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

ms us only and alone through His grace, quite freely; we have been made free and need bring Him nothing but our sins. His holy name be praised in all eternity that He has saved us in this and no other way. We may come to him at any time with our sins and weaknesses, and always it is said: For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hallelujah, honor, glory and praise be to the Lamb, who has loved and continues to love us! Let us not prepare Him any more shame through this extreme emotionalism, but neither by again returning to a dead church; no, we too want to establish an apostolic church, 76 where Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. Amen. I desire that you let all those who wish, 268 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH to read this letter .... Greetings from your brother in Christ, Unger.” f) Heinrich Huebert, in his letter to Claassen in St. Petersburg expresses anxious misgivings about the final outcome of this exaggerated exuberance and freedom. ‘‘Liebenau, June 18, 1861. Dearly beloved brother in Christ! Christ in us, the hope of glory. Hallelujah, Victoria! Amen. With such a blessed Word of God as this, and similar ones, one can rise above all occurrences, afflictions and difficulties which we may encounter in our life of faith; for we are more than adequately comforted by it. I simply believe that God led us out, first from our own selves that we might look upon ourselves as perfectly righteous in Christ, as the second Adam, who has been placed into the spiritual life (I Cor. 15:45); secondly, also led us out of the church .... Should He not, the faithful and true One, also have already ordered the rest of the paths of our pilgrimage? Surely, His plan for us was ordained long ago .... Dear brother! You will probably already have been accurately informed through the letters of other brethren, as well as through your wife, regarding the present circumstances of the brotherhood. Therefore I shall say nothing on the matter except to share my opinion with you. At the time when the Kleine Gemeinde, having recognized its unjust practice and deeds, left the church, the devil took advantage of the opportunity and led them to build upon their own works, as you yourself know. When, not so long ago, a revival later took place in the Old Colony [that of Kronsweide, 1853-1855, cf. #127], through which the freedom in Christ was made somewhat clearer to even those people, . . . they sought, . . . before they had become firmly established in this grace ... to complete in the flesh what the Spirit had begun in them. Herein the Word of God then also remains true, that we do not wrestle with flesh and blood only, but against the prince of this world in heavenly places. But God be praised that we have a Savior who has more than conquered all and has been victorious over death, devil and hell, and has given us eternal life in Him, and has made us sit with Him in heavenly places! ...