by Carol Costa
“I"m saying what you have been praying to hear, Mary. I"m taking you with me. We best be telling your folks and packing your things.”
Ben turned and began to stride out of the woods, his steps long and energetic. Mary jumped up and ran after him.
CHAPTER FOUR
After a small hurried wedding ceremony, Benjamin and Mary left her family home and traveled to Fostoria, Ohio. Family and friends had contributed enough money to allow the newlyweds to travel by bus. Mary"s mother had provided a basket of food that kept them from going hungry on the bumpy, dusty roads.
For most of the trip, Mary was too sick to eat and too uncomfortable to sleep. Benjamin passed the time talking to other passengers, leaving Mary to sit silently, staring out the window of the bus that was carrying her farther and farther away from her home and loved ones.
At last they arrived in Fostoria. Mary had never been in a city before and she was stunned by the crowds of people and horses that moved along the streets. It was noisy and the unfamiliar smells made her nauseous.
Ben had asked for directions at the bus station and was anxious to get to their final destination. “Stop dawdling and looking around like a child,” he chided his wife. “I want to get to the house before nightfall.”
“What if they don"t take us in?” Mary asked, suddenly frightened that she would have to sleep on the street.
Benjamin looked at her sternly. “These are god-fearing people who will see your condition and be eager to help us. Come along now.”
Obediently, Mary tried to move faster. She was only in her fifth month, yet her dress was stretched tight across her growing abdomen. For the first few months, Mary hid her pregnancy from her parents and from Benjamin and although she was very thin, it hadn"t been obvious. Then, as soon as she had confessed her condition to Benjamin and told her mama and papa, her stomach had burst forth. It was as if the child she was carrying had sensed that there was no longer any need to hide.
Benjamin had not trimmed his hair or shaved since deciding to join the Flying Rollers. Mary didn"t like the beard that partially obscured Ben"s handsome face but it was growing in full and silky and just slightly darker than his beautiful reddish brown hair.
Benjamin suddenly stopped in front of a large two story house. The wooden structure was painted yellow and its many windows were covered with dark curtains. It was in the middle of a city block where a few other big houses lined each side of the street. Empty lots were scattered among the houses, giving each residence plenty of open space on each side. A fence, also painted yellow, surrounded the front of the house.
Pushing through the gate, Benjamin made his way up to the wide porch walking along a path flanked on each side by neat grassy areas. Benjamin took the steps two at a time and was already knocking on the door before Mary reached the floor of the porch.
Benjamin turned around and grabbed hold of Mary"s arm pulling her along side of him as the door opened a crack and a pair of dark eyes peered out at them.
“Is this the home of the Flying Rollers?” Benjamin asked. “It is,” the voice obviously connected to the eyes answered. “I am Benjamin Purnell and this is my wife, Mary. She is with child. We have read your literature and have traveled several long days to reach you and humbly ask admittance so we may learn more about your sacred teachings.”
“Please, wait,” the voice said and closed the door again. Several minutes passed as Benjamin and Mary waited for the door to open again. When it did, a man with long flowing blond hair and a beard that reached down to the top of his brown shirt collar stood before them.
“I am Jacob Whitehall. Please enter.”
Jacob swung the door wide and allowed them to enter a wide foyer lit by a kerosene lamp on a small table. The foyer became a hallway that wound around a steep staircase. The aroma of freshly baked bread made Mary realize that she had not eaten much that day and she suddenly felt faint. Mary staggered and Jacob quickly reached out to steady her. Benjamin hadn"t noticed Mary"s stumble as he was too busy gazing at the staircase and the high ornate ceilings of the house.
“We are about to have our evening meal. You are welcome to join us,” Jacob said kindly.
“We would be honored,” Ben replied. “May we wash the dust of our travels from our hands and face first?”
“Certainly.” Jacob took the kerosene lamp and led them into the hallway that was lined with doors on each side of it. He opened one and motioned for Mary to go inside first.
Inside the bathroom, light from outside streamed in from a small window set high on the wall over the metal tub. Mary used the toilet and then quickly washed her hands and face. There was no mirror in the room, so she couldn"t see how limp and straggly her hair had become from traveling on the hot, cramped bus. She did feel the grime of the road, and looked longingly at the tub.
Benjamin called out to her from the hallway. “Mary? Have you finished?”
Mary opened the door and Benjamin took her place in the bathroom. She now stood awkwardly in the hallway with the stranger named, Jacob.
“You look very tired,” Jacob told her.
“Yes. It"s been a long trip.”
“After supper we will find a place for you to rest.”
Having tried to sleep on a bus that jostled her from side to side and had fumes and odors that made her retch, the promise of a stationary place to lay her weary body sounded like heaven.
“Thank you. That"s very kind,” Mary told him.
Benjamin emerged from the bathroom and Jacob asked them to follow him to the dining room.
The dining room was immense, the largest room Mary had ever seen. Two long tables were placed adjacent to one another. Each table was surrounded by straight-backed wooden chairs that were occupied by an assortment of men, women, and children. The evening meal was on the table, but the diners all sat quietly waiting.
