The Beginnings of .Mennonite· N03·SEPTEM···­ Friedensstimme

JOHN B. TOEWS

arly in the twentieth century the ERussian Mennonite periodical Friedensstimme began publication in Berlin, probably to avoid tsarist censorship. istorian It was only moved to Halbstadt, Molotschna in January, 1906, in response to the provisions of the October Manifesto A PUBLICATION OF THE MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTRE and THE CENTRE FOR MB STUDIES IN CANADA of 1905, which granted freedom of press and speech. Copies of the paper were subsequently filed with the Imperial Archives in St. Petersberg, apparently the only run of the periodical to survive. Friedensstimme did have North American subscribers but to date only a few individual copies have been found on this continent. It ceased publication with the Russian prohibition of the German language press at the outbreak of W.W.I. When the Provisional Government came to power early in March, 1917, Abraham Kroeker resumed publication deploying the title Nachtrichten des Volksfreund~ The paper appeared fairly regularly throughout Jake P. Hamm, an 83-year old resident of extending an official welcome on 1917 and during the first six months of July 1 at the homecoming and the unveiling of a Parks Canada plaque with commem­ 1918. In July, 1918, he again named the orative inscription designating the Mennonite street village as one with national historical significance. Photo: Courtesy of Conrad Stoesz. paper Friedensstimme~ Copies of this later publication were found in Stuttgart in 1970 The 125th West Reserve Anniversary Celebrations Peaked by Joseph Schnurr, then editor of Heimatbuch der Deutschen aud Russ/and this Summer and Volk auf dem Weg~ The collection unfortunately ends in August, 1918. LAWRENCE KLIPPENSTEIN Kroeker kept on publishing the paper until the summer of 1920 when he fled Russia. Currently the original 1917-1918 copies of few people wondered why we needed A year (2000) that celebration shifted to the the Volksfreund- Friedensstimme are in the a celebration when the centennial Pembina or West Reserve since its first possession of the Center for Mennonite activities of 1974 had taken place only 25 Mennonite settlers arrived at Fort Dufferin, Brethren Studies, Fresno, California. years ago. It may have been millenium or West Lynne/Emerson, in 1875, also 125 Unfortunately the earliest copies of talk that helped to get another celebration years ago. Friedensstimme have not been found. To underway. Or perhaps it was the feeling The Mennonite Historical date our only scattered clues as to its that a revisiting of this Mennonite story Society headed up the programs but much origins and content come via chance would be good for all of us somehow. initiative emerged and remained with local references in the early 20th century lions­ The August 1, 1999 experiences at The groups. The best example of this was Bote. One such reference is particularly Forks and the Mennonite Heritage Village probably the Peter Wiebe clan's decision to significant. Its editor, John F. Harms, climaxed another round of reflections on erect a memorial to recall the leadership decided to reprint the inaugural editorial of the coming of Mennonites to Manitoba in and ministry of Aeltester Johann Wiebe, the first Friedensstimme ever published. 1874. many as 3000 persons may have As the first bishop of the Reinlaender The translated contents speak for joined these worship services last year. A Mennoniten Gemeinde which formed the themselves. Several significant facts in the good deal of reporting and comment main Mennonite church body of the West document: the paper began late in 1902; it resulted also. Reserve in the early decades. made use of volunteers; it deployed modern A group of planners with the Hanover An unveiling of the Wiebe memorial promotional tactics, including subscription, Steinbach Historical Society had helped to took place on July 22 with a plaque placed specials and free gifts. There is no hint as make the former East Reserve somewhat of to how the material got from Spat, Crimea a focal point for last year's festivities. This (cant 'don p. 4) (cant 'don p. 2) Page2

Beginnings of Friedensstimme have promised their help. There are others Two samples of the Friedensstimmme, (cont'dfrom p. 1) who have also indicated their willingness each with extra copies, will be sent to to help. varoius addressses. Beginning in the new to Berlin or from what location the papers We believe that those people who have year ( 1903) it will be published every were mailed to subscribers. come under our influence by reading our second week. Those who receive the "Eine neues Blatt: "Friedensstimme." calenders also need their own paper. After samples are asked to pass them on to Zionsbote, Vol. 18 (1902), no. 47. seeking God's leading and after earnest neighbors and acquaintances after they What does Friedensstimme wish to prayer we have decided to make a move in have read them. Hopefully, many will be accomplish? A broad field of ministry has this direction. Currently we envisage able to read these [sample] copies and so opened up for us through the production, publishing one paper in November and one become acquainted with our endeavors. favorable reception and widespread in December. Beginning 1903 our paper The cost of a yearly subscription is four distribution of our two calenders (the will be published every second week. If the marks in Germany, two rubles in Russia Christliche Familienka/ender and Lord grants his blessing and gives us and one dollar in America... All Christliche Abreisskalender). Thanks and success we may in time produce a weekly subscribers will receive the first papers praise to the Lord. Our readers have publication. This will depend on the published in 1902 as long as the supply frequently expressed the wish that we wishes of our readers, the help of qualified lasts. Those who pay the year's brethren and the number of subscriptions publish a Christian periodical. It is not an subscription in advance will receive one of easy task to found and sustain such an [we can sell]. the sermon booklets Witnesses for Christ. enterprise. Such a venture generally The Friedensstimme desires to provide Whoever sends the year's subscription and encounters great difficulties since many spiritual nurture, teaching and support on adds 70 kopecks will receive the entire good Christian periodicals exist. a broadly Christian basis and in an easily sermon collection, Witnesses for Christ Futhermore since various other duties also understood language. While it desires to (valued at one ruble). Those who send in a meet the needs of the Christian community year's subscription plus 40 kopecks will demand our attention we cannot devote our full-time efforts to this task. If it were not with which we are affiliated, the paper will receive either a 1902 or 1903 yearbook for the support of volunteers the endeavor not function as its [official] organ. As a (valued at 50 kopecks). Multiple orders for would prove to be overwhelmingly rule we will try to avoid controversy but if Friedensstimme from one address can difficult. We rejoice and are encouraged called upon we will defend God's truth receive a number of these publications by the fact that several talented brothers against human error. We will seek to do since this saves postage and labor. this in the spirit of humility and Payments and subscriptions should be gentleness. Our main aim will be to serve sent to A. Kroeker. Articles and news the "scattered" strangers in the world: (1 reports from the colonies to Jacob or Mennonite Historian is published by Peter I : I) in the various communities that Abraham Kroeker in Spat near Simferopol. the Mennonite Heritage Centre of yearn for the nurture of their intellects and Mennonite Church Canada and the souls. As a true voice of peace John B. Toews teaches at Regent College, Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies [Friedensstimme) we want to present Jesus Vancouver, B.C. of the Canadian Conference of the Prince of Peace to [human] souls. We Mennonite Brethren Churches. want to warn them against sin and Editors: Abe Dueck (CMBS) unrighteousness and cause them to reflect AlfRedekopp (MHCA) on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, All correspondence and unpublished and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). manuscripts should be sent to the Though we are editorial offices at: convinced that God 600 Shaftesbury Blvd., has directed us to this Winnipeg, MB R3P OM4 task and that blessing Phone 204-888-6781 will accompany it, e-mail: obvious mistakes and [email protected] shortcomings will or manifest themselves. 1-169 Riverton Ave., We ask your Winnipeg, MB R2L 2E5 forbearance and Phone 204-669-6575 patience as well as e-mail: [email protected]. brotherly correction where necessary. Subscription rates: $9.00 per year, Helpful criticism of $16.00 for two years, $22.00 for three our work will always years. Individual subscriptions may be tl1ankfully accepted. Abraham J. and Agatha Kroeker. Abraham was the founder and be ordered from these addresses. May this modest work editor of the Friede11sstimme published by Raduga Publishing ISSN 07008066. build God's Kingdom House in Halbstadt, Molots chna, South Russia. Photo: Courtesy and glorify his name. of CMBS. Page 3

