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

estimonies. b) “We teach that everyone is to let his light shine before men so that people might be saved from their evil ways and eternal damnation unto the living God, so that the day of reckoning might not come upon them unawares and without warning; for it is the will of God that all people should be brought to a knowledge of the truth. a) "In their indignation they destroy the temple, and everything that was considered holy is broken, pulverised, or smashed. b) "This is a fable. a) “They secretly agree to curtail all contact with unbelievers and to act on the orders of their prophets. They teach that it is proper to destroy all unbelievers, and shout at them: The sword of God come upon you! The holy ones of this new faith hope that God will command them to destroy the ruling princes with fire and sword so they may take control of the affairs of state themselves. b) "Sheer fable and utter falsehood: And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace, James 3:18. 4. “Concerning Abstinence from Scholarship a) “The Anabaptists insist that scientific knowledge and secular learning is basically false, and maintain that religious truth is discovered by trained prophets and baptizers, and endorsed by ordinary lay -preachers. b) "We believe that the wisdom of men is folly with God, and is of no purpose in attaining His favor, I Cor. 3:19. However, we take pains to acquire a9 much useful information and secular training as possible, wherever we have opportunity to do so, in order that the preaching of the Gospel may be done with more power and ability, as was the case with Paul who was more learned than the other apostles, and who also achieved more. But our major efforts are directed toward mastering the lessons of the Holy Spirit. We pray that God may enlighten our minds through his Holy Spirit. a) “They teach that God, through the prophets, has commanded that all books and publications other than the Bible are to be burned. 336 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH b) “Without consideration as to the author, we hold all books that are not written in the spirit of the Bible to be untruthful and therefore harmful, and that is why such books are not tolerated among us. For we have a firm prophetic word. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, II Pet. 1:19; Psalm 119:105. a) “Children of both sexes are to learn the Anabaptist doctrines and the Psalms together. b) “We have not set any hard and fast dogmas 126 for ourselves, nor can we teach them. On the other hand, children are brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and are encouraged to learn the Scriptures well. In II Tim. 3:15-17 Paul writes to Timothy: And that from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All