The Nobleman Among the Brothers

<P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>While from this volume the reader will learn about the agricultural economic cultural and political systems in place in Pomerania in the mid 1800's its greater appeal today might be for the role Adolph von Thadden played in the church of his day and in the spiritual lives of those around him.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office /></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt> </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Adolph Ferdinand von Thadden a Pomeranian country nobleman!<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He was this in a literal sense.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Though by birth a Berliner he was firmly rooted in </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags /><st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Pomerania</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>. </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt><SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>The key to understanding the personality of Adolph von Thadden is found elsewhere than in his nobility his Pomeranianism and Prussianism.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Instead it is found in his Christian convictions.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>His love for Christ became the <I style=mso-bidi-font-style: normal>cantus firmus</I> (main melody) which rang through his whole being and blossomed in his service of state and church in the family and in his calling.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt> </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Whether serious or in jest he seemed to have an apt quotation from the Bible or the classics for most every situation. His most embarrassing experience might have been the burning down of most of Trieglaff with the errant fireworks at daughter Marie's fire wedding.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>His most painful year contained the death of a son daughter and wife-his handling of these tragedies influenced the conversion of friend Ott von Bismarck to the Christian faith.</SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt> </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Von Thadden's Free Conferences in Trieglaff were attended by clergy and laity who were interested in or involved in the renewal movement in the church in </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Pomerania</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Those who were resisting the Prussian Union (called Old Lutherans) also found a hearing at the meetings he hosted in Trieglaff. </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt> </SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>On reading this book one can become totally impressed with the Christian faith of Adolph von Thadden and his effective sharing of that faith with his family his farmworkers and townspeople fellow estate owners in Parliament and in the church in Trieglaff and in </SPAN><st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>Pomerania</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 11pt>.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He truly was a Noble Man Among the Brothers.</SPAN></P><P c