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DRIVEN FROM HOME 
 
 A True Story of a Converted 
 Jewess 
 
 BY 
 
 JEANETTE GEDALIUS 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 DBMPST^R BROTHERS. PRINTERS AND PUBUSHERS 
 
 Cor. Bond and Glen Park Ave, 
 
Copyrighted, 1905. 
 
 By J^ANETTE GEDAIJUS. 
 
 All rights reserved. 
 
 JEANETTE GEDAI^IUS, 
 939 Howard St., San Francisco, California. U. S. A. 
 
Dedicated to my Beloved Friends, 
 
 MtBst Max^ ^uxhtiitf 
 
 For her personal interest ; 
 
 For her love and interest in the " Lost Sheep 
 of the House of Israel." 
 
PREFACE 
 
 This little story of my life has not been written to arouse sym- 
 pathy for myself, but as a testimony to the mighty saving and 
 keeping power of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the Jew first and also 
 to the Gentile. 
 
 Some there may be of my own people who have heard the 
 voice of Him that was lifted up on Calvary to draw all men unto 
 Him, yet fearing trials and persecution have not trusted Him. 
 Should any fear the hardness of the way, let me assure you that 
 God is faithful and His grace is suflScient for all things. 
 
 God grant that a deeper sympathy and interest may be kindled 
 in the hearts of those who love Jesus for poor blinded Israel, and 
 that prayers may ever ascend to the throne of grace in their 
 behalf. 
 
 Let us pray that the Keeper of Israel, who neither slumbers 
 nor sleeps, will graciously hear the united prayers of His children 
 and take away the vail of Moses from before their eyes. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 
 Childhood— Chapter 1 7 
 
 My Brother and Mrs. Deike — Chapter II 21 
 
 Conversion — Chapter III 34 
 
 Baptism— Chapter IV 57 
 
 Persecuted — Chapter V 63 
 
 Enduring Hardness — Chapter VI 85 
 
 A Prisoner at Home — Chapter VII 98 
 
 Driven from Home — Chapter VIII 109 
 
 My Reception at Berlin — Chapter IX 115 
 
 A Stranger in a Strange Land — Chapter X 123 
 

 CHAPTER I. 
 
 In the little town of Deutsh Eylau, Northern 
 Germany, I was born. My parents, who were 
 strictly orthodox Jews, lived in a cottage close by 
 the Geserick Sea. Many times in early childhood 
 I played upon its banks and looked out upon its 
 quiet blue waters, and visions came to me of the 
 outside world. In these day dreams how my heart 
 bounded at thoughts of the great success which 
 should crown my future life, and how vivid still are 
 the pictures which hang on memory's walls ! 
 
 I can see the quaint, narrow streets along which 
 the women walk carrying water in pails suspended 
 from wooden yokes resting on their shoulders. I 
 hear the clanking of their wooden slippers on the 
 pavements as they bear their heavy burdens from 
 door to door. 
 
 As the last woman vanishes from memory's vis- 
 ion, my thoughts turn to the superstition with 
 which the life of the town abounded. I see troubled 
 faces, and hear the deep sighs of men and women 
 bemoaning the fate of children born on Friday. 
 Then I hear tales of horrible witches who hold the 
 life and death of people in the hollow of their hands. 
 
 I remember the story of my own unlucky birth, 
 for I was born on Friday. Before I had reached 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 the age of twelve months, my parents were im- 
 pressed with a deep realization of the unhappy 
 fate sure to be mine. In a severe fall I bit through 
 my tongue so that the tip of the tongue was al- 
 most severed. The doctor who was summoned at 
 once advised that the point of the tongue should 
 be removed in order to save my life, as there was 
 danger of my bleeding to death, since it was im- 
 possible to take stitches. It seemed that if my 
 life was spared I must always be dumb. 
 
 I can imagine the distress and sorrow of my 
 poor mother; how she must have taken me within 
 her loving arms and pressed me to her aching 
 heart, refusing the advice of the doctor and trust- 
 ing in God and nature. Her faith was rewarded; 
 for, contrary to the doctor's expectation, the 
 wound healed, leaving but a small scar on the 
 upper part of the tongue. 
 
 More misfortune seemed to follow me. I be- 
 came the victim of a reputed witch, of which there 
 were several in our neighborhood. Many and 
 strange were the stories circulated about them. It 
 was asserted that on June 24th at midnight the 
 witches anointed themselves with a special oint- 
 ment and rode upon broomsticks to the top of St. 
 John's Mountain, a peak a short distance from 
 the city. When all were assembled, Satan him- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 9 
 
 self joined them and gave instructions in witch- 
 craft. At those meetings plans were made as to 
 who should be their victims during the coming 
 year. 
 
 A feast would follow at which the most loath- 
 some food would be eaten with seemingly as much 
 pleasure as though it consisted of every delicacy. 
 All this ended with a dance in which the brooms 
 were transformed into men. People so fully be- 
 lieved in witchcraft that they were in constant 
 dread of witches, and feared to go near the house 
 of anyone having that reputation. 
 
 For some years we lived among Polish-speaking 
 people and learned the Polish language. We 
 played happily with their children, and, although 
 we heard witch stories, no witches ever molested 
 us. 
 
 When I was about five years of age, however, 
 my parents moved into a different locality. 
 Across the street from our new home lived a re- 
 puted witch. Every one avoided this woman. I 
 often noticed that when people met her they would 
 make the sign of the cross as soon as they had 
 passed by. Although I did not know what the 
 sign of the cross meant, I learned in later years 
 that they hoped by crossing themselves to prevent 
 the witch from doing them any harm. 
 
10 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 My parents, though Jews, fully believed in 
 witchcraft and were very superstitious. As we 
 played around, many of the neighbors would call 
 us into their homes, giving us small toys and occa- 
 sionally candy and nuts, and thus persuading us 
 to speak to them in the Polish language. 
 
 One day, when my sister and I were playing out 
 of doors, a little girl whom we had not seen before 
 drew near and asked if she might join us in our 
 sport. As she was of about the same age as our- 
 selves and was nicely dressed, we welcomed her 
 as a playmate. She frequently came to us and 
 we became much attached to her and invited her 
 to share our indoor games on disagreeable days. 
 One day she in turn, invited us to her home, to 
 which we readily consented. Not until we had 
 reached the doorstep did we realize that our little 
 friend lived in the witch's home. 
 
 At once we demanded who she was. She replied 
 that the witch was her aunt and that she made 
 her home with her. It was too late for retreat, for 
 the little girl had the door opened for us and we 
 felt impelled to go in. Her aunt was pleased to 
 see us, and offered us bread and butter with a 
 liberal sprinkling of sugar over it. Although fond 
 of such food, we promptly refused it, for we had 
 been instructed never to take food from Gentiles. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 11 
 
 Time passed on; fall approached and the days 
 grew colder. As we were playing in the street one 
 day a chilly, drizzling rain began to fall. Our 
 little playmate saw us and called to us that they 
 had a bright fire in the open grate and wished us 
 to come in and share its warmth and comfort. 
 This appealed to us, and, without obtaining our 
 mother's consent, we entered Annie's home. We 
 had no open grate in our home, and it was fasci- 
 nating to us to see the fire and hear the crackling 
 of the wood. 
 
 Presently Annie's aunt came in with some pota- 
 toes in her apron, which she buried in the hot ashes 
 to roast. When they were done she took them out 
 and offered them to us. They looked so tempting 
 that we were unable to resist. We reasoned to 
 ourselves that, since they were not cooked in a 
 vessel, there could be no harm in our eating them. 
 
 Hardly had we tasted them, when the door 
 opened and our mother appeared. She saw the 
 potatoes in our hands. For a moment she ap- 
 peared horror-stricken. Soon, however, she recov- 
 ered, and snatching the potatoes from us she took 
 us home, there to receive the punishment our dis- 
 obedience merited. 
 
 More serious consequences, however, were to 
 follow. During the night we were taken sick and 
 
12 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 before morning our poor little bodies were burn- 
 ing with fever. Mother was greatly alarmed and 
 naturally her first thought was that we were 
 bewitched. Hence, instead of consulting a physi- 
 cian she went to another reputed witch to ask her 
 advice. She gave mother some instructions with 
 regard to treating the disease, and warding off 
 further calamity; mother returned, confirmed in 
 her belief that we were under the power of the 
 other witch in consequence of having eaten the 
 roasted potatoes in her house, and though she fol- 
 lowed the instructions of the second woman ex- 
 actly, there was no improvement in our condition. 
 
 When father, who had been away from home, 
 returned in answer to an urgent summons, he at 
 once called a physician who pronounced the sick- 
 ness a severe cold. His remedies were faithfully 
 given, but we rapidly grew worse. 
 
 In great anxiety my parents again called upon 
 the witch. She repeated her assertions that we 
 were the victims of witchcraft, and declared that 
 the only remedy was to outwit the other witch. 
 This, she confessed, she was unable to do, for slie 
 had not sufficient knowledge to treat the disease 
 successfully. 
 
 She recommended a woman living at a distance 
 of eight miles from our home. This woman had 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 13 
 
 the reputation of being a great witch, who pos- 
 sessed the power of healing diseases caused by 
 witchcraft, but she would seldom confer with 
 women, so father went to see what she could do 
 for us. He was told that he must under no condi- 
 tion speak to any woman he might chance to meet. 
 He carried with him a present for the witch and 
 a bundle of clothing which we wore at the time 
 we were bewitched. Upon his return the instruc- 
 tions of this woman were faithfully carried out. 
 
 I do not know what this w^onderful woman said 
 to him, for in everything great secrecy was ob- 
 served. She had given my father nine different 
 herbs from which a bath was to be prepared in 
 which we were to be bathed twice a day, morning 
 and evening. She had assured father that there 
 was no danger and that she was fully able to break 
 the spell of the other witch and check the power of 
 the disease. 
 
 Immediately upon father's return the bath was 
 prepared, but dire results followed. We did not 
 recover as the witch had promised, and during the 
 second bath my little sister expired in mother's 
 arms. Great Avas the grief of all for our loved one. 
 For ^ whole week my parents sat in ashes and ate 
 the bread of affliction, according to the law. 
 
 My life hung by a slender thread and for some 
 
14 . DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 time the heroic efforts of the physician and my 
 loving mother's care seemed unavailing; but after 
 two long months of suffering a change for the bet- 
 ter came, and there was much rejoicing and thank- 
 fulness that my life had been spared. Gradually 
 health and strength returned, but during these 
 months I had become a strong-willed, petted child 
 accustomed to have my slightest wish gratified. 
 
 As might perhaps be expected, I grew to have 
 less confidence in witchcraft as the years passed; 
 and when I was about twelve years of age an inci- 
 dent occurred which showed to me the gross super- 
 stitions that were commonly believed. I longed 
 for the time to come when I might be able to con- 
 vince the poor deluded people that such nonsense 
 ought to be entirely renounced. My childish heart 
 revolted at the bondage of these superstitions. 
 
 Mrs. B., a popular Jewish lady with a family of 
 daughters ranging in age from six to twenty years, 
 lived in our town. Their house was very large and 
 they were fond of entertaining, and on nearly 
 every night in the week we gathered in their hos- 
 pitable home, both old and young, assured of a 
 hearty welcome and a pleasant time. One evening 
 it was discovered that a little savings bank con- 
 taining a few pieces of money had disappeared. 
 The general belief was that it had been stolen, 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 16 
 
 but the question was, "Who could have taken it?-' 
 Inquiries were at once made, as the bank was 
 highly prized, but no clue was found that would 
 lead to its recovery. 
 
 An old Gentile woman, who occasionally did 
 work for Mrs. B., heard about the loss and at once 
 volunteered to locate the missing article. As all 
 were anxious to discover the guilty one, a reward 
 was promised the woman if she could detect the 
 thief. An evening was set for the purpose, and a 
 number of the usual guests were present. When 
 all were seated the woman was called in. She 
 brought with her an old song book and a large 
 rusty key, an heirloom of several generations, 
 which was to be tested by the oracle. All eyes 
 were fixed upon the woman and her actions, the 
 company waiting with bated breath. The general 
 belief in such cases is that the key will swing 
 about when the guilty one is mentioned. The 
 woman seized the key, held it aloft, and thrice 
 made the sign of the cross upon key, book and 
 herself, while the family and guests began to call 
 off the names of those present and the names of 
 absent neighbors, but there was no sign from the 
 oracle. Again the woman made the sign of the 
 cross and asked questions of the oracle. I could 
 keep silent no longer but burst into laughter, ex- 
 
16 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 claiming that we were all foolish to believe such 
 nonsense, and I declared that none of the guests 
 had taken the bank, for we were not thieves. 
 
 My remarks and unconcealed mirth angered the 
 woman, who warned me to beware lest the ven- 
 geance of the oracle fall upon me. While having 
 no fear of the oracle, I suppressed my disgust, 
 for I was afraid that the old woman might do me 
 harm or even brand me as the thief. Soon a third 
 attempt was made, and as the key turned around 
 different names were mentioned, among them 
 being that of an orphan girl who lived with her 
 miserly old grandmother. As soon as this name 
 was spoken, the book swung around. Three times 
 this was done, and each time the book moved — a 
 sure sign that she was guilty. 
 
 The poor girl, bursting into tears, declared her 
 innocence, but who would believe her in the face 
 of such convincing proof? It was recalled that 
 only a few days previous to the loss of the bank 
 she had been seen admiring it, and besides she was 
 the only one of the guests who had seen it, or even 
 knew of its existence. Mrs. B. and her daughters 
 had no pity for the lonely girl, though those pleas- 
 ant evenings at their home had been the only 
 bright spots in her life. Through this incident 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 17 
 
 she must henceforth be deprived of even such a 
 simple pleasure. 
 
 I could not believe her guilty ; and, child though 
 I was, I endeavored to defend her. But the others 
 were so positive of her guilt that they would not 
 listen to reason, insisting that she must give up 
 the stolen bank or they would have her arrested. 
 In vain the girl protested her innocence; and, had 
 it not been for Mrs. B.'s refusal to have an officer 
 enter her home, the girl would have been arrested 
 at that time. As it was, she was told to go home 
 and never to let her face be seen in that home 
 again. As the poor girl left the room, my heart 
 went out to her in sympathy. Even now I seem to 
 see her pale sad face and hear her sobs as she went 
 forth from that home. 
 
 Utterly disgusted with the whole proceeding, I 
 resolved never again to mingle with those super- 
 stitious people. But soon my resolution was 
 broken, and I decided to go as usual, determined 
 at some future time to secrete something and 
 thereby ascertain for my own satisfaction whether 
 the old woman could find me out in it. 
 
 One Sunday evening a number of guests had 
 gathered in the pleasant parlors and when I en- 
 tered were already engaged in various games. The 
 chairs in the room were all occupied and I was 
 
18 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 told to step into an adjoining room for a chair. 
 As I glanced about the apartment my eyes rested 
 upon a small purse lying on the bed. Instantly 
 the thought flashed into my mind that now was the 
 opportunity to test the Gentile w^oman's power ; 
 so, taking the purse, I put it in my pocket and re- 
 turned with a chair to the other room. 
 
 I was relieved when we dispersed, for the secret 
 had begun to weigh heavily upon my mind. Dur- 
 ing the night I could not sleep, so impatient was 
 I to learn whether or not the loss had been dis- 
 covered. As soon as school was out the following 
 day, I hastened to the home of Mrs. B. Sure 
 enough the purse was missing, but no one could 
 imagine who could have been so unkind as to steal 
 froni them. Whoever had taken it must have en- 
 tered the bedroom, and they were at a loss to know 
 who it could have been. I suggested that it might 
 be well to consult the old woman who had discov- 
 ered the thief on the former occasion, and I was so 
 eager and anxious to learn what she could do that 
 I offered to go for her. The woman promised to 
 come as soon as she could, though I had begged 
 her to come at once with me. 
 
 The time of waiting seemed long, but at last she 
 appeared, her book and key carefully wrapped in 
 a handkerchief, and on her face a grave, solemn 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 19 
 
 look. As soon as possible she arranged the key and 
 book as before. We all stood round about her, 
 and, though I had little faith in her charms, my 
 heart beat fast and my hands trembled violently 
 when one by one the names were mentioned of all 
 who had been present the previous night. Still 
 the book remained perfectly motionless. Then I 
 spoke the name of the girl who had been accused 
 of taking the bank, and immediately the book 
 swung around, not once only but three times. 
 The woman triumphantly held up her book and 
 key, declaring that her heirloom never failed her, 
 and saying, "You can see for yourselves that the 
 girl is a thief. She stole the bank not long since 
 and now is in possession of the purse." 
 
 In spite of proof of the girPs innocence, the 
 woman insisted that she was guilty. My friends 
 said they knew she had not taken it, for she had 
 not been in the house since she had left it in dis- 
 grace. Calmly I declared that I was positive of 
 her innocence, yet I dared not tell all, as I had 
 thrown away the purse. 
 
 Another prevalent superstition was that when 
 an article of clothing had been stolen, the thief 
 could be found by burying a piece of the cloth if 
 any scraps could be found. It was believed that, 
 aB soon as the cloth began to decay, being buried 
 
20 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 in a grave with a corpse, the body of the thief 
 would also decay and death would soon follow. 
 So fully was this believed, and so intense was the 
 fear of the terrible results, that often the mere 
 rumor of resorting to such means was sufficient to 
 insure the return of the stolen property. 
 
 At one time clothing was taken from our home 
 and a certain person was suspected, though there 
 was no proof of her guilt. My mother spoke of her 
 intention of burying a piece of the cloth, taking 
 care that this person should hear of it. This 
 threat had the desired effect, for the next day the 
 clothes rolled in a bundle were found on our door- 
 steps. 
 
 Often have I looked back to that time of black 
 superstition and realized the meaning of the words 
 of the prophet, "Behold the darkness shall cover 
 the earth, and gross darkness the people.'' 
 (Isaiah Ix, 2.) 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 In the face of the existing superstition there 
 was little known about the religion of Christ. The 
 Roman Catholic Church, with her gross idolatry, 
 had full sway, having shrines and images located 
 on the public roads. The Lutheran Church, 
 though without shrines or pictures, also failed to 
 uphold the banner of Jesus Christ. On Sunday 
 morning Catholics and Lutherans could be seen at 
 church. After the services they would freely visit 
 the saloons, many of them becoming drunk; quar- 
 rels and disturbances would follow, disgracing the 
 Christian's sacred day. Dance halls were wide open 
 and beer gardens flourished. Jews living in the town 
 had nothing in common with Christians, dealing 
 with them in business affairs only. They enjoyed 
 their own amusements, attended the synagogue, 
 and educated their children in a Hebrew school. 
 
