A Pilgrimage Of Faith, J.B. Toews, 1993

ed a prayer circle to pray that he would repent. After some months their prayers were answered. The wealthy brother publicly confessed his greed and asked God and the church for forgiveness. He ac- knowledged that at the time of his conversion he had re- sponded to the benefit of Christ's provision for salvation but had failed to accept the responsibility of discipleship and faithful stewardship. He asked to be rebaptized. My father, Johann A, Toews of Alexanderthal, baptized the brother for the second time. In the public prayer preceding the baptism the brother prayed for victory over the sin of covetousness. Before entering the water he placed his wallet into his shirt pocket, stating this was to symbolize the surrender of all his riches to the Lord and his service.32 A second example concerned a prosperous farmer and leading minister in a Mennonite Brethren congregation in a village in the Molotschna. The Russian maids and servants re- ported that he paid the lowest wages in the village and was unwilling to help the poor. Those serving with him in leader- ship had spoken to him repeatedly about the sin of covetous- 76 IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD ness, but he showed no evidence of change and his riches ac- cumulated. Finally the leadership recommended that the church place him under discipline and release him from all ministerial functions, The church pledged to pray for the man's repentance. After a few months it was the joy of die congregation to see him return to the fellowship in deep re- pentance. He was forgiven. Henceforth the poor in the vil- lage found him to be a warm and concerned helper in times of need. He later resumed his ministerial responsibilities." life Insurance Closely related to the sin of covetousness was the ques- tion of life insurance.* Care for the financial needs arising from the death of a family member was the corporate respon- sibility of the congregation. Life insurance represented a transfer of this obligation to a worldly economic institution. In matters of mutual aid the Mennonite Brethren at the turn of the century held views similar to those of the Amish Mennon- ites today. Amusements Behavioral boundaries were set by the Mennonite Brethren, using 1 John 2:15-16, which defines fleshly lusts and the pride of life as being "of the world." Theater attendance was prohibited since it nurtured the lust of the eye,55 At issue was not the play but rather the larger institution. A person going to the theater would not be judged by the play present- ed as much as by the institution