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

ined in the following words of the poet: “Let not the world blind you; For ev'ry child of Mine, With freedom and with pow’r Confess God’s holy name. Fear not His honor to proclaim, Though troubles overwhelm you, Yes, do hold fast to Jesus Christ Who gave Himself to save you. Confess His name with eagerness. Let nothing here on earth deter You from His holy teachings. In faith be strong, immovable, Him follow to the end; Consider that this troublous time, Heaven’s glories will outshine, Which Christ desires to give us. "That is why the apostle reminds us that all who desire to live a godly life here in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, II Tim. 3:12. And Sirach the moralist says: If you would be God’s servant, prepare yourself for temptation. Nonetheless, stand firm in the faith and do not faint nor deviate under cross and persecution but endure in patience and suffering, knowing that no one who has ever called on His name, has been disdained by Him. Indeed, He encourages us, as it were, saying: You who fear the Lord, hope for the best from Him and He will give you grace and comfort at all times; for the Lord is gracious and merciful, forgiving sins and helping in distress. Therefore cling to God and stand firm so that you may grow stronger. For as gold is refined by fire, so also will they who please God be preserved through fiery trials. So why should we be surprised or griefstricken that I must leave you in this way! Hear, says Paul, all things must work together for good to them that love God. Therefore he considers the reproaches of Christ greater riches than all the wealth of the world and points to Moses who, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer hardships with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He looked to the reward and left Egypt, nor did he fear the anger of the king. For he held to Him whom he did not see, clinging to Him in faith as though he saw Him. What more, my beloved, shall I say for our mutual strengthening? For indeed the time would be too short and our edification take no end because of the tender love we bear one another. Therefore, in conclusion, take to heart the words of Paul where he says that the sufferings of this life cannot be compared to that Documentary Supplement 151 glory which will be revealed to us, an admonition very s imil ar to our Savior’s words contained in Luke 6:22: Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and reject your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Nor is the servant above the Master; if they have called the head of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household. Therefore be not afraid; he who confesses