Against the Wind: Eberhard Arnold and the Bruderhof - Plough

Against the WindThese circumstances raised Eberhard’s estimation of his uncle still higher. Herewas a man like none other; the young man had never felt so well understood by anadult. And there was something else about his uncle that impressed Eberhard: hewrote later that in Uncle Ernst he found a courageous, joyful Christianity and alove of Jesus and the poor such as he had never before encountered.One occasion in particular left Eberhard speechless. A “soldier” from the SalvationArmy was invited to a meal, and Ernst Ferdinand Klein welcomed him warmly,calling him “brother” and listening attentively to his account of “work to save souls”in the dark corners of Berlin. 16 As Eberhard would later relate, even though hewas deeply impressed by his uncle’s respect for the simple man from the SalvationArmy, he was still more impressed by the dedication and self-denial that he sensedin this guest. 17During the four weeks at his aunt and uncle’s home, Eberhard discovered theNew Tesament, and the Gospels in particular. He was embarrassed when relativessuddenly came in and surprised him at his bible reading. He neither wanted norfelt able to speak – even to his uncle – about the questions it raised for him. Onlywhen it came time to leave did Eberhard disclose his anxiety that he had no one athis home who could help him to a clearer understanding of Jesus. Ernst FerdinandKlein tried to dispel his worries.Back in Breslau at the beginning of August, Eberhard and Clara each stayedwith different family friends while their parents vacationed on the North Seacoast with the two youngest daughters, Betty and Hannah. Eberhard stayed withan elderly professor and his family. This man was also a professing Christian,but he was very sober and rigid – hardly a confidant. Fortunately, Eberharddiscovered in his room a copy of Thomas à Kempis’s The Imitation of Christ, awork already five centuries old. Eberhard Arnold had found a key to the Gospelsand a guide for following in Jesus’ footsteps: “‘He who follows me, does not walkin darkness,’ says the Lord. In these words Christ urges us to imitate his life andactions if we want to find true enlightenment and be freed from all blindness ofheart. Therefore it must be our first concern to immerse ourselves in the life ofJesus Christ.” 187dEdiCationIn the ensuing weeks Eberhard must have used almost every free moment to readand think things over. He would say later that the image of Jesus had come tohim in blinding clarity. To follow Jesus became the most urgent demand on his