Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit Character Analysis in The Hiding Place

A devout Jewish man who takes refuge in the Beje, having been turned away from several other hiding places because his stereotypically Semitic features make him an especially risky fugitive. Corrie rechristens him “Eusebius Smit” in the fake papers she procures for him. Meyer instantly bonds with Father over their shared love of the Old Testament; their relationship shows that faith can bring together people of different religions, rather than driving them apart. Meyer is in the house when the Gestapo arrest the ten Booms, but later escapes with Rolf’s help.

Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit Quotes in The Hiding Place

The The Hiding Place quotes below are all either spoken by Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit or refer to Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Chosen Books edition of The Hiding Place published in 1974.

Each night we lighted one more candle as Eusie read the story of the Maccabees. Then we would sing, haunting, melancholy, desert music. We were all very Jewish those evenings.

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Page Number and Citation: 134

Explanation and Analysis:

Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit Character Timeline in The Hiding Place

The timeline below shows where the character Meyer Mossel / Eusebius “Eusie” Smit appears in The Hiding Place. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...As she is setting out dinner an obviously Jewish man arrives, introduces himself courteously as Meyer Mossel, and asks permission to smoke his pipe. Corrie takes to him instantly. (full context)

Corrie brings Meyer upstairs, where he immediately bonds with Father, whom he jokingly calls “one of the Patriarchs”... (full context)

Corrie realizes that Meyer will probably have to stay at the Beje permanently, as they’re unlikely to find someone... (full context)

A more practical concern is Eusebius’s devotion to kosher dietary rules, which prohibit him from eating pork. Meat is so rare... (full context)

After Eusie’s arrival, the family starts acquiring more permanent residents. The current apprentice, Jop, takes up residence... (full context)

...and she wheezes loudly from her asthma. Corrie calls a meeting to address this issue. Eusie emphatically voices his support for Mary to stay, and Henk suggests a vote. People begin... (full context)

...the tedium of confinement, and the group enjoys impromptu concerts, theater readings, Hebrew lessons from Meyer and Italian from Meta. Because electricity is so limited, in the evenings one person pedals... (full context)

...He’s ostensibly washing the windows, although Betsie hasn’t ordered this. In a moment of inspiration, Eusie starts singing “Happy Birthday,” in order to make the lunch look like a celebration rather... (full context)

...the Christian holiday but Hanukkah as well. Every night they light one more candle as Eusie reads the ancient story aloud and sings the haunting traditional songs. On the fifth night,... (full context)