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

rder that they may experience no hostility from men, who would rather be the whole world’s friend than God’s committed lover, people who do not like it when a differentiation is made in the way the Lord Himself so sharply made it, people who want everything placed in one pot, all who carry the name of Christian, Pietist or Brethren, who wish to be acknowledged as such in deed and in truth, that they might be so much more easily accepted with their professed and half-hearted faith; all these— I tell you in advance— my speech will neither suit nor please. But I have not come from Germany to Russia to please them, but much more to preach Jesus Christ, the crucified, the comfort of poor sinners and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence for the self-righteous, the proud, the indecisive, and the hypocrites (John 8:14; I Peter 2:8). 11. But now, beloved, when I look back over that which for the first time I have preached to you today; when I look back upon all my promises, upon all my many "I wills,” that I have spoken today; and when I catch a glimpse of my own heart, then I cannot help but become afraid and my courage almost leaves me. I must shepherd five hundred souls. I must guide them as the under-shepherd of the great chief and arch-shepherd, Jesus Christ, to the wells of living water and out of my own being must flow rivers of living water (John 7:38), and alas, in my heart it is often as void, as melancholy, as dead, as parched, as dry and desolate as the wide steppes through which I travelled in coming to you. O, I can keep none of these things which I have promised you today, when I look upon myself. I must become a liar before you all, if the Lord does not have mercy upon me. Therefore, beloved church, pray, pray for me, your pastor; pray that my eyes will look heavenward; pray that I do not despair; pray that I keep faith, patience and hope; pray, I plead, that I may boldly and freely make known to you the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19). 12. And now, my beloved, one more request I make of youl I belong to those who cannot yet endure praise. I have far too much pride and self-love. If you, therefore, find anything good in me, give God the glory for it and do not praise me, most certainly not to my face. That would be a great wrong. At the same time, I will promise you, that I will not praise you. This is the contract that we want to make with each other: you do not praise me; I do not praise you; but let us both so much the more praise Him, to whom all praise is due, and with such praise let us now begin and say with the sacred singer in Psalm 116:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory, for the sake of Thy steadfast love and Thy faithfulness!” Yes to Thee, O God, Father, Son Pastor Wuest 223 and Holy Spirit, be praise, honor, exaltation and thanksgiving, adoration, worship and glory in all the long eternities! Therefore, let us silently pray and implore the L