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

her on? Do they hate discipline and order? Then it says: ‘Why do you take my covenant in your mouth?’ The most chilling threats of God’s Word then apply to them, and it may have occurred to those who left: ‘Let them go their way, for they are blind leaders!’ At their feasts they talk first of temporal matters, then, for the The Struggle 235 sake of form, of God and Jesus, and then again of useless things; and when the wolf comes and the devil’s music and the devil’s drink 33 begin, they knock out their pipes and quickly leave the place as though they were holier than Jesus, who followed after the wretched people in order to save souls from destruction. Behold, if the sheep cannot find any pasture they will scatter, for they do not recognize the stranger or the hireling. To pick up the mangy sheep, wherever they may come from, and incorporate them into the fold , 34 is not the equivalent of being a shepherd; but to abuse and set the dogs on those who search out better pasture and who, in spite of this good intention, miss the road somewhat and err in other matters, is not the equivalent of fulfilling a shepherd’s duty either. Therefore I am eager to know what they will do with those who will not heed the stranger’s voice, stray from the flock in search of the good shepherd, who promises them green pastures and eternal life. I pray God that He will not allow us to sink so low that we should draw the sword of wrath in anger against those who have left us over the truths they have pointed us to, in order to apply pressure to their consciences or to give them the opportunity to skip and hop to their erroneous conceptions because of persecution and suffering! Such discipline could be wholesome for them, but we would nevertheless not want to serve as a rod for the salvation of others, whom the disciplining Father, after having achieved His purpose, throws into the fire. One could let them be, enter into a brotherly relation with them and say: Yes, dear people, you are quite right, we are what you say we are, and even worse, but we also intend to enter upon a better path. No one shall hide himself in his own opinion or point of view, the Word of God shall apply to all ; you accept advice and instruction from us and we will do the same from you! Enquire of your conscience and the Word of God: if you can, remain a little while longer and do not run away, do not abandon us now, we need those who have insight into corruption and who can pray. Could not an illumination take place in the church through them? It would indeed be to play into the hands of the devil were we to oppose these souls and tolerate and strengthen the godless! No one should plead their errors, they are certainly to be rejected. How many errors did Jesus constantly have to suffer and correct in His disciples,— did He reject them because of this? Not at all! The people, whose faith first produced doubt in our Menno Simons, then led him to s