THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

nor himself arrived to investigate who the trouble makers were . . . these gave themselves away with their rude speeches and answers whereupon they were incarcerated for a time. But this only kindled the fire even more against Hoeppner. And even though he stood up for them, they called him ‘the soul-merchant!’ Nevertheless, the orders of the government had now to be obeyed. . . . The dissatisfaction and the desire to move away, however, could not be banned from their hearts. . . . [Numerous colonial directors, one worse than the other, succeeded one another to the detriment of the colony. Finally, the delegates themselves gave up their powers and presented their important papers to the ministers of the church. In the end a malicious Italian became the director. He attempted to extort money from the delegates, but without success. All the differences had supposedly been settled during the stay in the colony of the Prussian ministers Cornelius Regier and Cornelius War ken tin, and a document of reconciliation had indeed been drawn up to this effect. But the peace did not prevail, since new intrigues revolved around the director.] e) “The actual agreement reached with the director was not made known; but that it had been decided to take revenge on the delegates subsequently became clear. . . . The director saw this occasion as an 116 IN RUSSIA 1789-1860 opportunity to even the score with the delegates, since his first attempt to extort money from them had failed. His minions were soon mobilized. Since they too had left their first love, the church ministers failed in their duty to quench the fire. The delegates were separated from the congregation . . . Bartsch quickly resorted to pleading and, along with two adulterers, was readmitted. Hoeppner, the other delegate, would not succumb to such measures; and when he finally did give in, they refused to readmit him since they had already brought legal proceedings against him in the imperial court. Since the accusation brought against him, probably with the help of the director, had been carefully drawn up and signed, there was no hope of leniency and indeed the full force of the judgment was handed down to him. Twelve witnesses had to swear that the accusation was correct, which at first horrified the leaders, but in order to save their honor they forfeited their souls. Justice and human love were no longer to be found here: Hoeppner was taken into custody by the brethren, brought to Ekaterinoslav and put in jail. All his property was registered and sealed, and a guard was placed at his house. Be alarmed, dear children, and watch out that you never participate in such vulgar acts of violence where one runs rough-shod over his fellow-man. Hardly any disciples of our Lord were to be found amongst us any more. Nevertheless, we intend to hope and believe that God has retained some seed unto Himself, otherwise there would have been no hope for us. The pain