Botanicaust (56 page)

A chorus of
“
amen
”
rumbled through the rooms.

By unspoken agreement, a man moved to speak from a bench behind Levi.
“
I would ask about the Blattvolk.
”

Several deep throated
“
aye
’
s
”
sprouted among the men.

The Bishop replied from his position at the accordion wall.
“
Let us ask Levi to speak, if that is agreeable to the congregation.
”

A rise of voices again, and several
“
aye
’
s.
”
The Bishop nodded to Levi.

Levi rose to face his people
—
the men and women he had grown up with. The original decision to restrict seeking a cure from the outside had been a difficult discussion for many of the members here. Most had close loved ones who also suffered from the disorder, and the women in particular had gleams of hope in their eye during the Salt Trader
’
s story. They would want to know what Levi had found.

“
I must first begin with the decision I made to leave you in spite of the rules of the Ordnung. I freely confess that what I did was a prideful
thing,
born out of a desperation many of us have felt when it comes to our children. I asked God to work
through me, to keep my son upon this earth so that he might be baptized and serve the Lord
. Now, I recognize my reasons were selfish, and that I did not so much wish Josef to remain on this earth to serve God, but to stay with me. All I accomplished by leaving was lose precious weeks of time I could have spent with my son, whom God will take home when it is his time, regardless of what earthly measures I may apply.
”

Throughout the congregation, heads nodded.

Levi forced back tears.
“
What I found on the Outside, though, was not what I expected. Blattvolk, Cannibals,
Fosselites
—
I met both good and evil, deception and truth in all races. The cure I sought bore a steep price, far more than even our congregation anticipated. A price I would not have been aware of if God had not crossed my path with Peter
’
s lost daughter, Katie.
”

Whispers blew through the congregation like a dust devil. Brother Yonnie put a hand on Peter
’
s shoulder to urge him to keep his seat.

“
I will tell you all I learned of the Outside at another time, should any wish to know. Tonight we must consider how we will treat one of our own, a child who was taken from us long before her baptism into the faith, but who has been brought home like a lost lamb. Before you pray on my petition, I ask you to consider Katie
’
s. My own place in the congregation I leave in God
’
s hands, for I am unworthy to decide my fate. But Katie, and the child, Eily, who has yet to fully learn the Salvation of Christ,
are
among us, seeking refuge. Seeking salvation. Nothing happens but by Gotte
’
s Wille.
”

The usually silent congregation erupted with exclamations and indignation. Bishop Eldon rose and raised his hands.
“
Peace, Brothers and Sisters. Peace. Levi is honest in his position, which must be considered before we can decide on an action. Let those who wish to discuss the matter in Scripture do so as the Spirit moves them.
”

Brother Yonnie popped to his feet.
“
I would like to put before you Article
Nine
of the Discipline of 1865 as amended by the Prophet.
‘
It is improper for a Christian to mix the creatures of God, such as the horse and donkey, by which mules arise, because the Lord God did not create such in the beginning. Nor shall man insert the Life Pattern from one creature into one of another ilk, for God created the creatures of the earth, everything in its kind.
’
The Blattvolk are an Abomination of Kind, as spoken by the Prophet, and Marked by the Beast.
”

Levi was prepared for the argument, but he knew this would be only the first of many brought against Tula.
“
Did not the Prophet also distinguish two Marks of the Beast? The Mark of Acceptance is given to men who choose to reject God of their own free will. But,
‘
unto the children the Beast placed the Mark of
Affliction
, that the Earth might be deceived.
’
The Beast has shrouded even its mark in deception! Does our Lord Jesus Christ not ask us to judge not on appearances, but to judge correctly?
”

Brother Amos slowly rose to his feet.
“
Are you sure it is not
your
judgment that has been clouded? Your history of carnality has been forgiven but not forgotten. You arrived at our gate half clothed, in the presence of a naked woman. Do you deny you have carnal knowledge of the Blattvolk?
”

Heat swamped Levi so intensely, a sweat broke out all over his body. Amos had seen him caress Tula from Beth
’
s porch. History repeated itself; he
’
d also stood before the Brethren when Sarah became pregnant.
“
I am weak and sinful, I confess. I would make right my deeds by taking Katie as wife, if her father would allow.
”

Yonnie jumped to his feet.
“
You cannot take an outsider as wife! Article eight of the Essingen Discipline clearly states marriage shall be only in the Lord and not with the world. The Prophet demanded we turn our backs upon the world and shut our ears to the cries of the damned. The Blattvolk, Accepted or Afflicted, bear the mark of the damned.
”

Peter, still clutching his hat, wobbled to his feet next to the deacon.
“
My Katie is not damned. She is Afflicted. If a child falls and scrapes a knee, even if they are at fault, do we refuse to comfort them? Let me comfort my daughter. I wish to help her rise and walk with the Lord again.
”

“
Now, Brother
—
”

Another man spoke from the back of the room.
“
Did not the Lord entreat us to give succor to our enemies? Did he not command us to feed and clothe the needy, regardless of their faith, that by our actions we may be judged righteous in the eyes of the Lord?
”

Deacon Yonnie spoke again.
“
The Blattvolk are a different ilk. They are abominations, ineligible for reconciliation.
”

Brother John rose and cleared his throat.
“
I am a sinner and unworthy of Christ
’
s redemption. I cannot presume to know how the Lord may find, for there is only one Lawgiver and Judge. Revelations says that our people shall be drawn from every race and tribe and language.
”
His words, although about himself, directed shame upon Yonnie
’
s prideful words.

