Botanicaust

Was that why Tula was protecting them? How did not speaking to him help? Maybe she does not want to accept the Ordnung . That was easier to believe.
    “ Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us pray. ” Bishop Eldon stood near the large window in the kitchen, a bulky sweater covering his shoulders, a gray scarf the same hue as his beard around his neck. He ’ d just overcome a fight with pneumonia but insisted on preaching at Meeting.
    Levi dropped his chin and recited the rote words of the Lord ’ s Prayer in his mind. To do any more proved too much effort. As everyone regained their seats, Bishop Eldon raised his frail voice above the battering of the wind against the glass.
    “ As we enter our third month of the occupancy of the Blattvolk, I want to praise God for the strength of our Unity. As in days of old, we must live side by side with those of the world. The Gate to Heaven is narrow, and we must walk carefully the path of the Ordnung. Today we will consider John, Chapter Ten: The Good Shepherd and His Sheep. ”
    The Bishop recited the passages and expounded on the analogy of the narrow Gate. But Levi could not let go of a verse. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them, also. They, too, will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd .
    Other sheep. He ’ d always been given to understand these “ other sheep ” were the Gentiles, shown to faith by the Apostles after Jesus ’ s death. But the Old Order believed in applying Scripture to their everyday lives. Tula might not want to accept the Ordnung. But the Ordnung changed as the needs of the congregation did. The only thing that remained the same was the Scripture.
    Without realizing he had done it, Levi was on his feet. He blinked as he became conscious of every eye upon him. The bishop had ceased his sermon.
    “ Brother Levi? ”
    “ Other sheep. Jesus has other sheep. ”
    “ There may be other Holdouts, yes. ”
    “ No, sheep not of this sheep pen. Those who may still be brought out of the world. Who may repent and be saved. Cannibals, Blatt- ”
    “ All we may do is live by example, Brother Levi. ”
    “ Our example is nothing, Bishop! We are starving and suffering. Our children are dying. Why would the Blattvolk wish to live as we do? How can we be doing God ’ s work if we won ’ t even talk to them? ”
    A collective gasp filled the lower rooms of the house.
    Brother Abe stood up several benches over. “ The Blattvolk are damned. We must not open our lives to their influence. ”
    “ Not all of them are damned. We determined that at the last Council Meet. The Afflicted may still be called to Jesus. Eily has accepted Christ as her Savior. When she is of age, I have no doubt she will accept Baptism. ”
    “ Brother Levi, it is not our calling to separate Afflicted from Accepted. To let in one is to open ourselves to the influence of the other. Those called to Jesus will hear him. ”
    “ And then you will cease your blindness and accept them with open arms? ” Levi ’ s words were a scoffing question. No matter what Bishop Eldon said, he had the answer of Eily right in front of him.
    “ Brother Levi, moderate your tone. You overstep your bounds. ” Deacon Yonnie rasped, his voice hoarse with a cold.
    “ What if I feel called to offer God ’ s Word to the Blattvolk? ”
    Voices rose throughout the congregation like the buzz of an angry hornet ’ s nest.
    “ We do not proselytize. To coerce with words promotes a weak and untrue repentance. ”
    “ You are wrong! ”
    Silence filled the house. To brazenly oppose the Elders was unheard of. Levi shocked even himself, but the first step had been taken. He sighed a deep breath and looked around at his Brothers and Sisters.
    “ What if God has sent us these trials and tribulations to make us open our eyes? The Blattvolk do not ask us to give up our devotion to Christ. They have offered to heal our sons and daughters. Can we ignore the gifts God puts before us? If a sheep gives birth out of season, do we leave the lamb to freeze, just because it doesn ’ t fit the rules? No, the lamb is a gift, and we bring it into our home, and wrap it with blankets, and nurture it, so it can join our flock. ”
    Levi met the eyes of the people who did not turn away. Some glowered, but quite a few regarded him with what he could only assume was hope. Rachel Hulse and her oldest daughter matched expressions with lips bit between their teeth as if