, 1876-07-14
MariA Heller.
MIR PEcuLIAR INFLUENCE OVER AN IN
PArUArED RAND OF RELIGIOUS
FANATICS.

A few years ago, q Young woman
named Maria Heller, who lived IN a
small village near Hsinau, in Selesls,
had several epileptc fits, and, while sue
vas under their influences, she pre-
tended to receive divine inspiration, and
to be able to prophesy. As some OF
these supposed prophecies on local mat
ters we're verified, many OF the villagers
began 10 believe in her; and, when at
laSt she foretold the Franco-German
var. and that came true, their belief
vas much strengthened. Later on,
some time in the year 1874, Maria an
nounced that the Lord had revealed 10
her that Q dreadful war was soon 10
break ont. and devastate the whole OF
Europe. and that Australia would be
the only secure place Of refuge In the
whole world. She eXhorted the VII
layers, therefore, to accompany her to
Australia, holding out promise that,
After remaining there ten years, she
would bring them into Jerusalem as
second resting place, and subsequently
they should return to Germany, where
peace and plenty would then be found.
Many of the ignorant peasantry be-
Geyed, and commenced preparations for
the journey. They put all their money
into one common fund, and, leaving
themselves to Maria's guidance, pro-
ceeded by way of Hamburg to London,
whence they took steamer TO Melbourne.
The party, numbering sixty-four souls,
reached Melbourne in April, 1875.
Here, however, their number was re-
duced to SIXTY by the secession OF four
of them.
At this time all they possessed was
little over G5O0 in money, and some
household effects which they had
brought from their German homes.
They at once made their way to the
Benalls District, where two of their
countrymen of the name of Berndt had
settled. From one of these (Mr. Carl
Berndt) they received great assistance,
as most of their business had to be
done through him, they themselves not
being able to speak word of English.
After vainly persuading them to throw
off the authority of the woman Heller,
and to submit no longer to her author
ity, he at last declined to have anything
further to do with them. They conse-
quently 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 huts to live in. They have alto
gether 800 acres Of land, which they
have now commenced to cultivate.
Their gardens promised to be produc-
tive, but towards the end of the year
provisions were running short, and they
were sorely pressed. Eight Of the party
had died, and others were i'll. One,
who seeded, and took service with Mr..
Berndt, says that Maria had great con-
troll over them all, that she does no
work, and that under her they all run
risk Of starving.
Some Of these particulars having
come to the ears OF the police Of the
district, an inquiry was set on foot, and
from the 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 the
children appeared to enjoy rude health,
and most Of their elders seemed well,
although having worn appearance.
Supplies of provisions were sent, sufR-
cient to last until their harvest could be
got in.
The party are described to be Luth-
Grams, but they seem to have greater
faith in their prophecies and her utter
ances than in anything else. They be-
heve that during her frances she has
conversation with spirits, and that God
speaks to them through her. They left
their homes and native land because
they believed it to be the command of
the Almighty. Maria herself says that
she has had these frances since child
hood, and believes that God speaks to
her in them.
Maria Heller is described as a little
over thirty years Of age, looking, how
ever, nearly forty; not at all of pre-
possessing appearance, and with rather
suspicious, uneasy look. There is some
doubt as to whether she is married or
not, as one Of the seceders from the
party stated that she selected one of
their number for her husband, because
she had received message that she was
to do so, and that they lived together;
that this man has since died, and she
had selected another of the party, to
whom she was then engaged. Maria,
herself, however, Indignantly denied
having ever been married, or having
lived with any one as if married.
Chambers Journal.
RAnnn HnRr-A nantlarnan ,rhila