emphasis on the descendants of their son Abraham Driedger (1867-1946) who was Genealogy and Family History married to Cornelia Bergen (1872-1948) by Alf Redekopp who lived at Gruenthal near Gretna, Manitoba. The book includes many photographs and biographical sketches Recent Books Sara (Sally) Hanns. Friesen Fest Memoirs submitted by various descendants. 1998 (Winkler, MB : Harms Publishing, Contact: Tony Driedger, 62 Mallonee 2000) 117 pp. Drive, Winnipeg, MB R2G 3S2. Margaret Bergen. The Peter Peters Family Book 1855-2000 (Winnipeg, MB : Private his book documents the story of the publication, 2000) 124 pp. Tdescendants of Peter Friesen (1835- 1893) who was married to 1) Margaretha Frank Wiehler. Ed Chronik Der his book tells the story of the Sawatzky (1835-1858), 2) Anna Giesbrecht FamilieWrehler: 400 Years of History -A Tdescendants of Peter Peters (1855- (1839-1869) and 3) Katharina Klasssen Retrospective View. 2"d Edition updated 1899) and his wife Maria Diick (1855- (1850-1896). The book includes the and enlarged. (Luxemburg, 2000) 297 pp. 1915) who lived in Neuendorf, Chortitiza activities of the Friesen Reunions held in Colony, South Russia. The story of their 1996 and 1998 including the text of the his chronicle of the Wiehler family three sons, Abram Peters (1874-1962), skit depicting the journey from Russia to Twas first published on the occasion of Jakob Peters (1877-1942) and Peter Peters Fargo to Manitoba in 1874. The book has the third Wiehlertag 1995 in Weierhof, (1880-1920) includes the experiences of 220 illustrations which include photos of Palatinate, Germany. This Wiehler family World War I, the Russian Revolution and family members, ships that carried the has had reunions dating back to the first the subsequent rise of communism in the immigrants, various artifacts and much Wiehlertag held in Grunau, West Prussia Soviet Union. At least one granddaugher, more. Contact: Harms Publishing, Box in 1921 where the research of Rudolf left Russia in 1923, but the majority of 681 , Winkler, MB R6W 4A8 or phone/fax Wiehler (b. 1862) of Elbing was shared. descendants remained in the Soviet Union 204-325-4698. The Wiehlers met again in 1928, 1995 and and experienced World War II, the 2000. For several centuries before 1945, Germany occupation and the trek westward the area around Elbing, West Prussia was with the retreating German army. Some Ed & Eleanor Reimer and Erna Karlowsky. the historical centre of the family. Since descendants came to Canada and others Reimer I Braun Family Genealogy. (No then the family has dispersed in all repatriated by the Soviet Union eventually publication data, 2000) directions and may now be found in immigrated to Germany in the late 1970s Germany, Poland, Canada, the USA, Latin and early 1980s. The book contains the his compilation begins with tracing America, Africa, the South Pacific and genealogical data, many photographs and T the family history of the descendants other places. This edition is in English and all the biographical sketches in English of Johann Kornelius Reimer (1878- German. Contact: Erwin Wieler, 2251 140 and German. Contact: Margaret Bergen, 194 7)(born in Muensterberg, Molotschna) A Street, Surrey, BC V41 9R8. 405-246 Roslyn Road, Winnipeg, MB R3L and his wife Anna Braun (1876-1952) who OH2 . came to Canada in 1924 and settled at Whitewater, Mantioba. It also includes some Reimer genealogical data for earlier Tina Rempel. Rempel - Ewert Genealogy Sara (Sally) Harms. The Herman Heide generations starting with Johann Reimer History 1787-1998 (, MB : Family 1748-2000. (Winkler, MB : Harms (b. abt. 1819) who lived in Margenau, Private publication, 1998) 192 pp. Publishing, 2000) 283 pp. Molotschna. This compilation also includes the genealogical data on the his compilation includes the family his book includes information on 10 descendants of Johann G. Braun (1805- T history of Peter K. Rempel (1867- Tgenerations of Heide descendants, 1872) who lived in Muensterberg, 1957) who was born in Heuboden, Bergthal beginning with Nicholas Heide (1748- Molotschna. Contact: Eleanor Reimer, 75 Colony, South Russia, came to Canada in 1802) of Danzig who died in Einlage, Valence Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3T 3W6. 1874 with his parents and lived in Chortitza, South Russia. This book Kronsweide, Manitoba. Contact: Tina includes 404 colored and 103 black and Rempel, Box 141, Lowe Farm, MB ROG white photos, 20 maps and reproductions Anton "Tony" Driedger. Abraham & lEO . on many other documents of interest to the Kornelia Bergen Driedger Family Tree. family history. A "unique cataloguing (Winnipeg, MB : Private publication, system" is used to trace the 2000) 99 pp. maternal/paternal/marital ancestry. For example, the author's name is catalogued his compilation traces the descendants as Sara Heide-Friesen; Harms (AKA Send inquiries to Alf Redekopp, 600 T of Johann Driedger (1826) and Sally). Contact: Harms Publishing, Box Shaflesbury Blvd. , Winnipeg, MB RJP OM4 Katharina Eitzen (1823) with a particular 681 , Winkler, MB R6W 4A8. E-mai 1: aredekopp@mennoni techurch. ca. Page 4

The 125th Celebrations once knew Edenthal and Edenburg (just to 6781 and 669-6781. A Low German (cont'dfrom p. 1) the south of Neubergthal) as their home drama video can be purchased this way as villages, were recalling that wonderful time well. on the first Mennonite church building at a reunion held in Gretna and the former We want to thank all those who helped (now a community centre), erected in the site of Edenburg just to the east of town. make these celebrations possible, and who village of , Manitoba (west of Four hundred or more people were present supported the program financially. If you Gretna) in 1876, and a cairn at the old at each of these occasions. would like to make your own gift to help, cemetery of the village of Rosengart, not By then family gatherings of the region contact the number given above. We hope far away, where Wiebe resided at the time. had begun. Voths were meeting at Morden you were able to take part somewhere on . A special West Reserve history insert that weekend, while Heinrichs (at Gretna), th~ 1251h celebrations program, last year or Issued on June 26 in the local papers of Schroeders (at Altona), Wiebes (two this one, and blessed by doing so. Altona, Winkler, Morden and Carman had different clans, at Providence College, Otterburne and Reinland/Rosengart), helped to raise awareness of what was to The Post Road (part 2) Hoeppners (at Steinbach, East Reserve, and come. It also invited readers to come to by Conrad Stoesz Fort Dufferin on the Red River (just north Waldheim, West Reserve), Epps (at Winnipeg) and Bergens (at Gretna) were of Emerson) to commemorate the arrival of Before the Post Road was established gearing up for gatherings of their own the first Mennonite families of the area. two expeditions made significant trek~ perhaps others, very specifically put a visit Some 1500 persons responded to the through the area. The Boundary Trails to Fort Dufferin on their own program. invitation on Sunday, July 16. For most Commission began at Fort Dufferin in Then came the August 26 Post Road people it was a first visit to this locality. 