“Brothers and sisters, may I present Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Purnell. They have traveled many miles to reach us and have asked to learn more about our sacred teachings. I have invited them to partake of our supper.”
Candles flickered on the tables casting shadows on the faces of the Flying Rollers. Everyone stared silently at Ben and Mary until a large man with a protruding stomach and an unkempt beard rose.
“I am Michael Mills and you are most welcome.” He came forward and shook hands with Benjamin who favored him with a warm smile.
Following Michael"s lead the others rose from the tables and came forward as a group to greet Ben and Mary. As the others returned to their seats, Michael ushered Ben and Mary to two of the empty seats at his table. Mary found herself seated between Jacob and a large neatly dressed woman, named Stella. Benjamin was seated on the other side of Jacob next to Michael and a beautiful dark haired boy.
Michael then led the group in a prayer thanking God for the food they were about to eat and for the two travelers God had sent into their midst.
The food consisted of an assortment of vegetables, breads, and fruits.
Stella told Mary that they were vegetarians. “In the spring and summer we grow tomatoes, corn, radishes, and whatever else we can plant in the property behind the house. In the fall we preserve the surplus and have it during the winter months. It is economical and makes us more self-reliant.”
“I understand,” Mary replied. “I grew up on a farm in Kentucky.”
“Why did you leave? Traveling in your condition must have been difficult.”
Mary stole a glance at Benjamin, but he was talking to Michael Mills and not paying attention to her conversation with Stella. “My husband read about your organization and wanted to come here to find out more about it.”
Stella nodded and went back to her food. Mary ate slowly, savoring every bite. Stealing glances at the people gathered for the meal, Mary tried to determine how many people were in the dining room.
“How many disciples live under this roof?” Benjamin asked Michael, saving Mary from having to try to count heads.
“This hou
se shelters thirty-four in all, but we are going to build additional living quarters on the property next door as we expect our numbers to keep growing.”
The conversation was quiet and sparse for the rest of the meal. When it was over, the women rose to clear the table. Mary stood up intending to do her part, but Stella shook her head.
“My dear, you look exhausted. I will take you to your room,” she said firmly. “You and your baby must have some rest.”
Mary looked at Benjamin for approval. To her relief, Benjamin nodded for her to follow Stella.
“Your husband will be up later. We have much to discuss with him tonight,” Michael told her. Then, looking around the table, Michael said. “Brothers, let us go to the meeting room.”
Mary followed Stella out to the hallway. They stopped in the foyer and Stella picked up the bags Benjamin had dropped there. Stella seemed to be several years older than Mary. She was a large boned woman with light brown hair pulled back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Her clothes were plain and loose-fitting.
“When is your baby coming?” Stella asked as they made their way up the staircase.
“I"m not sure.” Mary answered. “I m about five months along.”
At the top of stairs was another long hallway lined with doors. Stella walked to the end of the hallway where a large window was built into the wall. It was not covered with the dark curtains, but the sun had set and it was too dark for Mary to see the outside world. The hallway was lit by kerosene lamps on shelves built into the walls.
“That window looks over the back yard. No other houses beyond our yard, so we can let the natural light in during the day,” Stella said.
“I noticed the other windows at the front of the house were all covered,” Mary said.
“Many of us go out during the day to spread God"s word,” Stella replied. “Once we come home we like our privacy.”
“The women go out?”
“Everyone does their part here. The women take turns going out and staying in the house to clean, fix the meals and tend the children.”
By this time, Stella had opened a door at the end of the hall and Mary followed her inside. Stella lit another kerosene lamp that sat on a low dresser next to a washbasin. There were two mats on the floor for sleeping, and a chair much like the ones around the dining tables.
“Would you like a bath?” Stella asked. “You look like you need one.”
Mary blushed. “Yes, please.”
Stella dumped the bags on the floor and led Mary out of the room to a door across the hall.
“You"ll share this bathroom with the others at this end of the hallway, so don"t take too long. I"ll send one of the boys up with some heated water for you.”
“Thank you,” Mary said.
“Towels are in the cabinet. Only use one and then take it back to your room to use next time you bathe. If you stay here that is.”
Mary nodded her understanding. Stella left and Mary rushed back to the room and got clean underwear and her nightgown.
By the time, Benjamin came up to the room, Mary was clean, comfortable, and in a deep sleep. She never got a chance to ask Benjamin what the men had talked about and if they would be staying there with the Flying Rollers.
The next morning, Mary awoke to find Benjamin dressed and standing over her. “Because you are with child, you do not have to go out into the streets with us. You will be expected to help with the household chores. You best get dressed and go downstairs right away.”
Mary struggled to her feet as Benjamin left the room, closing the door behind him.
“I guess we"re staying,” Mary whispered to herself.
*** As the weeks passed, Mary found she liked living with the Flying Rollers. The women accepted her without question and were very friendly and considerate. Although Mary did her best to keep up with the chores assigned to her, it became more difficult as her time to give birth grew closer.
