Barbara Heinemann Landmann - Barbara Joins The Inspirationists.

Barbara Joins The Inspirationists.

The year before Nordhoff's visit, Barbara had dictated to Gottlieb Scheuner, a Community historian, the story of her early years, from her birth to the end of her first service as a Werkzeug, at the age of 28. Scheuner says that she declined to write the story herself because of her advanced age and her lack of writing skill.

Her story begins with her birth.

I was the child of a poor man and was born in Leitersweiler in Southern Alsace on January 11 in 1795. My father's name was Peter Heinemann. In my early youth I very much wanted to learn to read and write. However, this did not please my parents, who maintained I should soon apply myself to becoming a worker. Out of necessity, this is what I did. From the time I was nine years old until the year 1813, or until my 18th year, I was employed mainly as a wool spinner. Then there was war and the factory closed. I found work as a maid. . . . After some time, I came to work in a large Gasthaus in Sulz, which is about 15 minutes from the town where I was born. Here I received a good wage and could learn much. . . . I was well-liked and valued by my employers because I was always cheerful, untiring, faithful and hard-working. I earned quite a sum of money, for, in addition to my yearly wage, I received a good amount in gratuities . However, I did not keep this for myself but gave it to my father. (Scheuner, 1873)

Bach (1971) says that Barbara was the second daughter of Peter and Anna Heinemann. In her account to Scheuner, Barbara does not mention her older sister. Of her mother, she says only that her mother agreed with her father that Barbara should not go to school.

Barbara says that she was born in Leitersweiler; but later in her account she says that her father's home was in Hermersweiler. The two villages are a mile apart.

When she was 22, and working at the Gasthaus, Barbara experienced a sudden darkening of her mood.

Many nights, while other slept, I would sit alone in the inn for hours because it was my duty to wait for the mail coach. . . . One night, as I was sitting alone expecting my thoughts to follow their usual happy course, my joy was abruptly taken from me and a feeling of deep sorrow overcame my entire being. (Scheuner, 1873)

She felt that she was too engrossed in fleeting joys and that she did not know God. After a time she left the Gasthaus and moved back to her father's house in Hermersweiler in order to be undisturbed while examining her "inner promptings." She attended church services, but held back when it was time to take communion. She felt unworthy. It seemed to her that a mighty conversion must occur before a human being could take communion.

Hoping that old people, who were closer to eternity, could help her, she visited old grandmothers. Finally one of them told her, "Your appear to be a Pietist." Barbara had never heard of Pietists. She became eager to know such people. The woman told her of a Pietist, a woman living nearby in Sulz. Barbara went to see the woman in Sulz. When Barbara asked if she could join the woman's prayer group, the woman said that Barbara had not yet been awakened, so the group could not take her in.

Barbara returned home dejected. After a week or so, the Lord came to her as she slept.

I suddenly heard an extraordinarily strong and powerful voice which penetrated me completely. Immediately I experienced a warm feeling and the distinct impression that this was God's voice and that He had heard my prayers. This comforted and refreshed me and my oppressed spirit was calmed. Then, as I was trying to determine where the voice was coming from, I saw three suns of exceptional clarity. It was as if one sun was continually arising from out of another and out of this came the voice which I had heard. In a loving tone, this voice now instructed me as follows: "Oh, mortal, be constantly aware of your mortality; live as you, when you die, would have wished to live." (Scheuner, 1873)

This message stirred her powerfully. In reply, she made this covenant with God: "I promise and surrender myself to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I will serve, love and honor Him. I will follow and cling to Him." Then within the suns there appeared great joy and satisfaction. They made a movement signifying approval.

She awoke reluctantly.

She returned to the woman in Sulz, and spoke of her vision. The woman said that Barbara was now awakened, and could come with her to a prayer meeting of the Community of True Inspiration.