A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

Gnadenfeld continued to be a center of fellowship for the "Brethren." August Lenzmann, ordained as elder in 1854, although cautious and conservative by nature, was considered to be a friend of the "Brethren" up to 1860. The "Brethren" cooperated wholeheartedly with Elder Lenzmann in the founding of a Bruderschule (Brotherhood-school) which finally opened its doors in 1857. Johann Claassen, a member of the Gnadenfeld Church and of the educational society, made two trips to Petersburg in the interests of this new venture. After the secession of the "Brethren" in 1860, and the withdrawal of the "Jerusalem Friends" or "Templers" in 1863, 17 Gnadenfeld ceased to be the center of the new life movement in the Molotschna. 4. "Pfarrer" Eduard Wuest (1818-1859) (The Influence of Pietism) One of the greatest influences contributing to the religious awakening among the Mennonites in Russia was the ministry of Eduard Hugo Otto Wuest, pastor of the Separatist Lutheran (Pietist) Church of Neuhoffnung, a village near the city of Berdjansk. All early Brethren express their admiration for Wuest. As mentioned earlier, Friesen regards him as the "second reformer" of the M.B. Church. Wuest had had an unusual spiritual pilgrimage before coming to South Russia. He was born in Murrhardt, Wuerttemberg, Germany, on February 23, 1818, the son of an innkeeper. During his student days in 30 HISTORY OF THE HENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH the Gymnasium in Stuttgart (1832-35) and the University of Tuebigen (1835-41) he was torn between the desire to study and pray, and the desire to please his sinful companions. Although preparing for the ministry, he prayed for the first time (according to his personal testimony) after six years of theological study at Tuebingen, just before his final examinations. 1 " A great change took place in his life when he became assistant pastor at Neuenkirchen in 1841. He devoted his time to serious study and the preparation of sermons. Two years later, at Murrhardt, he began to associate with the Wuerttemberg Pietists. By 1844 he had come to a genuine experience of forgiveness of sins and a joyous assurance of salvation. This experience affected his message — he developed into a powerful preacher of true repentance and God's free grace. His pietistic zeal, in tension with certain practices of the church, made it impossible for him to continue his service. After his dismissal, he occasionally served pietistic circles in the vicinity. He also came in contact with a Methodist minister from the United States, and for a while seriously considered emigrating to America. But in God's provi- dence he was directed to go to Russia. In 1845 he was invited by the Neuhoffhung congregation to become their pastor. Wuest accepted the call with the inner assurance that it was from God. Wuest was an outstanding preacher: tall, good physique, endowed with a powerful, melodious voice, and well trained in the art o