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

nder, whether it be to excommunicate the guilty party or to forgive him; and in no case may individual members be permitted to take such action. No exception is to be made in reinstating the penitent. “5. Was the deposing of Br. Huebert 212 from his ministerial office legitimate or illegitimate? After the brethren had thoroughly discussed 438 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH the proceedings which deposed Br. Huebert from office, it was established that in a church meeting at Landskrone, when asked to account for his negligence 213 in performing the duties of his office, Br. Huebert had apologized to the church and promised to improve; in fact he had promised and resolved to lead the church in the future to the best of his ability. Thereupon the church forgave Huebert. But Br. M., who was also present, followed his own ideas anew, resumed his superior attitude, and after the conclusion of the meeting, sought out a number of brethren who had remained on his side and shared his views to agree to his plan to influence others, and then together oppose the resolution. The next day, Sunday, at the meeting in Gnadenheim, they again deposed Huebert without being able to accuse him of new offenses. Considering the course of events in this matter, since the deposition of Br. Huebert had actually been previously decided by several brethren and then imposed on the rest of the church, and since the conscience of Br. J. M. had become dis turbed at the instigation of another brother, and he had admitted at a meeting in Blumstein on June 12 and 13 that the matter with Br. Huebert was not right, the entire church meeting in Gnadenheim on June 26 and 27 declared this procedure to be unjust. “6. About the reinstatement of Br. Huebert to his office. After thorough inquiry into this matter, first the brethren on one side, who had sinned at Huebert’s deposition, confessed their wrong. Thereafter Huebert’s wrong was considered. But now it was not clear to the church whether it was the Savior’s will that Huebert should hold the office anew. Finally the church reached the consensus to let the dear Savior decide the matter through the lot. But before the church moved to the (casting of the) lot, the brethren in turn, having been previously challenged, raised their voice loudly to God with the plea to reveal His will to us. As soon as this had happened, the lot was written on a piece of paper; on one side— ‘I remember your transgressions of the last days;’ on the other side— ‘You shall again serve God in the position as before!’ Thereupon the brethren, in kneeling position, formed a circle, thus leaving an empty spot in the center. Thereafter one brother took the lot in his right hand, at the same time he as well as all the brethren lifted both hands in prayer to God, the judge of all, that the Lord of all lords would judge this matter. As the brother with the lot in his hand finished praying and said ‘ Amen,’ a powerful Amen