A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ted. Harder's second reply must have brought even greater dismay and disappointment to the hierarchy than his first response. Here is the body of his letter: First, the aspiration of these people finds expression in the desire to establish their own church on the foundation and confession of all other Mennonite Churches, and in keeping with our highly esteemed religious freedom, live according to their faith in the midst of the other churches in the hope that thus they will be able to establish a better church order. If they will pursue this goal, then secondly, the consequences need not be detrimental to the whole, and the single deviation in the manner they observed holy communion should be forgiven them. This, everyone that has learned to appreciate the mercy of God, and the benevolent toleration that we enjoy in this land, will be prepared to do wholeheartedly. Thirdly, the means to be used to dissuade these people from their intention to establish a church of their own, is, that we all begin in real earnest to act according to the Word of God, that the level of our church order [Gemeindeordnung) be raised, and the church be positively changed, for which God in his grace may grant us the power to will and to do. ... '» Although this "minority report" was not accepted by the administrative officials, it served a very useful purpose: it prevented the authorities from taking any drastic action against the Brethren. 20 But complete freedom in the exercise of their faith was still several years away, and the pathway to that goal was often blocked by almost insurmountable barriers. 44 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Recognition of Secession 1. Recognition from the State By divine providence, Johann Claassen (1820-1876) became the trailblazer in the prolonged struggle for the civil and religious liberties of the Brethren. By nature, disposition and experience he was uniquely endowed for this special mission. Claassen was a Christian with a childlike faith in God, a fervent love for Christ, a deep concern for the brotherhood, and a man of indomitable moral courage. P. M. Friesen rates him with Johann Cornies and Bernhard Harder as one of the greatest contributors to the cause of Mennonitism in Russia. 21 His small business, as well as his active involvement with the Bruderschule in Gnadenfeld, had widened his horizons and given him a practical, experiential knowledge of men and their affairs. In the cause of Christian education Claassen made two trips to Petersburg (1854 and 1857) and through the Supervisory Commission in Odessa, secured recognition of the school as a teacher-training institution for Mennonites. This experience was an invaluable preparation for the difficult assignment a few years later. Claassen's First Trip to Petersburg When in March, i860, the threats of local authorities became increasingly menacing against the cause of the Brethren, Claassen resolved that the