A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

here is an interesting postscript to the chapter on the June Reform. In September, 1865, the church appointed two gifted young ministers, Jacob Jantz and Christian Schmidt, to prepare a "Confession" [Selbstbekenntnis) which was to be submitted to the administrative adviser of the Minister of the Interior, Staatsrat Brun. The latter had been commissioned by the Russian government to investigate the whole secession movement among the Mennonites. In this "Confession" Jantz and Schmidt attempt to give an account of developments (still somewhat narrowly interpreted) but they also admit the shortcomings and failings of the group. The statement concludes with a plea for continued government benevolence and help, and with 66 HISTORY OF THE MENNON1TE BRETHREN CHURCH the request for the release of imprisoned members, especially Elder Huebert." These same two ministers were also commissioned to go on a general itinerary (Rundreise) through the villages of the Molotschna colony to share with members of both the "old" and "new" congregations "the present mind of the church," as well as its regrets over past failings. In their "diary" Jantz and Schmidt express their delight at the open doors and the friendly reception in the homes of such prominent leaders of the Ohrloff Mennonite Church as Bernhard Harder (Halbstadt), Hermann Janzen (Tiege), Jacob Martens (Tiegenhagen), and elder Johann Harder (Blumstein).' 6 This was the first important step on the part of the young Mennonite Brethren Church to establish a more cordial and fraternal relationship with leading "brethren" in the Mennonite Church. Some Lessons from History It might be well at this point to pause briefly and ask the question whether this period of religious ferment in M.B. history has taught the brotherhood some lessons that are also of importance to the present generation. What the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians concerning the experiences of Israel is also applicable to the experiences of the church in history: "Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages is come."' 6 The late A. H. Unruh, Mennonite Brethren historian and theologian, and a keen observer of trends and developments in the brotherhood, points out a number of important lessons in his history of the Mennonite Brethren Church." We present these here in an abridged form and in free translation. 1. The need for systematic Bible teaching The great joy that was manifested by practically all members of the early Mennonite Brethren Church was a natural result of their discovery and experience of the free grace of God in the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of salvation. It can also partly be explained psychologically as a reaction to the cold and lifeless services in the old church. Strong emotions, however, that are not controlled by a proper knowledge of Scripture, can be very dangerou