Benjamin didn"t pay much attention to Mary or talk about the impending birth of their child. From the very first day, Benjamin had concentrated all his efforts on becoming an indispensable member of the Flying Rollers. Given his natural charm and knowledge of the scriptures, the others seemed to look to him for leadership and marveled at the number of people who gathered around Benjamin when he preached the word of God on the street corners of Fostoria. Soon, thanks to Benjamin"s talents, their numbers and their funds began to grow.
The Flyer Rollers were very self-sufficient and the various members seemed happy to use their skills for the good of the colony. Some of the men were excellent builders and the additional housing needed to accommodate new members was built quickly.
The meeting room where services were held was large with a lovely altar and rows of chairs. It was the most well-appointed place in the colony. The big house and the additional wooden structures were simply crafted, running water and stoves for cooking and heating were the only comforts, but Mary was accustomed to much less.
By the time Mary went into labor, the members of the Flying Rollers colony had doubled and Benjamin had become a well-respected member of the group.
Stella delivered Mary"s baby, a girl Benjamin named Hester. While Ben hadn"t paid much attention to Mary during her pregnancy, he was delighted with his daughter.
“Hettie is the most beautiful child in the country,” Ben told Mary each time he held the baby in his arms. Mary was happier than she had ever been in her life. She had a handsome husband, a sweet baby and liked being a disciple of the Flying Rollers. She didn"t think she could ever ask for more.
Ben, on the other hand, wanted much more from the Flying Rollers and was carefully planning his big move. He had joined the colony because he knew they were waiting for the seventh messenger, the seventh angel sent from the throne of God to lead them to a thousand years of peace and prosperity.
Mary knew that Benjamin had this ambition, but she was too content to worry about whether it would come to pass. The summer arrived in Ohio and Hettie was old enough to be taken outside with her parents while they did their missionary work.
It was on a bright, warm afternoon when Mary carrying Hettie on her hip stood on a street corner while Benjamin attracted a crowd of people with his dynamic speech about salvation and the evils of greed. Beautiful scripture passages fell from Benjamin"s lips as easily as rain fell from the clouds. As Benjamin mesmerized his listeners, Mary and the baby moved among them passing out flyers and collecting coins.
Suddenly, Jacob pushed his way through the gathering. He was breathless with excitement. “Ben! It"s happened! It"s happened! Rejoice and be glad. The Seventh Messenger has come.”
Ben stopped speaking and looked at his friend in disbelief. Mary rushed to Jacob"s side.
“Jacob, how do you know this?” Mary asked.
“I was there. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Tell me what you saw.” Ben said sternly.
The people who were gathered to hear Ben preach stood silently, watching and waiting for Jacob"s explanation.
“It"s Michael. He fell into a trance a few hours ago and when he awakened he proclaimed the joyous revelation.”
“Michael? Michael Mills?” Ben"s voice was harsh with anger.
“Yes. It is written, at that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people.”
Jacob was interrupted by Ben who shouted out the rest of the scripture. “At that time the people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Daniel, chapter twelve, verse one.” Ben"s eyes blazed with anger and he strode quickly away.
Jacob looked after him, puzzled by his abrupt departure. He turned to Mary.
“My husband is overcome by the news,” she said quietly.
Jacob nodded. “All of us are. I must spread the news to the rest of our brothers.”
Hettie began to cry and Mary hugged her close and whispered words of comfort to the child as she left the street corner and hurried to catch up with Benjamin.
CHAPTER FIVE
Prince Michael"s reign began immediately. He moved into the biggest bedroom in the house and used the colony"s money to furnish it lavishly. The meeting room was partitioned off so that the Prince could have a private office to meet new members and counsel all that came to him for guidance.
Michael also had a high wall constructed around the back property closest to the house directly outside his bedroom. After planting small trees and many flowers, Michael told his followers that it was to be his garden of meditation. One of the colony"s carpenters took out one of the back windows and fashioned it into a door so Prince Michael could have private, easy access to his garden.
Mary thought that Ben would pack them up and take them away from the colony, but instead, he openly pledged his allegiance to Prince Michael and continued to work diligently for the Flyer Rollers.
Mary was curious about the motives behind Benjamin"s profession of faith and loyalty to Prince Michael, but didn"t dare question him. She decided to just be grateful that Benjamin had allowed them to stay with the colony because without the communal support of the Flying Rollers, Mary feared they would be living on the streets.
The Flying Rollers were accepting more families into their midst, some with teenage girls. Prince Michael awoke from another of his trances one day and announced that the young girls should take a more active role in the prayers and spiritual activities of the colony.
“The angels have told me that seven lovely maidens should represent the God-Head of our faith and be set upon our altar surrounding your Prince like jewels in a crown.”
So, it came to be that at the weekly church service, the young girls that Prince Michael personally chose to become part of his God-Head sat on the elevated platform while he preached to his congregation. The girls were dressed in flowing white robes hand-sewn by their mothers or other women in the colony.
After a few weeks, Mary began to notice that some of the girls on the altar no longer seemed happy to be there. She didn"t understand why they looked sad and sometimes frightened when their acceptance into Prince Michael"s God-Head was truly an honor for them and for their families.