Part 3 (2/2)

There were ”inspired instruments” before Christian Metz. Indeed, the present ”instrument,” Barbara Landmann, was accepted before him, but by reason of her marriage fell from grace for a while. It would seem that Metz also was married; for I was told at Amana that at his death in 1867, at the age of sixty-seven, he left a daughter in the community.

The words of ”inspiration” are usually delivered in the public meetings, and at funerals and other solemn occasions. They have always been carefully written down by persons specially appointed to that office; and this appears to have been done so long ago as 1719, when ”Brother John Frederick Rock” made his journey through Constance, Schaffhausen, Zurich, etc., with ”Brother J. J. Schulthes as writer, who wrote down every thing correctly, from day to day, and in weal or woe.”

When the ”instrument” ”falls into inspiration,” he is often severely shaken--Metz, they say, sometimes shook for an hour--and thereupon follow the utterances which are believed to proceed from G.o.d. The ”instrument”

sits or kneels, or walks about among the congregation. ”Brother Metz used to walk about in the meeting with his eyes closed; but he always knew to whom he was speaking, or where to turn with words of reproof, admonition, or encouragement”--so I was told.

The ”inspired” words are not always addressed to the general congregation, but often to individual members; and their feelings are not spared. Thus in one case Barbara Landmann, being ”inspired,” turned upon a sister with the words, ”But you, wretched creature, follow the true counsel of obedience;” and to another: ”And you, contrary spirit, how much pain do you give to our hearts. You will fall into everlasting pain, torture, and unrest if you do not break your will and repent, so that you may be accepted and forgiven by those you have offended, and who have done so much for you.”

The warnings, prophecies, reproofs, and admonitions, thus delivered by the ”inspired instrument,” are all, as I have said, carefully written down, and in convenient time printed in yearly volumes, ent.i.tled ”Year-Books of the True Inspiration Congregations: Witnesses of the Spirit of G.o.d, which happened and were spoken in the Meetings of the Society, through the Instruments, Brother Christian Metz and Sister B.

Landmann,” with the year in which they were delivered. In this country they early established a printing-press at Eben-Ezer, and after their removal also in Iowa, and have issued a considerable number of volumes of these records. They are read as of equal authority and almost equal importance with the Bible. Every family possesses some volumes; and in their meetings extracts are read aloud after the reading of the Scriptures.

There is commonly a brief preface to each revelation, recounting the circ.u.mstances under which it was delivered; as for instance:

”No. 10. _Lower Eben-Ezer_, November 7, 1853.--Monday morning the examination of the congregation was made here according to the command of the Lord. For the opening service five verses were sung of the hymn, 'Lord, give thyself to me;' the remainder of the hymn was read. After the prayer, and a brief silence, Sister Barbara Landmann fell into inspiration, and was forced to bear witness in the following gracious and impressive revival words of love.”

The phrase varies with the contents of the message, as, on another occasion, it is written that ”both 'instruments' fell into inspiration, and there followed this earnest admonition to repentance, and words of warning;” or, again, the words are described as ”important,” or ”severe,” or ”gentle and gracious and hope inspiring.”

During his wanderings in Germany among the congregations, Metz appears to have fallen into inspiration almost daily, not only in meetings, but during conversations, and even occasionally at dinner--whereupon the dinner waited. Thus it is recorded that ”at the Rehmuhle, near Hambach, June 1, 1839--this afternoon the traveling brethren with Brother Peter came hither and visited friend Matthias Bieber. After conversation, as they were about to sit down to eat something, Brother Christian Metz fell into inspiration, and delivered the following words to his friend, and Brother Philip Peter.”

The inspired utterances are for the most part admonitory to a holier life; warnings, often in the severest language, against selfishness, stubbornness, coldness of heart, pride, hatred toward G.o.d, grieving the Spirit; with threats of the wrath of G.o.d, of punishment, etc. Humility and obedience are continually inculcated. ”Lukewarmness” appears to be one of the prevailing sins of the community. It is needless to say that to a stranger these homilies are dull reading. Concerning violations of the Ten Commandments or of the moral law, I have not found any mention here; and I do not doubt that the members of the society live, on the whole, uncommonly blameless lives. I asked, for instance, what punishment their rules provided for drunkenness, but was told that this vice is not found among them; though, as at Economy and in other German communities, they habitually use both wine and beer.

When any member offends against the rules or order of life of the society, he is admonished (_ermahnt_) by the elders; and if he does not amend his ways, expulsion follows; and here as elsewhere in the communities I have visited, they seem vigilantly to purge the society of improper persons.

The following twenty-one ”Rules for Daily Life,” printed in one of their collections, and written by one of their older leaders, E. L. Gruber, give, I think, a tolerably accurate notion of their views of the conduct of life:

”I. To obey, without reasoning, G.o.d, and through G.o.d our superiors.

”II. To study quiet, or serenity, within and without.

”III. Within, to rule and master your thoughts.

”IV. Without, to avoid all unnecessary words, and still to study silence and quiet.

”V. To abandon self, with all its desires, knowledge, and power.

”VI. Do not criticize others, either for good or evil, neither to judge nor to imitate them; therefore contain yourself, remain at home, in the house and in your heart.

”VII. Do not disturb your serenity or peace of mind--hence neither desire nor grieve.

”VIII. Live in love and pity toward your neighbor, and indulge neither anger nor impatience in your spirit.

”IX. Be honest, sincere, and avoid all deceit and even secretiveness.

”X. Count every word, thought, and work as done in the immediate presence of G.o.d, in sleeping and waking, eating, drinking, etc., and give him at once an account of it, to see if all is done in his fear and love.

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