 Until of a certain age Jewish children were in- 
 structed by a Rabbi in elementary things, and 
 their studies were completed in the public school 
 with Gentile children. My mother dreaded the 
 time w^hen she must send her children to the pub- 
 lic school, as she knew what indignities we would 
 suffer at the hand of these children, because of our 
 being Jews, or, as they termed it, "Christ Killers.'' 
 
 My brother and I entered the local school, where 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 unfortunately the children were mostly Gentile; 
 and in those first days we were made the targets 
 of their derision and hatred, but patiently we bore 
 the spiteful things said and done. Through hard 
 study and outward serenity we won the favor of 
 our teachers and many friends from among our 
 classmates. Still, what a storm of hatred and bit- 
 terness raged in my heart against them and their 
 religion ! It seemed to me nothing but a persecu- 
 tion of our people. 
 
 The mother of one of my classmates had 
 become a Christian and had joined the Baptist 
 Church, being the only person in our town belong- 
 ing to this denomination. She became the object 
 of much persecution at the hands of those who 
 claimed to be Christians, because she had left the 
 Lutheran Church. Her daughter and I became 
 close friends, as did also our brothers. We often 
 went to their home where they had a large play- 
 ground and a fine fruit orchard. There we studied 
 our lessons, afterwards enjoying play and fun. 
 
 The mother, Mrs. Deike, often joined us and we 
 grew to love her very dearly. She was indeed a 
 Christian whose life was fully consecrated to the 
 Lord. As we became better acquainted, she began 
 in a simple, loving way to tell us of Jesus, the 
 promised Messiah, the King of the Jews. It was a 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 sweet story and new to us. We listened eagerly 
 as she spoke of Him who had come as the fulfill- 
 ment of all the Old Testament prophecies in which 
 our people believed. Up to this time we had not 
 known the difference between Roman Catholics, 
 Lutherans or Baptists. All to us were alike. All 
 were idolaters. The followers of Jesus, no matter 
 what their name, we classed as heathen whose 
 chief object in life was the persecution of the Jews. 
 Our people had received no love or sympathy from 
 these so-called Christians; and now, for the first 
 time, we heard that Jesus came to save the Jews 
 and not to persecute them. 
 
 We were very fond of Mrs. Deike and loved to 
 listen to her, but this was all so strange that we 
 could not believe it. I was not given to argument, 
 but my brother, who was tw^o years my senior, 
 argued much with her, telling her that it was 
 impossible for Jesus to be the Son of God, the Sav- 
 iour of mankind. But she was not discouraged 
 and patiently she tried in every way to convince 
 us of the divinity of Christ. Finally my brother 
 told her that our religion was far superior to hers ; 
 quietly she replied that she read the same Bible and 
 that it was her only guide. But to this he invari- 
 ably replied, "O yes, your Bible is so constructed 
 
24 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 that the Old may fit the new Testament, and the 
 New the Old." 
 
 At last, however, he was persuaded to get a 
 Hebrew Bible with German translation from the 
 Rabbi, so that they might compare Bibles. My 
 brother brought his book to Mrs. Deike and a most 
 diligent comparison began. The Bibles were found 
 to be in everything the same, and my brother be- 
 came intensely interested and began to study the 
 Word of God. He came to the 53d of Isaiah, and 
 read of the Messiah : 
 
 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of 
 sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid as 
 it were our faces from Him; He was despised and 
 we esteemed Him not." 
 
 "Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried 
 our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, 
 smitten of God, and afflicted. 
 
 "But He was wounded for our transgressions. 
 He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastise- 
 ment of our peace was upon Him; and with His 
 stripes we are healed." 
 
 He stopped and asked, "What does this mean? 
 Who is it? Who has borne our griefs? Who was 
 wounded for our transgressions?" 
 
 "It is Jesus of Nazaareth whom you hate and 
 despise," was Mrs. Deike's reply. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 25 
 
 From that moment my brother began to see the 
 light in Christ Jesus, and he accepted Him as his 
 personal Saviour. He was then not quite thirteen 
 years old, and he told no one of the family of his 
 new-found faith. The time for his confirmation 
 (or Bar Mitzwah) was at hand, when he was to 
 become a son of the law, and he went through the 
 ceremonies, although in secret he was a Christian. 
 
 Not long after this he was apprenticed to a Jew- 
 ish merchant who had a large iron business in a 
 town about forty-eight miles from home. He was 
 a very strict orthodox Jew. It was agreed that my 
 brother should remain there for three years. 
 After his departure I continued to visit the Deike 
 family, but they soon moved into the country on a 
 farm about twelve miles from town. The friendly 
 ties were severed, and the teachings of that saintly 
 woman completely forgotten for a time, as no last- 
 ing impression had been made on my heart. Two 
 years swiftly passed by, during which I was occu- 
 pied with my studies. Then my brother returned 
 home for a visit. It was a red-letter day with our 
 family, and as he was my favorite brother we 
 spent much time together during these happy vaca- 
 tion days. He had been at home a week when one 
 day I met Mrs. Deike and told her of his arrival. 
 She was pleased and readily accepted my invita- 
 
26 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 tion for her to call. I thought my brother would 
 be especially pleased to see her, but I was sadly 
 disappointed; for, as soon as he saw us approach- 
 ing he immediately left the room. I wondered at 
 this action because he had been greatly attached to 
 her. My parents were very glad to see her and 
 after a time my brother was persuaded to come in. 
 He spoke to her, but all could see that his welcome 
 was far from being hearty. 
 
 Mrs. Deike told us of her beautiful home in the 
 country and how much they all enjoyed being 
 there. I was intensely interested, for I had never 
 been in the country and I expressed a desire to see 
 it. Thereupon she invited my brother and myself 
 to spend a few days with her, promising to send a 
 team for us if we would appoint a day. Our par- 
 ents objected to the visit and made many excuses 
 for not letting us go, but she finally persuaded 
 them, and they consented to let us go for a day or 
 two, providing she would give us nothing to eat 
 which was not allowed by our religion. She prom- 
 ised not to give us anything but eggs, bread, butter 
 and milk. In order that there should be no possi- 
 bility of defilement, Mrs. Deike advised us to carry 
 with us a little kettle in which to boil the eggs and 
 milk for our use. 
 
 I was full of joy at the prospect of a visit to the 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 27 
 
 country, but my brother was not so enthusiastic. 
 Indeed, he had promised to go merely to gratify 
 me. At last the eventful day dawned, a bright, 
 beautiful spring day. We started early in the 
 morning, walking through the woods, listening to 
 the happy song of birds. We had planned to meet 
 Mr. Deike, but he had forgotten to send the team 
 for us, thinking we were to come another day. We 
 walked on watching for the team, but none ap- 
 peared. 
 
 It seemed a 16ng distance those twelve miles, but 
 we walked bravely on, talking as we went, for we 
 had much to say to each other after our long sep- 
 aration. Toward the end of our walk we became 
 tired and often sat down by the wayside. After 
 going through the eight miles of forest and while 
 going through the fields with but two more miles 
 before us, my brother suddenly stopped and said, 
 "Don't let us go on ; let us turn back and go home." 
 
 I was much surprised at this remark and won- 
 dered what had come over him, but I said that we 
 had better hasten on. We did so, but soon were 
 obliged to sit down again to rest. Sitting with our 
 hands clasped in each others, he tried to persuade 
 me not to go on, but to give up the trip, assuring 
 me with tears in his eyes that it was wrong for 
 Jews to ivingle with Gentiles, or to' have any inter- 
 
28 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 course with them. "We shall surely come to 
 grief," he said, "if we proceed on our journey and 
 venture into danger." 
 
 But I would not listen to him, being determined 
 to see the farm, and I felt too weary to walk back 
 those long miles. I fully agreed with him that we 
 should not associate too freely with the Gentiles, 
 but could see no harm in making a short visit in a 
 Gentile home. I insisted that since we had gone 
 so far we ought not to turn back, and although 
 very tired I went on and he was compelled to fol- 
 low. His face looked grave and troubled. For 
 the last time he begged me to turn back, but I 
 would not, and only laughed at him. 
 
 Oh, had I but known what would happen and 
 foreseen the future! Surely I would not have 
 laughed at him, neither would I have crossed a 
 Gentile's threshold. 
 
 How often in after days did I wring my hands 
 in agony and curse my obstinate will for thus put- 
 ting my brother in the power of Satan, as I imag- 
 ined I had done ! God in His mercy did not reveal 
 to me the future, and I became the instrument in 
 His hand of leading my brother on to the greatest 
 blessing, though unconscious of the fact. 
 
 As we drew near to the farm, my brother said, 
 "Now as we are to be the guests of Gentiles and 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 are to remain with them over night, let us be care- 
 ful what we say and do. Be sure not to forget to 
 wash your hands the first thing in the morning 
 and say your prayers." I faithfully promised to 
 do so, and assured him that so far I had never for- 
 gotten to do my duty. Our parents were very 
 strict in the observance of the law, particularly in 
 regard to the washing of hands. This had to be 
 done the first thing in the morning before we were 
 fully dressed. The water was poured three times 
 over the hands and face, a little prayer was said, 
 and then we finished dressing and made ready for 
 breakfast. 
 
 Brother also requested me to remain near him 
 all the time, not leaving him alone with Mrs. Deike 
 or any of the family. This I promised also to do, 
 though I wondered why he was afraid to have 
 them talk to him in private. I hesitated about 
 asking him for fear of offending him, but his 
 clouded face brightened when I had given the 
 promise. 
 
 Soon we came in sight of the whitewashed farm 
 house. Even the smoke curling out of the chimney 
 seemed beckoning us to a place where rest and re- 
 freshment awaited us. We were warmly welcomed 
 by Mrs. Deike, who apologized for her forgetful- 
 ness and neglect in not sending a wagon to meet 
 
80 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 US. In a short time our fatigue was forgotten as we 
 sat in an arbor eating with appetites of healthy 
 children a repast consisting of bread, butter, milk, 
 and eggs. 
 
 As soon as we were rested, forgetting my 
 brother's request, I ran off to play with the girls 
 and to see all the wonderful things on the farm. 
 We had so much to talk about that I could not 
 bear to waste any time. The farm yard was thor- 
 oughly explored, where I found many things of 
 interest to a city girl. Among them I saw a pen of 
 seven little pigs which were a source of delight 
 to my companions, but to me they seemed rather 
 disgusting, for at home we had been taught never 
 to look upon a pig. If we could not avoid so doing 
 we must spit upon the ground as a sign of our 
 disgust at the sight. 
 
 Suddenly I remembered the promise given to my 
 brother, and without any explanation to the girls, 
 I rushed to the arbor where I had left him alone 
 with Mrs. Deike. I found them so absorbed in 
 conversation that they did not notice my approach. 
 She was holding my brother's hands, and I could 
 see the tears rolling down his cheeks. 
 
 Fearing that some one had hurt his feelings, I 
 walked up to them and demanded to know the cause 
 of his tears, saying that if they hurt my brother 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 31 
 
 we should go home immediately, even if we had to 
 walk the entire distance. Neither of them gave 
 me any satisfaction or enlightened me as to the 
 cause of his sorrow. Not until later did I learn 
 the truth. My brother had been a Christian all 
 these years, though he had been afraid to confess it. 
 Since leaving home he had been associated with 
 Jewish people, going with them to the synagogue 
 on the holy days and on the Jewish Sabbath. 
 Though apparently a Jew, in his heart he was a 
 Christian, and his soul was stayed on Christ. Dur- 
 ing the two years he and Mrs. Deike had kept up a 
 correspondence, through which she constantly en- 
 couraged him in his Christian life and faith. 
 
 One of her letters had become mislaid and had 
 been found by my brother's employer, who did not 
 hesitate to read it; and great was the indignation 
 of the Jewish merchant when he discovered that 
 an inmate of his household was a believer in Jesus 
 Christ, the hanged Nazarene. When my brother 
 was taken to task and ordered to deny the claims 
 of Jesus, he frankly admitted that he was a Chris- 
 tian and that all his hopes were centered upon the 
 Christ. 
 
 Upon hearing this, the man became so enraged 
 that he slapped my brother's face and threatened 
 
32 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 to send for his parents to acquaint them with the 
 news. 
 
 The poor boy was very much frightened; for he 
 felt that he could not yet meet his parents and de- 
 clare to them that he had found the Messiah, so he 
 promised his employer that if he would not inform 
 his parents that he would discontinue the corre- 
 spondence with Mrs. Deike, and would no longer 
 read the New Testament. He was compelled to give 
 up his Bible, which was torn into small pieces. He 
 afterward found some whole leaves which he con- 
 cealed beneath his clothes in his trunk. 
 
 Mrs. Deike's letters remained unanswered, and 
 his faith decreased until he became once more an 
 orthodox Jew. This was the reason why he did not 
 like to meet Mrs. Deike and have a personal con- 
 versation with her ; but that day when she inquired 
 concerning his Christian life he broke down and 
 confessed that he had denied his Lord and Master. 
 
 He began anew, his faith in Christ was renewed, 
 and his love rekindled. He promised that at what- 
 ever cost he would be true to the Lord Jesus ; and 
 when his apprenticeship was finished he would 
 openly confess Him in baptism. He kept this prom- 
 ise, and all these years has continued a faithful 
 follower of Christ. 
 
 The next day we returned home, Mrs. Deike's 
 
DRli^lS'^f^i^^^^OME. 33 
 
 team carrying us within a mile of home, and as we 
 walked the remaining distance we exchanged 
 thought in regard to the Christian religion. While 
 my brother said nothing about his personal faith 
 in Christ, he spoke very kindly of Christianity. 
 
 I had been deeply interested in the family wor- 
 ship, both night and morning, and although noth- 
 ing was said to us about Christ, I was much im- 
 pressed with the beauty of such simple household 
 meetings for reading the Bible and prayer. The 
 scene was indellibly fixed, and I could not forget 
 it, much as I wished to do so. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 My brother soon left home to complete his busi- 
 ness training. After an absence of one year he re- 
 turned, making our family circle once more com- 
 plete. During the following two months he twice 
 visited the Deike family; once with the consent of 
 our parents, the other time without it, father hav- 
 ing forbidden him to go there again, saying: "A 
 Gentile house is not a place for a Jew." 
 
 As time moved on it was thought advisable to 
 secure a position for him as clerk in a store. A 
 number of places were open to him, but he did not 
 accept any of them. 
 
 About this time the feast of the first fruits of in- 
 gathering or Pentecost was to take place. This 
 occurs seven weeks after the Passover. For some 
 reason my father was away from home for the feast 
 days. 
 
 On the second day of the feast my brother re- 
 ceived a letter. After reading it he said : "Mother, 
 I have an offer of a good position, and I believe I 
 ought to accept it at once. If I take it, there will 
 be no time to lose, hence I must leave to-morrow." 
 Usually he read his letters to the family, but this 
 one, after reading, he tucked away in his pocket. 
 This aroused mother's suspicions, and she decided 
 to find out why he so carefully guarded the letter. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 36 
 
 Early the next morning she came to my bedside 
 and awaking me said, *^Be quiet, here is something 
 I want you to read for me.'' I quickly arose, and 
 took brother's letter from her hand. Upon opening 
 it I was astonished to find that it was not a business 
 letter, but from a friend, urging him to stand by 
 his faith in Jesus Christ, to make an open profes- 
 sion even though it might mean the forsaking of 
 everything for Him. 
 
 The writer of this letter had been a University 
 student, who had been led to see his lost condition, 
 and to trust only in Jesus Christ for salvation. He 
 had left the university and had earned his living 
 as a common workman in an iron mill. After 
 speaking of the sacrifices he himself had been called 
 to make through becoming a Christian, he, the son 
 of a Rabbi, told of his conversion, and of his faith 
 in the promised Messiah, also how he had been dis- 
 owned by his parents and ostracised by all his for- 
 mer friends. He wrote : "I have found in Jesus a 
 friend that sticketh closer than a brother ;" and con- 
 cluded by saying : "God has been good to me. He 
 has guided me through the storms of life, and now 
 I am preaching the blessed Gospel of Jesus." 
 
 He lived in a distant city, about one hundred 
 miles irom our home, and urged my brother to 
 come to him. As my eyes glanced over the pages, 
 
86 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 it seemed that my blood turned cold and my heart 
 almost ceased beating, as I realized that my brother, 
 our oldest and best beloved, was being urged to 
 believe in the despised Nazarene. It seemed im- 
 possible that he could even think of becoming a 
 Christian. I was much alarmed, but did not read 
 the letter to mother; but I told her under no con- 
 dition to allow the boy to leave, as the place where 
 he intended to go was unsuitable for him, excusing 
 my action by saying that the writing was so poor 
 I was unable to read it. Poor mother believed me, 
 and restored the letter to its place. 
 
 We went back to bed, but sleep had departed 
 from me. Constantly before me I could only see the 
 words, "Believe and trust only in Jesus." 
 
 It was a cruel blow to me to think that my be- 
 loved brother should be entreated to believe in a 
 traitor, for such I considered Jesus Christ. In 
 vain I racked my brain for any motive that could 
 impel him to such a course. I still hoped there was 
 a mistake somewhere; I could not believe that my 
 brother could so far forget himself as to bring dis- 
 grace upon his family by becoming a follower of 
 "the hanged one." For this reason I refrained from 
 telling mother. 
 
 That morning he was to accompany mother to 
 the synagogue, but on some pretext I kept him at 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 37 
 
 home, and mother went alone. Then I told him why 
 I had kept him. As soon as I mentioned the letter 
 his face became white and he began to tremble and 
 was unable to answer the questions I poured thick 
 and fast upon him. As I saw his embarrassment, 
 belief in his guilt was confirmed, and I cursed him 
 in downright Jewish fashion, threatening to tell 
 mother and promising dire punishment for ever en- 
 tertaining ideas of heathenism. 
 
 When I at last gave him a chance to speak, he 
 tried to explain why he believed in Jesus as the 
 Saviour. As he mentioned the name of Jesus I put 
 my fingers in my ears and screamed as loudly as 
 possible in order to drown his voice, for I did not 
 want to hear anything about Him. 
 
