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

ormation!?!] had now been destroyed by G.W. How all this affected me you can scarcely imagine. For this kind gentleman was so benevolently disposed towards all of us that we could not have wished for a better or more influential patron . . [Wieler fears that Brun, to the great detriment of the cause of the brethren] "will have to withdraw his earlier defence . . . In the late summer of the same year (1865) Privy Councillor Brun was somewhat soothed, through the verbal communications of Philipp Isaak and Christian Schmidt, to hear that victory over the excesses of the exuberant movement had been achieved by the grace of God. Cf. the “Personal Testimony” of the M.B. Church presented to p. p. Brun in Sept., 1865, by Christian Schmidt and Jacob Janz under #195. Organization and Growth 339 The M.B. Church can thank God for this noble protector, and bless his memory. XXIV. THE INTERNAL ORGANIZATION AND GROWTH OF THE EINLAGE M.B. CHURCH TO 1864 1. The “other way” which the M.B. Church at Einlage decided to follow after the reconciliation of the two camps as a consequence of the "June Reforms" of 1865 was a good way, but it was not to be an easy road. The excesses of the “exuberant movement” were discarded once and for all. To reach a unified and creative leadership, however, was most difficult. “Not everyone was disposed to accept Neufeld 130 again as minis ter" [Epp], The majority finally agreed to select a new minister by vote; but some were hesitant to do so, fearing that it was still too soon, “for the congregation was not yet on a good footing.” Nevertheless, the majority wished to vote. Br. Unger also consented to the election, on the condition that after the election the candidate would be tested according to I Tim. 3:7. Then the vote was taken, with some abstentions. Neufeld was elected and was then to be examined, but this was now denied. It was now asserted that “the voice of the church is the voice of God.” Because Neufeld was a popular man with a very friendly manner [besides being rather imposing and handsome, with a natural flair for public speaking], “the brethren decided to ignore his tendency to waver at times, and did not heed the Word in I Tim. 3:7.” In the end it was decided to cast lots, to which they responded that “Neufeld’s case should not be decided by lot because that would be against the Word of God.” However, no attention was given to that idea, but they attempted once more to discern God’s will by lot and again Neufeld was chosen. 131 At this point attention was drawn to Numbers 22:19-36 [the story of Balaam], but it too went unheeded. “Thereupon Neufeld threw himself upon the floor in the midst of the brethren and wept bitterly. He believed he had received his lot [office] from the Lord; the brethren [who disagreed with him], however, maintained he had received it from men.” [Compare this with footnote to #201; "Correction”.] After a considerable period of friction,