A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

e ultimate defeat of the Froehliche Richtung. Protest and Reformation 1. Single Voices of Protest Almost from the beginning of this "false movement" (as H. Huebert called it) there were single voices of protest against it. Jacob Reimer was probably the first to express his deep concern in a letter to Johann Claassen in June, 1861. About the same time Mrs. Claassen wrote her husband about the emotional outbursts of the movement and commented: "To me it appears sinful." Abraham Unger, a firm opponent of the movement from the beginning, wrote to the Brethren in the Molotschna and challenged them to become spiritually sober and not to be misguided by a one-sided interpretation of Scripture. Heinrich Huebert, although he did not wish to be judgmental, warned the brethren by reminding them of the early experiences in the Kleine Gemeinde and in the revival movement at Kronsweide. As soon as Claassen was adequately informed about the excesses of the Froehliche Richtung, he made his position clear, although he continued to work for reconciliation of the two groups. 37 However, Claassen's extensive work towards the move of the church to the Kuban area, which he began in the late summer of 1862, delayed the complete conquest of the move- ment by almost three years. 2. First Formal Protest In God's gracious providence several men with outstanding leadership ability joined the Mennonite Brethren Church during this crucial period. They were the men of the hour, called for an important ministry in the church "for such a time as this." The Lord found these "chosen instruments" in the ranks of the Ohrloff Mennonite Church — the church that had played such an important role in the struggle for recognition and survival of the Mennonite Brethren. The following five young men, among others, joined the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1864: Daniel Fast, a schoolteacher from Blumenort who later became an elder in the church and had a long and fruitful ministry in the Kuban settlement; Johann Fast, a nephew of Daniel Fast, who became an associate elder and "father of pastoral care" in the Mennonite Brethren Church — also widely known as an itinerant minister; Jacob Jantz, who later became the elder of the congregation at Friedensfeld, and a "pillar of the Mennonite Brethren church to his end;" 38 Abraham Schellenberg, later a successor to Huebert as elder of the Molotschna Mennonite Brethren Church, and after 1879 an outstanding leader in the United States; and Philipp Isaak, who became known as "governor" FAITH IN FERMENT 10. Philipp Isaak 11. Jacob Jantz {Regierer) in his work as administrator and treasurer. He was the right-hand man of the ailing Elder Huebert in all administrative matters. His wise leadership proved to be a blessing to the larger brotherhood for many years. These five brethren together with Johann Claassen and Christian Schmidt formed the "team" that emerged victorious in the struggle with th