 I told him that he was no brother of mine, and 
 added, "you will soon be an outcast from our home, 
 for I am determined to tell mother everything when 
 she returns." He put his arms around my neck and 
 pleaded, "Please don't be angry with me, Jeanette, 
 and don't say anything to mother until after I have 
 gone." 
 
 His pleading touched my heart, and I promised 
 to say nothing if he would consent to remain at 
 home until a more suitable position was found for 
 him. Our conversation was interrupted, and dur- 
 ing the remainder of the day there was no oppor- 
 
38 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 tunity for us to be alone. The next morning, as 
 the holy days were over, I went back to school, cau- 
 tioning mother not to let brother leave home. She 
 had no idea why I so strongly insisted upon his re- 
 maining, but supposed it was because of my fond- 
 ness for him. 
 
 All that morning my thoughts were at home with 
 my brother, I could hardly wait for the closing bell 
 to ring, but as soon as it did I laid aside my books 
 and hastened home to find the house empty and 
 my brother gone from home never to return. 
 
 A feeling of desolation came over me as I realized 
 that I had lost a brother, who would never again be 
 the same to us, but must be considered as one dead. 
 
 My first impulse was to tell my parents what I 
 knew; but on second thought J decided to say noth- 
 ing until I had heard from him, all the time hoping 
 he would not bring disgrace upon us by becoming 
 a Meshumed (turncoat). For two weeks I waited 
 for news of him. He wrote home, but from the let- 
 ters I could obtain no information in regard to his 
 actions. Finally the suspense became unbearable, 
 and I wrote to ^iv. Curant, the minister, for I had 
 kept his name and address in mind since reading 
 his letter to my brother. ( This earnest man, by the 
 way, is still preaching in Bromberg, Germany. ) 
 
 I asked him what he had done with my brother, 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 and whether he could not have found other victims 
 for his religion without stealing my brother from 
 his home and making a Meshumed of him. I also 
 demanded: "How much money did you pay my 
 brother for coming to you, and how much would 
 you pay me to make me a Christian?'' I accepted 
 the current opinion that for every Jewish convert 
 a large sum of money was paid. 
 
 That bitter, sarcastic letter was written with the 
 expectation that the minister would relent and in- 
 duce my brother to return to us. But I was greatly 
 mistaken, for, instead of my brother's return I re- 
 ceived a letter from him, telling me of his baptism 
 and his great joy in his new-found faith. He said : 
 "The only sorrow I have is that my dear ones at 
 home do not share my joy and happiness," and he 
 assured me that neither he nor the minister had 
 been paid any money, adding, "No one is benefited 
 by my baptism except myself. Christians do not 
 buy souls, as you think." 
 
 It was a terrible blow, for no greater disgrace 
 could be imagined to a Jewish family than for one 
 of its members to become a Meshumed. I had heard 
 of such things, but had never dreamed that such 
 a calamity could happen to our family, for we had 
 been raised very carefully in the Jewish faith, our 
 parents priding themselves upon the fact that their 
 
40 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 ancestors had all been strictly orthodox in religion. 
 It seemed impossible that he, the oldest son, had 
 left the true fold, for never before had a member 
 of their family gone astray, for was not he the one 
 upon whom our parents depended to say * caddish, 
 after they were gone to be with Abraham, Isaac and 
 Jacob? 
 
 I read and reread the letter, but there it was 
 plainly written, ^'I have been baptized." There could 
 be no mistake. First sorrow, then anger entered my 
 heart. I tore the letter into small pieces and threw 
 them away, but my mother seeing what I did com- 
 manded me to tell her what it meant. 
 
 I told her all I knew, and never shall I forget 
 the expression on her face and her agonizing 
 shrieks when I told her that her boy, her pride, 
 had become a Meshumed. She declared again and 
 again that it could not be true. O how glad I would 
 have been to have been able to tell her that it was 
 a mistake; but alas! it was only too true that it 
 was her own boy. No one but God knew what my 
 mother suffered; she did not seem to care to live 
 and bear the reproach of having one of her family 
 renounce the religion of his fathers. But still 
 greater sorrow was in store for her. 
 
 For a while after I told her it seemed that reason 
 
 *A prayer for the dead. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 41 
 
 left her; she tore her hair and threw herself upon 
 the floor and prayed that God might show her 
 mercy, and send back her erring boy; but her 
 prayer was never answered. So terrible was her 
 grief that within a few weeks her hair turned 
 white. Three times a week she fasted, to every 
 beggar she gave alms; at night she stood by the 
 open window, stretchings forth her hands toward 
 heaven, beseeching God to restore her child to her. 
 
 Mother and I guarded our secret carefully so 
 that no member of our family should learn of the 
 calamity that had befallen us. Mother often asked 
 me, "Why did he forsake the God of his fathers? 
 What possible object could he have had in view?" 
 I could not tell her, for I had not been in his con- 
 fidence, and, though I told her I knew not, she 
 would not believe me. 
 
 One day, as she was plying me with questions and 
 was very persistent in her demands as to why he 
 had given up Judaism, I grew weary and told her 
 not to ask me again, and added, "The only one who 
 can answer your questions is Mrs. Deike. If you 
 wish, I am willing to see her and find out all I can." 
 
 As a drowning man grasps at a straw, mother 
 seized at this ray of hope, and insisted on my going 
 at once to Mrs. Deike's home. I had little confi- 
 dence in my mission, for I believed that Mrs. Deike 
 
42 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 had drawn him to her religion, and would not dis- 
 close to me her object in so doing. Yet I Avished to 
 see her, to make her ashamed of herself, and to 
 have the satisfaction of denouncing her as one who 
 had betrayed the confidence of our parents. 
 
 It was a long, lonely walk and my soul was full 
 of hatred. After the weary journey when the 
 whitewashed cottage again appeared in sight, hot 
 tears coursed down my cheeks, and I cursed it and 
 its inmates. Though only a child, I felt most keenly 
 the disgrace which had come upon us. 
 
 I reached the house both footsore and heart sore. 
 I had resolved to show no emotion in the presence 
 of the family, but hardly had I stepped inside the 
 door than I sank down on a footstool near the en- 
 trance and began to sob as though my heart would 
 break. Soon the family gathered about me won- 
 dering what had brought me there and inquiring 
 the cause of my distress. 
 
 I could not answer, but turned at once to Mrs. 
 Deike, asking rapidly, "What have you done with 
 my brother? Why did you steal him from us? 
 What harm have my parents done you, that you 
 have treated them so unkindly?" My well planned 
 speech was forgotten and I uttered words of which 
 I had never thought before, for my heart was filled 
 with bitterness and hatred. She seemed to under- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 43 
 
 stand my thoughts and began at once to speak of 
 the love of Jesus. I interrupted her by saying, "I 
 want to hear nothing about your God, I did not 
 come for that, but to find out why my brother has 
 become interested in your God and taken a fancy to 
 your religion.'' She answered, "It is no fancy on 
 his part, but a real faith in the promised Messiah, 
 and he had no worldy object in view, but desired 
 only his souPs salvation." 
 
 I could not and would not believe anything she 
 said and felt that my weary journey had been jn 
 vain. I had promised my mother not to touch any- 
 thing belonging to a Gentile; so, declining any re- 
 freshments and the kind invitation to stay over 
 night, I started on my homeward journey. They 
 had kindly offered to hitch up the team and take 
 me home, but I would not accept any favors from 
 these Gentiles, preferring to walk. 
 
 I was exceedingly tired and hardly able to walk, 
 but my will was so strong that I would not listen 
 to reason. Hardly half a mile had been traveled 
 when my strength gave out and I sat down crying 
 bitterly. Now I realized that I had not sufficient 
 strength for that twelve mile walk. Even if I had, 
 it would have been impossible to reach home that 
 night, for it was already late in the afternoon. I 
 was afraid to return to the farm house, lest I should 
 
44 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 commit a great sin. In my misery and loneliness I 
 sat there blaming and cursing my brother for all 
 the trouble he had caused us. 
 
 Time passed rapidly, the shadows- of night ap- 
 peared, and my fear and alarm increased. What 
 was I to do? In my distress I prayed for help and 
 guidance, the first prayer in my life that was offered 
 from my heart, though from early childhood I had 
 been taught prayers from the prayer book. Never 
 before had I felt the need of praying to God from 
 the depth of my own heart. As I lifted up my soul 
 and voice to God, an unusual calm came over me, 
 and I had the full assurance of the great Jehovah's 
 help. From that time to the present moment I 
 know that He has been and still is with me. Jesus 
 answered my cry for help that day, although I de- 
 spised Him and did not believe that He w^as the 
 Redeemer of the world and my Saviour. 
 
 After that prayer, I decided to go back to Mrs. 
 Deike's and remain there over night. When I 
 reached there, no one said anything regarding my 
 brother or his religion. I was invited to partake of 
 bread, eggs and milk. I refused all but the milk, 
 which I drank, eating what remained of the dry 
 bread I had brought for lunch on the way. 
 
 During the evening we walked to the summit of a 
 high hill. It was a beautiful, balmy summer even- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 45 
 
 ing, not a sound was heard save the rustling of the 
 wind through the leaves. Mrs. Deike and her 
 daughters began to sing. Their voices blended beau- 
 tifully, and never shall I forget the impression of 
 that night, and the holy awe that stole over me, 
 when they sang, "The Home Over There." 
 
 At last I interrupted them to ask, "What do you 
 expect over there? Do you expect to go to Abra- 
 ham's bosom?" 
 
 Mrs. Deike promptly answered, "Indeed, we are 
 going there to meet our blessed Jesus." 
 
 "There will be no Jesus there," I said, "neither 
 can you go there, for no Gentile has any claim or 
 right to be with Abraham, Isaac or Jacob. Only the 
 Jews will have a place prepared for them." 
 
 She kept perfectly calm, but insisted that both 
 Jew and Gentile who believed in the Son of God 
 should meet where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are. 
 
 "But God has no Son," I declared. "All who 
 worship Jesus are idolaters and have no conception 
 of the great Jehovah, the God of the Jews." 
 
 She assured me that Christians did not worship 
 idols, but I called her attention to the many images 
 and shrines I had passed that very day. I had seen 
 men remove their caps and make the sign of the 
 cross, and had noticed women gliding on to their 
 knees before the images. 
 
46 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 "All that you tell me is a fact," she said, "but 
 such religion is not true Christianity.'' 
 
 Until late at night we continued our argument, 
 I trying to convince her that only the Jews had 
 the true religion, and that they alone were true wor- 
 shippers of the great Jehovah. But my arguments 
 grew weaker. She seemed to have the stronger 
 side. 
 
 Before we retired for the night, Mrs. Deike read 
 a chapter from the Bible and offered prayer in 
 which she included me. I cannot describe my sen- 
 sations at the mention of my name before the 
 throne of grace, but I know that a new feeling came 
 over me, a longing for something which I did not 
 possess. I could not sleep. My thoughts were of 
 my brother, and the new things I had heard that 
 evening. Sometimes I felt that I must leave the 
 house at once in the stillness of the night and go 
 home, but my fear of the dark, dense forest kept me 
 where I was. Toward morning I fell into a restless 
 sleep, and it was late when I awoke. 
 
 Before leaving the room I repeated my Jewish 
 prayer in all sincerity, and resolved not to listen 
 to Mrs. Deike if she should speak again about Chris- 
 tianity. As I was about to open the door I heard 
 a voice speaking. At the mention of my own name 
 I stopped to listen ; Mrs. Deike was praying, "Heav- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 47 
 
 enly Father, have mercy on the child, show her 
 that Thou lovest her, help her to accept Jesus as her 
 friend and Saviour." 
 
 When I heard these words I became very angry. 
 Without delay I opened the door and said, "Don^t 
 mention my name to your Jesus. I will have noth- 
 ing to do with Him.'' No one answered; I then 
 left the room greatly annoyed with myself for thus 
 giving away to temper. I stood at the door consid- 
 ering what to do, and the temptation came to me 
 to run away without seeing any one, but that 
 seemed so discourteous that I abandoned the idea. 
 I was ashamed of my conduct, but did not feel that 
 I ought to apologize as I considered it my duty to 
 defend myself. 
 
 As I stood there alone feeling wretched, an arm 
 stole around me and a gentle voice said, "I wish I 
 could lead you to the fountain of life where there is 
 peace and rest for the weary.'' It was Mrs. Deike, 
 and her voice was so tender and pleading that my 
 heart melted. Still I begged her never to say an- 
 other word to me about Jesus. "I never can be- 
 lieve as you do," I cried. "We have suffered enough 
 already through His name. It has brought sorrow 
 and shame to our family, and we have lost a dearly 
 beloved one. I cannot believe that the great 
 
48 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 Jehovah will pardon such sin as taking him from 
 us.'' 
 
 She did not answer, but urged me to have some- 
 thing to eat before leaving. The horses were wait- 
 ing to take me home. 
 
 As I bade them "good-bye," Mrs. Deike put into 
 my hand a New Testament, saying: "Read it and 
 compare it with the Old Testament.'' She had been 
 so kind that I could not refuse to take the little 
 book; but I knew that if I took it home and my 
 mother learned that I had it she would destroy it, 
 and I should receive severe punishment. I told Mrs. 
 Deike of my fear, but said that if she could cover 
 it so that no one would recognize it I would take it. 
 She then took the cover from a book of fables and 
 put it on my New Testament. 
 
 My mother had been very anxious about me. 
 When within two miles of home I sent the team 
 back, as I could easily walk the remaining distance. 
 As soon as I came in sight my mother started out 
 to meet me. Her first question was, "What did you 
 find out?" I had learned nothing that could give 
 her any satisfaction, but told her exactly what Mrs. 
 Deike had said. When I mentioned the name of 
 Jesus she became so angry that she boxed my ears 
 and ordered me to say no more. 
 
 Until that time mother and I had shared our 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 49 
 
 mutual sorrow, but now we drifted apart. My 
 brother's name was never mentioned between us. I 
 was left much alone, and all my spare time was 
 spent in reading the New Testament. Often I took 
 it to the banks of the little sea and read and pon- 
 dered over its teachings and dreamed. 
 
 I became more and more interested in the stories 
 I read about Jesus, and at last I became convinced 
 that He was the Son of God. Now the struggle be- 
 gan, I saw Jesus in a different light ; but to believe 
 in Him as a Saviour seemed almost impossible. 
 How could I change my faith? How could I bring 
 disgrace upon my family and break my mother's 
 heart? "No, never," was my resolve. 
 
 Not long could I resist the pleading of the Spirit. 
 The truth had crept into my heart, and I had to 
 submit my proud, strong will to the mercy of God. 
 The victory was not won without a fierce conflict 
 and intense pain, but His grace was sufficient for 
 me. As soon as I found that Jesus was the One of 
 w^hom the Prophets had spoken, the strife in my 
 soul increased. I became restless and unhappy, and 
 vainly endeavored to interest myself in other things. 
 
 Weeks passed, but no peace entered my soul. I 
 continued at school, but instead of keeping up with 
 my classes I fell behind. My teachers complained 
 of my neglect ; but, touched by my distress and un- 
 
50 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 happiness, they had compassion on me and attrib- 
 uted it to ill-health. Such a longing for peace and 
 rest took hold of me that I could no longer endure 
 it; and at last I decided to go to Mrs. Deike for 
 help, and left one morning, not daring to ask my 
 mother's permission. How different were my feel- 
 ings from those of my first visit with my brother! 
 Then I was full of joyful anticipations ; now all was 
 changed, and a dark cloud rested upon our family ; 
 disgrace must be our portion when the secret be- 
 came known that my brother had become a "turn- 
 coat," and now even I was troubled, my conscience 
 was stricken, and I knew not what to do. 
 
 I sat down on a mile-stone. My soul cried out in 
 agony to God for help. While sitting there a man 
 passed, who, upon seeing my tears, inquired where 
 I came from and whether I had lost my way. I 
 was frightened and started to run; but the man 
 followed, overtaking me. He repeated his ques- 
 tions, speaking kindly and offering me a piece of 
 black bread from his pocket, thinking I was crying 
 from hunger. I took the bread, not because I wanted 
 it, but for fear of offending him. As soon as he 
 was out of sight I threw it away. When I reached 
 my destination my friends were surprised to see 
 me, but were very considerate. Mrs. Deike, instead 
 of asking questions, spoke comforting words. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 51 
 
 That evening which I spent with them made me 
 somewhat happier ; still, I could not yet believe that 
 Jesus was the only one who could give peace to my 
 troubled soul. I feared to go home, dreading pun- 
 ishment. Mrs. Deike, however, promised to ac- 
 company me, and act as mediator between my pa- 
 rents and myself. Her kind intentions, however, 
 when carried out the next day only made matters 
 worse. She was coldly received, my mother giving 
 her to understand that future visits would be un- 
 welcome. 
 
 As soon as she had taken her departure mother's 
 wrath burst, forth. She took me to task for going 
 to that cursed woman, and asked me if I also wanted 
 to become a "turncoat." My only answer was a flood 
 of tears. My mother, blinded by anger, seized a 
 piece of wood and beat me unmercifully. The pain 
 from one blow on the elbow was so sharp that I fell 
 to the floor crying, "My elbow is broken." Mother's 
 wrath subsided at once, and she became greatly 
 frightened. She raised me up and carried me to a 
 couch where she examined my arm, which to her 
 joy she found unbroken. With tears streaming 
 down her cheeks she clasped me in her arms and 
 asked my pardon for her cruelty. As she gazed 
 upon me we wept together, for I knew she loved me 
 
52 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 tenderly and only overcome by rage had she so far 
 forgotten herself. 
 
 When she saw the marks upon my body she said 
 it was all my fault because I had gone to that 
 woman who had already caused us so much trouble. 
 Upon thinking it over it seemed that we had enough 
 sorrow without my adding to it, so I resolved to 
 throw away the New Testament and never again 
 think of Jesus. While the marks of the blows re- 
 mained upon my body I kept these vows. But when 
 entirely recovered, my thoughts again turned to 
 the Testament which I had tucked away among old 
 books in the garret. Such an intense longing came 
 over me to know the truth, that I forgot the cruel 
 beating, ignored the promise exacted by my mother, 
 and determined to see Mrs. Deike again. 
 
 Early the next morning I quietly left the house. 
 When I reached the forest great fear came upon me; 
 and, in my anguish, I called on God to help me and 
 show me the right way. I had sunk upon my knees 
 while praying, and almost unconsciously I had 
 prayed in the name of Jesus. As I uttered His 
 name, it seemed as if a voice was saying to me, 
 "What do you want with Jesus? He is not your 
 God." 
 
