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

is farm. The church saw this to be God’s leading and bought the property. The house was remodeled and transformed into a large meeting house. In June, 1882, the dedication of the building, together with a love feast and baptism, took place. “The joy of celebration was especially enhanced by the visit of the beloved Elder Jakob Jantz of Friedensfeld and the beloved Elder Christian Fischer of Blumenfeld. Hearts are filled with gratitude even now as the congregation thinks of the blessed hours of that day, when God blessed His own in such rich measure. We believe that God also blessed the many guests who came, which eternity will reveal. Much thanksgiving ascended to God, and the united prayer was The M.B. Church 1873-1885 511 that God might build His Kingdom. In His grace He has heard that prayer.” "May God grant that we may not be disappointed in our expectations, but that many may be added to the church as the redeemed of the Lord. God be praised eternally! Jakob Richert, Reinfeld, November 1884.” d) The membership of the M.B. Church in Sagradovka on January 6, 1885, exceeded one hundred. There were about two hundred and fifty adherents. One hundred and thirty six souls had been baptized since the founding of the congregation. So for this period the Friedensfeld- Sagradovka M.B. Church had about two hundred members, or five hundred when all adherents are counted. E. The Mennonite Brethren Church in Mariopol ("on the Plan ”) and in the Don River Area ( “on the Don River Side") up to 1885 ( 1887) This church reports through its minister and elder representative, Br. Eduard Woelk, on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the M.B. Church, January 6, 1885 (we abridge and supplement freely): This is the report of the origin and growth of the M.B. Church on the Don River Side, a) Around 1850 numerous persons experienced a revival in several villages of the Grunau Colony. (The Colony is in the Grunau Colonist territory in the District of Mariopol, or, as it is known, “on the Plan,” in the Province of Ekaterinoslav. It was founded by Lutherans and Catholics.) They assembled occasionally, spoke to one another about the Kingdom of God, and edified one another. A Wuerttemberg pastor by the name of Wuest (Neu-Hoffnung), who was a believer, visited the Lutheran pastor in Grunau and preached from time to time. A great revival occurred. In a number of villages numerous individuals gathered for fellowship, prayer and the study of the Scriptures. However, because more and more people were becoming believers, persecution set in. On one day ninety people were penalized by having to do forced labor for the church community. Also, they were subjected to very strong pressure to declare, by signature, that they "would remain in their faith.” Most signed because they feared the governing authority, but a small remnant did not. The consequence was dissension, and many returned to their old ways. b) "Aft