1873. It went south to Pembina and then Memorial Trail inaugural tour to cap all The tent set up for the occasion could not followed the Pembina River to what these events, as it were. It took two bus hold all the attendees. However, the became Gretna. Here it split into two loads of celebrants from Fort Dufferin pleasant Dufferin park surroundings, good groups, one continuing to follow the where the first memorial post was put i~ weather and few mosquitoes, and, of Pembina River into the US, and the other place, all the way across the former West course, the excellent contributions of a going in a northwesterly direction. The Reserve to a community now extinct wide-ranging number of speakers and latter group camped at the site where Mountain City, located about seven mile~ music groups gave a good space for the two Reinland was later established. From here south of Morden and adjacent to Stanley programs of the day. An afternoon the Boundary Trails Commission made its Park. worship service and a Christian music way to Mountain City. The southern Here the last post of the memorial trail concert in the evening brought an inspiring group, after coming to St. Joseph (now was put in place, while Rev. Abe Rempel of focus to the gathering. Walhalla) followed the foot of the Pembina the Old Colony Mennonite Church shared By that time, the communities of the Hills to meet the other at Mountain City. some very meaningful remarks as he area had several earlier equally significant Here the two groups joined again and compared the new memorial trail to the events behind them. One was the June continued west. spiritual trail on which God wants to lead 30/July 1 village of Neubergthal unveiling The following year, 1874, the North His people in life. Ten sites, all twelve of of a ne:w sign set up to highlight the village ~est Mounted Police also began its which were also given a lectern-mounted as national historic site, so designated by maugural ride through the prairies at Fort plaque to highlight the place of these Parks Canada, and hosted by the local Dufferin. They hugged the 49th parallel communities on the Post Road many heritage society. Not far away, and almost and rode straight west, camping overnight decades ago. simultaneously (on July 1-2) people who near the present day town of Gretna, and A series of radio spots of then continued until they found another CF AM/CHSM had natural campsite, the location that is now brought Mennonite Reinland. From here they continued in a heritage vignettes to northwesterly direction to Mountain City listeners throughout the and further west. While these two treks summer. Some of these proceeded through what became the West will reappear as a Reserve, both of them always stayed south special column in the of what became the Post Road. 25 local papers cited here The Post Road was thus a road in its earlier on. Copies of the own right. It became more traveled and insert published on these important with the instillation of the themes and a special markers. There were stopping points along West Reserve souvenir the way and some people opened up their pin are still available for homes to travelers. Most notably were the those interested. Papers Flags ~oday mark the entrance to historic Fort Dufferin on the David Schellenberg family in are with the editors of Red R!ver near Emerson where Mennonites first landed in 1875 Neuanlage26and the Jacob Giesbrecht to begm .settlement of the Manitoba Mennonite West Reserve. the towns and the pin fam~ly i~ Reinland. 27 The Schellenberg Mennomtes returned to the site 125 years later for a worship can be had by calling family did not lock their doors at night so and,celebration program in a large tent on July 16. Photo: Conrad Stoesz at 888- Courtesy of Elmer Heinrichs, Page 5

that the weary travelers could enter the to take advantage of this new well-marked Numerous factors should be considered. house, find a spot on the floor, and get road. The route is marked on an 1882 By 1883 the road was no longer used as a some rest. When waking in the morning, federal postal map. 39 Emerson was the colonization route. 48 In 1884, the newly the Schellenbergs never knew how many central location for distributing mail as far established municipal government began to guests they would have on their floor. 28 At west as Nelsonville, Manitoba. 40 These give more attention to roads and their times as many as fourteen people took circumstances together allowed the upkeep.49 When the Post Road was refuge over night there. 29 Further west, just threefold increase in agricultural output to established there was no land drainage. outside the village of Neuhorst, William be brought to market in Emerson. 41 Each farmer drained his own land as he Brown established a hotel30• This hotel and While the Post Road facilitated better saw fit. Once firmly established on the livery bam was considered the best and faster travel, it also brought new issues prairies, the farmers were able to break accommodations anywhere in the west to the communities. During the winter of more ground for crop production. In according to the 1882, travelers along the Post Road addition, new settlers and new machinery Times. 31 In an August 31, 1881 letter from brought, and presumably helped spread, put greater demand for land to be the Land Surveyor office in West Lynn, diphtheria in the Mennonite settlements. cultivated. In 1885 the village system A.F.A. Martin states that the Brown Many graves were dug in the frozen began to break down. This affected the property had one large two-story hotel ground "by men who had hardly the trails which connected them. Farmers measuring 40 x 36 feet which cost five strength to do it. "42 It also brought in a began to petttlon the municipal thousand dollars. The barn measured 56 x foreign language into the settlement. For government to allow them to plow up the 32 feet and cost one thousand, six hundred Mennonites, the German language was trails and roads on their property. While dollars. Other buildings on the property important It provided a way of keeping this was a slow process, farmers through measured 60 x 25 feet and 12 x 18 feet, separate from the world and holding the 1890s continued to plow up more and which together were worth eight hundred church and family close together. David more land. Even the government road dollars. 32 Brown settled on the land in Schellenberg of Neuanlage states in his allowances were not safe. In 1891, notices December of 1879, after he bought the land recollections that the English settlers as far were published in newspapers warning from a certain Mr. Stevenson.33 In 1881, west as Killarney took shelter in his farmers to allow for the ninety-nine foot Brown was given permission to erect a new parent's home. These people, with their road allowance.50 "first class" stable and hotel on the new language, gave the young David a Until about 1900, only main section property. 34 The establishment of such a chance to learn English. 43 roads, which were six to eight miles apart, business in the heart of the Mennonite The people who traveled the Post Road existed. It is unlikely that the important West Reserve did not sit well with the soon realized that the oak44 posts needed Post Road fell victim to the farmer's plow Mennonite leadership. They tried to have replacing due to weathering and perhaps until more of the road allowances were him removed from the reserve, but Brown due to people needing firewood. Muller established and graded, which began to retaliated by garnering over 3 50 signatures contacted the local representative in the happen after 1900, and was almost of people who supported him and his provincial legislature for help in completed by 1914. 51 The smaller trails to business, many of them from Emerson and maintaining these posts. On May 25, 1881, wells and other villages naturally would West Lynn. The signatures show that there the provincial assembly passed "An Act to have been the first to be worked under. were many non-Mennonites who traveled protect guide posts along certain roads in Drainage on a large scale began in the Post Road and believed that such a this Province".45 This legislation introduced 1902, when the Rural Municipality of stopping place was of importance. In the by Mr. Greenway stated that anyone found Rheinland undertook a large drainage end the government decided to allow destroying or mutilating the posts would be project, which was completed twelve years Brown to remain on the land. 35 subject to a ten dollar fine. This is one of later in 1924.52 It is possible that with the The road's importance as a trade route the first laws in Manitoba governing road (cant 'don p. 8) grew substantially. In an 1883 article the travel. 46 Southern Manitoba Times reports The eastern portion of travelling " ... behind one of Shortreeds's the Post Road remains The Post Road fast nags we were soon bowling along at a today, with the most easterly lively gait along the famous Post Road .. . "36 portion incorporated into the ;~~1·) ~~ Business men, farmers, and stage coaches provincial road number 243. all traveled along the road.37 Open prairie, The western portion is no fields of grain, villages, hotels and longer in use, having sawmills were found along the way. become parts of farmers' Teams of horses that hauled freight along fields and pastures. By the Post Road would pull an average 1930 virtually no trace of weight of one to two tons. The distance the western part of the Post they traveled was determined by various Road is visible on aerial factors such as weather and road photography.4 7 conditions, the maximum distance being It Olga Krahn, designer of the sign at the junction of Highway is unclear as to when 75 and 243 marking the Mennonite West Reserve Post Road about thirty miles a day. 38 and exactly why the Post Memorial Trail which officially opened on August 26, 2000. It did not take long for the mail service Road came into disuse. Photo: Courtesy of Conrad Stoesz Page 6