 I arose from my knees, a tempest raging in my 
 soul. Everything seemed to be at peace and rest 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 53 
 
 except myself. I advanced a few steps, and again 
 fell on my knees beseeching the great Jehovah to 
 reveal the truth to me, whether or not Jesus was 
 His Son, the Messiah of the Jews. The voice with- 
 in whispered again, "Not for you." I was greatly 
 discouraged and despaired of ever finding the truth. 
 But He who had begun the work of salvation in my 
 soul suffered me not to perish in the darkness, but 
 led me out into His marvelous light. I had turned 
 my face homeward ; but, as I reached the border of 
 the woods, I knelt down once more, praying in the 
 name of Jesus for forgiveness of my sins. While 
 thus praying I heard plainly the words of God, 
 "Peace be unto you ;" and peace did enter my poor, 
 troubled heart. This "wonderful peace coming 
 down from the Father above" has ever since been 
 my portion. It has been with me in sorrow, in 
 trouble, in temptation, flowing as a river. And in 
 every time of weakness God's peace has been my 
 stay. 
 
 Now that I had found Christ, there was no need 
 of my going to Mrs. Deike, so I returned home, re- 
 solved to tell of the great joy and peace that had 
 come to me; but as I entered the house and beheld 
 my mother's sad, sorrowing face courage failed me. 
 
 My mother had not noticed my absence, and I 
 deferred telling her of the great change that had 
 
54 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 come to me, but this change was noticed by the en- 
 tire family, in that whereas I had been willful and 
 imperious I was now kind and obedient. Little did 
 they suspect the true cause of this condition. 
 
 Several weeks passed, and I became conscious 
 that I was denying my Lord and Master in being 
 silent as to what He had done for me. Mean- 
 w^hile I was corresponding with Mrs. Deike. In one 
 of her letters she wrote of a family from the Luth- 
 eran Church who had lately been converted and had 
 moved into our town, and advised me to become ac- 
 quainted with them. 
 
 They were poor and illiterate and the thought of 
 associating with them was very repugnant to me, 
 who had been taught to despise those whom we con- 
 sidered in any way our inferiors. But, after pray- 
 ing about it, things appeared in a different light. 
 I realized that my Saviour was their Saviour, and 
 that He was no respecter of persons. 
 
 Very soon I went to visit this home. On enter- 
 ing the room I found a number of persons kneeling, 
 for it was Sunday afternoon, and they were having 
 a little prayer-meeting. I silently knelt with them. 
 One after another prayed, and when the last one 
 had offered his petition I also lifted up my voice in 
 prayer. The people, who were friends from the 
 country meeting every week with this family for 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 55 
 
 prayer, were much surprised to hear a strange voice, 
 and as we rose from our knees one woman after 
 another put their arms around me saying, "Though 
 we never saw you before, we know that you are a 
 child of God, for you speak the language of Zion, 
 therefore you must be one of us. What is your 
 name?" 
 
 I told them, and great was their surprise when 
 they learned who I was, for my father w^as well 
 known. Never shall I forget the joy manifested 
 among those people. Again they fell on their knees 
 and gave God thanks for having found a lamb from 
 "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." There was 
 not only rejoicing in heaven, but also on earth over 
 a sinner's repentance. 
 
 I had been seriously thinking of baptism, being 
 convinced that to be "one" with Christ I must obey 
 His command and follow Him in baptism. I did 
 want to obey my Master, but fear kept me back. At 
 last I told my new-found friends of my desire. 
 They were much rejoiced to know that I had made 
 a full surrender to Christ and promised to aid me 
 in the fulfillment of my desire. 
 
 Their pastor, Kev. Mr. Domke, who lived eight or 
 ten German (or forty English) miles away, was 
 invited to hold meetings in our town, and I could 
 then meet him. But when he came, it was impossi- 
 
56 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 ble for me to leave home without arousing suspicion. 
 I was much disappointed in not seeing him, and 
 earnestly I prayed that God would open the way 
 for me to meet this Christian pastor. At the last 
 moment the Lord answered my prayer. My mother 
 went out for the afternoon, not to return before 
 evening. At once I hastened to see Mr. Domke, and 
 found him just ready to leave. Feeling that I must 
 see him I accompanied him to the station. Mrs. 
 Deike had told him of my conversion and he was 
 very desirous of being helpful to me. The train 
 being half an hour late gave us the desired oppor- 
 tunity of speaking together of my faith in Christ, 
 and making arrangements for my baptism. It 
 seemed inadvisable that my public confession of 
 Christ should be made at home, where there would 
 be much opposition, so we arranged that I should 
 go to Graudenz, which was about twelve miles from 
 my home, and there I was to be baptized. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Several months later in October I found a way 
 of leaving home for a few days. I wrote both Mr. 
 Domke and Mrs. Deike that I was ready to obey the 
 Lord's command, and November the second, 1879, 
 was the day appointed for my baptism. I ^\as to 
 go to the home of Mrs. Deike, and her daughter 
 would go with me to meet Mr. and Mrs. Domke, 
 and together from there we would proceed to Grau- 
 denz. Wednesday afternoon, October twenty- 
 ninth, I started on my eventful journey. It w^as a 
 cold and foggy day and it became very dark before 
 I reached my destination. My heart trembled 
 within me as I walked through the dark, lonely 
 forest, but the presence of God was with me. 
 
 When the forest was at last behind me a fervent 
 "Thank God!" burst from my lips. I could 
 scarcely find the way, but soon in the distance I 
 saw the glimmer of lights and remembered a foot- 
 path over which I had previously gone, and decided 
 to take it and thus save considerable distance. But 
 soon I discovered that I had missed the path and 
 walked into a swamp. 
 
 It was a most dangerous place, and many had 
 perished there. I could move neither forward nor 
 backward, for with every effort I sank deeper and 
 
58 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 deeper. The inire reached to my shoulders and it 
 seemed that every moment must be my last. 
 
 In this perilous situation the tempter assailed 
 me with fierce doubts and hideous fears, whisper- 
 ing that this was my deserved punishment, because 
 of my having forsaken the God of my fathers, and 
 I must perish there alone in the darkness of night, 
 my body not even being recovered from the terrible 
 quagmire. 
 
 But not long was I in the tempter's power. I 
 grew calmer, lifted my heart to God, and com- 
 mitted myself into his care. ^'Not my will, but 
 Thine, O Lord," was the burden of my prayer, and 
 it was not His will for me to perish there. 
 
 A basket which I had carried on my arm slipped 
 away from me. Mechanically I reached out for it, 
 and in doing so my foot rested on a stone. Then 
 all became a blank to me for a time, and the next 
 thing I knew I was standing on solid ground hold- 
 ing my basket. My shoes were gone, and how I got 
 out of the swamp will always remain a mystery, 
 but to God I gratefully give all the praise. 
 
 Groping through the darkness I at last reached 
 the home of my friends. When I opened the door, 
 there sat the whole family around a bright fire 
 engaged in pleasant conversation. They looked up 
 to welcome the newcomer; there was a startled 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 59 
 
 scream, and someone cried out, "A witch! A 
 witch!" Although as Christians they did not be- 
 lieve in witchcraft, the old superstition came into 
 their minds as they gazed on me. 
 
 For a few moments I stood in the doorway won- 
 dering what had caused so much excitement in this 
 peaceful home. Finally I said, ^'Why, what is the 
 trouble? What makes you stare at me in this 
 way?'' 
 
 At the sound of my voice Mrs. Deike came up to 
 me and said, "Why, is it you, Jeanette?" 
 
 It seemed such a strange question for her to ask. 
 "Of course I am Jeanette," I said. "Have I so 
 greatly changed that you do not recognize me?" 
 Little did I realize what a change had taken place 
 in my appearance. My long black hair was hang- 
 ing in strings ; my face and hands were black with 
 the mire of the swamp, and altogether I was a 
 wretched looking object. No wonder they thought 
 me a witch. 
 
 I was much exhausted. My entire body was 
 coated with the heavy black mud, and it was sev- 
 eral days before I looked or felt like myself. 
 
 W^hen I related my experience, my friends mar- 
 velled at the way God had delivered me. We 
 realized His wonderful mercy and willingness to 
 hear and answer prayer, as we learned that only a 
 
60 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 week before a man with his horses and wagon was 
 lost in that same swamp. 
 
 On Friday Mrs. Deike's daughter Marianna and 
 I started for Graudenz as planned, stopping for 
 the night at Hohenkirch where we were enter- 
 tained in the home of the pastor. In company with 
 Mr. and Mrs. Domke we continued our journey on 
 Saturday afternoon. Members of the church met 
 us and took us to their homes. I was very shy and 
 bashful, this being the first time I had ever been 
 away ' from home, and it seemed strange to be 
 treated by perfect strangers with as much kindness 
 as though I was their own sister. 
 
 In the evening we attended the prayer meeting. 
 How shall I describe my feelings as for the first 
 time I entered a Christian house of worship? As 
 the people came into the room, I observed their 
 faces. They seemed to belong to a different world, 
 to be real saints. Earnestly I prayed that God 
 would make me as good as they were. I learned 
 afterwards not to take Christians for my standard, 
 but to look to Jesus only. 
 
 The next day was the time set for my baptism. 
 Notwithstanding a rain which had begun to fall, 
 many people had come from a distance, anxious to 
 see the Jewish convert. 
 
 That was a happy morning. After the service in 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 61 
 
 the church we had dinner at the home of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Skibitzky (who at the present time are living 
 in Chicago). They had invited a number of the 
 visiting friends for dinner. Two long tables were 
 prepared; and, after all had been seated, the food 
 was brought in. Up to this time I had eaten no 
 food forbidden by Jewish law. I had already par- 
 taken of the soup when a great fat pork roast was 
 served. What was I to do? I feared to refuse it 
 lest they might think I was not really a Christian, 
 for the idea is prevalent among the unconverted, 
 that when a Jew becomes a Christian he must at 
 once begin to eat pork. 
 
 I looked at my slice of pork, then around at the 
 company, seeking for some means of relief. It was 
 so offensive to me, that I could not touch it. When 
 I thought myself unobserved I picked it up on my 
 fork and stealthily shoved it under my plate where 
 it would not be seen by the guests. 
 
 I fancied that no one had noticed my action, 
 though some had seen it but considerately re- 
 frained from making any comments on what must 
 have appeared to them a foolish action. 
 
 At the close of the afternoon service a business 
 meeting was held, during which I was called in to 
 relate my Christian experience. This examination 
 lasted about thirty minutes, while I was seated in 
 
62 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 a chair in the center of the room with the members 
 of the church standing around me. 
 
 It was nearly 8 o'clock when we left the church 
 to go to the river where another sister and myself 
 were to be buried with Christ in baptism. (She 
 has since gone to be with Him in glory. ) 
 
 We had a walk before us of about three-quarters 
 of a mile, and the people moved so rapidly that my 
 friend and I could not keep up with them. A turn 
 into a side street hid them from our view, and we 
 went on in the darkness, not knowing that they had 
 changed their direction. Consequently we were 
 lost and did not know which direction to take, but 
 walked on, asking God to take us to the right place. 
 
 Not until the company had reached the river did 
 they discover our absence. Becoming alarmed, 
 several of the brethren started in search of us, and 
 at last found us at the other end of the city. 
 
 We rapidly retraced our steps in the pouring 
 rain. There was no time to lose, and the few neces- 
 sary preparations were soon made and I was bap- 
 tized. 
 
 Keturning to the house of worship, we celebrated 
 the LfOrd's Supper. Thus ended the most eventful 
 day in my life, a day which I shall never forget. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 The following day we departed for our respec- 
 tive homes. I was determined to make a full con- 
 fession upon my arrival, but, oh, how weak is poor 
 human flesh! I was as great a coward as when I 
 had left home. I hoped that it would be easier to 
 confess Christ before my own people after having 
 made a public confession. 
 
 The more I thought about it, the more firmly was 
 I convinced that confession of my faith in Christ 
 meant the loss of home and dear ones whom I 
 so passionately loved, and for the first time I under- 
 stood what Christ meant when He said, "Think not 
 that I am come to send peace on earth : I come not 
 to send peace but a sword." (Matt. X:34.) And 
 those searching words in Matt. x:37, "He that 
 loveth father and mother more than me is not 
 worthy of me," held a new meaning for me. 
 
 For several weeks the struggle lasted, fear, love 
 and duty each striving for the mastery. Then 
 came an invitation from a relative at Graudenz 
 urging me to make her a visit. This being the city 
 where I had made a confession of my faith, this 
 invitation seemed a special providence, and espe- 
 cially so as my mother wished me to go and said 
 that I might stay several weeks. 
 
 I had vowed that as soon as possible I would tell 
 
64 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 my parents what had taken place and imagined 
 that it would be easier to write the news than to 
 tell it, as a storm, if it rose, would more quickly 
 blow over if I were not at home. 
 
 The second week in December I left home for 
 Graudenz, but instead of going to the residence of 
 my cousin, I went to the home of a Christian fam- 
 ily who had promised to shelter me in their home 
 if I was driven from my own. A lonely feeling had 
 come over me as the train started and I took a last 
 look at the faces of my mother and sister who had 
 accompanied me to the depot. I knew that never 
 more should I return to my home as a beloved 
 daughter and sister. Hitherto I had been sheltered 
 in the home nest, but henceforth I must be an out- 
 cast. 
 
 My friends received me very kindly, but the first 
 few days were very lonely, and in vain I tried to 
 shake off oppression, but tears would often gather 
 in my eyes. Before I had time to carry my plan of 
 writing to my parents into effect, the news that I 
 had openly confessed Christ reached our home 
 through my father who heard of it. At once he 
 told mother. Poor, heart-broken mother then 
 told him that my brother also was a Christian. 
 Father's wrath was kindled, and he declared that he 
 would cast us off as we were unworthy of parental 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 65 
 
 love. God's punishment, he said, would fall upon 
 my mother and himself if they did not curse us and 
 mourn over us as they mourn for the dead. He de- 
 clared that mother should have nothing more to do 
 with either of us; but mother was unwilling to de- 
 nounce her own children, and determined that, 
 though it was impossible to reach her boy, she 
 would rescue me from the clutches of the heathen 
 people. 
 
 As father refused to aid her in her efforts, she 
 consulted her brother who lived midway between 
 our home and Graudenz, whom she found as 
 anxious as herself to get me away from Christian 
 influences. 
 
 The friends with whom I was staying lived in a 
 flat on the second floor, while the lower floor was 
 occupied by a Jewish family with whom I was not 
 acquainted, and I did not imagine that they had 
 taken any notice of me. One night my friends no- 
 ticed an unusual commotion down stairs. They 
 saw a number of people entering, heard loud voices 
 and noticed their violent gesticulations. The ex- 
 citement seemed great and we became somewhat 
 alarmed. Great was our wonder as to what occa- 
 sioned so much confusion below, and presently we 
 were surprised to hear a knock at the door. 
 
66 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 Upon the door being opened a young man entered 
 and asked to see Fraulein (Miss) Gedalius. 
 
 My friends inquired, "What is wanted of her?" 
 
 He replied, "Frau (Mrs.) Blum, the lady who 
 lives on the first floor, wishes to see her." 
 
 My friends replied, "Tell Frau Blum that if she 
 wishes to make our acquaintance we shall be 
 pleased to have her call upon us." 
 
 A few minutes later came another knock at the 
 door and again I was asked to go to see another 
 lady who was very anxious to meet me. The name 
 was that of a perfect stranger to me, so we told her 
 that whoever wished to see me must come to the 
 house. 
 
 In a short time a girl appeared with a note ad- 
 dressed to me. Slipping it into my hand, she ran 
 away without waiting for an answer. The note 
 informed me that my mother had committed sui- 
 cide and urged me to go at once to a certain house 
 where I could find her body. 
 
 Being convinced that all the uproar down stairs 
 concerned me, we did not believe this statement 
 and decided that under the circumstances it was 
 not best to leave the house to go to church, but 
 await developments. By 10 o'clock all was quiet 
 and we congratulated ourselves upon having out- 
 witted those who were seeking me, though I 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 67 
 
 thought we had not seen the end of the matter and 
 felt that some trouble for me lay in the near future. 
 However, committing ourselves to the care of God, 
 we slept peacefully, trusting the promise, "He that 
 keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm cxxi:3.) 
 
 About 9 o'clock the next morning we were again 
 disturbed. Some one opened the door (without 
 knocking) and my mother and three men entered. 
 I was fully prepared to meet my mother, hoping 
 she might be friendly, and I went towards her to 
 greet her with a kiss; but she repulsed me and, to 
 my great surprise, slapped me in the face. 
 
 My friends demanded, "Who are you, and what 
 do you want?" 
 
 Two of the men introduced themselves as being 
 the Rabbis from the city and the third was my 
 uncle from Lessen. The Rabbis represented two 
 different congregations, the reformed Jewish faith 
 and the orthodox. They were enemies on account 
 of their different views, but on this occasion they 
 had become friends. How similar to Herod and 
 Pilate were they in thus uniting for persecution! 
 "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made 
 friends together: for before they were at enmity 
 between themselves." (Luke xxiii:12.) So I, 
 who was one of His weakest followers, was to real- 
 ize His word, "The servant is not greater than his 
 
68 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 Lord. If they have persecuted Me they will also 
 persecute you." (John xv:20.) 
 
 My uncle acted as spokesman and commanded 
 me to go with them without further delay. 
 
 My friends interfered, saying, ^^We cannot con- 
 sent to her leaving this house when there is such a 
 disturbance," but they promised that I could go 
 when everything was quiet if I wished. They 
 feared to have me go at that time lest my people 
 should treat me unkindly. 
 
 My uncle took me into another room and up- 
 braided me for my wickedness. Then he tried to 
 bribe me, promising to give me two hundred dol- 
 lars if I would then and there openly deny my faith 
 in Christ. 
 
 I replied, "Keep your money, uncle. It is impos- 
 sible for me to deny Jesus Christ, for He is my 
 Saviour and the King of the Jews. Neither can I 
 consent to make my home with you." 
 
 When he saw that I was firm and that he could 
 not change me in my purpose, he left the room. 
 
 As soon as my uncle left, my mother became very 
 different in her attitude and she seemed very 
 friendly. Even the Kabbis asked several questions 
 and showed some interest in my friends. 
 
