Page 109 - The Diary of A. H. W. Behrens

49
1875 – 1880
The high-ranking visitor shook each of us the hand and asked us for our names. The first: Meyer, the second: Meyer, the third: Also Meyer. And from then onward he was only known as Alsomeyer and it stayed that way.
One pupil, Schlager, did something wrong and was finally dismissed. Unfortunately, I was the one who had seen what
he did and was bound by my conscience to report it to the inspector. I couldn’t do anything else. It was a sad case. Otherwise, all of us endured the lessons and were ordained and found our sphere of activity in India, Australia, America and Africa. Ramme, Lüchow and Kohlmeyer went to India and died there. Stielau, Schröder, Deppe and myself came to South Africa. Schröder was murdered by the Zulus, Deppe died after a few years, Stielau turned 93 years, I am still alive and will be turning 89 years old in May 1943. Of the 22 who started their service in July 1875 I think I am the last one living!! – Johannes the Persian also died a few years ago.
When we started, others had just finished in the New
Mission House and were sent out to South Africa, Wickert, Peters, Hörmann, Grotherr, all have died, and others as well. Teichmann was part of the course after us, but is no longer alive. Neither the others. I can survive them all by God’s grace and mercy.