Guide to Holding On the Web Grants Received Since the end of August the description T he Mennonite Heritage Centre is very ~ of approximately 60 fonds or grateful for every financial contri­ Mennonite Heritage Centre collections including the detailed file lists bution it receives. Financial assistance has 600 Shaftesbury Blvd Winnipeg MB Canada R3P OM4 have been accessible as MS Word files to been received this year in the amount of be downloaded from the MHC Web site. $1,786 from the Government of Canada The description of each collection includes through the National Archives of Canada the following key elements of description: and the Canadian Council of Archives for MHCNews title, dates of creation, physical extent of some additional shelving and archival the material, a biographical sketch or an supplies for storing photographs. Two Staffing Update administrative history of the creator of the other federal government programs, records and a description of the scope and Summer Career Placement and Young he Resources Commission of content of the collection. There are also Canada Works granted a total of almost TMennonite Church Canada on June often other notes about the history of the $6,000 to hire summer students to work as 12th announced the appointment of Alf collection, when and who donated it and if archival assistants. All of these projects Redekopp as Mennonite Heritage Centre there are any restriction with regards to were perfonned on a cost -shared basis. Director, a transition from the interim access or use. Financial assistance in the amount of position he held since November 1999. In The web site is still very much in the $5,000 was received from Mennonite addition to working at the Mennonite process of being developed. Only a small Foundation of Canada toward the writing Heritage Centre on a part-time basis since portion of our holdings are described at our of the David Toews Biography. 1994, Alf worked at the Centre for website. We plan to add many more in the For the operation of the Mennonite Mennonite Brethren Studies as archivist future. We will continue to add to our site Heritage Centre Gallery we thank and since 1987. items which describe our holdings so that acknowledge the Vine and Branch The Mennonite Heritage Centre is also people can know of the magnitude of our Foundation, the P.W. Enns Family please to announce that Conrad Stoesz has historical resources. It is also hoped that Foundation, the DeFehr Foundation, been appointed as half-time archivist, also researchers will be able to much better Palliser Furniture Limited, the Winnipeg a transition from the interim position held prepare for research visits and make the Foundation and individual supporters. since January. most of the time spent at the Centre. Connie Wiebe, Archives secretary, will Keep checking our website period­ be working the equivalent of three days a ically for new additions. The address is: Funds Needed to Manage week spread over four days, as she adds www . mbnet.mb . ca/~mhc/ . additional responsiblities at the Canadian the Memory Mennonite University Bookstore from September to April. he mission of the Heritage Centre Tcould be described using the image of managing memory. We do this by collecting, arranging and preserving the resources of lasting historical value, by interpreting our story and by proclaiming God's work among us. There is a lot of memory to manage. If we made one stack out of all the papers in the archives vault, it would be as high as the CN Tower. Our goal is to make it useful to the church and others seeking to understand the past in order to inspire greater faithfulness in the present and vision for the future. You can contribute beyond your subscription to the Mennonite Historian We need to receive $26,000 by January 31, 2001. Your gift of$100, $200, $500, $,1000 or $5 ,000 is needed. AR

MHC Director AlfRedekopp with summer student archival assistants Kelli Downey, Shauna Weiss and Myron Dyck. Photo: Courtesy of Conrad Stoesz. Page7

where required. CENTRE FOR In addition to the • CD many hours of work Mennonite by staff persons, a ... 1 Brethren i number of volunteers • Studies mCANADA helped at various 1· 169 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2L 2ES times. The move was very time-consuming, but it also provided a good opportunity to Canadian Council of reorganize the Archives Grants materials and integrate collections hen the Winkler Bible School was that had become Wclosed several years ago, a large separated because of a collection of documents, photographs and Boxes, boxes, and more boxes. Photo: Courtesy of Conrad Stoesz. lack of space. In a other materials were received by the Centre number of instances for Mennonite Brethren Studies. Conrad CMBS on the Move decisions had to be made about whether or Stoesz has begun processing a collection of not to keep materials that were of doubtful approximately 5000 photographs and fter several delays Concord College historical value. As a result of this process slides. The work consists of background Ahas moved to the new site of the and the expanded facilities, the Centre research, culling, identifying, arranging Canadian Mennonite University, the Centre should have sufficient space for quite a and describing these items. This project for Mennonite Brethren Studies is finally number of years in the future. Service to was made possible by financial assistance able to occupy new space in the former the public should also be improved because ($5555.00) from the Government of library and administrative offices section of of the proximity to the main Conference Canada through the National Archives of the building. Hundreds of boxes of offices and better accessibility. Canada and the Canadian Council of documents, books and other materials were The Centre welcomes visitors to see Archives. first moved from the basement location to the new facility as well as to utilize the rich Financial assistance was also received the main floor. The shelving was then resources available. Access to the Centre from the same source for several other dismantled, moved and reassembled in the is at the main reception desk of the projects. The largest was a grant of new location. Finally, materials were Canadian Conference offices on the second $5000.00 to help purchase additional reshelved with provision for new accessions floor. shelving as part of the larger relocation project of the Centre. Finally, a grant of $429.95 was received under the Johan F. Kroeker File at CMBS Preservation Management Program for archival supplies. The Centre is grateful for these contributions which enable it to D ecently the Canadian Mennonite (June gives some information about the family, carry on its work more effectively . .Rl6, 2000) and The Mennonite (June including the names and birthdates of the 20, 2000) carried an article on Johan F. Kroeker children. It also gives an excerpt and Susana Schowalter Kroeker, two of the of a 1932 letter which Johann Kroeker first General Conference missionaries to wrote to his family from prison. India. The article reported on how Tina In addition to these materials, a letter Block Ediger had discovered the which Johann Kroeker wrote to the editor grandchild of the Kroekers, Albert Friesen, of the Mennonitische Rundschau who with his wife Elizabeth and their published on October 24, 1923 (p. 8), was children had settled near Reinland, discovered. This letter was written from Manitoba in 1997. Albert's mother, Lilli Pavlodar, Siberia and appealed to North Friesen Kroeker, a daughter of Johan and American Mennonites for help to come to Susana, had first migrated to Germany the United States. The letter indicates that from Russia in 1979. Lilli died there in the family consists of six persons, and the 1987. names and ages of the four children are Coincidentally, Alf Redekopp, after indicated. Strangely, there is some reading the story, happened upon the discrepancy between these and the names Kroeker file at CMBS. The file came to and birthdates which Lilli gives in her CMB S after Lilli wrote to the 1986 letter to the MR. Johan F. and Susanna Kroeker with the five in 1986. With AD children born to them in India taken ca. Mennonitische Rundschau 1908. Others on the photo may include her letter she had enclosed several Anna Funk and the P.A. Penners. Photo: photographs, postcards, etc. The letter Courtesy ofCMBS. Page 8

