Sonnlein had given him, turned toward mine +enemy yelling at him, "If thou leavest not at +once with thy devil's grin, thou wilt be hurled into +the creek," whereat mine enemy, abashed for +once, slunk out of the hall like a whipped beast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> + +<p>Surely there is not much else to relate of this +marriage, though I shall never forget how lost and +lonesome I felt, like a father bereft of his son, +when our justice asked Sonnlein—and ever hath +he been Sonnlein to me—"Dost thou, Charles +Seymour, take this woman, our Genoveva, to be +thy lawful wedded wife," my boy responded +proudly, "Yea." And then, as I remember it, +our justice asked our lovely Genoveva a like question +if she would take him to be her husband, and +upon her low "Yea," our justice pronounced them +husband and wife, and promptly saluted her with +such a willing smack as made even the Sisters +titter, while poor Brother Ezechial hung his head +still lower, blushing to his very ears.</p> + +<p>The next day Sonnlein and Genoveva left on +their honeymoon with his uncle for Coventry, and +though Coventry be not to the end of the world, +it seemed to me as though all the world had left +me, only that she kissed me ere she left, whereat +I blushed so through all my long beard, that +Sonnlein laughed so heartily I liked it not; but +had he known how long I cherished the memory +of that kiss, the only one for many a long year, +ah me, my boy had not laughed so boisterously I +know.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="c33" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>RETROSPECT</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Moreo'er, the shields so steady and the consecrated swords,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O God, that I were worthy to join the victor lords.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then should I like the others achieve a prize untold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not lands that have been promised, nor king's or noble's gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But oh, a wondrous crown, and for evermore to wear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A crown which poorest soldier can win with axe and spear.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yea, if the noble crusade I might follow o'er the sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I evermore should sing, All's well! and nevermore, Ah me!<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Nevermore, Ah me!<br /></span> +<br /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i14">—<i>Walther Von der Vogelweide.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="dropcap-a"><span class="dropcap">A</span></span>nd now, after the long +lapse of many years +since my boy and our +Genoveva were made +one—and yet how short +the time hath been—one +of my chiefest delights +is to dwell on the +past. Mine eyes are +no longer turned toward +the future with eager +questioning as in my youth. In mine old age I +am like unto an old tree standing alone, a solitary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> +landmark of the decline of our Kloster, the setting +sun casting my shadow toward the morning. +The Kloster hath never survived the indomitable +spirit of its founder, Brother Beissel, and his +sturdy associates. Slowly but surely its power +hath diminished. Since the days our warrior, +Brother Wohlforth, left us many others of our +number have gone to their eternal reward. +Brother Obed, our schoolmaster, with his kindly, +genial soul, long ago have I missed him from his +accustomed place, and the Eckerlings, of whose +sad fate we heard years after they left us, they +too, with their dreams of commercial conquest, +have passed away to that realm which harbors +neither bargain nor sale.</p> + +<p>The first great loss that came to us was our +Brother Enoch, our justice, who died but a few +years after that never to be forgotten wedding; +but not many years before his death there was +great rejoicing among us to know that the serious +breach between our leader and our justice had +been closed, and though our justice had greatly +grieved us when he allowed himself to be fooled +so to accept a commission from the governor, yet +when we saw the door of our brother's long spiritual +captivity had been opened we welcomed him +gladly, so that his old acquaintances of the Kloster +all told him the lost piece of silver was now found. +Not long after, our congregation assembled for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +love feast at which he, by partaking of the holy +sacraments, was reincorporated into our spiritual +community, although we willingly after his death +yielded to his mother church the honor of having +garnered in his body.</p> + +<p>He died on a Sunday after a violent attack of +colic, and was buried on his farm at Heidelberg, +not a great distance from us to the northeast, +where with his children and a number of Indians +he awaits the call of the last day.</p> + +<p>And now I come to the closing years of our +beloved leader—and surely these were full of +trouble. For a number of years prior to his +death it became manifest to all of us that physical +infirmities were fast growing upon him. But +far more grave than these were the estrangements +he suffered more or less from both of our Solitary +Orders, though it seemeth not becoming to set +forth here the false and bitter accusations made +against our leader so that his cup of bitterness +was pressed to the full.