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

nistry. After four years they were confirmed as preachers and Bernhard Dyck as deacon by Elder Aron Lepp. In February, 1883, the Minister Christian Schmidt of the Kuban visited the church in Friedensfeld. After his departure a great revival, which engulfed nearly every heart, broke out in the village. Prayer meetings took place every evening and there was much weeping and praying for grace. Soon some broke into tears of thanksgiving and praised God for the blessed peace of God. In April and May, 40 of these were baptized, mostly children of the members. Six were considered Baptists, because they were not of Mennonite background. The M.B. Church 1873-1885 509 b) On January 6, 1885, the church had one hundred members (not counting Sagradovka). There were two hundred and fifty adherents of Mennonite background. They lived in Friedensfeld and the immediate vicinity. In addition, twenty-four members of the Baptist Church in Michailovka, formerly known as Sacharin and Tschornoglas, were under the supervision and care of the Friedensfeld M.B. Church. (The elder of the Baptist Church, or his representative, is invited to help with difficult cases of church discipline, especially in the event of eventual excommunication.) The M.B. Church of Sagradovka was closely tied to the Friedensfeld Church through the ministry of Elder Jacob Jantz. 2. a) The church in Tiege-Sagradovka sends a report dated November, 1884, through Brother Jakob Richert (quoted freely): In 1871-1872 a new colony was established in the Province and District of Kherson. This tract of land had been purchased by the Molotschna Mennonites (Gnadenfeld and Halbstadt) from Count Katschubei for the landless. The settlers came from various areas: Molotschna, Crimea, Puchtin. Many other settlers had formerly belonged to the Molotschna, but now lived on the estates of large landowners. In 1872 six villages were established (later there were 16). Among the settlers there were three Mennonite Brethren families. “But it was more difficult for us than we had thought, because we were young in the faith and needed much spiritual care. It seemed as though we were orphans, but the Lord Jesus, to Whom we had entrusted ourselves, kept His promise: ‘I will not leave you desolate’ (John 14:18). Although we three families do not live in the same village, we looked forward with joy to Sundays, when we could come together and edify one another through the Word of God. Our desire and prayer was, not to be an offense to the name of the Lord and His Kingdom. Rather we wanted to have a part in building the Kingdom.” In the same year two more couples moved into the area, increasing the number of members. “In joy and pain and many trials the Lord kept them.” But not all of them remained faithful. The Lord took one soul to Himself through death, "and Satan succeeded in leading four souls astray. A man with the name of K.D. was used of Satan in an attempt to establish