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

the church for their precipitate action and Br. Reimer was again regarded as a brother and was given liberty to make a statement to the church, and at once felt it necessary to apologize for his unrighteous walk 215 whereof the Kuban brethren and sisters would testify, if necessary. Should the Molotschna brethren and Br. Reimer come to an agreement in the case, forgive him and love one another, 216 then the Kuban brothers and sisters will also gladly forgive because they also want to have forgiveness. The brethren who 440 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH participated in Reimer’s deposition only later told Br. Huebert, who was still the minister and should necessarily have been called to counsel, thus showing great disdain for him. “10. Peter Dueck’s excommunication. Brother Dueck’s excommuni- cation also occurred one-sidedly, for which Br. [Benjamin] Becker gave occasion by the way he acted and his harshness, wherefore he also should apologize to Br. Dueck. “11. Regarding the strict prohibition of greeting others outside our fellowship with a kiss. This prohibition was already lifted 217 before the arrival of the Kuban brethren, and (it is) resolved with regard to this greeting that the brethren should allow themselves to be instructed by the Spirit of God, and should follow the same and consider that the Word of God says: When you greet your brothers, what thanks have you? [Do not the publicans the same? concludes the text, Matt. 5:46.] “12. Regarding the destruction of pictures. 218 Only incidental mention is made here regarding this matter which was concluded at the first brotherhood meeting on June 1 and 2 in Gnadenheim. The majority of the church, which did not agree with the already implemented forcible method used to motivate disobedient members to obedience, proved that the church of God has other means at her disposal to achieve obedience. In addition we note for the future, that our church members have not had any pictures of saints to revere. Brother B. shall pay for or make amends to Brother S., whose artificial partridge Brother B. tore and destroyed. Brother Peters from Gnadenheim apologized for his behavior in this matter. “13. Regarding the use of the tambourine. There have been numerous discussions regarding the tambourine in the last three 219 brotherhood meetings at which time the consensus of the majority of the brothers and sisters emerged, because— as the brethren and sisters believed— much offense and division had arisen because of the tambourine, it should not be used in the future. “14. The following as a supplement for the future regarding J. M. Br. M. who for several years, through his selfish manner and dictatorship over consciences, knew how to acquire such power that most souls feared him, even advocated a teaching that attacked the person of Christ, namely: ‘Christ had lusted to sin,’ and more such things that ran counter to the wholesome teachings of Christ. In