Namaka Mennonite Reunion group in singing of old and new favorites. Letters to the Editors by Henry and Erna Goerzen A quartet and other musical contributions brought back memories with beautiful and Re. Post Road I read the article on the Post Road n July 28 -30, 2000 more than 160 timeless German songs. O There was a buzz of conversation as (VoLXXVI, No. 2, June 2000), and found folk gathered at Covenant Bible it very interesting. My background is College in Strathmore, Alberta, to revisit old friends and acquaintances met, some of whom hadn't seen each other for 60 years, Swiss Mennonite so I know little about this 75 years of experience since the beginning material. I recalled some of my summer of the Mennonite Settlement in the Nama­ exclaiming in delight as they recognized each other. Some came to revisit the place experiences in VS with MCC, and meeting ka area. At that time Namaka was already people from , Gnadental, etc., on the map of Alberta as a place "where where their families had once lived, and the bus tour of the area gave reality to what who must be from this region. the trails meet," a converging of the Cana­ I have read My Canadian Journal by dian Pacific Railway and the Blackfoot had only been hearsay before. The school sites, the church, the tree shaded picnic Lady Dufferin. She includes an account of Indian Reserve. meeting Russian Mennonites (Aug. 5, Thirty-six young Mennonite families grounds by the backwater of the Bow River, gave rise to many happy memories, 1877) who "are getting along very well ... from Soviet Russia had arrived in those They are good settlers and in addition to early years and, with the help of the and the visit to the church cemetery was opportunity to remember and honor those the virtues of sobriety and industry they add Canadian Mennonite Board of the advantage of bringing money into the Colonization, they were settled onto about who had once lived here and gave so much. country." 20 sections of land held by George Lane She mentions meeting a Mr. Jacob Co. and the Dominion Bank. The During the Sunday morning worship service, recognition was given to the five Peters on August 21 ("the Mennonites' beginnings were indeed difficult as they most learned man") who gave a speech lacked capital and adequate housing; hail still living original settlers, now all over 90 years of age. The three who were present there, with a Mr. William Hespeler and drought were prevalent, and the Great translating. Pages 255-258 are about Depression was soon upon them. Not all were Mrs. Mary Thiessen, Mrs. Margaret Willms and Mr. David Penner. Mennonites. She states, "The only fault is of the settlers came with farming that the stables open into the living rooms. experience. These conditions caused many The closing challenge was given by John Wall, a local Namaka boy who The inhabitants will gradually leave off this to move to other parts of Alberta and nasty plan, but it is their devotion to their Canada, particularly Ontario. Today only became an educator in secular and Christian institutions of learning in North cattle which makes them wish to have them about 12 families that descended from the so near. The village herdsman and the original settlers remain. A comment from America, a missionary in South America village schoolmaster are the only two paid one who stayed in the area was: "We were and an administrator for mission work. His message, "Celebrating God's labourers in the Mennonite vineyard. The brought to this country to develop and clergyman receives no pay". teach agriculture. That is why we came Faithfulness from Generation to Generation", based on Psalm 100 I am from the US originally and am and that is why we stayed." This calling still amazed at how "young" Canada is. has largely been carried out. The highlighted the gathering. He encouraged each listener to see his/her own life as part Lady Dufferin writes about all of Canada Mennonite farmers of Namaka have east to west, but indicates that to get t~ become successful and have been active in of God's bigger picture, which includes the Vancouver they go by train through Salt the development of agriculture in the past and its heritage, the present, whether joyful or difficult, and to look to the future Lake City! community and beyond. Rachel Schmucker Those who moved on see their as the forefathers did when they came t~ Markham, Ontario Namaka experience as having been the this land- rejoicing in God's faithfulness staging area for their departure to eventual through all generations. locations and vocations. They have made A longer account of this event, as well their mark in the service industries as the text of John Wall's message will be Re: Old maps and drawing professions, in secular and religion~ with the Mennonite Historical Society of discovered schools and on the mission field. They, as Alberta. well as the people who stayed, have left Checking through my letters from The Chair of Meiillonite Studies presents their forefathers' isolationism and have Gerhard Wiens he points out that the map integrated into the community and culture History of (mentioned in the Mennonite Historian around them It is there that they serve and Aboriginal-Mennonite Vol.XXVI, No. 2, June 2000) was in fac~ witness to their faith. Relations purchased by his wife's father, a Russian The reunion was a celebration of life at Mennonite from Kansas visiting Molochna 2000 Weekend Symposium the Namaka settlement and in dispersion, October 12-14, 2000 in 1914 from a relative - a Dirks who and of God's faithfulness from generation Eckhardt Gramatte Hall, owned a store in Gnadenheim (Letter dated to generation. The initiator, Abe Quiring University ofWiill1ipeg AprillO 1987). In the same letter Gerhard and his helpers, planned and worked states he had spoken with their neighbour tirelessly to make such an event possible. For more information call Hedwig Dyck who recalled that when the Art Wall from St. Catharines, Ont., led the Royden Loewen at 204-786-9391 map first appeared there had been some Page 9

