12
THE STUNDISTS.
and remained there some years, receiving instruction and gaining experience. But hearing that his father's health was breaking, young Bonekemper altered his plans, and decided to return to Russia. His father died before he reached Rohrbach, and when he at length arrived it was as his father's successor in the pastorate. Pastor Karl was a man of different calibre to his father. The gentleness of both men was remarkable, but the son was consumed with zeal, eager, brilliant and accomplished. He was a master of the Russian language, a skilful physician, and thoroughly understood his fellow-man. This was the man who now assumed the leadership of Stundism, the man to whom, before all others, the early strength and flow of the movement is due.
