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

of the first year. Because more room was needed, the congregation transferred to the home of the Bernhard Dycks in the fall of 1868. In 1869, five individuals were baptized and four members (two families) moved from the Einlage Church, so that there were seventeen members by the end of 1869. Brother Jakob Jantz was, as is known, the minister of the small group, Br. Peter Fast assisted him in the preaching ministry, and Br. Bernhard Dyck was appointed deacon. For six years Br. Peter Fast was also the school teacher. The membership grew as §235 508 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH several families of the dissolving “Kleine Gemeinde” joined. Some of those already baptized in the “Jakob Wiebe Church,” also joined (cf. above, IX, “Kleine Gemeinde”) the church at Friedensfeld. The little congregation had to endure many difficult battles. Friedensfeld did not live up to its lovely name; tragic disputes and hostility caused by purely external issues and questions of honor shook the life of the church to its foundations. Close relatives and members regarded each other in a most hostile manner. The church council was drawn into the strife to its great harm. It appeared that events would take a course similar to the happenings at Blumenau. It is not a Sunday’s work to establish a “colony of brothers.” If God does not grant special grace through strong men who do not vacillate, then the "Meadow of Flowers” (Blumenau) becomes an "Acre of Thoms,” and the “Field of Peace” (Friedensfeld) becomes a “Battlefield.” Yet the Lord could help, but not without chastisement. Strong, rich members went out of the church, and God made those “poor and small” who had been mighty and wealthy, so that he might test them and save them. So this church also experienced the ful fillm ent of the promise of the Savior that “the powers of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Later the church was greatly strengthened and encouraged through the ministers Christian Schmidt and Johann Wieler, who for a time settled in Friedensfeld. Jo hann Wieler conducted a private school. The church grew, and it was felt that Friedensfeld, until then an out-station of the Molotschna Church, needed to achieve independence. Many families belonging to the “Kleine Gemeinde” emigrated to America. Members of the M.B. Church, mostly from other points, came to take their place. By the grace of God the affiliate Friedensfeld, with 45 members and 125 adherents, was organized on June 15, 1875, and became the M.B. Church of Friedensfeld. Jakob Jantz was elected elder and Christian Schmidt became associate elder. The elders Abraham Unger of Einlage and Abraham Schellenberg of the Molotschna ordained them. 307 In the fall of 1875 Peter Fast, the teacher, moved to Sergeievka and in 1878 Christian Schmidt moved to the Kuban. Since there was a need for ministers in the church, the congregation elected Benjamin Jantz and Johann Neufeld to the preaching mi