Introduction to the Anabaptists

During 1901 the Breslau bible study group was captivated by a young 
aristocrat from East Prussia. In an account of his youth, Eberhard refers 
to this man as “von Gürten.” He was set on uncompromising and clear 
discipleship of Jesus, but forced himself and others into a straitjacket
of 
rules and regulations. Though passionately enthusiastic in manner, von 
Gürten was also overbearing and domineering. He never had a good word for 
other Christians. At first the study group members admired him almost 
unreservedly with only a vague feeling that his attitude threatened to 
restrict their newly won faith and freedom. As time went on, however, they

backed off from his influence. Yet in spite of the divisions he caused, he

was an important inspiration to many. And it was von Gürten who first 
kindled Eberhard’s interest in early church history, which then led him to

ask his father about the sixteenth-century Anabaptist movement.