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

and another brother were called to be ministers, and Br. Jakob Hiebert, Sr., was called to be deacon and to take care of the poor. In the fall of 1886 these brethren were ordained by Elder David Schellenberg in the presence of Elder Abraham Schellenberg of America. In Tokultschak and its surroundings the little group of those who had been baptized on their faith was led by Br. Heinrich Philippsen, who as a preacher of the M.B. Church of Sagradovka, had moved to the Crimea. Attempts of the Adventists (Konradi, Perk) to gain entrance into the groups occasioned some disturbances but had no lasting effect. Since the gatherings in Spat were constantly growing, the members soon felt the need for a suitable church building, and they laid the matter before the Lord in prayer. Although most of the brethren were poor, the Lord gave them the courage and joy to begin, with few resources, the erection of a building in the spring of 1885. Much of the work was done by the brethren locally, and the necessary funds were obtained through brethren outside the settlement at a minimal rate of interest. With God's help and blessing, the church was able to liquidate the debt in subsequent years. The task of acquiring official approval of the church building was assigned to Br. Peter M. Friesen and Br. Johann Philipp Isaak, and God gave grace so that it was granted by the governor in the spring of 1887. Construction was completed in the fall of that year, and the building was dedicated on October 11. Many came from near and far 554 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH to share with the brethren in their joy and gratitude to God. At the same time Br. Franz Peters, minister of the M.B. Church in Altenau, Molotschna, came to Spat and served the church for two and one-half years in the proclamation of the Gospel. The brethren and sisters prayed to God for more workers because the fields had become large and "white unto harvest.” On August 26, 1890, the brethren Abram Wall (teacher in Spat, formerly a Mennonite minister), Komelius Boschmann and Daniel Friesen were appointed to the ministry of the Word, and on May 26, 1891, Komelius Boschmann, Bernhard Friesen and Daniel Friesen were ordained by the two Elders, Br. David Schellenberg and Br. Daniel Fast (of the Kuban). In that same year, the Lord called the old Br. Philippsen away from his labors and transferred him into the kingdom of eternal rest. Soon more gaps appeared in the ranks of the leadership. The brethren Abram Wall, Daniel Friesen and Bernhard Friesen, after only a brief time of service, moved away from the Crimea to the North-East in order to serve the Lord there. A new worker was given to the church in Tokultschak and vicinity in the person of Br. Johann Rahn, who on March 10, 1894, was ordained as deacon. In the year 1891 the need was felt to own a meeting place in the village of Tokultschak as well. The efforts to acquire governmental approval for the structure