uproar. Her father and Johann Janzen were of some 500 desiatin. Three verst west from his Original Mennonite Homesteaders and Some accused of being German spies and place he owned another estate also of about 500 Burial Plots of the Mennonite West Reserve threatened with Siberian banishment, but desiatin. Next was Johann Martens with 600 Manitoba (Altona, Manitoba: John Rempel and desiatin and then Isbrand Rempel with 600 they managed to convince the authorities William Harms, 1990), p.4. desiatin. Two verst southwest lived Jakob 26. Enns, pp. 4, 6. that the map was for school children. One Klassen who owned about 700 desiatin. Two 27. Ens, p.47. part of the railway shown was only built in verst north of Helenenfeld lived Johann 28. Telephone interview with Ingvar Lundin. 1913 and the map was purchased in 1914 Sudermann, owner of about 800 desiatin of 29. The Altona Echo, Progress Edition, (Altona which suggests a date probably in late 1913 land. Two verst north lived Johann Enns also Manitoba, September 7, 1949), p. np. or early 1914. with 800 desiatin. About three verst north lived 30. Enns, p.ll. Also regarding Taschtschenak, your Nikolai Rempel with some 800 desiatin. 31. John Dyck, "From Paper on Isaak Muller", note identifying the Wiens estate with Nearby lived Wilhelm Martens with 500 January 8, 1999, p. I. Cornies is incorrect. A number of estates desiatin. Three verst east lived Abram Reimer 32. Copy of letter from A.F.A. Martin, August with 1000 desiatin. Next was Dietrich Friesen were named thus after the local river and 31, 1881, in author's possession. with 1000 desiatin. Two verst north lived the Wiens estate was an independent 33. Copy of"Statement made by Mr. W. Brown Johann Martens with about 500 desiatin. Three with reference to Section 11, Tp.IR3W.", purchase from Cornies. The following verst northeast lived a Briiul with 500 desiatin. December 28, 1887, in author's possession. item entitled "Mennonite estate of Old Taschtschenak 12 verst south of 34. Enns, p.ll. Taschtschenak in southern Russia" is Melitopol was started by Johann Cornies, the 35. Letter to Mr. Brown from the Department of written by Gerhard Wiens himself. reformer from Molochna. His grandson still the Interior, and research done by the late John lived on this estate before the Revolution. It Dyck, now in the author's possession. My information about the Gutsbesitzer in consisted of about 1000 desiatin. Cornies' 36. Enns, p.36. Russia will start with Taschtschenak which was granddaughter, a Mrs Neufeld, lived close by 37. Enns, p.ll. located about 18 verst from Melitopol and 18 on an estate of about the same size. The Klatts 38. Enns, p.ll. verst from Fedorovka, the first railroad station also lived in this area. 39. J. Dewr, Chief P.O. Inspector, "Map of north ofMelitopol. In the Taschtschenak area At Brotsky, about 50 verst west of Manitoba Showing Post Offices and Mail were 18 estates which varied in size. The area Melitopol were a number of estate owners Routes", Ottawa, December 1882, at the was named after a small river, Taschtschenak (a including Jacob Willms, Johann Schroeder, Provincial Archives of Manitoba, H3 614.2 gmd Turkish or Tartar name), which flowed south Peter and Johann Dick and Thomas Martens. 1882. into the Azov Sea. They owned large estates ranging from I 000 to 40. John Dyck, "From Paper on Isaak Muller", Our estate was about 22 verst southwest 2000 desiatin. Near Fedorovka was located January 8, 1999, p.l. from the colony (village) of Altonau in the Falz-Fein's original estate with some 2000 41. Enns, p.lO. Molochna colony. It consisted of an area of desiatin of land." 42. Henry J. Gerbrandt, Adventure in Faith, 765 desiatin. My mother's father, David D. James Urry, Victoria University, (Altona, Manitoba: The Bergthaler Mennonite Schroeder. had first rented the land from the Wellington, New Zealand Church of Manitoba, 1970), p.l39. government and in 1848 he purchased the land. 43. David Schellenberg, "Highlights of My In the 1870s my grandmother, Helene Life", 1944, translated by Susan Schroeder at Schroeder, bought more land (2850 desiatin) Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives, Volume from Prince Svjetopolk-Mirsky. This land was The Post Road 4673, File 25. seven verst from our place and was called (cont 'd from p. 5) 44. Elizabeth Bergen "Gretna Was Once Bald Helenenfeld. Around 1900 my father bought Prairie", in Red River Valley Echo, June 14, about 2950 desiatin from two sisters by the drainage of the land, people could now 1972, p. 4. name of Mordvinov. They belonged to the travel along the road allowances and 45. Enns, p.l2. Russian nobility. This land was located 12 verst farmers could cultivate all of their land. 46. Enns, p.l2. south ofMelitopol on the Molochnaia River. It 47. The Natural Resources, Aerial Photography Wherever the Post Road was not a part of was called Mordvinovka. A little later father branch has aerial pictures of the area as early as bought 800 desiatin of land at 500 rubles a the grid system, it was cultivated and put 1930. No trace of the Post Road could be found desiatin from Mr Fein, a Lutheran Gutsbesitzer. into agricultural production. The one around the villages ofNeuhorst, Osterwick, and This land was adjacent to Helenenfeld. About thing that appears to have survived from Reinland, except for a hint of a path or road on half the area of land on the Helenenfeld and the western portion of the Post Road, is in the south side of Schoenwiese. It looks like a Mordvinovka estates was rented out to local the village ofReinland where, in a pasture, short cut that ran diagonal to the road Russian villagers. Father said they desperately one bridge piling remains from a bridge allowance. needed more land. that was on the Post Road. 48. Warkentin, p.253. Our neighbour, about one verst north, was People in the area still refer to the 49. Warkentin, p.255. Heinrich Schroeder who owned about 1000 50. Warkentin, p.255. eastern portion of the road as "the Post desiatin. Two verst north was Aron Martens 51. Warkentin, p.256 Road". When asking for directions, to a who owned about 1500 desiatin. He owned 52. Mel Reimer, "Rheinland RM incorporated another estate of 1500 desiatin near Sofievka certain house, people would explain that it in 1884 with 1,895 People", in Centennial the first rail station north of Zaporozha is a certain distance from the Post Road. Section, The Red River Valley Echo, Wednesday [Alexandrovsk- in Ekaterinoslav]. Over 100 years after the Post Road was December 20, 1967, p. 15. Three verst north of our estate lived Paul established, it still plays a part in the life Martens who owned about 1200 desiatin. and history of the people and the area. Across the river from us lived Heinrich Martens Conrad Stoesz works as part-time archivist with some 1200 desiatin of land. Next to him, Endnotes at the Centre for MB Studies and the about one verst south, lived David Enns owner 25. John Rempel and William Harms, Atlas of Mennonite Heritage Centre in Winnipeg. Page 10

Book Reviews people descending upon a new and themselves, but also to explore the pattern (cont 'd from p. 12) unfamiliar land where through hard work of myths and in the process of and perseverance different waves of remembering" (p. 14). discovered by literary or cinematic artists Mennonite immigrants made a new life for Apart from the treatment of women's and the experiences of the Mennonite themselves amidst several different history and changing roles, both writers community replete with stories of war, cultures, the question should be posed as touch on the related topic of ethnic identity. conflict, sacrifice, heroism and an to whether this is success or yet another Epp traces Mennonite ethno-religious adventurous spirit will achieve a broader form of colonialism. The authors never identity from the Netherlands to Prussia to audience. When that happens a rich story seem to pose any of these critical questions Russia, and how they came to be identified imbued with faith, culture and an but rather are bent on presenting a as Germans in the USSR Thiessen details indominitable spirit will be more fully triumphal recounting of immigration, her identifying herself as Mennonite and revealed. economic and social development. not German from an early age, and makes Stoesz and Stackley's well-illustrated Nevertheless, the book overall is a the distinction clear: "I was conscious of story is rather atypical of usual historical good read and quite informative. But it the fact that my Mennonite ancestors were narratives focusing on a particular does beg the question of where and what Dutch, not German. We Mennonites were location. Replete with many photographs the rubs have been and continue to be both different from the German Germans, living and illustrations, the book frequently seeks within the Mennonite community and in Germany, but also those of German to tell individual stories of people as a over-against the Aboriginal and larger ancestry, living in Poland" (p. 370. As means of describing significant events Paraguayan cultures. Perhaps for that we well, nearly every story relates the rather than merely recounting events in should not look to the writers of history but difficulties subjects encountered in broad perspective. This gives a more rather let the artistic community probe maintaining their ethical standards while personalized touch to the book, hence those issues. Can the historian ever get fighting for their families' survival. greater interest for general readership. It beneath the surface of events and lives of While Epp's focus is on the thousands definitely helps the book rise to the top of the people the way the artist