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

church since October 12; he has been excommunicated because of his stinginess and deceit. N. N. [the first two] have been excommunicated because of slandering the brethren. The cows and the contract have been the cause of this. [One is able to see that earnest behavioral discipline is practiced.] ... I must tell you, dear wife, that I like this place. The most difficult burden I have is the need among the brethren, for there is almost no bread, and no money, nor do we know how to meet this need. On the day before yesterday the brethren sent me a list of the bread provisions; it was a sorry sight. Now I am supposed to give advice, but I have none; I know that the Lord still lives, and in His time He will help according to His good will .... December 18 ... . Yesterday evening [thus exactly at that time when the thunderbolts of brotherly, loving soul care were being forged in the Molotschna; compare B.B.’s letter, December 14-19, Gnadenheim], the brethren were together; everything went well, we exhorted each other in a brotherly manner, so that we will take up new courage. The Lord of peace will be with us ... . Sunday, January 3, 1866 .... Things are going fairly well here. By the grace of God, the brothers and sisters have become happy again in God's mercy. Love and unity rule again .... Johann Claassen.” b) On the same date, Johann Claassen, nephew and foster son of the former, writes to Mrs. Claassen, Liebenau: “Beloved mother! .... The dear Savior often leads His children in wonderful ways. Although He has disciplined us, He has then dealt with us in great love. Before Christmas almost everybody, or all brothers and sisters, were still lukewarm and inactive. Father once went to the Kuban [where the majority of the brethren lived, Claassen lived on the Ovetschka], to help in correcting disorder. When he returned in a week, he was completely joyous and encouraged. With a glad heart he reported what the dear Savior had done to the brothers and sisters, how all disorder had been ended, and how they now had a warm relationship .... Johann Claassen.” All of these works of repentance and purification had occurred before the arrival of the letter of B. Becker of December 14-19, and Huebert's of January 2 and 13, and of his wife’s of January 11, as may be seen from the following letters. This was that "Claassen” for whom in these difficult times brethren, such as Elder Lentzmann, and others of like mind, and B. Becker, G. Wieler and like-minded others, had only the whip of angry satyrs, or legal threats, as seen in arrogant soul care and threatening church discipline. Each is judged by his words, Claassen as well as his opponents. §186 6. At this Time the Molotschna Authorities S umm on Claassen Documentary Supplements 427 before their Court. a) Sister Claassen writes to her husband on January 11, 1865, from Liebenau: . . Now I beg you to be obedient to the brethren and come back, for God cann