VOLUME 38, NO.1 - MARCH 2012 Government uses Scripture to encourage compliance. by Conrad Stoesz ebruary is the time of month that at Menn o nite Fthe Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies we begin the process of collecting statistical information from the previous • year. Since 1946 forms are updated. letters written and personnel put in place to collate and tabulate the information. Initially large charts were created. later 1 stor]an replaced by electronic spreadsheets. Census style information has long been seen as an indispensable tool in the A PUBLICATION OF THE MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTRE and THE CENTRE FOR MB STUDIES IN CANADA formation of policies and direction for any organization. In our national context this becomes foundational for medical. sociological, economic and historical research - even genealogy. The Canadian government conducts a census every ten years and to encourage compliance the Manitoba Bureau of Statistics sent a letter to Mennonite Church Canada reminding them of the census date in 20 II. "It will be vitally important that the Census be as accurate as possible." they wrote. The letter also included the following paragraph: "The Census is not a new idea. In the Bible. the Book of Luke Chapter 2 Verses 1-5 tells of the census of the entire Roman world order by Caesar Augustus. The Census of Canada may not be quite as ambitious. but it'sjust as important." I found the inclusion of Biblical Scripture intriguing. Was there a long One hundred years ago (1911), the Kleine Gemeinde (predecessors of the EMC) built the standing tradition using this passage? I first church building in Steinbach (top left). Today their spiritual descendants worship in a contacted Manitoba's Chief Statistician very different modern-looking structure (top right), the church is part of a conference with for more information. As it turned out the churches across Canada from south-western Ontario to British Columbia (Google map on use of Luke 2 was initiated independently EMC conference website). of any earlier use of the passage. I shared with Chief Statistician, Wilf Falk, the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (1812-2012) story of how Luke 2 was used in 1918. by AffRedekopp In 1918 the Canada Registration Act was passed requiring all men and women t is 200 years since the Evangelical They claimed Anabaptist teachings of the to be registered. Mennonites were I Mennonite Conference had its begin­ church were not being heeded by the main suspicious of the act, fearing it would be ning in what was then New Russia, cur­ church. It was a small group and thus used for conscription purposes and rent day Ukraine. What challenges and came to be known as the Kleine Gemeinde therefore refused to submit to this law. changes have they experienced in 200 (small church). In its first 50 or so years it The privileges given to the Mennonites in years? Who were they then and who are was led by three elders - Klaas Reimer, 1873. encouraging their immigration, they today? Abraham Friesen and Johann Friesen - released them of military duty. The The Evangelical Mennonite Conference successful farmers and prophetic leaders. government was concerned that this began as the Kleine Gemeinde in During the second fifty years, the resistance would infect other commun­ Molotschna, South Russia in 1812, after a church faced a number of challenges - ities. Meetings with Mennonite represent­ small group of families met for Bible disruptive pressures from within and atives and legal council stymied the studies. A common concern was that the without. There was a split in 1866; there government officials. Mennonite church was lacking in its was the forming of the Borosenko colony, Finally eight days before the registra­ following Jesus in daily life. Led by 44- which included all that goes with moving tion deadline, a meeting was set for June year-old minister Klaas Reimer, they and establishing a new community; there 13, 1918. Superintendent for registration officially formed a Mennonite church were the new military laws of P.C. Locke, lawyer Alexander McLeod of separate from the main church because (cant 'd on p. 4) (cant 'd all p. 2) Scripture and compliance Otto Klassen and Text to (coll,'d/i'OIll p. I) Terabyte Project Morden and W.J. Rowe of Manitou traveled to Reinland (near Winkler) to hree years ago, thanks to the meet with the Old Colony Mennonites Tgenerosity of Otto Klassen, the two from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Mennonite archival Centres in Winnipeg A few miles from Reinland the officials were given the permission to duplicate noticed many horses and buggies stream­ and distribute Otto's documentary films ing out of Reinland. They stopped one of on Russian Mennonite topics. The Text to the teams and inquired why everyone was Terabyte Project (supporting archives in leaving. The