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

mber of the older and more influential brethren were removed from the church in the Molotschna because of the settlement on the Kuban, and Brother Huebert, in view of his poor health and severe despondency, as well as the death of his first wife, proved himself weaker than ever and remained without influence, while Mr. Jakob Reimer’s influence had been weakened by his hesitation in the Kuban settlement, leadership fell into the hands of two young, spiritually shallow but strongly self-confident brethren: Br. Benjamin Becker, who had already been commissioned as an itinerant minister in 1861 (he was often also boldly called "Apostle!”), and Br. Bernhard Penner, who had been appointed to assist Br. Huebert. With incredible energy, these now again began to cultivate the "pure joy,” and thus established an arrogant despotism over those who did not agree with them. b) It must also be admitted that Claassen did not act with sufficient clear-sightedness, clarity and energy in this matter. This seems almost incomprehensible in view of the clear and balanced vision he demonstrated in other spiritual and civil matters. We must let the old records, of both sides, tell the story. §182 2. Among the opponents, Jakob Reimer is the most insightful and significant, and in this, as well as earlier periods, he has provided rich and photographically accurate material. He writes in his diary: "On January 9, 1864, my brother-in-law Claassen and Diedrich Claassen came Documentary Supplements 417 to me [in Gnadenfeld]. The former quarrelled with me because I was opposed to the playing of dance and march music [in the church services!] which I, poor soul, believe they play for their own entertainment and then they dance and jump. I am not opposed to being joyful nor to what Paul says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord.’ However, I am opposed to that which is not appropriate for a true Christian, or does not express love. But I am trying to remain quiet, since nothing can be changed. The Lord will expose and judge these matters .... On the 30th of November [1864, after his return from the Kuban] ... we were at Penners [in Gnadenfeld], where the brethren— especially Benjamin and Isaak Koop, Elizabethtal, assisted as much as possible by Bernhard- berated me because I did not join them in their exuberance; instead, when they had music and dance, I would leave .... On December 6, 1864, I was in Liebenau, where the brothers and sisters were meeting, but because of the difficult roads, only a few had come. Toward evening they very nearly expressed their joy with hands and feet, mouth and lips, but my presence bothered them. After the others had left, we confidentially discussed the sad condition of the church, and the five of us [Mrs. Claassen, Mrs. Gertrude Reimer, Brother and Sister Franz and Reimer] seemed to be of one opinion. From here I went ... to Christian Schmidt [at that time living in the Russian village of Tokmak]. They are