Yonnie glowered at Brother John.
“
The Blattvolk are not cannibals to be turned from their ways. They are anathema to the body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
”

“
Who among us has been so pure as to not abuse our bodies in some way? Who has not tasted too much wine, or pushed the plow past endurance, or carelessly clipped a nail so short it bled? Are these not mistreatments of the body? I shall not cast stones. The Lord will forgive me my sins, as I forgive those who sin against me.
”

The Lord
’
s Prayer, so central to Old Order beliefs, held the congregation silent.
Forgiveness was a core value among them, and to not offer it meant God would not offer His forgiveness on Judgment Day.

A rustling from the women
’
s side of the congregation drew attention, and Levi saw Beth standing with head bowed.
“
Brethren, I shame myself by rising. I know I am to keep my peace. But I have met the child, the one called Eily. I feel called to give my testimony. She is small and afraid. Would we not wish mercy shown to our own children if they found themselves in a strange land? That is all.
”
She sat, head still bowed, her face flushed. The other women whispered in each other
’
s ears.

Brother Abe rose from his seat near Levi.
“
I forgive the Blattvolk in my heart. I pity them their choices. Their actions can be forgiven, but not pardoned.
”

Yonnie took the opportunity to drive home his opinion.
“
God has sent them here to test us, Brothers and Sisters.
To test our obedience to His laws.
Our decision to remain clean and free of the taint of the world will prove to Him we are worthy.
”

Many heads in the congregation nodded agreement.

Levi rose, concealing his anger by keeping his head bowed in humility.
“
What would Christ have done with them? Physically force them back through the gate to face their deaths? Cast them to the dogs? Jesus dined with sinners, and washed the feet of his disciples. If we do less, are we worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven?
”
His limbs trembled as he sat again.

On Levi
’
s other side, Samuel half rose, settled back to the bench, then rose again. He did not usually speak at meetings.
“
Brothers and Sisters, you know I did not support my brother-in-law
’
s pursuit of earthly intervention for my nephew. Indeed, I was among the first to vote for his excommunication. To my shame, I acted in anger and fear. I pray to God to grant me wisdom and peace to do His will. I have met the Blattvolk, offered them respite in my home. In the time of the Prophet, we allowed the Englisch to baptize into our faith. Only two generations ago, we brought in a cannibal child, and when she came of age, she accepted the faith. Pastor John is issue of her loins. These Blattvolk cannot change what has been done to them. Does the color of their skin reflect the nature of their hearts?
”

The congregation again buzzed with whispered contemplations.

Gatekeeper Peter rose. He looked across the congregation to meet Levi
’
s eye.
“
You have spent much time with my daughter. My Katie. Do you believe she can be moved by the Holy Spirit to accept the Salvation of Christ?
”

“
I cannot speculate on the condition of another person
’
s soul. But I believe Katie is as worthy of salvation as any of us here.
”

Peter
’
s eyes glossed with tears.
“
I would be pleased to have you as a son.
”

A rumble of dissension swept the congregation. Levi trembled with gratitude.
“
What of the other one? The child not of our blood?
”
someone called out.

This time Bishop Eldon answered.
“‘
From the lips of infants and children, He has perfected praise.
’
Lepers were once shunned, and Jesus was filled with compassion and reached out His hand and healed them. This Affliction is like leprosy. I would not deny a child to learn the ways of our Lord.
”

Several
“
amens
”
floated throughout the gathering.

“
What say you, Brothers and Sisters? The hour is late. Shall we vote?
”

Everyone
rose
, women and men.

“
Who is in favor of allowing the Blattvolk to stay and learn the ways of Christ?
”

The room vibrated with
“
aye.
”

“
Who would see them cast to the dogs or beyond the gate?
”

A few called
“
aye,
”
but not as many.

The bishop sighed.
“
We are not in unity, then. Let us adjourn until tomorrow evening, after we have had time to pray. Let not idle gossip sway your decisions, but seek Gotte
’
s Wille with a true and clean heart.
”

The congregation gathered hats and headed toward the doors. Many Brothers and Sisters met Levi
’
s gaze and nodded. The decision wasn
’
t made, but
his heart was filled with hope.