can? of Mennonites of Soviet Russia who the heap of the many community histories "experienced the full impact of Stalinist now being written. oppression during the 1930s and the The authors have also employed good E.S. Thiessen and A. Showalter. A life reluctant disintegration of Mennonite formatting features in the book. The displaced. A Mennonite woman's flight community life" and were able to flee the frequent use of sidebars to present from war-torn Poland (Kitchener, ON: Soviet regime, later emigrating to Canada important facts and interesting little Pandora Press,2000) pb., 217 pp. and Paraguay (p. 9), Thiessen's narrative stories, at times illustrated with a M. Epp. Women without men. Mennonite relates the Prussian Mennonites' photograph, enhances the general layout of refugees of the Second World War displacement and emigration in the same each page, a technique that makes for less (Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press) stream. These are the authentic accounts of tiring reading because each page is pb., 245 pp. people caught between the Communists attractive and different. and the Nazis. While divided into four parts, in Reviewed by Helene Friesen, Der Bote Thiessen draws readers into the brief, essence the book has two major sections. Indexer, Mennonite Heritage Centre, idyllic life she and her family and The first of these major sections is entitled Winnipeg neighbours led on their farms and in "Strangers Become Friends in the villages, a small island of Mennonites near Wilderness" and the second is "Building oth these books focus on women's Warsaw, Poland, before Hitler's armies Community in the Wilderness." The first B lives as they were prior to, during and invaded and shattered their world. large section covers the various groupings following World War II, one from a very Relations with their Polish neighbours that came together in the Chaco, including personal, subjective perspective, the other deteriorated; the war brought hardships, the Paraguayan Government, local from a more detached, objective and the limiting of options, induction into work Aboriginals as well as the various waves of analytical perspective. and indoctrination camps and eventually Mennonite immigration. The second Encouraged by her family and friends, separation from family as the unsought war section covers topics of economics, Thiessen relates her straightforward rolled over them. Most appalling was life education, health infrastructure governance narrative after a prolonged interval: "When after the Soviet defeat of the German army. and religion. These two sections are really I came to Canada, I built a wall between No detail is spared in the description of the the heart of the book and framed within an myself and Europe, and I wanted to keep brutal post-war atrocities imposed on the introductory brief history of the country the memories behind that wall. They population by the Polish/Soviet authorities. and concluding with a couple of chapters stayed there for 40 years ... " (p. 29). For after the war, Thiessen declares, the on the Paraguayan Mennonite community Epp's post-doctoral book is based on new Polish government could not find the at the end of the 20th century. "memory sources" --oral interviews, pub­ many German government officials who Where the book breaks down a bit is in lished and unpublished autobiographies had already fled, to kill them or take them the constant theme of recounting each and memoirs-recollections of the past prisoner. So instead, they took prisoners of Mennonite Paraguayan experience as a which she uses "in a traditional sense to those "enemies" who remained- mothers series of success stories. While it is true provide anecdotal and qualitative evidence and children, women of all ages and some that the entire story is one of an immigrant from the lives of refugee immigrants older men... . Surviving the horrendous Page 11

and shameful things that happened after come to terms with life. skill of an experienced journalist and the the war was the hardest part (p. 168). The inclusion of photographs and, in fascinating insights of a Saskatchewan Her escape to the West, assisted partly Thiessen's book a map and numerous Mennonite boy experiencing the world and by MCC workers and many strangers but documents telling her story, and in Epp's describing it to the Canadian public. also accomplished owing to her courage, is book an appendix of tables of pertinent My Old Order Heritage is Mary Ann nothing less than heroic, as is so much of statistics, the extensive bibliography and Horst's updated and expanded (to 44 the conduct of the mothers and daughters index, add immensely to the enjoyment of pages) popular booklet (now in its lith who endured. Yet, she declares that her both books. printing) first published in 1970. Horst, strength came from God and that she is The insights gained from Epp's and from the Kitchener area, is a popular grateful for how good God had been to her. Thiessen's recounting of women's author who has also written on She speaks of loslassen, a letting go of any experiences go far in our gaining an Pennsylvania Dutch folklore, the Kithener anger at those who maltreated her, and understanding of the turmoil ordinary Farmers' Market, and similar topics. "freeing myself of the chaos that had so people suffer as a result of war. If one Esther Patkau has compiled a brief long entangled me" (p. 170). Having told objective of the writers was to weave (16-page) 50th anniversary booklet of her story, she came to know peace. memories into history, that intent has CMBC's first graduating class (Class of Epp begins her study with the undoubtedly been achieved. Both volumes 1950). Photographs and brief biographies aftermath of the Stalin's Great Purges stand as significant and valuable of the twelve graduates and their families upon the Mennonite villages of Ukraine, contributions to published history. are included. when the men were arrested by the secret Sociologist Leo Driedger's Mennonites police at night and sent to slave-labour in the Global Village (Toronto: University camps, never to be heard from again, Book Notes of Toronto Press, 2000, 264 pages, $24.95 leaving thousands of disintegrated families. by Ado/fEns pb) analyses the impact of modem and The hardships that women experienced postmodem influences on North American prior to the war were temporarily and ohn J. Bergen, Edmonton, has published Mennonites, who now represent only 39% partially alleviated with the German Jthe literary output of his late wife, Hilda of global Mennonite membership. Driedger advance into Ukraine but later, as the Lohrenz Bergen. Hilda's Pilgrimage (200 has followed demographic changes among civilian population evacuated ahead of the pages, $12) contains well over a hundred Canadian Mennonites for some time and Soviet army's push westward, greatly items, over half of them brief poetic has participated keenly in much of the intensified. They become refugees fleeing compositions. Most of them were written recent Mennonite identity debate. Together the Soviet "liberation" and the ensuing for family and out of family experiences. with fellow sociolgists Kaufmann and atrocities. Eventually the survivors Mennonite history buffs will appreciate the Harder, he has published two volumes immigrated to the virtual wilderness of glimpses into Gerhard Lohrenz' character ( 197 5 and 1991) tracking trends among Paraguay or to the cities and prairies of (Hilda's father) provided in a number of members of several Canadian and USA Canada and endeavored to build the selections. Mennonite conferences. This study looks at meaningful lives. Kane - The Spirit Lives On is a the impact of phenomena such as But while gender roles may change as generously illustrated history, published on urbanism, professionalism, individualism, "some stereotypical gendered behaviour" the occasion of the official closing of the cultural changes, and the media. The was broken down by the war, "traditional Kane Community Centre. The Rose Farm global Mennonite spectrum is briefly thinking on sexual roles was unaltered" (p. -Kane area received much of the overflow surveyed as an introductory backdrop. 