 Mr. Domke, who had been summoned by my 
 friends, entered into conversation with them on the 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 69 
 
 subject of Christianity, and everything appeared 
 as though they were friendly and we had no sus- 
 picion of treason. 
 
 In about an hour the door was swung wide open, 
 and uncle and two policemen entered the room. 
 Without uttering a word, they seized me and 
 roughly dragged me down stairs by my hair which 
 was hanging in braids down my back. 
 
 Mr. Domke tried to interfere, insisting that I 
 ought not to be subjected to such barbarous treat- 
 ment, but one of the officers, almost knocking the 
 good man down, roughly answered that he was 
 doing his duty. 
 
 I did not regain consciousness until we had 
 reached the street. My slippers had fallen off and 
 I was in my stocking feet. It was a bitter cold day, 
 there being several inches of snow on the ground. 
 I was very thinly clad and had not even a wrap 
 about me. I was led by my uncle between the two 
 policemen to another part of the city, followed by 
 mother, the Rabbis, and a great crowd which had 
 gathered. Everyone wondered what crime I had 
 committed. Children on their way home from 
 school at noon followed throwing snowballs at me. 
 The crowd were disappointed when, instead of en- 
 tering the prison, we passed on down the street as 
 far as a butcher's shop. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 Uncle pushed me into a large room which was 
 used for a store. A number followed us in, most 
 of them being men. Only Jews were allowed to 
 remain, the others were ordered to leave. At the 
 sound of so many voices the lady of the house came 
 running into the store, inquiring what had caused 
 the uproar. But she did not get a satisfactory 
 answer, as some said one thing and some another. 
 
 At last uncle explained to her that he had come 
 just in time to snatch me from the Gallich (priest) 
 who wanted to baptize me, but he had prevented it 
 by his timely arrival. He also told them that the 
 Christians had persuaded me to believe in the Tole 
 (hanged one) and were holding up the cross for me 
 to kiss, but that he had kept me from kissing it. 
 "So," he concluded, "not much harm has been 
 done." 
 
 Then he shook his fist in my face and com- 
 manded me to confirm his statements. 
 
 But I declared, "It is false, not one word of it is 
 true. No one has ever held up a cross before me, 
 and I have never kissed a cross and never intend 
 to so do. Indeed, since I became a Christian I have 
 not even seen one. I have been baptized; I was 
 baptized last November." 
 
 At this my uncle became very angry and the 
 people seemed about to tear me into pieces. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 71 
 
 The owner of the house then came up to me, and 
 looking me all over said, "What ! you little chick of 
 a thing! How is it that you cause so much trou- 
 ble? Wait; it won't take me long to drive the Tole 
 (hanged one) out of you." With that she left the 
 room. 
 
 A few moments later she came back with a pot of 
 steaming hot coffee, saying it would burn out 
 .the Christianity in me. Not from any fear did I 
 refuse the coffee, but because I did not care for it. 
 At my refusal, in her rage she threw the contents 
 of the coffee pot over me, and there I stood with my 
 head and face dripping coffee without even a hand- 
 kerchief with which to wipe it off. 
 
 When they found that they could not scare me 
 into submission, but that I remained firm in my 
 belief and unshaken by their threats, they adopted 
 others means, mocking and cursing me, but I was 
 happy, knowing that my Lord had been so despised 
 and rejoicing that I was counted worthy to suffer 
 reproach for His sake. 
 
 The people, seeing my indifference to all they 
 said, became more angry. My uncle's excuse for 
 me was, "She is bewitched." But one man greatly 
 enraged said, "She must die; if not, she will lead 
 many astray." How prophetic were his words! 
 And yet, thank God, not one has been led astray 
 
72 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 through me, but many have been led from the dark- 
 ness of Judaism into the blessed light of Chris- 
 tianity. 
 
 The poor man who had advised killing me was so 
 blinded with rage that he picked up a long but- 
 cher's knife and would have thrust it into me, but 
 in the twinkling of an eye between us stood my 
 mother. She told him that he dare not kill me for 
 I was her daughter, and she warned him that if he, 
 committed murder all the Jews would suffer ter- 
 ribly thereby. The cooler headed among them re- 
 alized the truth of her words, knowing that the law 
 would interfere if his threats were carried out, so 
 they put him out of doors in spite of all his re- 
 sistance, though he swore, cursed, and acted as if 
 he were insane. 
 
 At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon uncle secured 
 a wagon filled with straw and into this I was put, 
 my mother and uncle taking seats beside me. As 
 we drove off the woman who had deluged me with 
 hot coffee handed me a shawl, telling me to put it 
 around my shoulders as the weather was extremely 
 cold, but uncle snatched it away from me and 
 threw it back to the woman, saying, "She cannot 
 have it. Christianity must freeze out of her." 
 With this he drove away. It grew colder and 
 colder. I was nearly stiff when we reached uncle's 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 73 
 
 house, yet Christianity was not frozen out of my 
 heart, but the love of Christ burned there clear and 
 bright. 
 
 This was my first visit to my uncle's home and 
 his family were all strangers to me. A number of 
 people had gathered to see the apostate, and stood 
 staring at me as though I were some rare animal. 
 Before I entered the house my aunt began to utter 
 abusive words, but uncle cautioned her to treat me 
 kindly as it was only in this way that one like my- 
 self could be won back to Judaism. 
 
 My mother remained over the Sabbath and then 
 went home. I begged her to take me with her, but 
 she was deaf to my entreaties. Neither would 
 uncle have allowed me to go, for he thought, as did 
 my mother, that I would repent of my folly more 
 quickly if I remained where I was. 
 
 As soon as mother had gone, my trials began. 
 The most prominent Jews in the city, together with 
 their Rabbi, came to see me, seeking to convince me 
 that I had committed a great sin, declaring that 
 I ought to repent in dust and ashes and eat the 
 bread of affliction for a whole week, according to 
 the Talmudical law. They also read from the Tal- 
 mud the most foolish stories concerning Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 My aunt was very spiteful towards me. It 
 
74 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 seemed that the sight of me was sufficient to throw 
 her into a frenzy. One day, during my uncle's ab- 
 sence*, she found constant fault with me, trying to 
 provoke me to anger. Failing in this, she insisted 
 upon my using the jargon language when speaking 
 to her or her children. This language was never 
 used in our home unless father and mother had 
 something to say to each other that they did not 
 wish us children to understand. Aunt asked me a 
 question in jargon, and I being unable to speak 
 well in that language answered in German, which 
 so enraged her that, losing all control of herself, 
 she took a hot spider from the stove and struck me 
 with it. I threw up my hands to ward off the blow 
 from my face and one hand was badly burned. 
 
 They all watched me closely, fearing that I 
 might run away, but I had not even thought of such 
 a thing. Indeed, I was a perfect stranger in that 
 locality, and would not know where to go if I had 
 left there. Several days passed and uncle con- 
 tinued to treat me with kindness, but the other 
 members of his family were as bitter as ever. 
 
 One bright, cold winter day uncle told one of 
 my cousins to take me for a walk, but to watch me 
 closely, permitting no one to speak to me. This 
 cousin, like her mother, had been very hateful to 
 me. As we walked along the streets, she pointed 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 76 
 
 out several houses and told me that in them lived 
 some of my brothers and sisters, the so-called 
 "Muckers," as the Baptists were contemptuously 
 named. This was of much interest to me, and I 
 kept carefully in mind their location, also the 
 names of the people whom she mentioned. 
 
 The day following unusual preparations were 
 made as if for a large supper. About 4 o'clock in 
 the afternoon some twenty people gathered, and 
 there was much excitement and whispering among 
 them. My heart almost stopped its beating when 
 occasionally I stole a glance through the half-open 
 door separating me from the company. 
 
 One of my cousins, a girl about twelve years of 
 age, was my jailer, though much against her will 
 She was usually pleasanter than her mother and 
 sisters; but this day, wishing to be with the com- 
 pany, she was in bad humor and vented her wrath 
 on me, kicking me several times. 
 
 In order to see what was going on and hear what 
 was being said, she had opened the door slightly. 
 I sat near the door also and soon learned that ten 
 men had been fasting all day and had come with 
 the others, determined to tear from me my faith in 
 Christ. They cursed and swore in a dreadful man- 
 ner. I heard one man say, "She must renounce 
 
76 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 her faith in the hanged one this very night, if we 
 have to tear her to pieces to make her do so." 
 
 Upon hearing these words I was indeed troubled. 
 I was but a fifteen-year-old girl, and I did not fear 
 for my life, for I was willing to die for Him who 
 had died for me, but I feared lest they might wrest 
 my faith from me. 
 
 I cried to God to be my strength and helper in 
 this time of need, and He answered my prayer and 
 delivered me from the hands of my persecutors. 
 My cousin became so absorbed in watching and 
 listening that she forgot to watch me; so, without 
 attracting her attention, I quietly slipped out of 
 another door into the kitchen, then out of doors to 
 the street. 
 
 I remembered the nearest house to which my 
 cousin had directed my attention and hastened to 
 reach it. Without hesitation I entered the hall, 
 not knowing in which rooms Mrs. Wenzel lived. 
 
 I intended to open the first door that I saw, but 
 as I laid my hand on the knob there came a sensa- 
 tion as if some one had knocked down my hand. I 
 could see no one, but felt a sharp pain at my wrist. 
 For a few moments I stood there undecided what 
 to do. Just then a man passed by and I inquired 
 of him where Mrs. Wenzel lived, and he directed 
 me to the rear of the house, pointing out her room. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 77 
 
 As soon as I opened the door, the woman recog- 
 nized in me the Jewish sister of whom Mr. Domke 
 had written to their congregation, commending me 
 to their care. It seems that from the time she first 
 heard of me, this good sister had been praying and 
 waiting for me, ready to shelter and help in any 
 possible way the persecuted Jewish girl. 
 
 When I told her of my experience in the front 
 hall, she was surprised and said that the hand of 
 God must have prevented me from entering that 
 door, as relatives of my mother lived in that part 
 of the house. They were bitter enemies of Christ 
 and His followers, and as she told me I could not 
 help thinking of that wonderful promise in the 
 thirty-second Psalm, "I will instruct thee and 
 teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will 
 guide thee with mine eye." 
 
 It would not be safe for me to stay in that house, 
 so at once the sister took me to another friend. 
 Upon entering there, we were told that a Jewish 
 man had already been there seeking me, and that 
 they feared every Baptist family in the place would 
 be visited by the Jews, and that it would be dan- 
 gerous for me to remain in town. I was put into a 
 dark room and concealed under some clothes. 
 Then all the Baptist families living in town were 
 called together. 
 
78 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 In great haste they answered the summons. It 
 was decided that I must leave the place that very 
 night. Four miles out in the country lived a gar- 
 dener who was of the same faith, and a brother 
 volunteered to take me out there. He had been 
 working hard all day and was very tired, but this 
 was the Lord's business, and he had cheerfully 
 offered to go. 
 
 It was half past eight when we started. The 
 night was extremely cold and the ground was cov- 
 ered with snow. My clothes were thin and I wore 
 a pair of slippers similar to ordinary bath room 
 slippers. I had taken nothing extra with me when 
 hastily leaving my uncle's house. None of the 
 people present possessed two pairs of shoes, but 
 one sister took off her shoes and gave them to me, 
 and I was provided with necessary clothing. The 
 shoes were so large I could hardly keep them on 
 my feet, and some one suggested stuffing them 
 with straw, which proved a great comfort as I tra- 
 velled over the rough roads and through the deep 
 snow. 
 
 One friend contributed a coat, and another a 
 shawl for a head covering. When we were ready to 
 go they committed us to the care of our Heavenly 
 Father. Not daring to go through the streets we 
 climbed over fences and hedges until we reached 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 79 
 
 the country road. We had gone only a short dis- 
 tance when the brother stopped and said, "I am 
 afraid we are followed ; we must not go farther on 
 this road." There being no other travelled high- 
 way, we had to cross the fields, which was both 
 difficult and dangerous. Often we sank to our arm 
 pits in the deep snow. We reached our destination 
 some time after midnight to find everything en- 
 shrouded in darkness. The brother rapped on the 
 window and succeeded in arousing the inmates. 
 Upon hearing what was wanted they very gladly 
 took us in. A hot lunch was quickly prepared for 
 the brother and after resting for a short time, bur- 
 dened with the shoes and extra clothing which I 
 had worn, he started on his return journey as it 
 was necessary for him to be at his work early the 
 next morning. 
 
 I was so completely exhausted that I could nei- 
 ther eat nor sleep. 
 
 When the Jews discovered that I had escaped, 
 they vowed vengeance and began a vigorous search 
 for me, dividing themselves into three parties, one 
 party going to the homes of the Christians asking 
 all sorts of questions, while the other two parties 
 stationed themselves at the two roads leading out 
 of the town. 
 
 My uncle with two other men visited the home of 
 
80 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 the friend who had taken me to the country. My 
 uncle demanded of the lady, ^^Where is your hus- 
 band?" 
 
 She said, ^What do you want of him?" 
 
 He answered, "I want to hire him to cut wood 
 for me." 
 
 While talking, his eyes wandered around the 
 room as if in search of something. He noticed a 
 large bed with the curtains closely drawn. All at 
 once he saw the curtains move, and he was sure 
 that he had found my hiding place. With one 
 bound he reached the bed, crying out, "I have her I 
 I have her!" 
 
 The woman was greatly frightened and 
 screamed, "Murder! Murder!" believing that the 
 fierce man intended to kill her sleeping boy whom 
 he had dragged from the bed. The cries of the 
 woman brought a number of people into the room, 
 and my uncle, seeing his mistake, hurried off with 
 his two friends as fast as he could go. 
 
 Those watching the roads had met with no better 
 success. After vainly searching the Christian 
 homes, uncle and his two companions joined the 
 others, and they all agreed that I was not in the 
 town and must have started for Graudenz. They 
 thought that by following at once they might over- 
 take me before I had gotten very far on the way. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 81 
 
 My uncle, two cousins of mother's and two other 
 men walked all night and reached Graudenz at 
 daybreak, going at once to the home of my friends 
 and informing them that I had run away during 
 the night without any clothing, had perished on 
 the way and that they had found my frozen body. 
 
 My friends said nothing to those who brought 
 the information, but when alone they marvelled 
 over it. The night before in their prayer meeting 
 they prayed earnestly that no injury might befall 
 me. At midnight they had the assurance that not a 
 hair of my head should be harmed. That evening 
 my friends summoned the few Christians to meet 
 again for prayer, telling them the sad news brought 
 by my uncle. Every heart was full of grief, and it 
 seemed that their faith would be shaken, for they 
 had been so confident that God had heard and an- 
 swered their prayers. They knelt in prayer, and 
 strong men wept as children, but faith triumphed 
 and with one accord they cried, "Thy will, O God, 
 be done." 
 
 The day following my departure from my uncle's 
 home was very stormy, the wind blowing the snow 
 in great drifts. While it did not appear possible 
 for any one to venture out, it seemed very neces- 
 sary that I must go on to some place where the 
 Jews would not find me, so about 9 o'clock in the 
 
82 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 morning Mrs. Knob (my hostess) and I started out 
 seeking a place of refuge for me. She had given me 
 some clothing, including a pair of small, thin shoes. 
 
 We had a distance of eight miles to cover, and 
 many times we feared we should lose our footing 
 and be blown down a steep hill. All day we walked 
 on through the storm, towards evening reaching 
 a farm house situated in a lonely part of the coun- 
 try, far from any neighbors. The kind sister 
 trusted that this place would afford a safe retreat, 
 where I might be secure from danger and persecu- 
 tion, for a time at least. 
 
 I can never forget that terrible journey. We 
 were both exhausted, and our hands and feet frost 
 bitten. For many months I suffered from that 
 day's exposure. 
 
 The farmer and his wife (who was a sister of 
 Mrs. Deike) were true Christians, and we were 
 warmly welcomed to their home. Because of the 
 weather continuing cold and the drifts of snow 
 making the roads impassable Mrs. Knob remained 
 about a week, while I was made welcome to stay 
 as long as I needed a place of refuge. 
 
 For four weeks I was undisturbed, but one day 
 a Jewish peddler appeared at the door selling his 
 wares. We had felt so secure that I had not 
 thought it necessary to hide myself at any time, 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 83 
 
 and was busy in the kitchen when the man en- 
 tered. 
 
 At once he recognized in me the Jewish apostate, 
 and I was no longer safe in that home. Previous to 
 this I had notified the friends in Graudenz of my 
 escape from my uncle, and they had written me 
 that if I again needed a place to return to them. 
 Under the present circumstances that was the only 
 course to pursue, as no other way seemed open for 
 me. Saturday was the day chosen for my return, 
 as on that day there would be no danger of meet- 
 ing any of my relatives on the train ; for as Ortho- 
 dox Jews none of them ever travelled on the Sab- 
 bath day. 
 
 Fortunately on the train I met the minister who 
 was to preach in Graudenz on the following day. I 
 was very glad to see him, for I felt more secure in 
 his company. At one station we had to wait two 
 hours to make connections. A number of people 
 came into the depot, and among them I recognized 
 a Jew whom I had seen in the butcher^s shop at 
 Graudenz. When I called the minister's attention 
 to the man he became somewhat alarmed and at 
 once threw his overcoat on the seat completely hid- 
 ing me from view. Thus I escaped notice. Pres- 
 ently the train arrived and we resumed our journey. 
 At five o'clock in the evening we reached Graudenz, 
 
84 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 and were greeted by some of the church people who 
 had come to welcome the minister. Again I was in- 
 vited to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Skibitzky. At 
 the station we thought we heard one man say to 
 another that he believed he had caught a glimpse 
 of the apostate. Mr. Skibitzky overhearing the re- 
 mark addressed me in rather a loud voice as 
 "Aunt," and threw a large shawl over my head as if 
 to bundle up an old lady to protect her from the 
 cold. His ruse was successful, and I escaped recog- 
 nition for the time. Ere long it was rumored that 
 I was in the town and I did not dare stay long in 
 any one house. Thus for six weeks I kept in hiding, 
 going from one place to another, being concealed 
 in the different Christian homes. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The law requires from each person leaving their 
 place of residence a certificate from the magis- 
 trate, which must be deposited in the place to 
 which the person moves; and no one is allowed 
 to remain in any city longer than twenty-four hours 
 without having registered at the police station. All 
 minors are required to have written permission 
 from their parents or guardian duly signed by 
 the magistrate, before they are permitted to leave 
 home. As I had not permission from my parents 
 or a certificate from the officer, I could not stay 
 long in any place, and was obliged to leave Grau- 
 denz at once. 
 
