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

prayed loudly, one right after the other. The content of these prayers consisted of thanks to God for the redemption which He had brought about for us through his bitter suffering and His death on the cross. Other prayers which were voiced also dealt with the great joy in the faith, and after that they sang, ‘Great is His Grace, Beyond our Understanding’ ( Glaubensstimme , No. 319, Vs. 3). After the singing of this verse, Becker began again from verse 13 of the text which had been read earlier, admonishing and teaching them to place their hope entirely upon grace, to look on Christ as the one and only one in their lives, and to demonstrate that they are children of God. He explained from verse 18 that all men are by nature sinners, and that we are born again by the Word of God. One of the brethren stood up to thank God in the name of all present for the precious Word He has given us, and for Sunday, which has been given us for edification in the Word, including Claassen, who is in St. Petersburg, also in his prayer. Still another brother stood up and in a childlike manner laid each one without exception upon the heart of Jesus, after which they sang in close accord, ‘Sweet Jesus, thou who Art.’ After this Becker prayed, asking the Lord, among other things, to touch his tongue for the proclamation of his precious (sweet) gospel, pleaded for grace for all, that all might one day enter into eternal bliss, thanked the Lord for all good things, and included Claassen as well in his petition, who is continuing on in St. Petersburg, praying that God might be his leader. Thereafter they sang, ‘Our Hearts and Mouths Sing Praises’ ( Glaubensstimme , No. 317). After this song, Koop of Elizabethtal read Psalm 100, followed by some discussion; and Becker used I Sam. 4 to explain what rejoicing actually meant, and then supported by I Cor. 2, II Cor. 6 and II Thess. 3, spoke of the necessity of their secession. They then sang, ‘What Wondrous Sweet Communion’ (Glaubensstimme, No. 304). In all they sang two songs, using the melodies which are customary in our churches; the rest of the melodies were arrangements from the Glaubensstimme. Their expressions of joy consisted of small Documentary Supplements 397 movements with their hands and happy gestures. Although a number— not only Minister Becker— spoke up from time to time, this in no way disturbed the order, rather it served much more to provide a well-rounded exposition of the biblical text and witnessed, to the greatest extent, a Christian naivete. As we stood outside the house before leaving, and exchanged a few words with Becker and a number of others, the congregation sang several more verses accompanied by a flute. During this exchange, we came— amongst other things— upon their unusual expressions of joy, which we explained as an error, telling them that if this was a work of God they (the expressions of joy) should be allowed to fall away, for which they h