77). Epp documents the "dilemmas and of the Mennonite West Reserve of southern Annie Goertz, a descendant of the opportunities" faced by "mothers, widows, Manitoba beginning in the late 1890s. The Waldheim (Manitoba) Heppners, later and marriageable women" as heads of committee headed by Dora Hildebrand has Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, has published families in sometimes hostile conditions, created an interesting and informative her autobiography under the title Miss by analyzing her memory sources' monument in this substantial (812 x 11 , Annie: God sent a 3¢ stamp and more .. . recollections of the past. 366-page hardcover) book. The section on (Abbotsford, B. C., 256 pages). The title, Epp indicates that while war World War II, for example, includes "Miss Annie," comes from her local name "heightens the vulnerability of coverage not only of active military and in over 30 years in India with the women ... destroys their homes and tears CO involvement, but also shorter sections Evangelical Alliance Mission. apart their families", the war also broke on German prisoners of war and Japanese­ Some other recent books received by down some social boundaries and freed Canadian internees. the Mennonite Heritage Centre include: women from behaving "in accordance with Some readers will remember Ab Jacob A Loewen, The Bible in Cross­ gender limitations" (p. 194 ). Settling into Douglas from his broadcast journalism Cultural Perspective (Pasadena: William their new lives in the New World brought beginning in the 1950s, first with CTV and Carey Library, 2000, 334 pages, pb) and its own complications. Women's pre­ then CBC. No Dancing God: Mennonite Jakob J. Martens, Ein Ianger Weg in die migration lives of self-reliance juxtaposed Stories (Kelowna: Rutgers Publications, Freiheit: Gefangener der UdSSR with their Canadian existence "as 143 pages, $14.95) is a collection of stories (Asunci6n-Filadelfia: im Eigenverlag, subordinate within their churches and hovering "in the twilight zone between 2000, 360 pages, he). communities" (p. 186) resulted in their reality and fiction" according to author Ab living with ambiguities while trying to Douglas Driediger. They show the writing Page 12

Book Reviews activism according to candidacies, then the or should it be opposed? Canadian Mennonite record must be Several lesser assessments and described as impressive. From Ontario to interpretations should probably be revisited T.D. Regehr. Peace, Order & Good British Columbia, Mennonite candidate before any additional printings are Government: Mennonites & Politics in percentages have generally exceeded undertaken. I suggest that it was not the Canada (Winnipeg, l\1B: Cl\1BC Mennonite population percentages. "ambiguities of the Canadian constitution" Publications, 2000) pb., 130 pp. Significantly, Mennonites as defined by which "made possible a gradual transition Regehr, constitute perhaps eight percent of from the politics of special privilege and Reviewed by John H. Redekop, Trinity the population in Manitoba but constituted patronage to participatory democracy" [p. Western University, Langley, BC "roughly one-quarter of the recent 21], but the growing understanding among Manitoba provincial candidacies." ever more prosperous Canadian n publishing this expanded version of While Professor Regehr raises many Mennonites of the opportunities and I the 1999 J. J. Thiessen lectures, the key issues, concerning some fundamental responsibilities in a democratic state. Canadian Mennonite Bible College matters his treatment is at best incomplete; Further, reference to the King of England Lectureship Conunittee has provided a very space limitations doubtless account for part should be changed to King of the United valuable service for the entire Mennonite of the problem. He states, quite correctly, Kingdom although, as used in this context, constituency. It constitutes a significant that the early Anabaptists avoided political the writer actually refers to the King of addition to the still scarce studies of activity and seems to affirm such a stance Canada. Third, it was not that "Mennonites Mennonites and politics. as Biblically correct but he does not were slow to respond to the appeal of the The five chapters, in sequence, present adequately explain how such a theology Cooperative Commonwealth Federation a general overview, describe 19th century should be expressed in radically party," they were simply reluctant and developments in Ontario, analyze transformed democratic and pervasive suspicious of socialism. The author accepts Mennonites and socialism as well as states in which church and state share the utility of the threefold categorization of Mennonites and Social Credit, and offer an broad common agendas, where the line ethnic, ethnic-religious, and religious assessment of several national Mennonite between those who govern and those who Mennonites which I set out in a 1982 essay. politicians. The brief conclusion contains are governed is increasingly blurred, and The third type are those people who have some provocative assessments. where almost half of all income flows no Mennonite ethnic identity but are part of Much of Professor Regehr's material is through government hands. the Mennonite family of faith. organized around several key themes. Further, the author tends to define Unfortunately he defines this group Canadian Mennonite political activity has political activity largely in partisan terms inaccurately. Finally, any author would be incorporated elements of martyrdom as but there are other components. Many well-advised either to define well as patronage and the solicitation of Mennonites serve governments in the "antinomianism" or to use some other special favours. Attitudes of reluctance and public service, in regulatory agencies and term. avoidance have been more than matched by in government-owned corporations. Is such All things considered, this slim volume involvement and activism. Tensions activity appropriate? Regehr also does not is more significant than its brevity might between theological theory and political grapple with the fundamental suggest. It deserves a wide readership. All practice developed early and have Anabaptist/Mennonite dilemma concern­ Mennonite pastors, social scientists, increased over the years. And politically, ing church and state, namely, why should students, politicians and all others, Mennonites are "all over the map" but Mennonites describe the governmental Mennonite or non- Mennonite, who desire identify most readily with the conservative realm as part of "the Kingdom of to understand how the heirs of the "third sector of the political spectrum. Darkness" [Schleitheim Confession, etc.] branch" of the Reformation have grappled Supported by significant research, the and reject any involvement in it given that with political change, and who desire to be author explains that Mennonite political the New Testament writers instruct infonned and faithful citizens, should read activism in Canada has expressed itself Christians to honour government, to be this book. They will find it both interesting variously. The solicitation of special thankful for it, to pray for it, and to pay and helpful. It should, of course, be arrangements, initiated by the earliest taxes for its operation? Would Jesus and available in all church and school libraries. immigrants, has continued to the present the inspired writers instruct us to pray for day. Even the most conservative groups the success of something which is Edgar Stoesz and Muriel T. Stackly, have not hesitated to lobby for their own intrinsically evil? Garden in the Wilderness: Mennonite interests. Mennonite partisan candidacy at It also seems difficult to reconcile Communities in the Paraguayan Chaco elections also has a long history. Already Regehr's accurate observation that various 1927-1997 (Winnipeg, l\1B: Cl\1BC in 1864, three years before Canadian Canadian Mennonite politicians have Publications, 1999) 219 pp. Confederation, Isaac Erb Bowman won the rendered "valuable services to the state and Waterloo North seat in the Upper Canada to Canadian secular society" [p. 125] with Reviewed by Ken Reddig, Executive [Ontario] legislature. In Ontario, Alberta, the apparent inference that they should not Secretary, MCC Manitoba. and Saskatchewan, Mennonites won at have done so, given that Mennonite least one seat in the first elections held theology calls "for a complete separation of t some point soon the drama of the after the creation of each province. church and state". [p. 43] Is such AParaguayan Mennonite story will be If we measure Mennonite political Mennonite political activism commendable (cont'd on p.JO)