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

illeth.” Second, because the word “baptizein”— aside from the meaning to immerse— also means to wet, to pour (sprinkling and washing), and so the identification of these concepts with “baptism” 103 is wholly possible. Third, because of precedents in the Old Covenant: Elijah, for example sacrificed on the “heights” of Carmel (and sacrificing on the high places was strictly condemned— one should check all references in respect to sacrifices upon high places and also in regard to Solomon) ; and yet the Lord deigned to look on his servant who, it seems, no longer possessed full knowledge of the Mosaic law concerning rituals. Compare 2 Kings 22— one of His most splendid and powerful revelations during the time of the Old Covenant and given in connection with a sacrifice which was, according to the letter of the law, irregular. And yet this man Elijah is placed, in the realm of transfiguration, next to Moses. Likewise, the Levite Samuel, although not legally qualified to do so, offers a sacrifice because the 302 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH priesthood and regular worship had deteriorated with the loss of the ark of the covenant. God does not hold everyone responsible for disorders in worship and decline in understanding which have arisen during the course of time as a result of collective guilt, but looks at the heart. Fourth, the author has from his youth to old age traced God’s footprints in the history of His servants and has found no difference in the power of grace between those who were baptized according to our understanding and were strict immersionists or not so strict, and those who were baptized as infants and came to an awareness [of God] through confirmation or otherwise: Carey, Oncken, Koebner, Liebig and others (strict immersionists);— Bunyan (not a strict immersionist) ; —Spurgeon (strict in regard to baptism of members, but tolerant in regard to participation in holy communion) ; — George Mueller, Robert K. Chapman, F.W. Baedeker and others (who were baptized by our mode and who preached it, yet who also tolerated members who were baptized as infants);— Moody (Methodist), Ernst Gebhardt (Methodist), Paul Gerhard, Spener, A. H. Francke, Hiller and others (all four Lutherans), Tersteegen (Reformed), Zinzendorf, Wesley— and Pastor Wuest! The chain of God-blessed infant-baptizers knows no end! Who knows how much these have meant or mean to us through sermon, song, writings and the example of their faith! Whose songs fill our songbooks? Whose works, besides those of Menno and Spurgeon, line the shelves of our ministers and reading members? Whose songs make us feel particularly solemn during the communion service? Why should we not heartily bless those whom God blesses and through whom He blesses us? v) Now, what would be the correct, non-sectarian, God-pleasing middle road with regard to the ecclesiastical practices of the M.B. Church, given its present circumstances and obligation in the