Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1876 — Marin Heller. [ARTICLE]

Marin Heller.

A few years ago a woman named Maria Heller, who lived in a small village near Hsinau, in Selesis, had several epileptic fits, and while she was under their influences she pretended to receive divine Inspiration and to be' able to prophesy. As some of these supposed prophesies on local matters were verified, many of the villagers began to believe in her; and when-at last she foretold the Franco-German war, and that came true, their belief was much strengthened. Later on, some time in the year 1874, Maria announced that the Lord had revealed to her that a dreadful war was soon to break out and devastate the whole of Europe, and that Australia wpuld he the only secure place of refuge in the whole world. She i exhorted the villagers, therefore, to accompany her to Australia, holding out a promise that after remaining there ten years she would bring them into Jerusalem as a second reeting-plape, and subsequently they should return to Germany, where peace and plenty wduld then be found. Many of foe ignorant peasantry believed, ana commenced preparations for the journey. They put all their money into one common fund, and leaving themselves to Marla's guidance, proceeded by way of Hamburg Is London, whence they took steamer } to Melbourne. The Sarty, numbering sixty-four sonls, reached lelbourne in April, 1875. Hern, however, their number was reduced to sixty by the secession of four of them.

At this time all they possessed: was a little over £SOO in ihonev, and some household effects which they had brought from their German homes. They at wee made their way to the Benglls district, where two of their countrymen of the name ,cf Berndt had settled. From one of these (Mr. Carl Berndt) they received great as-’ sis tan ce, as most of their business had to be done through him, they themselves not being able to speak a word of English l . After vainly persuading than to throw off the authority of foe woman Heller, and submit no longer to her authority, he at last declined to have anything further to do with them. They conseqently became much straitened, and were nearly reduced to starvation.

Their settlement is divided into two encampments, two miles from each other, and they have built themselves bark hats to live in. They have altogether 800 acres of land, which they have now commenced to cultivate. Their gardens promised to hi productive; bat toward ike end of the year, provisions were running short, ana they were sorely pressed. Eight of the party had died, ana others were ill. One, who seceded, and took service with Mr. Berndt, says that Maria had great control over them all, that she does no work, and that under her they all roc a riskwf *te*Yi»g. Some of these particular* having come to the ears of foe police of the district, an inquiry waswet on foot, and from foe report made, we gather that the party were living almost entirely on damper, or bread, but that there were no actual signs of starvation, for foe children appeared to enjoy rude health, and most of their ‘elders teemed well, although having a worn appearance. Supplies of provisions were sent, suflleient to last until their harvest could be got in. The party are described to be Lutherans, but they seem to have greater faith in their prophetess and her utterances > at in anything else. They believe that during her trances she has conversation with spirits, and that God gpeacs to them

through her. They left their homes and native land because they be!lived it to to the command of the Almighty. Maria herself say* that she has had these trances since childhood, and believes that God ipeaks to her in them. Maria Heller la described as a little over thirty years of age—looking, however, nearly forty—not at all of a prepossessing appearance, and with a rather suspicious, uneasy look. Chamber*' Journal.