The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-28
MARIA HELLER.
Her Peculiar Influence Over an Infatuated
Band of Religious Fanatics.


A few years ago young woman named
Maria Heller. who lived in a small village near
Hsinau. In Sllesis, had several epeptic fits, and
while she was under their influence she pre-
tended to receive uivine inspiration and to he
able to prophesy. As some Of these supposed
prophecies on local matters were verified, many
when at last she foretold the Franco German
war, and that came true, their belief
was much strensthen1ed Later on, some
that the Lord had revealed to her that
a dreadful war would soon break out, and de-
vastate tho whole Of Europe, and that Australia
would be the only secure place OF refuge In the
world. She exhOi ted the villagers. therefore, to
accompany her to Australia, hold ny out prom
would bring them to Jerusalem as a second
resting place. and subsequently they should re-
then be found. Many Of the ignorant peasantry
believed, aud commenced preparations for the
journey They put all their money into one
common fund. and leaving themselves 10
Maria's guidance, proceeded by way Of Ham-
burg to London, whence they took steamer to
Melbourne. The party, numbering "a souls,
reached Melbourne in April, 1875. Here. how
ever, their number WIS reduced to 00 by the Sc
Al this time all they possessed was little
over f2UO In money and some household effects
which they had brought from their German
homes They at once made their way TO the
Ben all. district, where two OF their countrymen
of the name Of Berndt had settled. Flom one
OF these mir Carl BerndU they received great
assistance, as most Of their business had to be
done through him, they themselves not being
persuading them TO throw on the authority OF
the woman Heller, aud TO submit no longer to
her authority, he at last declined to have any
thing further TO do with them. They conse-
quently became much straitened, and were
nearly reduced to starvation.
Their settlement Is divided into two encamp-
ments, about two miles from each other, and
they have built themselves bark huts to live in.
They have altogether eight hundred acres OF
land, which they have now commenced to cult
vate. Their gardens promised to be productive !;
but toward the end OF the year, provisions were
running short, and they were srrely pressed.
Eight Of the party had died and others were III.
one Of the party, who had eded and taken SER
vice with Mr.. Berndt, says that Maria has great
| control over them all. that she does no work,
and that under her they ali run great risk Of
starving.
was set on foot, and from the report made, We
gather that the PARTY were living almost entirely
| on "damper" or bread, but that taere were no
actual signs Of starvation, for the children APP
peared TO enjoy rude health, and most 4 their
elders seemed well, although having worn aI'-
| pearance. supplies OF Provisions we're sent
them sufficient 70 last until their harvest could
! be got In.
Ine party are described to be Lltherans, hut
they seem 10 have greater fath in their pro phe
| ess and her utterances than In anything else,
| They believe that during her frances sne has
cOnverraton s with spirits, and that God speaks
| to them through her. They lcit their homes d
! native land because they believed IL to be the
command Of the Almighty. Maria herself saws
that she has had these frances since chlldh God
and believes that God speaks to her IN them.
Maria Heller Is described as little over thirty
| years of age-lOOkiug, however, nearly forty
not at all OF a prepossessiug Appearance and
| with a rather suspicious, uneasy look. There IL
some doubt as 10 whether she IA married ornot,
one Of the seCeders IRON the party stated
| that she selected one Of their number for LtI
/ nus band, because she md received "a message
thai she was 70 do so, and that they lived To-
! getuer; that this man had SINE died. and she
! had selected another Of the party, to WHOM she
/ WIS then engaged. Maria hers Eli, however. in
| uignantly denied having ever been married, a
/