Against the Wind: Eberhard Arnold and the Bruderhof - Plough

Against the WindMeanwhile Emmy actively participated in the Halle city mission’s organizationfor young women, an association linked with the YWCA. This was not withoutits difficulties. Some of the proponents of adult baptism from the Alte PromenadeFellowship, the very same fellowship with which Eberhard and Emmy had forso long been involved, now publicly voiced their doubts about the degree of“conviction” of the city mission people. They feared that Emmy would recruit youngwomen from one organization to the other. In the city mission group, these samefears were mirrored in reverse, and Emmy soon came under criticism becauseshe would not deny her conviction about baptism. Emmy’s involvement withthe YWCA and Eberhard’s affiliation with the YMCA each remained merely anepisode, although both of them preserved close and friendly contacts with therespective movements throughout the years.35planSAmid all these complex events, problems, and obligations, it is easy to lose sight ofthe fact that Eberhard was still a student. With his newly won conviction aboutbaptism he felt that it was all the more urgent to forge full steam ahead with hisstudies. He was not the only person to wonder what vocation he should followafter the examinations were over, or what position he should seek. But Eberhardremained open-minded, convinced that God would lead him.For a while he entertained the idea of missionary work in China “as long as nodistinct leading from God holds me back.”At the same time he was courted by manycloser to home. Among these was Ludwig von Gerdtell, who urged him to jointhe Baptist mission committee, but Eberhard already had his reservations aboutjoining the Baptists. A Christian millionaire, Baron von Tiele-Winckler, offeredhim a post as a private tutor – “including work for Jesus, free accommodations,a 1200-mark annual stipend, and free time for thesis work”– but time restraintsforced Eberhard to decline. At one point he contemplated taking on follow-upwork for von Gerdtell’s lectures, calling it “a good way to start because of myyouth,” while understanding that he would “gradually become more and moreindependent in my work and evangelizing.” But it was von Gerdtell who raised“objective reservations” to this idea. “I am afraid ‘non-Baptist’ is the decisive factor,”was Eberhard’s comment. In early July 1908 the Halle SCM seriously consideredappointing him to chapter secretary – not exactly a livelihood, but it seemed aviable option. Even his parents wished “not to stand in the way” if their son “chose