An Embassy Besieged. Emmy Barth

he remained a friend and always respected Eberhard. He was a lawyer and had taken a position in Kassel as a youth councilor.

      On June 8, 1933, Eberhard went to see him. “Believe me, Eberhard,” he exclaimed, “if you would see and hear Hitler you would also be convinced!”15 When Eberhard asked him if he thought compulsory labor service or military service would be introduced, he was reassuring. (The following year labor service was demanded of university students.)

      Eberhard also visited von Gagern and several other acquaintances; he heard various points of view. When he came home he told about his trip at the dinner table:

      I have a strong, general impression that there are growing misgivings about the present form of government, especially among men who are conscious of their responsibility. Some of them feel that it is impossible for the present state of affairs to be maintained for many years. It seems as though we are heading toward a new collapse of the economy of the civilized world that can hardly be stopped. It is so serious that this scourge of God, which has doubtless come over Germany through God’s world rulership, may soon be dismantled and cast away. One of the leading men told me he felt people would be grateful to the National Socialists for revealing many evils, but that their task would then be fulfilled and they could step down. It amazed me to what extent people opened their hearts about all these things. Even people who were once National Socialists now have misgivings.

      The whole thing seems to me like the labor pains of the last days. Whether it is the final end time we do not know. The end times of God move in circles; they return and begin again and again, until finally they break out altogether.

      I spoke quite openly. I said that we do not want to hide, but that our intention is to take the offensive in decisive places. Our offensive will consist in an avalanche of petitions that will give us the opportunity to press forward and present the cause entrusted to us with seriousness yet still with love, recognizing their ideals. That is our task. No doubt we are facing difficult times, but I believe we have no reason for fear. We should look forward that it will be possible, and I hope very soon, to witness to God’s innermost heart in front of these people.16

      Several visitors were present in the dining room and heard what Eberhard said. Later that night, he worried that he had spoken too freely. The next day the brotherhood met and he apologized. “I should not have spoken as I did in such a large circle, particularly as I implicated several officials. I regret this from my heart. I want to submit to the judgment of the church and take on a discipline of silence for some days.”

      His son-in-law Hans Zumpe responded: “I’m sorry that we did not give you an opportunity to speak in a suitable circle after your trip. We were all eager to hear your very important report.” Arno and Georg agreed.

      Adolf Braun said, “I thought the bell would ring and the brotherhood be called together as soon as you returned. We are all to blame.”

      “How shall I continue?” Eberhard asked. “Should I lay down my service for a time and be silent?”

      The members disagreed with this suggestion and expressed support for Eberhard’s continued leadership.

      “Good,” he responded. “Then I will not speak about it any more. It is as dangerous as ever to talk freely in Germany. You should not think that anything has changed or that the power of National Socialism is over. What felt different was the mood among the intellectuals, including some very responsible officials.”17

      v

      On June 25, Kurt and Marianne celebrated their wedding. This was an occasion the whole community took part in. The children sang and performed dances and Hans and Margrit Meier played a violin duet. Heiner did a skit by Hans Sachs, and Emy-Margret recited a poem. The bridal couple went to the state registry to make their marriage legal, but Eberhard Arnold would solemnize it.

      It is fitting for our couple to go to the registrar’s office and register their marriage; this has to be done. Through this order of the state their marriage is made known to the material world. The real marriage or wedding, however, can be confirmed through the spiritual unity of the church alone. We are in a hard fight against a hostile govern­ment which would like to enslave our souls and spirits with false teachings, a government which again today would like to oppress our hearts and which has nothing in common with the way of Jesus Christ. We stand in the midst of this world as a fighting and persecuted group, persecuted for the sake of the cause of complete community of faith and unity of God’s people. Let us always keep this persecution in mind and never forget that it is hard and heavy, but that it will yet lead to victory and to the final goal of peace. Many diverse and strange teachings are trying to gain ground in so-called Christianity. All these teachings seek coercion and suppression. They do not convey the pure teaching of Jesus Christ and his spirit of unity and justice, “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace” (Heb 13:9).18

* The Four Power Pact between Britain, France, Italy, and Germany was called for by Mussolini on 19 March 1933 to ensure international security.

† Eberhard seems to be referring to Ragaz metaphorically as John the Baptist.