meeting is over - they were the 21 st Century) is the creation of a fund informed. A meeting was held at 6 am and Conrad Stoesz with a 1952 stats sheet. that will continue to help archives face the Locke was told "the Lord said we cannot ever-increasing challenges of digital walked to the centre of the room to stand register." Frustrated the government media. There are documents and photos to with Locke. He replied in a shaky voice, officials took the Mennonites up on an be scanned, there are audio and video "Mr. Locke, we are deeply obliged to you. offer to meet in the home of Mr. Harms recording to be digitized, there are You have shown us the truth. We believed with the bishops and ministers to discuss computers, software, networks and we were right this morning when we told the matter further. systems to be maintained and upgraded. you that we had been advised not to Locke explained that it was simply "an Simply put, for every $30.00 donation to register. We have put the government to a endeavour to get the man and woman this project, the donor can choose one of good deal of expense. Will you let us power of the Dominion made up so that Otto Klassens' documentaries on DVD, register our own people under your the Government would know what efTorts from a predetermined list. direction? We will give you all our young could be put forth should the war carry The project continues to be a success. people who read and write English well on." Locke used every argument he could After expenses, a total of $14,321.50 has and they will do whatever work is think of. Locke said "Bishop, I have been raised and over 700 DVDs have necessary without expense." There was no known the Mennonite people since my been distributed in a period of 3 years. more trouble. Locke reports that "Bishop childhood. If you refuse to register it is DVDs have been available at an annual Wall went back to Rosthern and in no part my duty to enforce the Act. The Act film night and also at each of the Centres. of Canada was there a more complete provides for ten days imprisonment and a More DVDs continue to be added. registration than amongst our Mennonite daily fine. I cannot have the authority of On April 7 of this year, Otto Klassen Canadians. " the Dominion Government flouted." The will be celebrating his 85 th birthday. He While the Mennonite leadership was Mennonite leaders solemnly responded continues to be active in his studio stubborn and willing to suffer for its saying they would be first in line for jail producing more short films of specific principles, it was not close minded but time and ofTered to bring their bank events he filmed in the past. In January once convicted was contrite. books. Locke reflected, 'They knew that I 2012, he marked the completion eight Source: Rein/and: lin Experience in knew that they did not fear imprisonment Community p. 239-240. DVDs, all related to activities that took or confiscation of their worldly goods in place in 1999 when Manitoba Mennonites defence of a principle." For a while Mennonite Historian is published by the in the Steinbach and surrounding towns nothing was said. Locke was desperately Mennonite Heritage Centre of Mennonite celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Church Canada and the Centre for Mennonite groping for a way out. Finally he got up first Mennonite settlers in the area. They Brethren Studies of the Canadian Con terence and walked over to the middle of the of Mennonite Brethren Churches. include: a message by Dr. Royden room and picked up the German Bible Editors: AlfRedekopp (MHC) Loewen and meditation by Dr. Archie that was on a small table and returned to Jon Isaak (CMBS) Penner (both from Sun. Aug. I, 1999), his chair. Leafing through it his eye rested Associate Editor: Conrad Stoesz memorial worship services in Grunthal on Luke chapter 2. He returned the open (CMBS/MHC) and in Randolph, the dedication of the Bible to the table and addressed the All correspondence and manuscripts should be K.R. Barkman Park, separate productions group. "I have known your people as long sent to the editorial otTtces at: for speakers Karen Peters and Henry Fast as I can remember. I know that this book 600 Shaftesbury Blvd. at a heritage celebration in Blumenort and Winnipeg, MB R3P OM4 is the Mennonite's law. My friends, if I a production of the Grunthal Parade. Otto P: 204-888-678\ can show you authority for this E: [email protected] hopes to complete another 4 productions registration in the Bible will you do as I or before his birthday which include the ask you to do? This government is only 1310 Taylor Avenue, memorial services in Mitchell and asking from you the same thing that Winnipeg, MB R3M 3Z6 Landmark, the parade in Steinbach and Caesar Augustus asked the earthly father P: 204-669-6575 the dedication of the new bridge at New and mother of our Lord to do, and they E:jisaak@mbcont:ca Bothwell.