“I want you to prepare for the _Untersuchung_ with prayer and fasting,” he said, and there was dismay upon every face before him.
“It hath been shown the elders of Zanah that Walda Kellar is to be the instrument of the Lord. From her lips will fall words of wisdom. You all know her, for she hath often spoken to you. She hath sung to you hymns of praise. She will no longer come among you, for she must live apart, but it will be revealed to her what is best for the colony. You must no longer run to her as if she were your mother. You must bow before her. You must no longer speak unto her, for she will be above all the people of the colony.”
The hand of Johann Werther was raised, and, when he had been given permission to speak, he asked:
“Yea, yea,” declared the Herr Doktor. “Thou knowest that Eve was the mother of all.”
“And Walda Kellar is to be the instrument of the Lord?”
“Why ask foolish questions? Thou knowest she is to be the inspired one.”
“I would know why a man was not chosen instead of a daughter of Eve?” said Johann.
“Thou shouldst use thy silly brain for less mighty questions,” was the stern reply. Turning to the school-master the Herr Doktor gave the order:
“Dismiss thy pupils.” Adding: “We would talk with thee.”
Gerson Brandt sent the boys out-of-doors, and then waited for the president of the colony to speak.
“Brother Weisel and I are dissatisfied about many things in the colony,” announced Adolph Schneider, taking a seat on the platform. “There is general discontent. If the _Untersuchung_ were not so near, we should be alarmed for the peace of Zanah. The loss of the Bible hath cast suspicion upon thee, Brother Brandt. It is not my desire to say unpleasant things to thee, but in Zanah we are all truthful. Thou wilt not again be elected as elder unless thou canst trace the Bible.”
“It would be better for thee to say that Brother Brandt cannot be elected unless he decides to bring the Bible from the hidden place that he hath found for it,” broke in Karl Weisel.
“Silence!” commanded the school-master. “Thou shalt not accuse me of stealing the Bible from the colony of Zanah and then of denying all knowledge of it. Take back thy cowardly words.”
“It is the custom to speak what we hold to be the truth,” said Karl Weisel, in a mocking tone. “I believe that thou knowest where that Bible is secreted.”