Tabor College - Bluejay Yearbook (Hillsboro, KS)

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ff-.fl s f-12 'F if Env pairs 'rT rbi :'g.. l A B O R., I T E..9 . .l :rfgk Pvq , - 1:9311 -1. gcc' .K A--He I Anniversary Ehese fifty Qears The Mennonite Brethren Church was organized in the province THE SEPARATION of Tauria in southern Russia in 1860, and nine years later the Krimer Mennonite Brethren church was founded in Crimea. AI- though both churches are independent organizations, still they are intimately connected in fundamental principles and in matters of church organization, so that the younger generation can hardly conceive of any differences. The main cause that led to the separation from the old Mennonite churches was a profound religious awakening, acccompanied by change of mind and heart bringing with it a newness in spiritual life which called for a church organization that would satisfy the needs of the new movement. The two new church organizations have succeeded in continuing to foster the spiritual life, as well as the church discipline and purification, which has led to a rapid growth and expansion in the churches, and together now have over nine thousand members in America. Conditions in Russia were satisfactory to our people until 1871, when the national government introduced compulsory military training. Because the Mennonites have be- lieved in non-resistance ever since Menno Simon started his reformation in the begin- ning of the sixteenth century, this proclamation aroused the people, and deputations were sent to St. Petersburg where their complaints and requests were made known. But after they had appealed to the government repeatedly it became evident that their pacific principles would no longer be tolerated. This caused an agitation for emigration. In 1873 a commission of able men was delegated to travel abroad to investigate the possbilities of establishing new homes in America. They returned with an encouraging report, which resulted in preparations for a hasty departure. When the Russian gov- ernment realized that the Mennonites were in earnest about leaving, it made special promises of leniency and suc- x , , g xx ceeded in inducing many to stay. O Canfda 1, K Nevertheless, in spite of severe U S 7 criticism, many prepared to - -' ' leave for America, where better 'H prospects were awaiting them. a In July 1874, ' ' ' ' Wig . DEPARTURE the first large AND group departed VOYAGE from their 3 h o m e s a n d , IU friends. Their feelings and . thoughts of sadness were, how- P' 3 ever, soon altered to hopes for a . glorious future, as they travelled qu over the plains of Europe on 1 their way to the sea. They board- iM,B Q ed the ships in Hamburg, and and , Y left Europe behind, as they K, M,B R sailed across the North Sea, and thence into the vast Atlantic. Settlements Mexico Gulhf Mu' Their experiences on the ships were disagreeable, yet they were The world is Godir epistle to mankind. W P .. K Q :tl ' lli 'lil ll ' lilyxwlilllllllld N 'f- yn. '1gg,,,..... A - U A W, N- ,W M ,,,,..,wi.. 9 . L :' . y V T.: -Q. 5 ' - T B A-5 I ,. 47' i Twelve

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f- .21 J -.sr A' A Q TQ ' I 'frat-gg.-X ra. 'Wm A B O R. I T E..9 . 1- 3411, P221 . - E 11-25. I: ,- Lk .-4, Anniversary persistent in overcoming obstacles and hardships until they landed in the great metro- politan city of New York. Soon after they boarded American trains which were westward bound, and after three days of steady traveling they reached their destinations. The railroad companies rendered every possible assistance so as to gain the desired settlers for their respective territories. The Santa Fe Railroad Company succeeded in drawing the larger number to Kansas, whereas others settled along the respective main roads of the Dakotas, Ne- braska, and Minnesota. The difference in choice was due to differences in climatic con- ditions. The settlers found vast prairies with no friends to welcome them. They were pioneers in a pioneer country. Dugouts and clay brick buildings which served as tem- porary homes were hurriedly constructed to provide the necessary shelter. The grassy plains along the railroads in the states of the Middle West THE NEW appealed to the newly arrived immigrants. In fact they became convinced HOME that these were the very places which they sought, and from 1874 to 1880, twelve hundred families or about ten thousand Mennonites arrived in the prairie lands, having followed the promptings of their own convictions. The sale of thousands of acres of virgin soil was negotiated with the railroad companies for an av- erage of two dollars and fifty cents per acre. The immigrants during the first years of their history in the new land paid the pioneer's price. Even the soil yielded its fruit grudgingly to those who first came to till the prairies. Starting with practically nothing but hardy physical manhood and Womanhood, and with an unbroken faith in the Creator, they struggled on through years of privations. Drought, prairie fires, and grasshoppers threatened and sometimes brought the labor of the husband-man to naught, and at times when nature smiled and yielded generously of her great bounties, a lack of market seemed to make the reward for his efforts meager and unfavorable. The bareness of the prairies weighed heavily on the hearts which had been accustomed to scenic beauty and pleasant surroundings. Only the conviction that a kind Father in heaven directed their steps to this faraway land, and would also sustain them in their struggle for bread, kept the Hame of hope burning withlundimmed brightness. When the delegates, who were sent to investigate conditions in America, returned, they informed the people that they would have to adopt American ways and means so as to assure success, but when they arrived it took some time for this adaptation to be effected. They brought wagons, tools, kitchen utensils, scythes, harnesses, and other articles from their old homes, but most of these were discarded after efiicient Ameri- can methods had been properly introduced. A The most important occupation of the Mennonites in Russia was OCCUPATIONS farming, and when they reached America they realized the great agricultural opportunities. In the summer of 1875 their fields yielded enough for their bodily sustenance. The early farm machinery was very crude and ill- adapted to the needs. The once prominent Hail and scythe were used in harvesting grain, until the American harvester was introduced, which was soon followed by the modern binder. After some years of experimentation the people were convinced that the American ways were preferable and after complete adoption, their renewed efforts were crowned with success. Since that time they have held a leading place in agri- cultural pursuits in their various communities. The map indicates that our people are now scattered over the greater part of the western half of the United States. They raise millions of bushels of wheat and corn in the north central and in the plateau states as well as in Canada, whereas a great amount of fruit is raised in California. Every man's life is a plan of God. l l 'fill if'f '- -4gynll 'i:'lllllllllllllllilgwll lllll mm' 'l:' ' v Thirteen