</p> + +<p>All during the winter of 1767-1768, besides +the distress of mind and spirit, he suffered from +many diseases, chiefly a wasting cough, and at the +beginning of July of 1768 his various ailments +became so aggravated he was most of the time in +great pain, so that he was forced to exclaim more +than once to me—and I rejoice now I never deserted +him—that he was nailed to the cross; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> +such was his stubborn will and fortitude that he +refused to acknowledge any physical sickness, but +would often say his sufferings were mere spiritual +throes preceding his new birth. He also found +great comfort in the firm persuasion, which many +of his most intimate followers held with him, that +he would be spared the pains of a bodily dissolution +and would be translated into the realms of +bliss as Enoch and Elijah of old; but in this, like +his predecessor on the Wissahickon, Magister Johannus +Kelpius, our leader was destined to make +his exit in no wise different from ordinary mortals.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding his grievous infirmities our +leader attended to the duties of his office to +within eight days of his end, when for the last +time, in his priestly robes, he officiated at a love +feast, and seeing that his end was nigh he consecrated +Brother Philemon and Brother Eleazer and +myself to the priesthood, from which his successor +should be selected. While in such suffering he +received word, only three days before his death, +that one of our oldest housemothers was breathing +her last, and that she wished to see our leader +even if he could not speak to her. So with him +leaning on my arm we went to our dear sister's, +thereby fulfilling her wish.</p> + +<p>"At last," so our <i>Chronicon</i> states, "Wednesday, +the sixth day of July of the year 1768 came +when he laid aside his mortal raiment."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> + +<p>On that morning, having rallied somewhat, he +attended prayers in the Sisters' <i>Saal</i>, and sought +earnestly for reconciliation with our prioress, but +in vain. As he returned to his cabin, sad at +heart—for with all his fiery nature he ever strove +to merit his favorite name, Father Friedsam Gottrecht +(Father Peaceful Godright)—none of us +thought his departure was so near; for the powers +of darkness, as he said, could not prevail upon +him to lie down.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Brethren kept a constant watch, +for many of our little flock looked for great happenings, +feeling assured the powers of death would +have no easy struggle with such an old soldier of +the cross, who was neither accustomed to call +on men for mercy nor to yield to the powers of +darkness.</p> + +<p>But by the time the sun had stood at midday, +we could see the end was near, and all the Solitary +and the near-by householders gathered about him +in his little cabin, soon filling it, many standing +outside the doorway. On his little bench, as hard +and uncomfortable as any of ours—for he scorned +any comforts denied to his disciples—sat our little +ruler, gaunt, wasted, his features thin and drawn, +and eyes sunken. Around him clustered the Brethren +of Bethania, sad and silent, but not shedding +any tears to annoy his stubborn spirit. Back of +the Brethren stood the Sisters, some of the shorter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> +ones on a bench, and most of them weeping quietly +despite their fortitude. All was silence and expectation. +But though within the cabin reigned +the darkness of death, outside under the glowing +sun all was life and brightness, like the glorious +radiance that would burst through the gates of +death, for our beloved leader.</p> + +<p>Over an hour we stood, not saying a word, but +all the while our brother becoming weaker and +weaker from the great heat and the stifling air in +so small a cabin. At last he broke the silence +and asked the Brethren to bless him and receive +his memory into their fellowship. Then I anointed +him with the holy oil, and as I spread the +sacred chrism upon his forehead I gave him my +blessing with the laying on of hands, after which +all the Brethren in turn gave him the kiss of peace +to take with him on his journey.</p> + +<p>After this tender ceremony was over he consented, +after my continued persuasion, to lie down +on his bench, resting his head upon the wooden +block that had served him so many years. He +lay quietly for a while with eyes closed, and then +as if gazing into the very depths of eternity, he +partly raised himself on his elbow and exclaimed, +"<i>O wehe! O wehe! O wunder! O wunder!</i>" (Oh, +woe! Oh, woe! Oh, wonder! Oh, wonder!) +and then fell back, his spirit soon after taking its +flight peacefully from its earthly home to that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> +still more wonderful home of which oft during his +stay with us he had received such gracious visions.</p> + +<p>Immediately upon his death messengers were +sent out near and far with slips prepared by the +Sisters, inviting the people to the funeral of our +<i>Vorsteher</i> which, on account of the great heat, +was set but two days following his death, the +Brethren meanwhile preparing the body for burial, +the Sisterhood keeping vigil, five Sisters constantly +watching and reciting prayers for our dead.