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MISSION LV GERMANY. 73 
I 
PETITION ^0 THE KING OE BAVARIA. 
‘^Mis most serene highness^ most powerful king^ most 
gracious king and lord 
Naila, March 11, 1873. 
‘‘Most obedient presentation and prayer of Christian 
Bischoff and associates of Naila.^ for the most 
gracious permission of building a religious associa- 
tion under the name of “ United Brethren in Christ 
in the Kingdom of Bavaria^ 
“For several years many persons of the Lower 
Naila and vicinity have felt that the word of God 
alone can give life and happiness. After a thorough 
search, we found, as your most obedient and true 
servants, that the lives of thousands of men are 
not in accordance but contrary to the word of God. 
“ The conscience of the better part of men, by 
the word of God awakened more and more, and 
also sought to lead better lives, and by the help 
of God continue therein. 
‘^These persons did get more and more acquaint- 
ed with one another, and as they sought one point, 
and to serve our Lord, they did build a society, 
which they named Christian Association at 
ITaila.’^ They sought (and it was granted to them) 
the perraission of the king’s court, in 1870. 
^^These simple private meetings were, to many 
persons, a blessing, and, therefore, they found it 
