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

al shepherds is concerned, the Word of God has not portrayed Moses, that great architect of the Old Covenant, as “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” and the Chaldean-educated prophet Daniel, for nothing. And the schools of the prophets! Furthermore, it was no accident that Paul, the professional Hebrew theologian (who was also no stranger to Holland 39 Greek wisdom) and student of Gamaliel, Barnabas and Appollo, both Greek-educated Jews (Hellenists), as well as the learned Greeks Luke, Timothy, and Titus, were placed at the side of the first apostles who were “uneducated laymen.” An observant, objective look into the Acts of the Apostles and the other books of the New Testament is sufficient to recognize what an important role the learned Paul played in the New Testament edifice, not as a consequence of his theological tr aining , but certainly with its help, after he had placed him self and everything he possessed into the service of Christ. Menno did the same. We have written concerning his education above. Through whose efforts do we possess the translations of our Bible, exegetical works, fundamental church histories, etc., without which our Christian and congregational existence would be unthinkable? Not through the work of uneducated lay ministers, even though we recognize and praise their importance and indispensability in the cure of souls and the building of the church. Indeed, when we speak of the “laity” of the eleven apostles, we should never forget that they received three years of very personal training from the “Master” Himselfl May God prevent that there should ever come a time when our congregations will only have a paid and professionally trained clergy; may He also graciously preserve them from falling back into old errors and prejudices in regard to a salaried clergy and their education! (Compare further “Elder Cornelius Warkentin.”) d) The method by which the Dutch Mennonites call and support their ministers portrayed above has its primary reason, aside from the growing religious indifference, in the fact that the Dutch Mennonites are overwhelmingly involved in trade and commerce or are professional people living in the cities (similar to the North German congregations), in contrast to the vast majority of other Mennonites scattered over the world, especially their West Prussian and Russian descendants. Just as the “four hides (of land)” are characteristic of the West Prussian Mennonites, the “Vollwirtschaft” (the same four hides) and the “Chutor” (estate) are characteristic of the Russian, or the farm of the American, even so it is typical that the Dutch Mennonite (and those of Hamburg, Danzig, Elbing, etc.) is to be found in the prosperous workshop, factory, store, warehouse, or in the bank of the East and West Indies merchants. e) We shall add to this chapter on Menno and the Mennonites, specifically the Dutch Mennonites, a suitably illuminating assessment fr