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

of reconciliation, joined us. We departed, having been invited to return soon.” f) “Fast 239 [Johann F., father of Johann F. from Schoenau- Rueckenau] on the hill [Neu- Halbstadt] rejoiced at our visit. He had a number of questions about Romans 9 and the assurance of salvation. [This dear and faithful old man was able to enter into the presence and joy of the Lord seven years later, having been richly comforted regarding both questions] . . . g) “After arriving in Tiegenhagen, we took up lodging at the Minister Martens’ [Jakob M., 240 minister of the Halbstadt-Ohrloff Church, and father of Johann M. of Muntau ]. After the initial greetings, the conversation turned to the subject of the mercy of God and the riches of His grace toward us poor sinners. During the discussion, his neighbor, Mr. Wiens, also arrived. He too was able to cite evidence of the wonderful love of God, which he had experienced in his life. We closed with prayer and took leave of each other. h) “In Schoenau, at Br. Fast’s, 241 we met another guest who also loved the Lord . . . i) "Blumstein, the 8th. Brother and Sister Eidsen received us warmly, and we rejoiced with them concerning the grace which we had received in Christ .... Accompanied by Br. Eidsen, we went to visit Elder Harder [Johann Harder, see above document under XVff]. He was a man simple in manner and behavior. We found the village schoolteacher there, who was also a searching soul. Nor is the elder’s wife, who was confined to bed because of illness, an empty person. Our discussion at first centered on the fellowship of the blood of Jesus our Lord, which binds us together without respect of persons. During the course of our discussion, Harder became more intimate and shared many things with us. Among other things he allowed us to read a letter received from a certain Fast in the Crimea. It revealed an intense longing for the Lord and a compelling need for spiritual fellowship. We kneeled before the Lord, with thanksgiving and prayer for ourselves, for the one who was ill, and for her home. The ill woman was not afraid to have us Documentary Supplements 451 see her tears. When we were about to leave, Harder confessed that he had not fully trusted us at first, but that in the course of the conversation he had become convinced that we spoke with integrity. He kindly asked us to forgive him his misgivings. His mistrust had been occasioned by the fact that some of our brothers had been suspicious of him and had maligned him in the presence of some of his members, who, he said, were also searching for something better k) “At Muensterberg we proceeded to teacher Siemens. 242 When we asked whether people who loved the Lord lived there, he answered joyously, ‘Yes, I love Him.’ He affectionately invited us to come in. After a short visit, we went to the village together to a certain Kliewer, who also loved the Lord [he passed away after 1900 in Herzenberg, after ma