Barbara Heinemann Landmann - Barbara Challenges Michael Krausert.

Barbara Challenges Michael Krausert.

Her banishment did not last long. She found supporters. One day, as she was preparing the noon meal in her father's house, she was made aware that guests would be coming, and that she should prepare more food. Soon two Brothers arrived at her father's house. They had heard what Krausert said about her, but they did not believe it; they wanted to find out the truth. When they finished eating, they all went outside. Barbara left everything as it was in order to walk a short way with them. She expected to be back in half an hour, but she did not return for another year.

While she was walking with them, she received a spiritual command to go to Bergzabern with them. While she was in Bergzabern., a letter for the congregation arrived from Krausert. He said that they should decide whether to believe him or Barbara. Enclosed with his letter was a testimony containing harsh words about Barbara.

While still in Bergzabern, she received a spiritual summons to go to Anweiler. The Bergzabern congregation did not want her to go, because the Anweiler congregation had rejected her. She went nonetheless. In Anweiler, the Elder Abraham Noé asked why she had come. She said she wanted to read the letter that he had received from Krausert that day. Noé said he had received no such letter. Then Barbara told him what the letter contained. Amazed, he brought her the letter. He was now convinced of Krausert's deceitfulness, and he came over to Barbara's side.

The next day, through a testimony, Barbara received instructions to proceed to Ronneburg. Noé accompanied her. As they approached Ronneburg, they met a man who advised them not to come, since everyone there was on Krausert's side. When they arrived at Ronneburg, everyone was afraid to greet them. Still, Barbara found refuge in the home of one of the Elders.

Now the struggle began. Krausert entered the home, "as friendly as an angel," and said that it was right that she had come. He said he had wanted to write to her, in order to invite her to come. He tried for a reconciliation, but she asked him why he wanted to become reconciled with the type of woman that he had described in his letters.

Several more Brethren assembled. They began to recognize Krausert's unrighteousness. They asked Barbara for a testimony regarding him. She said she would not pass judgment upon him. She said that they should instead read what Gruber had written, in order to learn how to deal with such a matter.

Gruber (1720) had admitted the possibility that a Werkzeug could lose the gift of Inspiration. The gift was "a precious attribute" that could be retained only through "careful guarding, praying, obedience and endurance." If the Werkzeug should try to be himself the mover and doer in this work of Inspiration, his utterances would be confused and incorrect. Such utterances "can be tested only by those who possess the eye of simplicity and the spirit of discrimination."

The people in the room reached a decision. Krausert was to leave the Community for a time and go to a place of his own choosing. After a time of quiet exile, through soul-searching and compliance, he could be re-admitted to the Community. His wife and her sister could remain in Ronneburg. The women rejected this offer, however, and left with Krausert. Together they went to Bischweiler, where they were accepted and remained for a time. Then they moved 20 miles (32 km) south to a home near Strasbourg. There Krausert's wife and her sister soon died.

Barbara regretted the departure of Krausert. He had been her guide. During their visits to various communities, the Lord had granted many blessings through the two of them. Now their bond had been "severed by the tempter's might."