 How earnestly we prayed that God would make 
 the way plain! A friend from a distant city came 
 to visit the family where I was staying, and when 
 he learned of my sad situation, he suggested that 
 I might go home with him and remain with his 
 family as long as left undisturbed by the police. 
 It was January when I went to Danzig. These 
 friends were poor, having scarcely enough for them- 
 selves, and I felt that I must not be a burden upon 
 them. 
 
 In the church there was a wealthy widow, who 
 
86 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 upon hearing of my need, offered me a home with 
 her. I most gladly accepted, anticipating happy 
 days of service in that beautiful home. My friends 
 all rejoiced with me over my pleasant prospects, 
 and I went to that beautiful home with a heart 
 full of thanksgiving to God. While waiting in the 
 parlor, my thoughts went back to my happy child- 
 hood home; and after wandering from place to 
 place, the thoughts of rest and happiness in this 
 home cheered me. 
 
 When the lady appeared she informed me that 
 she never received servants in the parlor and that 
 the side door was the entrance to the kitchen. She 
 then explained that I would be required to do the 
 work of the chambermaid and cook, who had lately 
 been discharged, and endeavored to impress clearly 
 upon my mind what a favor she was bestowing 
 upon me in giving me my board and lodging and 
 the munificent sum of a dollar a month, for doing 
 the work of two ordinary hired girls. 
 
 I was very ignorant about housework, never hav- 
 ing been required to do any, but I asked God to 
 help me learn, and tried to do my best. 
 
 It was a hard, trying winter, but the dear Lord 
 gave me strength and courage. I had been there 
 scarcely two months when a summons came to ap- 
 pear at police quarters. There I was informed that 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 87 
 
 within thirteen days I must either show my certifi- 
 cate of residence or leave the city. I wondered 
 what would become of me. I saw that I must leave 
 Danzig and return to Graudenz, but how long could 
 I remain there? God, in whom I trusted, did not 
 forsake me. I returned to my old friends, who 
 welcomed me with the news that I could secure ser- 
 vice with a family who were about to move into the 
 country. Although not familiar with farm life, I 
 readily accepted the position, for I was willing to 
 learn. Many and varied were my experiences, 
 much of the work being very distasteful to me, but 
 the dear Lord, for whose sake I had willingly given 
 up all things, strengthened me for each day's duties. 
 
 My path was thorny indeed. The people were 
 not as kind as I had anticipated, and many times 
 I went to bed hungry, after eating the one thin 
 slice of bread which constituted my supper. 
 
 I had few clothes, as most of my clothing was 
 taken from me when my mother recovered me from 
 my friends. My shoes were the oldest I had pos- 
 sessed, and had been mended by a cobbler, who, in 
 adding the new caps and soles had shortened them 
 so that I was able to wear them only on Sundays, 
 and was obliged to go bare foot the remainder of 
 the week. Great was my suffering from walking 
 
88 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 on the stony ground; and if I cried, some of the 
 people laughed at me, while others scolded. 
 
 One day I met with a severe accident. We had 
 a large wash, I had been at work since 2 o'clock 
 in the morning, and we had the clothes on the line. 
 The lady of the house sent me to see if the clothes 
 were all right. I was so very tired that I could 
 scarcely move, but I was told not to waste any 
 time. While hurrying along, my heel struck a 
 sharp piece of glass, which cut a deep gash. I drew 
 out the glass and then lost consciousness. I do 
 not know how long I lay there, but soon I was 
 missed, and the old grandmother was sent to find 
 me. When she saw me lying there white and un- 
 conscious, she seized a pail of the rinse water and 
 threw it over me. This had the desired effect, and 
 consciousness returned, but my foot was badly 
 injured. They allowed me to rest for a few hours, 
 but urged me to begin work again while I was yet 
 scarcely able to stand upon my foot. 
 
 Thus, with many hardships, time wore on. One 
 day, as the men were busy in the hay field, I was 
 sent with one man to clean out the well. We 
 worked hard all the forenoon, and I was nearly 
 exhausted when we heard the sound of wagon 
 wheels. I looked up to see who was coming, and 
 whom should I see but mv mother and several 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 Jewish men! I immediately dropped the pail 
 which I had been using, and telling the man that 
 my folks had come, I ran into the house. We 
 could think of no hiding place except the dairy cel- 
 lar, and as we were afraid the cellar might be 
 searched they placed a barrel over me. For some 
 time I heard angry words overhead, then came the 
 sound of footsteps on the stairs, and my mother 
 and two men were in the cellar searching wherever 
 it seemed possible for me to be concealed, the men 
 declaring that I must be somewhere in the house, 
 as a peddler had lately visited the farm and had 
 informed them of my whereabouts. 
 
 Mother vowed that she would not leave the 
 place until she had found me, but their search 
 proved unsuccessful. My mother stood outside the 
 door and began to lament the fate of her poor de- 
 luded child. As I listened to her pleadings I was 
 tempted to reveal myself to her. But fear for my 
 fate and trust in Jesus Christ kept me where I was. 
 
 They remained until evening, then left, vowing 
 vengeance on the Christians for keeping me a pris- 
 oner, declaring that I was being held against my 
 will. Late at night I came forth from my hiding 
 place, completely exhausted from the hard labor 
 and severe mental strain. 
 
 Several months passed in constant fear of dis- 
 
90 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 covery, rumors reaching us that the Jews were still 
 searching for me. I knew not what to do; I had 
 no place to go; but commiting all into the care 
 of my heavenly Father and trusting that He would 
 still provide a shelter for me, I prayed and waited. 
 
 In the fall I received a letter from my brother 
 urging me to come to him, for he had found a place 
 for me, where I could make my home and finish my 
 education. I was delighted, and looked forward 
 with great hopes to the future. What joy to think 
 that at last I should be near my Christian brother 
 and have a happy home ! 
 
 My preparations were soon made, and early in 
 October I started on a long journey, my brother 
 having sent the money for my traveling expenses. 
 After a journey of a day and a night I reached my 
 destination, finding my brother at the train to 
 meet me, and great was our joy, when for the first 
 time we greeted each other as Christians. He sym- 
 pathized with me, as I told him of my past trials, 
 and encouraged me to hope that all my sorrows 
 were at an end. As long as I was a minor, I could 
 find a home with these friends, and after becom- 
 ing of age I need fear no one. 
 
 Poor brother! Had he known the character of 
 this home, he would not have sent me there for 
 even one day. They were professed Christians, but 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 91 
 
 in their treatment of me they were worse than 
 heathen. The family consisted of father, mother 
 and six children, and it was indeed a hard place to 
 work. No servants would stay with this woman 
 any length of time, because of her ill treatment of 
 them. 
 
 I was treated with great kindness as long as my 
 brother remained and for a few days after his de- 
 parture. Then the attitude of the woman changed. 
 She required me to do work for which 1 had neither 
 the strength nor the ability, and when I sometimes 
 sank under the heavy burdens, she was not slow to 
 strike me. 
 
 One evening she told me that I must get up the 
 next morning at 3 o^clock and begin a large wash- 
 ing. I told her that it would be impossible for me 
 to do so much. She became very angry, telling 
 me that it was for her to command and for me to 
 obey, since I was her servant, and that I ought to 
 be very grateful for the home she was giving me. 
 She knew that I was in her power, as I had nowhere 
 to go. My brother was unable to help me, since 
 he was only a salesman with no money to spare. 
 
 At half past two the next morning I began the 
 washing, and when Mrs. T. arose in the morning it 
 was half done, but she expected me to have finished 
 
92 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 it by 9 o'clock. So, instead of giving me breakfast, 
 she gave me a severe scolding. 
 
 I had to leave the washing and get the children 
 ready for school. After I had eaten a small roll 
 and taken a cup of coffee I resumed my task. Long 
 before it was done I became very hungry and, tak- 
 ing a roll which had been left from breakfast, I be- 
 gan to eat it. Just then Mrs. T. appeared and, 
 losing her temper, accused me of stealing the bread, 
 insisting that I had no right to take anything 
 without her permission. 
 
 After the clothes were washed I had to put them 
 into baskets which were fastened to a wooden yoke 
 resting on my shoulders, and in that manner carry 
 them to the canal (a distance of two miles from 
 the house) to be rinsed. Many times that winter 
 I was obliged to cut through the ice in order to 
 rinse the clothes. 
 
 On one occasion I begged Mrs. T. to allow me to 
 rinse the clothes in the house, for it was so icy 
 without that I was afraid I might slip and fall. 
 She would not listen to me, but ordered me to go 
 at once to my work and do it as it ought to be 
 done. I flatly refused to obey her. My protests 
 were all in vain. Becoming violently enraged, she 
 struck me twice and ordered me to do my work in- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 98 
 
 stantly or she would turn me out into the cold, 
 away from the shelter of her home. 
 
 No other alternative was left to me, so I lifted 
 the weighty load upon my shoulders and went to 
 the stream. In the heavy wooden slippers which 
 I wore it was very difficult to walk and several 
 times I fell ; the baskets were overturned and some 
 pieces of the clean clothes were badly soiled. I 
 tried to wash them over in the icy water, but they 
 froze to my fingers and in the attempt to pull them 
 away pieces of skin came with them. 
 
 When I returned Mrs. T. examined the clothes, 
 and finding some soiled pieces, she put them once 
 more into the basket and sent me back to wash 
 them again. I obeyed, though both hands and 
 clothes 'were too stiff to wash the dirt out thor- 
 oughly, but I did the best I could, and returned 
 to the house. 
 
 Many were the hardships I endured in that place. 
 One Sunday I asked if I might go to church. The 
 Baptists had a little church in Retz, a town eight 
 miles away, where services were held twice a 
 month. Permission was given me to go, providing 
 all my work was finished before I started. Satur- 
 day night I worked until twelve o'clock, and early 
 Sunday morning I resumed my labors. By eight 
 o'clock all was in order, and I was ready to go. 
 
94 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 The morning was clear and cold, and my heart 
 was light and joyful. Although I had to walk to 
 and from church, yet I rejoiced, full of gladness 
 and happy in Jesus, and praised Him for the op- 
 portunity of once more hearing His Word. Oh, 
 how I enjoyed the sermon that day! The pastor 
 invited me to his home for dinner, and kindly urged 
 me to stay with them over night, but I dared not, 
 for Mrs. T. expected me home that night. On my 
 return jojirney I began to suffer with my feet, as I 
 was still wearing the small shoes. I had started 
 for home at two o'clock, but the darkening shadows 
 of night began to fall before I had covered half 
 the distance. At last I could walk no farther, and 
 sat down on a stone, shivering with the cold, not 
 a soul in sight, and a deep sense of desolation 
 creeping over me. The poor little birds, overcome 
 by the intense cold, fell dead at my feet. Even the 
 blood in my veins seemed to be freezing, and soon 
 my whole body felt heavy, and I could scarcely 
 move. In my despair I cried to God to help me, or 
 at once take me to Himself. 
 
 Hardly had the words passed my lips when I 
 heard the sound of an approaching team. I had 
 no strength to call for help, so held up my hand- 
 kerchief as a signal of distress, though all was dark 
 and I could not see who was coming. After a few 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 95 
 
 minutes I felt some one shaking me, and heard 
 some one ask " Who are you? What are you doing 
 here? Where do you want to go? " 
 
 With great difficulty I answered his questions. 
 He then led me to a wagon where two other men 
 were seated. One of the men said : " If we take 
 her home she ought to pay the toll." 
 
 I said : "I would gladly do so had I the money, 
 but I have none. If you can not take me home 
 without my paying the toll, I must remain here and 
 perish from the cold." 
 
 The men had compassion on me, and made room 
 for me in the wagon, and finally I reache<l home. 
 For several days I was very sick, but ere long I 
 was set at my accustomed duties. One of the hard- 
 est tasks I had to perform was the milking of a 
 goat, which always refused to give me the milk. 
 Many times was I thrown down by her jumping 
 over my head. I did not know how to milk a goat, 
 particularly that unruly one. Mrs. T. told me to 
 give it something good to eat and coax it, and 
 then it would become gentle. 
 
 With tears dropping on the goat's head, I begged 
 it to give me the milk, calling it the nicest names 
 I knew, and giving it the best kind of food ; but all 
 my efforts were in vain. Mrs. T. was forced to per- 
 form the duty herself, all the while scolding me, 
 
96 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 saying : *' You are good for nothing and do not 
 earn even the food you eat." One day she was not 
 feeling well and was exceedingly hard to x^^^^J^se 
 and again she sent me to do the milking. The 
 goat kept jumping along the wall as far as its 
 chain would permit, and would not allow me to get 
 near it, so I went into the house and told Mrs. T. 
 
 She ordered me to go back at once and get the 
 milking done, saying : " It is only your obstinacy 
 that is the trouble. You could milk that goat if 
 you wished. It stands for me when I milk it." She 
 was so abusive that, in despair, I returned to the 
 stable and again pleaded with the goat, " Do please 
 stand still and let me milk you." 
 
 The woman had advised pleasant words and, 
 although I hated to talk so to a goat, I begged it 
 to be good and stand still. 
 
 The animal was so obstinate that finally, not 
 knowing what else to do, I took a stick which was 
 lying near and struck it across the back. It then 
 stood quietly and I was able to take two quarts of 
 milk to the house. 
 
 Mrs. T. showed her approval by saying : ^^ I told 
 you so. It was all your own fault that the goat 
 would not stand ; if you had only treated it kindly 
 long ago there would have been no trouble." 
 
 I did not tell her how I had become victorious. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 97 
 
 The next morning she said: "Now be sure to 
 treat the goat nicely." When I opened the stable 
 door it was to find the goat lying motionless on its 
 bed of straw. It had died during the night. 
 
 Mrs. T. was very angry when she heard of the 
 death of her pet ; of course, she blamed me, and had 
 she known that I had struck it, her anger would 
 have been terrible and beyond control. 
 
 The life at this place became unbearable and fin- 
 ally I wrote to Mrs. Deike, telling her of my trou- 
 bles. She, in answer, wrote back to me : " Trust in 
 God, and come to me as soon as you can." 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 As time wore on I wrote to my brother about re- 
 turning to Mrs. Deike's Iiouse, whicli was so near 
 our old home, whereupon he wrote to Mrs. T. to 
 give me my traveling expenses to return to my 
 friends, as he could not afford to send me any 
 money. She gave me about half enough for the 
 journey, but since I had friends living at Bromberg 
 I finally decided to go there. A friend of my 
 brother accompanied me to the train, and upon 
 learning that I had not sufficient money, he kindly 
 supplied the rest. 
 
 For a short time I stayed with these friends, en- 
 joying a delightful visit, though confined to the 
 house most of the time on account of my feet, 
 which were much crippled from those small shoes. 
 So bad did they become that I lost the nails from 
 some of the toes. One day I did attempt to go out 
 calling with my friend, but the pain in my feet was 
 so intense that I fainted on the street. 
 
 From Bromberg I went on to Mrs. Deike's. Hav- 
 ing so little money, even for postage, I had not noti- 
 fied them of the time of my arrival, consequently 
 there was no one at the train to meet me, and I 
 was forced to walk the eight miles. I had dis- 
 carded the shoes and wore only a pair of house slip- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 99 
 
 pers. It was a very cold day and my suffering was 
 great; but late in the evening I reached the farm 
 house. I w^as unable to w^alk for several days, dur- 
 ing w hich a severe snow storm raged and it was im- 
 possible to send for my baggage. Finally, after 
 the storm had ceased, the youngest daughter and 
 myself drove to the station, got the baggage and 
 started for home. 
 
 The weather had changed since we left home; 
 it had become much colder, dark clouds gathered, 
 and a storm was fast approaching. The horses 
 made but little progress, owing to the icy, hilly 
 road. When Mariana's hands became so numb that 
 she could not drive I took the reins, but soon I, too, 
 was unable to hold them, and the horses, freed from 
 a controlling hand, turned off into a ditch. Only 
 one step more and we would have been dashed to 
 pieces ; but the everwatchf ul, all-seeing Father pre- 
 served His children in this hour of danger. Mari- 
 ana had partially lost consciousness, but my cry of 
 distress roused her, and by our united efforts the 
 horses were again turned into the road. We did 
 not know where we were, and could not guide the 
 horses, but trusted the Lord to bring us home in 
 safety. Ere long in the distance we saw a light 
 and urged the horses on, for it seemed that our 
 strength could not last much longer, and oh, how 
 
100 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 thankful we were when we reached the shelter of 
 home! The friends had been greatly alarmed at 
 our long absence, and it was a happy family that 
 knelt that evening to give thanks to God for His 
 goodness to us. 
 
 I stayed for several weeks with these kind 
 friends, but it was too near my old home for me 
 to remain in safety for any length of time, and 
 now again the question faced me : " Where can I 
 go next?" I had no credentials or references, 
 neither had I permission from my parents to as- 
 sist me in getting a position. 
 
 In this time of need I leaned upon God and His 
 promises and He did not fail me then, nor has He 
 ever failed me since; for His promise stands fast, 
 " I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." ( Heb. 
 xiii, 5.) 
 
 About this time Mrs. Deike made a visit to her 
 brother, who lived on a large farm about twenty- 
 five miles away, with no near neighbors. Upon her 
 return she told me that her brother would be will- 
 ing to have me stay there, providing I would work 
 as a farm hand. I accepted the situation, since 
 there seemed nothing else for me to do, and in a few 
 days I began work there. They were Lutherans 
 and somewhat opposed to the Baptist denomina- 
 tion, but on the whole, they were very kind and 
 
DRIVEN'iMq^^^^^. 101 
 
 promised to do the best they could by me. To this 
 country home little of the outside world came, no 
 newspapers ever reached their house, and no mail 
 carrier ever knocked at the door. 
 
 The first thing I had to learn was to walk in the 
 clumsy wooden slippers which Mr. C. made for each 
 member of the family. The next thing was to 
 learn how to spin. During the long winter even- 
 ings the women and girls spun the wool for their 
 own winter stockings, all going barefoot in the 
 summer. I had never seen any one spin and was 
 so awkward that I became the laughing stock of all. 
 The fact of the matter is, that I never did learn 
 to spin well, though I really tried very hard, and 
 finally succeeded in spinning enough for two pairs 
 of stockings for myself; but the yarn was so hard 
 and uneven that they were thick and clumsy and 
 caused me much suffering in the wearing of them. 
 While learning I complained once, and was told: 
 " Oh, the Jew is still hanging about you and the 
 sooner you get rid of it the better it will be for 
 you." The work was new to me and I made many 
 blunders and often overheard the remark : " Oh, 
 Jews are no good at work; they prefer to live on 
 other people's work." I could only pray for wis- 
 dom and patience and keep on trying to learn. 
 
