The Quiet in the Land

About the Book

The religious writings of Henry P. Wieler were recorded during the troubling years of 1916-18 in Russia. His life as a father and teacher was difficult and he turned to his journals as a way of asserting his spiritual beliefs. His thoughts and religious experiences relating sermons, biblical passages and church events are revealing as are his descriptions of the times and struggles of his people, the Volga-Germans, who are known as The Quiet in the Land.

Translated from the original German scripted writings, in the actual journals we have attempted to share some excerpts which directly relate Henry's religious experiences during the critical periods of transition in Russia. The events of World War I put the Volga-Germans in a difficult way with their Russian neighbours. Wieler was fearful for his family and fellow Germans living in their Volga communities. Christian faith helped him to deal with those times and he fortunately recorded his faith reflections for us to appreciate.

Many more pages remain to be translated from the over 1500 pages written by Henry from 1912-1924. Success from this publication would provide incentives to offer more of the journal writings of Henry Wieler in the future.

About the Author

Henry P. Wieler was born in 1891 in a Volga-German village in Russia. He grew up to become a teacher in the German communities within Russia and wrote extensively in his journals about his life and experiences, especially his Christian religious life. Surviving the Russian Revolution period, he was able to escape with his family and friends to Germany where he assisted many in obtaining sponsors for a new life in North America. He was able to get his family to the USA, where he eventually settled in Lancaster, PA, (his original journals with him). Henry lived successfully in the USA, raising his family and working in many jobs. He also had success in his Religious Motto business. He died in 1984 at the age of 93.

His journals live on and provide a unique view of life along the Volga as experienced by the German communities in the early 20th century.