</p> + +<p>On the day of the funeral our usual customs +were observed, such as sweeping the floor of his +cabin, pouring a bucket of water over the door-sill, +and the chalking of the three crosses upon +the side of the doorway. And there were those +who, following an old German superstition, went +about and informed every hive of bees within our +grounds and for a considerable distance without, +of the death of our leader, it being firmly believed +that the bees would swarm if this notice to them +were neglected; and also every barrel, keg, and +crock of wine and vinegar and pickles and sauer +kraut and preserved fruits, in order not to be +spoiled, had to be turned on the shelves or skids.</p> + +<p>The funeral services were held in the great +<i>Saal</i> we had built many years before at a right +angle with Bethania, where our brother had so +often preached. After a sermon by me there were +addresses by Brothers Philemon and Obed. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> +sang special hymns, and never did our Kloster +music, in which our leader had ever taken such +great pride, sound more sweet and heavenly. +When the services were over in the <i>Saal</i> the body +of our <i>Vorsteher</i> was carried to the graveyard close +by, followed by the immense throng in spite of +the short notice gathered from every direction. +Before lowering him into his last resting-place, +the lid of the coffin was again raised, so that according +to our ritual the sun might once more +shine upon his body. Then his body was turned +slightly to the right side, being kept in place by a +piece of sod, thus ensuring perfect rest in his grave. +The lid was then closed down, and the little form +of our great-souled leader was lowered into the dark +cell, there to repose until the trumpet of the angel +shall call him forth to receive his crown.</p> + +<p>On the same day our brother died, a Sister who +lately joined the Roses of Saron passed away, and +this being joined to the death of the housemother +but a few days before, gave the Solitary firm assurance +that the departed spirits of our sister and the +housemother had been deputed to attend the spirit +of our <i>Vorsteher</i> and minister to it.</p> + +<p>Often during his life he had promised he would +return in spirit to the Kloster after leaving this +world. Many of the Solitary as well as the settlers +about us firmly believed this. It hath ever +been a matter of much thought with me whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +or not the spirits of the dead ever revisit their beloved +ones on earth. It seemeth to me it should +and must be so, and yet have I never been vouchsafed +such visions. But only two days after his +burial our leader appeared to Brother Luther and +Sister Catharina, in their cells. He also appeared +to our Brother Ezechial, who for some fancied grievance +had been the only one of our number not to +attend the funeral and gave our disgruntled brother +most earnest admonitions, so that Brother Ezechial +became a changed man, for the better let it be +said. Later on, our leader's visits to the Solitary +became nightly occurrences, and indeed he even +appeared to one of our Germantown brethren.</p> + +<p>Be these things as they may, for I record not +what I saw—merely what I heard—this I know to +be true, that with all his failings and short-comings +our Kloster reached its greatest renown during +the rule of our little leader. Naught but a +poor journeyman baker had he been in his early +days; of little learning, but to a man of such great +talents as his, the lack of learning from books +hindered him little. In his lifetime he originated, +with some help from others, our wonderful Kloster +music, himself composing fully one thousand pieces +of music, printing over four hundred of them, and +full of beauty and prophetic insight are they, so +that we hold them as great treasures. And with +all his fiery nature, there was in this man such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +tenderness and humility that in time most of the +estrangements of his early Kloster life were fully +reconciled, thereby confirming what he ever maintained, +that he was a lover of peace.</p> + +<p>But I shall not longer darken my story with the +deaths of my beloved Brothers and Sisters. I still +have my Sonnlein and his devoted Genoveva. After +that blissful day, they went with his uncle, living +with him, he being a bachelor, until his death, after +which, his estate having come to Sonnlein, he and +Genoveva, at my earnest persuasions, took up a +farm near by, which Sonnlein tilleth like a good +husbandman, only that he never hath outlived his +love for hunting and fishing, even though he is now +on toward middle age. But such hath ever been +the simplicity of his life that he hath the strength +and spirit of one in his thirties.