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

y regarded as one who knew nothing of freedom of conscience, but instead wanted to bind the conscience. But these brethren did not consider such things, nor that they were causing offence and vexation for many. When, however, many brothers and sisters were dissatisfied, the earlier-mentioned brethren modified their position to the extent that they said, ‘For the sake of you who are weak, and to avoid offence, we will permit this.’ But for the sake of their conscience, they could also greet various people with the kiss. And so they presented a number of brothers and sisters as being weak, while actually those regarded as weak were right, even though they had remained silent, since they did not wish to quarrel with those who thought they were strong. But this also is not right, for it is written, ‘Speak the truth, everyone with his neighbor.’ But how have things gone until this time? If anyone wished to censure an error, so that the offender might be punished, he was asked if he was really acting in love, since one might well be too harsh. There is clear evidence that up to the present day, stem [oh!] enough measures have never been taken against the deceivers [?]; Brother Martens himself now admits this. If earlier action had been taken against him, he would have repented sooner for his works. But now, dear brothers and sisters, in our fellowship things are not going to be done as they were in the past, when everyone did and taught that which seemed good to him. And they walked according to the evil desires of their hearts. . . . And also Br. Becker [Jacob] 198 and Abram Regehr, Cornelius Reimer, Sokolosky, Jakob Reimer had fellowship with Isaak Matthies before they moved away from here. It is written, II John: He who errs and does not remain with the doctrine has no God. And he who does not bring the teaching of God, of him it says: Do not receive him and do not greet him, for he who greets him becomes a partaker of his evil works. But these brothers and sisters had fellowship 422 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH with Matthies in buying and selling [!!]. Reimer of Liebenau said he did not agree with what the brethren in Landeskrone decided at their church meeting. For Isaak Matthies has fallen away from God, since he did not remain in the teaching of Christ, but erred and can have no God, but is severed from God; and with such a person, Paul says, we are not even supposed to eat. Despite all this which clearly shows that Isaak Matthies has fallen away from God, Jakob Reimer and Peter Dyck of Wemersdorf still teach that Isaak Matthies is not a person who has violated the teaching of Christ and is separated from God. Both of these brethren have been admonished several times, but they refused to be corrected; instead they argued against this. No doubt several brethren will know that Reimer was always opposed to jubilation, jumping and dancing; now he has begun to teach that those brethren were sinning w