 We rose early in the morning, and before break- 
 
102 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 fast I had to milk seven cows, feed the pigs and look 
 after the poultry. During the winter the family, 
 including the hired help, numbered fifteen per- 
 sons; while in the spring and summer there were 
 twenty-two. All the cooking for this large house- 
 hold was my work, also the preparation of food for 
 the stock on the farm. Every day in the week the 
 same work was to be done, and from four o'clock 
 in the morning until after ten at night my hands 
 were never idle. 
 
 I was obliged to do the work of spreading the 
 fertilizer on the ground, picking up stones, and 
 other heavy work in the field. 
 
 When Easter came, great preparations were made 
 for the three days holidays. On such occasions, all 
 but the most necessary work was laid aside, every- 
 thing is made nice and clean, all the scrubbing of 
 floors and such work being my portion. Many times 
 I bruised my fingers — the result of which was a 
 felon on my right hand, but during this busy season 
 I had no time to nurse it. 
 
 Day and night I suffered. Little sympathy was 
 given me, and after sleepless nights I did the work 
 as best I could. Finally my hand became so stiff 
 and black that a physician was called, who advised 
 amputating the hand at once. I refused, and then 
 he insisted on taking off the finger; and, though 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 103 
 
 every one said I was stupid and willful, I refused to 
 permit it, putting my trust in God. 
 
 He answered my prayer in a way far different 
 from what I had expected. About two weeks later I 
 was in the kitchen peeling potatoes with my left 
 hand, when there came a knock at the door. The new 
 comer proved to be a Jewish peddler. I endeavored 
 to appear unconcerned, and at the first opportunity 
 left the room; but he had recognized in me the 
 fugitive. Two days later, in the afternoon a wagon 
 containing several persons drove into the yard. At 
 the sound of wheels I hurried in from the field 
 where I had been picking up stones. Imagine my 
 dismay when my mother alighted and came toward 
 the house. 
 
 I was frightened, but there was no chance to hide. 
 She ordered me to get ready and go home with her, 
 and I was obliged to obey ; for well I knew that re- 
 sistance would be useless. 
 
 Late that evening we reached home. Not a word 
 had my mother spoken to me during the long jour- 
 ney, and now I was sent to my room without seeing 
 any other member of the family, my mother se- 
 curely fastening the door of my room. 
 
 The next morning she brought me my breakfast, 
 telling me that I could not leave the room until I 
 had repented of my foolishness and cursed the 
 
104 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 Christian religion. Slie examined my hand which 
 she had now for the first time noticed. At the sight 
 she nearly fainted, but immediately set about doing 
 something to relieve it. Fortunately it proved to 
 be the wisest thing that could be done. Every time 
 she dressed it she would attribute the affliction to 
 the Christian religion and declare the curse of God 
 rested upon me. 
 
 The supposed curse was soon removed, as my hand 
 was entirely healed. After I had been at home a 
 week, the Jewish people began to visit me, among 
 them the Rabbi, who came once and sometimes twice 
 a day. He would not argue with me from the Bible, 
 but only from the Talmud, constantly endeavoring 
 to weaken my faith in Christ. 
 
 The Jews of the community at first believed that I 
 had become a Christian in order to get riches. Now 
 when they learned that such was not the case, their 
 disgust was great. For several weeks they sought 
 to win me back to the Jewish religion, and many 
 times I grew faint and weary, but Christ with His 
 loving arms around me kept me during those days 
 of trial. I had no Bible, no book to read, and was 
 kept a prisoner, even the windows being nailed on 
 the outside to prevent any possibility of escape. 
 
 I had been there six weeks or more before I saw 
 my father. I dreaded to see him for fear that he 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 105 
 
 would seek to wrench my faith away from me. 
 Whenever I heard a footstep I trembled lest he 
 might come in anger, but weeks passed by and he 
 did not appear. 
 
 The Jews advised mother to take other means 
 than kindness in her efforts to bring me to reason. 
 Poor blinded mother ! She loved me so dearly that 
 she would have given her heart's blood to save me, 
 and yet she treated me with the greatest unkind- 
 ness, every stroke she gave me hurting her more 
 than it did me; but she thought she was serving 
 God by thus punishing me in order to bring me 
 back to the fold if possible. 
 
 The Rabbi became very insulting, and told mother 
 that I deserved to be thrown into the street and 
 left there to die like a dog. Suddenly his visits 
 ceased, and I was left in peace for several weeks. 
 Then came the interview which I had so long 
 dreaded. 
 
 One afternoon I was sitting by the closed window, 
 looking up at the sky, lost in thought, when the door 
 was quietly opened and there stood my father. He 
 was so changed; never before had I seen such a 
 look of tenderness on my father's face. For a few 
 moments he stood without uttering a word, then he 
 said: 
 
 "Have you no word of greeting? Are you not 
 
106 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 glad to see your father? Have the Christians so 
 poisoned your mind, or have they wrung the Jewish 
 heart from you, my poor child?" 
 
 As I listened to his kind and loving words and 
 beheld his careworn face and flowing, white hair, 
 my heart was almost broken. He opened his shel- 
 tering arms and clasped me to his heart and spoke 
 to me so gently, calling me the endearing names a 
 loving father gives to his child, that my courage 
 seemed about to leave me. I forgot all I had 
 planned to say, and let him hold me without saying 
 a word, or trying to make any explanations ; for I 
 was again as a little child in my father's arms. 
 
 By and by he loosened his hold, and said, "My 
 daughter, what have you gained by forsaking the 
 God of your fathers? Have you gained anything?" 
 I was unable to answer him a word. 
 
 Seeing that I did not reply, he began to plead 
 with me to repent of my folly and renounce Jesus. 
 But that was the one thing utterly impossible for me 
 to do. How could I curse Jesus, who had saved 
 me and forgiven all my sins, who loved me more 
 than all earthly friends? 
 
 Again my father placed his hands on my shoul- 
 ders while tears rolled down his pale cheeks, falling 
 on my hands. With trembling voice he implored, 
 "Come back, my child, to your father's house, to the 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 107 
 
 God of your father and mother. Outside, you have 
 no friends. No one can love and care for you as do 
 your parents. Why will you be a stranger and an 
 outcast when you may have love and shelter?" 
 
 As my father spoke thus, it seemed almost as if 
 the price was too great for me to pay. It seemed 
 that I must give up my faith in Christ and reject 
 Him then and there. A fierce battle was waged that 
 day; and, for a time, it seemed as if earthly love 
 would conquer and that I would give up my Sav- 
 iour. But at the most critical moment Christ's 
 promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," 
 came to me as never before. 
 
 I seemed to hear Him say, "He that loveth father 
 or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.'' 
 (Matt. x:37.) The struggle ceased, peace entered 
 my soul, and I spoke the words which I had been 
 unable to utter before this. 
 
 I begged my father to let me believe in Jesus, as 
 He was the only one on whom we could rely, and 
 because He was the One of whom Moses and the 
 prophets testified. My words fell on unheeding 
 ears, for my father would not listen, but becoming 
 very angry he declared that I must then and there 
 renounce Christianity or answer with my life. 
 
 "I w^ould rather give up my life than my Christ," 
 was my answer. 
 
108 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 What a transformation was wrought in his ap- 
 pearance! He now stood before me filled with 
 wrath and ready to strike his defenseless child. In 
 all my life I had not seen my father so angry, but 
 he left the room with only these words: "Never 
 again shall you call me ^father/ and never more 
 shall you see me." And I never did see my father's 
 face again until the pallor of death was upon it. 
 Then he was white and motionless in his coffin, un- 
 able either to bless or to curse his child. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 After my father left me, my mother entered the 
 room, her face as white as a sheet, wringing her 
 hands in agony, weeping as though her heart would 
 break. Oh, how I longed to comfort her, but she 
 would not suffer me to even approach her or to talk 
 with her. My faith was sorely tried, but I earnestly 
 prayed that God would give me wisdom and cour- 
 age bravely to bear those trials which for His sake 
 I was enduring. 
 
 The Rabbi called a few days later; and upon 
 learning that even my father's entreaties were un- 
 availing, he advised my mother to drive me from 
 the house at once, lest the wrath of God should 
 descend upon her household. 
 
 The curses uttered by the Rabbi greatly alarmed 
 my mother, and she again came to my room and 
 urged me to give up my faith in the "hanged one." 
 I told her that I could not do so, and then she lost 
 control of herself. 
 
 The afternoon had been a trying one for her, and 
 it was not to be wondered at that she had become 
 so excited. Not only had the Rabbi been to see her, 
 but many other Jews had come with their advice. 
 Even some of the so-called Christians called to ridi- 
 cule and condemn me. So, upon hearing my refusal 
 she knocked me down, my head striking the door 
 
110 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 post, and I fell unconscious to the floor. I do not 
 know how long I remained in that condition, but 
 when I recovered mother entered the room and 
 thrust me out of the house into the street. There 
 were no kind words of farewell, no loving embrace, 
 no one to say "God bless you," as I took my depart- 
 ure from the home of my childhood. 
 
 No one but God knew the loneliness and the utter 
 desolation of my heart. My cry Avas unto Him not 
 to leave or forsake His child. Just as He always 
 does. He heard and answered in this time of great- 
 est need, for His love and faithfulness can never 
 fail. 
 
 As I faced the future that evening how dark it 
 looked! My head was aching from the fall, and I 
 thought my right eye badly injured, for I was unable 
 to open it. I had only ten cents in money and knew 
 not where to go. 
 
 The friends who had given me shelter before lived 
 many miles away, and I could not tell what direc- 
 tion to take in order to reach their homes. I knew 
 of no one in the town who would give me shelter for 
 even a single night, for at that time the Baptists 
 were hated by Catholics and Lutherans as well as 
 Jews. 
 
 In my homeless condition, thinking sad, sad 
 thoughts, I walked toward the depot, having no 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 111 
 
 plan in mind as to where I should go. As I reached 
 the station a train arrived ; then not knowing what 
 else to do, I bought a ticket for the next station, 
 using my last money. 
 
 As I sat in the car, I remembered hearing that 
 somewhere in that vicinity there lived a Baptist 
 family, the head of which was a shepherd on a large 
 estate (the same family is now living in Cleve- 
 land, Ohio). I could recall the name of the estate, 
 but did not know the distance nor in what direction 
 it lay from the station. Soon the train stopped, and 
 I stepped out on the platform. Hopelessly I looked 
 around for some one to direct me where to go ; but 
 no one was in sight. The sun was setting and I had 
 ^ not the slightest idea where to lay my weary, throb- 
 bing head that night. It seemed that my resting 
 place must be the dark lonely woods. 
 
 I sat down on a stone by the roadside and 
 watched and waited for some one to pass. I cried 
 to Him who in other times of perplexity had made 
 the way plain for His child. I must have waited there 
 nearly half an hour when there came the sound of 
 approaching wheels. It was a carriage whose sole 
 occupant was a lady. The coachman seeing me 
 stopped, and I inquired of him the direction of the 
 place I was seeking, and also the distance. "Two 
 (eight English) miles," was the reply, while he 
 
112 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 pointed towards a dense forest as the direction in 
 which it lay. 
 
 The driver, seeing disappointment in my face, 
 added, "You certainly don't mean to go there to- 
 night?" 
 
 The lady at the sound of our voices opened the 
 carriage door, and inquired what the trouble was, 
 and the coachman told her that I had lost my way 
 and did not know where to go. 
 
 Before I could make any explanation, the lady, 
 moved with compassion, invited me to step inside 
 the carriage and told the coachman to drive on. As 
 we rode along in the twilight, she asked me many 
 questions. I told her where my home was, but said 
 nothing of the persecutions, or of having been 
 driven from home. But I did tell her about 
 Jesus, my best friend. 
 
 She became greatly interested and was very anx- 
 ious to hear about the dear Saviour. Before we 
 parted, she said that she, too, wanted to love Jesus, 
 and made me promise to go to the mansion belong- 
 ing to the estate where the shepherd lived and tell 
 the "gracious lady'' (wife of an owner of an estate 
 was thus called) of the love of Jesus. I learned 
 later that she had heard of me, and had desired to 
 have me come to her home. 
 
 I was driven to within a half mile of my desti- 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 113 
 
 nation; the lady in parting kissed me and slipped 
 a piece of money into my hand and asked me to 
 pray for her. This was my first missionary work. 
 
 Rejoicing in heart I soon reached the home of the 
 shepherd, where I received a hearty welcome. 
 
 The next morning I called at the home of the 
 ^^Gracious Lady," but she had just started on a 
 journey. The housekeeper, who had heard of me 
 through her mistress, was exceedingly glad to see 
 me, and sought to make my stay a pleasant one. 
 She directed one of the maids to show me through 
 the grounds and gardens. This girl was a devout 
 Catholic, and when she learned that I was a Jewess, 
 and that I now believed in the Lord Jesus, she be- 
 came much interested, asking many questions about 
 the Protestant religion. After hearing the story of 
 the love of Jesus and what He had done for me, 
 tears rolled down her cheeks and she promised to 
 seek Him with her whole heart. She did so and 
 suffered much persecution at the hands of the 
 priests and other Catholics. Years afterwards, 
 when I had even forgotten her name, we met in 
 Chicago. 
 
 I remained with the shepherd's family two days ; 
 then decided to return to the farm from which my 
 mother had taken me. The son-in-law of the kind 
 shepherd took me to the home of Mrs. Deike, which 
 
114 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 was about half way to the farm ; and, though it was 
 the busy season, Mrs. Deike took me the remainder 
 of my journey to her brother's farm, where I re- 
 mained for the next two years, unmolested and free 
 from persecution. I shall therefore pass over those 
 two years in silence. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 At the expiration of two years I decided to make 
 a change and go to live with an old lady who had 
 much trouble in keeping any one with her for any 
 length of time. The place seemed so much more 
 desirable than my present position that I had no 
 hesitancy about making the change. But great was 
 my disappointment in this new home. 
 
 This lady was very suspicious and in constant 
 fear of being robbed. She was ever on the watch, 
 and three or four times each night she would make 
 me get up and go to the barn (where she kept a cow 
 and its feed) to see if everything was all right. No 
 matter how cold the night might be, I was obliged 
 to make these regular trips, going a distance of 
 about thirty yards. 
 
 At four in the morning I had to get up to watch 
 while she slept. There I had to sit in that cold dark 
 room with neither fire nor lamp. I suffered much 
 from hunger; the food was kept under lock and 
 key, and I could have only what little she was 
 pleased to give me. The work instead of being light 
 was very heavy. I was kept busy all the time, for 
 after I had finished the work and thought that I 
 might rest, then I must take the cow for a walk — a 
 very humiliating task, as I had to go through the 
 village leading her by a rope. 
 
116 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 For six montlis I endured this hard life with its 
 many annoyances ; but the following spring I went 
 to work for a family where I was sure I should find 
 it much easier and could get at least enough to eat. 
 
 I had known this family when they lived in the 
 city in a beautiful home; now they were reduced 
 to poverty and were living on a small farm. No 
 magistrate's certificate would be required and I 
 hoped to be safe there, but again hard times were 
 before me. My work was similar to that on the 
 first farm, planting, haying, harvesting, etc. It was 
 work from early morning till late at night, and 
 there was little to eat. Many times a meal consisted 
 of a piece of dry bread and water, or potatoes with 
 a sprinkling of salt. What the hardships of the life 
 on this farm were it would be impossible for me to 
 describe, but through it all, God never suffered me 
 to lose faith in Him. I knew He was with me and 
 Jesus became more and more precious. 
 
 I remained in this place until I w^as nearly twenty 
 years old, when I was considered to have reached 
 my majority. I had been a Christian for nearly five 
 years, had been absent from home most of the time, 
 suffering much, but I had learned that the "cross 
 is not greater than His grace.'' 
 
 My brother wrote from Berlin advising me to 
 come to him, as he hoped to make life easier for me. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 117 
 
 Now that I was free to go or to do as I pleased I 
 decided to go to him in the autumn. 
 
 My few belongings were packed in a blue and 
 white striped pillow case, and I started on my long 
 journey, looking forward with much joy to meeting 
 again that dear brother from whom I had so long 
 been separated. 
 
 At seven o^clock in the morning of a dreary, rainy 
 day, I arrived in Berlin. I had expected my brother 
 to meet me, but I did not see him at the station. As 
 I had my brother's address, I inquired the way of 
 a policeman ; and, though it was a long distance, I 
 had to walk, as I had no money for carfare. 
 
 I finally found the street and number. It was a 
 large double house, and I did not know how to find 
 my brother's rooms. I rang the bell at several doors 
 and inquired, but no one knew him, as he was not a 
 regular tenant, but had furnished rooms with a fam- 
 ily living in the building. I was told that unless I 
 knew the name of the family with whom he roomed 
 it would be impossible to find him. At last I be- 
 came discouraged, and sitting down on the steps I 
 began to cry, for I did not know what would become 
 of me if I did not find my brother. 
 
 Presently a door was opened and a gentleman 
 came out. Upon seeing me he spoke kindly and I 
 told him my trouble. He was very kind and invited 
 
118 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 me in, explaining the situation to his wife, who tried 
 to comfort me by offering me a cup of coffee and a 
 roll ; but it seemed almost impossible for me to eat 
 because I was feeling so lonely. The gentleman 
 assured me that he would find my brother. While 
 he was absent, his wife suggested that I take the 
 position of nurse girl for her baby, which I agreed 
 to do. 
 
 Soon the gentleman returned with my brother, 
 and my heart bounded with joy at seeing him. At 
 first he did not recognize me ; but looked around the 
 room and asked, "Where is my sister?" 
 
 I went up to him expecting a loving greeting, but 
 he drew back in astonishment and mortification. 
 The people did not seem to know what to make of 
 the strange situation. After a painful pause he 
 greeted me with the words, "Well, girl, how you do 
 look ! I can scarcely believe that you are my sister, 
 but I see now that you are. I went to the depot this 
 morning to meet you, but I never dreamed that my 
 sister would present such an appearance." 
 