</p> + +<p>As for our beloved Genoveva, she too is of those +blessed ones who never grow old—for surely time +seemeth to have no influence on that fair face and +graceful form. What a sweet, noble woman she +is! Indeed, it is Sonnlein's oft-repeated jest, that +he is exceedingly jealous of old <i>Vaterchen</i>; to which +Genoveva maketh gentle retort that she never quite +understandeth how she came even to think of +Sonnlein while I was about. But she is all devotion +to her Sonnlein and her children; and what +a brood of healthy, happy-hearted, romping, noisy +boys and girls they are, so that often they are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> +reproved for worrying so much their grandfather +Jabez—to such dignity have I attained. But with +all their sitting on me and sliding over me and +pulling my beard and hanging to my cloak wherever +I go, I would not for worlds have them otherwise.</p> + +<p>The eldest one, a tall, grave, solemn-eyed youth, +who is ever at his books, and asketh me most serious +questions, hath been named Jabez, against my +earnest protestations.</p> + +<p>A second, a lively young imp, who careth for +everything but books, they have called Peter, he no +doubt representing my more worldly life ere I joined +the Kloster, as Jabez standeth for my stricter life +thereafter. Indeed, I often aver that had I more +names Sonnlein and Genoveva would make use of +every one. There is too, a precious little toddler +whom they consented at my request to call Sonnlein, +all my names being used up.</p> + +<p>Beside the cradle in which lieth a plump, rosy, +crowing, happy baby, our little Genoveva, stands +a sweet-faced little maid, with hair of gold and +heaven's own blue eyes, whom, though I have ever +been a great stickler for impartiality, I cannot help +loving a trifle the best; for Genoveva, with that +marvelous insight women seem to have above men +in matters of the heart, hath named the little +maid Bernice. Ah me!</p> + +<p>As for me, I cannot help feeling that mayhap I +did not use all of my few talents faithfully. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> +wonder sometimes whether I did not bury some +here in the solitary life of the Kloster. Not that +we were selfish, or mean, or lacked in love for our +Father; but perhaps, aye, I fear it is so, man cannot +best serve man by withdrawing from him. I +see clearly now it was not the Master's way. He +taught neither fasting nor feasting; neither vigils +nor sluggish sleep. Even within the sacred bounds +of our Kloster, sequestered from the world, things +were not—it pains me e'en now to say—as holy +as they should have been. Hate, spite, envy, +greed, lust, passion, ambition, intrigue, quarrelings, +bickerings, misunderstandings, false, bitter charges, +prevailed within the monastery no less than without. +I understand now what the deep-sighted Luther +meant when he said that the world is in the heart of +man and not in his surroundings. It is even so, and +because it is so, I cannot withstand the arguments +of those who contend truthfully that the life of the +monk and the nun, sweet and holy though it may +be, is not so large and noble and useful as the life +of him and her who with duty for a watchword and +purity of heart for an armor and the word of God +for a sword go forth to battle with sin wherever +his horrid form may be seen.</p> + +<p>But thanks to the priceless inheritance of a +strong, healthy body, preserved by temperance in +diet, serenity of mind, and abundance of labor in +the open air close to the heart of God, mine old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +age hath not yet become a reproach to me. Still, +like the Preacher, I feel it will not be many days +ere the keepers of the house shall tremble, the +grinders cease because they are few, and those that +look out of the windows be darkened. I have endeavored +always to bear victory and defeat, joy +and sadness, with evenness of spirit. I have not +complained overmuch here and surely when the +silver cord is loosed for me or the golden bowl be +broken and I meet Him face to face in the boundless +fields of eternity, I know naught but bliss will +be mine; and yet with my poor earthly sight and +understanding, I shall long to meet there and be +with them for evermore, father, mother, the Brothers +and Sisters of the Kloster, Sonnlein and his +beloved Genoveva and their dear children; but +dearer than all these I want again to clasp to my +breast the sweet flower cut off while still in its +budding, my Bernice.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/359i-2.png" width="200" height="132" alt="Decoration." title="" /> +</div> + +<hr class="c33" /> + +<h4>FOOTNOTES</h4> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> "Dutch and Quaker Settlements." John Fiske.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> "The Pennsylvania-German Dialect," by Lee L. Grumbine, Esq.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Grumbine.</p></div> + +<hr class="c33" /> + +<p>Transcriber's Note:</p> + +<p>Obvious printer errors corrected.</p> + +<p>Spelling "house-father" and "housefather" retained.</p> + +<p>Spelling "penwork" and "pen-work" retained.</p> + +<p>Spelling "gully" and "gulley" retained.</p> + +<p>Spelling "wrapt" and "wrapped" both retained.</p> + +<p>Spelling "subtilely", "subtility", and "subtilty" retained.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Tale of the Kloster, by Brother Jabez + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TALE OF THE KLOSTER *** + +***** This file should be named 37942-h.htm or 37942-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/9/4/37942/ + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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