Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute - Breezes Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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16 D. M. C. I. BREEZES Does ox’ does not the modern dress of Chinese women show a healthful reaction towards antique and heathen customs? All phases of the subject must be taken into consideration. Every country has its good and its bad, yet there always has been and there probably always will be a greater proportion of the good than of the bad. But why do some people judge only from the evil they see? They do not seem to notice the good at all, and therefore they denounce every¬ thing as wicked. Why do they not see the millions of good, honest, painstaking people? Why do they not also judge from them? Why? —Frances Fox. A FEW HISTORICAL GLIMPSES you write something about Russia?” the editor of the School paper asked. I promised. Now, what is most important about any land? Is it not the people? However, before wi’iting about Russians I must explain that I do not wish to deny my own “kith and kin” and leave the impression that I am writing of my own nation. It is not so. Russia, as we know, has many different national groups. One of these is the Mennonites, a German-Dutch group, to which I belong. If the honoured staff of our “Breezes” allows, I should like to say something about our own people. Our Mennonite forefathers were called by Katherine the Great, in order to cultivate the wild steppes near the Crimean peninsula. Grass, man-high, covered the land, and wild Tartar tribes used to hover in these natural hiding-places. Many a merchant, compelled to pass this region on his way to the southei’n ports of the Black Sea, never saw his northern home again. Our ancestors knew the hardships and persecutions, in many lands, such as Holland, Switzerland, Poland, and Germany, for whenever they were not allowed to live according to their own faith and conviction, they looked foi’ward to a home in a new land. Katherine the Great’s call was accepted by a large group. Facing difficulties, but rejoicing in religious freedom and certain civil rights, they began their task. Although compelled to wander, the Mennonites have always loved the soil. Their hands moved the ploughshare, but their hearts and minds were never satisfied with material things, so long as they themselves were true to the highest spiritual ideals which had called their commun¬ ity into existence. May they long remain so ! Their work in Russia xvas crowned with success. Prosperous colon¬ ies grew up on the Molotchnaja (Milky River), on the banks of the Dnieper, and on several other rivers. Prosperity and education began to spread rapidly. Then came the last war, and the Revolution that followed. All Russia suffered, and our people not the least. Their sit¬ uation became complicated. National, social, moral and religious con¬ flicts were the order of the day. Everywhere was opposition; nothing was considered sacred. Their position became so critical, that if it were at all possible, they left the land “to seek a kinder shore.” Inspired by love and solidarity, their brethren, the Canadian Men-

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D. M. C. I. BREEZES 15 will he become a lasting star? Ever} ' age had its radicals, but the ques¬ tion is, do they ever reach any permanent goal of achievement? Do they impress themselves on the minds of the people? As a rule—no— yet, to compensate for each of these extremists there can be found thousands of loving, hard-working men and women who are struggling valiantly and quietly to perpetuate the maxim “Nil nisi bonum.” After all, what exactly do people mean when they say the world is getting worse? Do they mean that the morals are degenerating? Daily, youth is giving up its so-called pleasures in obedience to the dictates of experience. Love of home and parents is the strongest tie on earth, and how many young people are really severing this bond of affection so that they may go their own “sweet way?” There may be subter¬ fuges and evasions, yet the fundamentals, if deeply rooted, will remain sound. You may argue that “in days of yore” people went to church reg¬ ularly every Sunday. Do not the majority still attend? Are not the numbers of new demnominations springing up indications of a broad¬ minded, deep-thinking, and religious race? Even if you do not attend every Sabbath, can you not, to a certain extent, worship God in the great out-of-doors? It is the spirit that counts, and Nature is God’s masterpiece given to his people for their enjoyment. In this last century—and indeed it could be applied to all periods in history-—there has been great dissatisfaction concerning new customs and inventions. It is curious to see how easily the world can be swayed by popular opinion. As one innovation after another is introduced each one is invariably repudiated, yet, after a time, it becomes regarded as indispensable. The automobile, for instance, is an example of this cur¬ ious fact. Who, at first, would ride in a “horseless carriage?” Now, nine-tenths of the world have “cars” and the other tenth is contem¬ plating the purchase of a “Lizzie”—the starting post of all autoists. Soon the ever-increasing popularity of the aeroplane will cause a fresh outburst of apprehension. Then magically, ’planes will be included in the everyday routine of affairs. “Thus the whirligig of time brings in his changes,” and “Meet is it changes should control Our being lest we rest in ease, We all are changed (by still degrees, All but the basis of the soul.” Will anyone ever be quite satisfied with conditions as they are? There will always be those who disagree, and therefore the world will never be perfect. Then, too, cannot people see the vast improvements in foreign lands —China, Japan, India, and others? Could a world which is getting worse produce scholars and statesmen who are startling the world with their knowledge of international affairs? These oriental countries are by no means perfect, but notice how far they have progressed within the last century. Because there are reports of rebellion and civil war in certain districts, people say that China and India are “undesirable.” They judge the whole by a unit. Does the book “Mother India”—so severely criticized by some—advance or delay improvements in India?

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D. M. C. I. BREEZES 17 nonites, most of whom were previous immigrants from Russia, opened their hearts to help their kinsmen from across the ocean. The Canadian Pacific Company, too, agreed to furnish the transportation on credit, without material security. Now we are in Canada, the land of great possibilities and great tolerance, still recognizing “God, our help in ages past, our hope in years to come.” May we appreciate the privileges of this new land and do our duty toward it. Returning to my original subject, I should like to tell you first about the Ukraine and its people. The Ukrainians live close to the soil and have a natural love for music and poetry. Driving the ox-cart, they sing their weary, melancholy tunes, the syllables of which are as long and wide, as the grass-covered prairies, surrouuding them. Although hundreds of years of oppression have put a stamp of sadness upon their disposition, nevertheless, some of their songs are rapid and joyous. Their villages also are cosy and full of charm. Early in the spring time, the small, straw-thatched huts are nearly buried by the cherry blossoms. The people themselves dress in gay colors and gather together at evening times, the young singing and playing to the sound of the harmonica. . The Russian people, as a whole, are open-hearted and good-natured. When travelling on a train, for example, they do not sit silent and dig¬ nified, but soon a lively conversation shortens the otherwise long jour¬ ney. The Russians are very hospitable. If one had an opportunity to accept the hospitality of a true Russian, he would feel himself very much at ease and at home. An air of comfort would surround the “samovar,” whose boiling would produce a humming of various melodies on the table of the friendly Russian. The educated Russians are very reflective. They can spend hours and hours debating or revealing their deepest thoughts and ideas. They also show a great appreciation of art. The picture gallery of Tretliakoff in Moscow has a great value from the artistic point of view. Moreover, the wonderful choirs in the Russian churches are well worth mention¬ ing. The Russians have many folk-songs and ballads; they have also a distinct classical literaure, developed since the eighteenth century. The philosophical and artistic elements are prominent. Some of the out¬ standing writers are Pushkin (poet), Germontov (lyrist), Turgenieff, Dostoievsky and many others. The Russians are very emotional, capable of the noblest acts, but they lack strength and consistency of character. The religion, pre¬ sented to the masses, has been too vague, and is incapable of enlighten¬ ing them in the true sense of the word. Education has been the privil¬ ege of a small percentage only. The whole literature bears the mark of unquestionable sadness and pessimism. One of the Russian critics has said: “No one can measure Russia by tape-line, no one can understand her by intellect, one can only be- lievp in her.” Yes, let us believe that Russia has not yet shown of what her people are capable; let us still believe in a Divine plan with the Russian nation, as a link in the great chain of the human race. —Agnes Willms, Room 58.