 The lady noticing his chagrin said, "You need 
 not be troubled about her ; she can have a home with 
 me, as I have already engaged her as nurse for the 
 baby." 
 
 My brother's pride was touched, and I could see 
 that he was indignant at such a proposition ; but his 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 119 
 
 better nature triumphed and very kindly he told 
 her that his sister was not in need of a position, as 
 he was able to care for her. Then he thanked them 
 for their kindness to me. 
 
 It was no wonder that my brother had failed to 
 recognize me, for he had still in mind the sister of 
 five years before in her dainty frocks. He had not 
 taken into consideration what four years of priva- 
 tion and hardship might mean to me. It has been 
 truly said, "Woman has the heaviest burden and 
 walks the hardest road," and he had not been called 
 to bear the sufferings and persecutions that had 
 come to his sister. He had engaged rooms and 
 board for me with a refined, highly educated lady, 
 whose drawing rooms Avere the center of culture, 
 and he naturally felt disappointed in me. 
 
 After we had reached his apartments, he could no 
 longer restrain his indignation, "What shall I do 
 with you?'^ he said. "I cannot take you to that lady 
 in your present condition." 
 
 I felt very sorry for him, as I realized that I was 
 unfit to be introduced to refined people, for there I 
 stood, a rough country girl, without a hat, and with 
 an old shawl tied about my head. My clothing was 
 of the poorest, coarsest kind, and my rough, red 
 hands were bare. It must have been hard for my 
 
120 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 brother; for he was well dressed, and extremely 
 neat and pleasing in his personal appearance. 
 
 At last I began to cry bitterly, saying, "Please 
 leave me alone and don't look at me in that way. I 
 will go somewhere as a servant, and will tell no 
 one that I am your sister. I will stay away until I 
 have earned enough to dress up, and study hard, so 
 that no one shall need to be ashamed of me.'' 
 
 By the time I had finished, brotherly love had 
 triumphed over pride ; he broke down and there we 
 sat crying together. He tried to console me by say- 
 ing over and over again, "Never mind, never mind, 
 little sister, I do not need to be ashamed of you. It 
 is not your fault that you have nothing. I will ex- 
 plain to Mrs. H. and she will understand." I dried 
 my tears and made myself a little more presentable. 
 He then admitted that my appearance was im- 
 proved; but he could not overcome his dislike for 
 those big red hands, roughened by hard work. 
 
 Finally we decided to conceal them by getting a 
 pair of gloves. We went to a store and purchased 
 an expensive pair of gloves, but alas ! at the first at- 
 tempt to put them on, I split them open. It could 
 not be helped; so with the torn gloves partly con- 
 cealing the red hands we went to meet Mrs. H. I 
 saw that she was disappointed in my appearance; 
 she was too much of a lady, however, to make any 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 121 
 
 comments. Later we grew to know each other well, 
 for she became my brother's wife. 
 
 My brother provided very liberally for me, and I 
 was very happy. Life again seemed full of bright- 
 ness and I rejoiced that the trials were over. It was 
 in this city that for the first time I became engaged 
 in church work. At the time of my conversion my 
 heart burned with love for my own people, and I 
 was willing to go even in the capacity of a nurse girl 
 into Jewish families and teach the little children 
 about Jesus; but the severe persecutions I had re- 
 ceived at the hands of those whom I loved had ex- 
 tinguished those desires. 
 
 The church of which I had become a member was 
 interested in foreign missions, and when I learned 
 of the great need, my heart was moved with love 
 for the poor heathen in those benighted lands. My 
 earnest desire and prayer was that I might go to 
 Burmah as a missionary, but my friends said that I 
 was not qualified for service in the foreign field, and 
 that God's work for me was among my own people ; 
 so I continued to work in the church and Sunday- 
 School. 
 
 Being of an independent spirit I began to feel 
 that I must not depend upon my brother for sup- 
 port, so I began studies in a business college, and 
 learned book-keeping; in the mean time changing 
 
122 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 my boarding place for one that was much cheaper. 
 
 I was very busy during the day with my studies ; 
 but when the day's work was done I always found 
 an opportunity to tell of the love of Jesus to those 
 who knew Him not, and the Lord wonderfully 
 blessed my poor efforts and crowned them with suc- 
 cess, and thus I learned what a joy it is to be a '^co- 
 Avorker with God." 
 
 My life was truly happy, and I looked forward to 
 the time when I should be able to help supply some 
 of the needs of the poor people who had become so 
 dear to me. When my course was completed, I 
 proudly received my diploma, still with no pros- 
 pect of a position, as it was not an easy thing for 
 a young woman to get a position, unless she had 
 influential friends, and such I had not. My brother 
 had been absent for several months, my money was 
 nearly gone, and I sought in vain for a position. 
 
 I earnestly prayed God to open the way for me; 
 and though it sometimes seemed that my request 
 was unheeded, yet I had learned by past experience 
 to trust in Him, and believe that in His own good 
 time He would answer. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 One Sunday morning my heart was heavy as I 
 went to the house of God. All the money I pos- 
 sessed was about ten cents, and I felt that I could 
 give nothing to the church collection, for I should 
 need that money for food on the morrow. 
 
 In the afternoon the Young Women's Society 
 held a service. One of our duties was to visit the 
 sick, and the president usually appointed the dif- 
 ferent visitors, assigning a certain sick person to 
 a member. One of the oldest members of the church 
 (an aged lady) had been an invalid for several 
 years. All the other members had been to see her, 
 and I had dreaded the thought of going because I 
 was so poor. But on this Sunday I had not given 
 the matter a thought, until to my surprise and dis- 
 appointment the president asked me if I would visit 
 that sick lady during the week. I had not the cour- 
 age to refuse, though I knew that I must go to her 
 empty handed, and the visitor usually took to the 
 sick' room fruit, flowers, or some other delicacy. 
 
 I wondered what I could do about it, until it oc- 
 curred to me to go that day, as on the Sabbath we 
 never made purchases and I would have a very 
 good excuse for not bringing anything. 
 
 It was a long distance and I was very tired for 
 I had walked twice to the church, which was a dis- 
 
124 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 tance of three miles each way. We never thought 
 of riding on the cars on Sunday; and even had I 
 wished to do so it would have not been possible, for 
 I could not have afforded the carfare. 
 
 As I slowly walked along the streets my atten- 
 tion was attracted to a fruit stand on which were 
 displayed some beautiful oranges. They were then 
 very expensive on account of their scarcity at that 
 time of the year, but as I looked at them, great was 
 my desire to purchase some for the poor sick 
 woman. Almost before I knew what I was doing 
 I held two oranges in my hands and all my money 
 was gone. 
 
 The thought flashed into my mind, "You have 
 broken the Sabbath by buying the fruit." Then 
 came another thought, "What will become of me? 
 I shall have nothing to eat to-morrow, for I have 
 spent my last cent." For a few moments I was 
 tempted to return the fruit; but soon the tempta- 
 tion passed and I proceeded on my way. 
 
 When I entered the sick room and saw the old 
 lady lying there, her body racked with pain, I for- 
 got my weariness and was glad that I had come to 
 speak a few words of comfort and cheer. I laid the 
 oranges on the bed. She at once reached for the 
 bag; and when she saw the contents, how her face 
 lighted up with pleasure! She was so eager for 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 125 
 
 them that she took one out of the bag and began 
 to eat it without stopping to peel it. 
 
 Then she burst into tears, took my hands in hers, 
 and with uplifted eyes prayed, "I thank Thee, my 
 heavenly Father, that Thou hast answered my 
 prayer." For one week she had been praying that 
 the Lord would sent her some oranges, for she was 
 too poor to buy them and her daughter also had no 
 money to spend on luxuries. She had at last given 
 up hope, for she expected no visitors on Sunday. 
 
 As I listened to her story, my heart was full of 
 thanksgiving to my Father for permitting me to 
 minister to one of His saints. I remembered the 
 words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to 
 receive" (Acts, xx:35), and realized their truth, 
 although I went without my breakfast the next 
 morning. 
 
 But God rewarded my confidence in Him, for on 
 that same morning, a letter came to me asking me 
 to accept a position as book-keeper at a very good 
 salary. Never from that time have I been obliged 
 to go without food for lack of means. 
 
 For a year I remained in Berlin. Then came the 
 sad news of my father's death. I decided to go 
 home, knowing that since I had become of age no 
 one could interfere with me. I started at once and 
 arrived the day before my father's funeral. 
 
126 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 The watchers by the dead at first refused to allow 
 me to enter the room ; but late that night after my 
 mother, brothers and sister had retired I stole 
 quietly into the room where the silent form of my 
 father lay, and I was alone with the dead all 
 through the long night. 
 
 I thought of the past, how those closed eyes had 
 once looked into mine with a father's tender love, 
 those cold hands had been laid in blessing upon my 
 head. I recalled how the love of a father had been 
 changed into hatred and his blessing into a bitter 
 curse, because of my having given up the faith of 
 my fathers to become a follower of the despised 
 King of the Jews. 
 
 On the following day the funeral took place. My 
 mother, brothers and sister, according to Jewish 
 custom, rent their clothes, while I stood alone with 
 tearless eyes, having no part in the services. One of 
 the devout Jews, upon seeing me standing near the 
 door, rushed up, took me by the arm, and pulled me 
 towards the coffin, screaming in my ear, "Look, 
 you turncoat, upon that silent face and remember 
 that this is your work. You have killed your father, 
 have brought down his gray hairs to the grave V 
 
 The coffin was covered, the pall bearers carried 
 it out and bore him to the grave, and I followed 
 last of all. 
 
' DRIVEN FROM HOME. 127 
 
 That afternoon immediately after the burial I 
 took the train for the next station, where I was met 
 by friends whom I had notified of my coming. 
 
 How lonely seemed the days that followed ! Dur- 
 ing the two days that I remained with my friends, 
 the old conflict was renewed, and Satan whispered 
 that it was better to return to the old life, that the 
 price I was paying was too high, but oh, what vic- 
 tory God did give in this hour of temptation, for as 
 Paul declared, "Nay, in all these things we are more 
 than conquerors through Him that loved us." 
 (Romans, viii:37.) 
 
 The third day I returned to Berlin. Meanwhile 
 I had contracted a severe cold and for some time 
 was very ill. In fact I have never fully recovered 
 from the effects of that prolonged illness. 
 
 As soon as I was able I resumed my work at the 
 oflSce, all my spare time being devoted to the Lord's 
 work. Again my heart was turned toward the for- 
 eign field, and towards Burmah in particular. With 
 that end in view I worked and prayed, asking God 
 to send me there. I spoke of my desires to my pas- 
 tor and friends, and again they told me that I was 
 not fitted for that work and advised me to stay in 
 my own country doing Avhat my hands found there 
 to do. 
 
 At first I was discouraged, and reluctantly gave 
 
128 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 up the thought of leaving my native land ; but there 
 were many opportunities of speaking for Jesus 
 among the thousands of unsaved souls in that city, 
 and God abundantly blessed my efforts and gave me 
 souls for my hire. 
 
 Thus engaged, my life was very happy, and sev- 
 eral busy years passed by. Nothing disturbed my 
 communion with God and my daily work, and all 
 was peaceful. I thought all my troubles were 
 ended, and I was contented to settle down to work 
 in my church district in Berlin, unmindful of the 
 needs of my brethren, the Jews. But God had other 
 plans for my life, which I was to see later. 
 
 My mother has a brother in England, who has 
 considerable wealth. When he learned that the 
 children of his only sister had left the Jewish re- 
 ligion and had become Christians, he believed it was 
 only a question of money, and that he could win us 
 back to Judaism by paying us a large sum of money. 
 As he was visiting relatives in Berlin, he sought us 
 out. We had never seen these relatives and they 
 were unaware of my residence in the city, but my 
 uncle had learned my address and had many in- 
 terviews with me, always urging me to give up my 
 faith and offering me large sums of money if I 
 would do so. 
 
 This caused me trouble; although, since I was 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 129 
 
 now of legal age, I could claim the protection of 
 the law. Yet I was continually harassed by his 
 persuasions. One night while kneeling in prayer 
 asking God to keep me from harm, the question 
 came to me, "Why not go to America?" I had never 
 thought of going to America until that moment ; but 
 all that night I could think of nothing else, and be- 
 fore the week was over, I had settled the matter in 
 my own mind. I knew that I was to leave Germany, 
 but did not speak of my purpose to any of my 
 friends lest they should oppose the undertaking. 
 
 A niece of Mrs. Deike's whom I had known, had 
 gone to America some years previous to this time, 
 and was now living in Oak Park, near Chicago. 
 As I had her address I made all my arrangements 
 to go to her. At the end of a fortnight my prepa- 
 rations were completed, and I informed my friends 
 of the plans. They were much astonished, and 
 most strongly opposed me, my pastor saying, "You 
 are sinning against God, for Ho has given you work 
 to do where you are, and He can protect you from 
 your enemies just as well in Berlin as in America." 
 
 I could only say in reply, "I know He can, but I 
 am not sure that He will, for I believe that He is 
 calling me to America." 
 
 Not one favored my going, but it was too late to 
 turn back, for my trunks were packed and my ticket 
 
180 DRIVEN FROM HOME, 
 
 bought. I did not realize how great an undertaking 
 it was for a girl to go alone to a new country, know- 
 ing nothing about the trip, and with no friends 
 there to care for her. 
 
 But trusting only in my loving Heavenly Father, 
 in the latter part of May, 1889, 1 left for America. 
 It was very hard to tear myself away from the lov- 
 ing friends. The loneliness did not seem so great 
 while on the train, but out on the great ocean, my 
 heart was heavy when I heard other passengers 
 talking about friends whom they expected to meet, 
 and the joy of meeting loved ones. 
 
 I was almost overpowered by the same sense of 
 fear and desolation which came over me, for no 
 one would be there to meet me, and I was going to 
 seek a mere acquaintance who might not even re- 
 member me. One day, while feeling the loneliness 
 of it all as never before, I sat on deck and breathed 
 out this prayer : 
 
 Jesus, Lover of my soul, 
 
 Let me to Thy bosom fly, 
 While the nearer waters roll. 
 
 While the tempest still is high ; 
 Hide me, O my Saviour, hide. 
 
 Till the storms of life are past ; 
 Safe into the haven guide. 
 
 Oh, receive my soul at last. 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME, 131 
 
 Other refuge have I noue, 
 
 Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ; 
 Leave, oh, leave me not alone, 
 
 Still support and comfort me ; 
 All my trust on Thee is stayed, 
 
 All my help from Thee I bring ; 
 Cover my defenceless head 
 
 With the shadow of Thy wing. 
 
 I was not alone, He was with me and I was con- 
 scious of His presence. 
 
 We were twelve days on the ocean, reaching Bal- 
 timore on a beautiful Sunday morning in June. 
 We landed, and I stood for a time with the same old 
 feeling of loneliness and helplessness, then I started 
 down a street, where I could see the people passing 
 to and fro, speaking a language unfamiliar to my 
 ears, for I could neither speak nor understand any 
 English. A deep realization came to me of the 
 meaning of the words, "A stranger, in a strange 
 land," for such I was, and the cry went up from my 
 heart, "Why, O Lord, had I come to a strange 
 land? Why could I not have found rest and peftce 
 in my own land?" 
 
 In my perplexity I heard God's loving word, "Be 
 strong and of good courage; be not afraid, 
 neither be thou dismayed ; for the Lord thy God is 
 with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Josh. i:9.) 
 The message brought such peace and rest to my soul 
 that all fear departed, and that afternoon I joy- 
 
132 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 fully boarded the train for Oak Park. On my ar- 
 rival I was gladly received by Mrs. Deike's niece, 
 who recognized me at once; and to my great joy I 
 learned that the friends who had first given me 
 shelter, when I left my home years before, were now 
 living in Chicago. With gratitude and joy we re- 
 counted God's gracious dealings with us through 
 all those years. 
 
 I was delighted with my new surroundings. God 
 gave me many kind friends and I entered heartily 
 into the new life. My old desire for mission work 
 was revived, and again I prayed that I might go to 
 Burmah, and when I spoke to the German pastor 
 about it he greatly encouraged me in my hopes. 
 But this was not the Lord's will. "His thoughts are 
 not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways." 
 (Isaiah lv:8.) 
 
 I had been in Oak Park about three weeks when 
 I was invited to attend a meeting in the interest 
 of Jewish mission work, at the home of Mrs. T. C. 
 Rounds. Mr. and Mrs. Angel from the Chicago 
 Hebrew Mission were present. I spoke in German, 
 and Mr. Angel translated my words into English. 
 He told me that the friends of Israel had been pray- 
 ing that God would convert a Jewess, who would 
 go among the women and children of her own people 
 and tell them of the love of Jesus. "Now," he said, 
 
DRIVEN FROM HOME. 133 
 
 "God has answered our prayer, by sending us a 
 Christian Jewess, though not one converted through 
 our instrumentality. Will you come and work with 
 us for the salvation of the Jews?" 
 
 I replied, "No, I will not. I am going to tell the 
 poor heathen in Burmah of the love of Jesus." 
 
 He looked at me with sadness, and said, "You 
 want to go to a strange land and a strange people, 
 and let your own people perish?" 
 
 "Yes," I said, "Let them die. They don't deserve 
 anything else." 
 
 Before leaving the house he invited me to the 
 Mission, and I promised to attend. About a week 
 later, I visited South Halsted street one Saturday 
 afternoon; and as I walked through that locality 
 and saw men, women and children hurrying along, 
 it seemed that every face spoke a reproach to me. 
 My conscience reproved me, and I knew that it was 
 my duty to go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to 
 my own people, the people of God's own choosing. 
 
 I then and there promised the Lord to work 
 among the Jews, if He would open the way. In His 
 own way. He at last led me to take up my life work 
 in His Vineyard. 
 
 In 1890 I entered the Baptist Missionary Train- 
 ing School in Chicago, and in June, 1892, was grad- 
 uated from that institution. In October of the 
 
134 DRIVEN FROM HOME. 
 
 same year I began work among the Hebrews 
 in New York, under the auspices of the Women's 
 Home Missionary Society, where I remained 
 for several years. God wonderfully blessed 
 His own work, undertaken in His name. Many 
 thousands heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and 
 some precious souls were saved. I have the assur- 
 ance of my God that I am in His will, and gladly 
 go forward in my work, "Looking unto Jesus, the 
 author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy 
 that was set before Him endured the cross, despis- 
 ing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of 
 God." (Heb. xii:2.) 
 
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