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GREETINGS and BEST WISHES to our Mem bers and Fri ends. II

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IManitoba News] Open Circle - a non-profit organization sponsor~d by MCC{Man.) · asks, concerned people to / visit offenders in p.rison, provide jobs for ex-offenders and assist them to find a new place in. society. For inform,ation call C.N. Friesen, residence 452-9396 or office 349 Donard ' st. \ SOUTH AMERICA

4/ mennonite mitror / december 1973

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About this issue

Inside you wi find

When one looks back over 1973 and makes note of all the economic, political, social and other events that have taken place, one can only stand in awe . We have all heard of change, and the swiftness with which it can .come. Although many of us have watched and even participated in change at many levels, and are therefore a little inured to accept change, few of us were really prepared for the rapid sweep of events of 1973. And it is also sobering to note how many of them will affect our daily lives, even through as individuals we did nothing to cause these events. Perceptive scholars and observers have been predicting these kinds of crises for some time - but their voices have been like cries in the wilderness. Given the rapidi ty of present events, there will be few confident predictions for the future and even fewer reliable ones. We know there will be more changes ahead for us. Perhaps the only meaningful and useful thing we can do is make common cause with the people around us, not for the purpose of opposing change, but to understand and adjust. If we emerge on the otherside of these crises with an improved . sense of community - of loving and helping our friends and neighbors - an d ~ith a concern for the way we use our physical and human resources, the experience will have been worth it. From the midst of one of the crisis areas comes our December feature story: William Klassen, professor of religion at the University of Manitoba, is spending hi s sabbatical year in Israel. He was on hand when the fighting broke out this fall. In hi s, article he shows us that the region that gave us the Prince ,of Peace is at the same time a land of war. Where Christ once showed us how to love, other people are showing us how to hate. Where once eastern wise men travelled to visit the Christ child , there are now the tracks of tanks. It is a story that contrasts our romantic notions of the "holy land " with 1973 realities. We would like to think that we have produced a good magazi ne and, in particula r, an issue this month with a little va riety . But we would like to hear how you like our magazine. Please write.

Christmas at Bethlehem, 1973 .....

. ...... 7

New Year's Wish / Neujahrs Wunsch

....... 9

Footloose and tightfisted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 FYI: A once forbidden tongue

. . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Temptations of Rudy Wiebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Accurate but superficial Die Physiker Mix-up

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 .. .... .. ... ...

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Bin Ich Popular? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Weihn'achtsvorfreude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Und die Sterne sinddoch aile da

. . . . . . . . . . 20

.r.

Erinnerungen vonOavid Toews . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

The Cover: Madonna and Child under the apple tree, a painting by Lucas Cranach, a 16th century artist.

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enr.lOnlte ....... Irror volume three / number three / december 1973 /35 cents

President and Editor: Roy Vogt Secretary-Treasurer: Arkie Wiens

Vice-President and Managing Editor: Edward L. Unrau . Office Manager: Frieda Unruh

The Mennonite· Mirror is normally published 10 times each year from October to July for the Mennonite community of Winnipeg and Manitoba by Brock Publishers, Ltd. Address for all business and editorial matters is 203-818 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg R3G ON4, phone 786.2289. Subscription rate is $3.00 for 10 issues. Editorial Committee: Betty Dyck, Mary Enns, lore Lubosch, Hilda Matsuo, Ruth Vogt and Rick Woelcke. Business Committee: Rudy Friesen, Rick Martens, John Schroeder, Jack Thiessen, David Unruh, Margarete Wieler, Arkie Wiens. Th~ executive group (as listed above) of Brock Publishers ltd., serve as members of both the editorial and business committees of the Mennonite Mirror.

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Christmas at Bethlehem, 1973 by William Klassen Dr. William Klassen, head of the department of religion at the University of Manitoba, is now on sabbatical. He has been at the Ecum encial Institute for Advanced Theologi cal Studies in Jerusalem and has spent the past f ew crucial months in Israel. He is the son of Rev. D. D. Klassen of Hom ewood, Manitoba.

Today Israeli soldi ers stand guard on the ancient Je rusalem road at the entrance of the Arab city of Bethlehem. No doubt when Mary and Joseph approached the town just before the birth of Jesus, they also saw Roman occup ation troops posted there. The Judean hill town has certainly changed drastically since then but the exciting promise sung by the angels "On Earth his peace for men on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:14) has not been fulfilled. The shepherds of Bethlehem, who herd their flocks in the surrounding countryside-'still yearn for peace as do the sold iers. The battles fought during the first few days of October show how far away peace still is_ While at the time of this writing there is a shaky cease-fire, no one knows how long that will hold and all agree that if negotiations do not begin soon, the war which has been fou ght since 1948 with only ' intermittent breathing spaces will soon be renewed_ Both sides need only enough

time to get their armaments replaced by the superpowers and then it can begin anew. We live in occupied territory halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. We have many contacts with both Israelis and Arabs - an unusual situation .in this socially divided country. As the war began there was pride among the Arabs which was new. No longer were they the defeated of the ' war of 1967. Now ' they were going to show the world that the Arabs too have self-respect and the ability to fight. "In three days we will be liberated by the Egyptians," sa id one exultantly, even if somewhat. mistakenly. The Israelis too had supreme confidence_ They would trun back the agresser shortly. If not in six days, it would not be much longer before they would have decisively routed the Syrians and the Egyptians. But, after the first day, it became clear that the casualties on both sides were very high indeed. People were subdued. There were no casualty figures and then it was revealed that Israel lost some 1800 men. Proportionately this is more th an the Americans lost in the Vietnam war, since ISrael has only three million people. jerusalem is a city equal in size to Winnipeg and each family shares losses with others. So the losses of the war struck deeply into the feelings of pride of a.people who had begun to think of their army as invincible. Many Israeli~ speak today

of c. profound despair for the loss of thousands of lives and much equipment has not brought peace. "How many wars will it take to bring peace?" one woman asked. As this Christmas approaches it is fervently hoped . that both sides have learned the futility of war. jerusalem is called the Holy City and may be conceived as more holy because for centuries blood has been shed to "liberate" it. Biblical history tells and retells the many tim es it was destroyed and rebuilt. In modern times, three religions have fought over it. Surely the jews have a right to it, as do the Arabs and th~ Christians! But is it really worth one man 's blood? Or are not holy places profaned as soon as blood is spilled there? The Israelis want access to jerusalem and the holy places. They should have it. They want secure boundaries and an assurance that Arab states are not out to destroy tbern. They should have it. After all their state has existed for twenty-five years and it is long past due that every country recognize their right to existence_ That does not mean that everythi ng this state h~s done is justified or that Christians must be pro-Israelite or pro-Arab. Christians are pro-reconciliation and pro-people and pro-life! Both seek anxiously the endorsement of Christians but just as the Christians did not come to the assistance of the Jews when they fought

mennonite mirrot I december 1973/7

for the freedom of jerusalem in A.D. 68-70 so they cannot today fight for the Israelis because that is to deny the way of Jesus of Na zareth who claims us as His own and whom we acknowledge as Lord. The Arabs want the lands back that were taken from them in 1967 and the refugee problem solved. The Palestinians have no one to speak for them, but certainly they do not wish to be treated as second-class citizens, searched when others are not, have their homes blown up when suspected of activities threatening to Israel or taken into custody on the slightest suspicion. To be sure many Israelis are deeply concerned about the violation of the rights of the Arabs in the occupied territories. They have sought ways in which their use of police power can be restrained. Nevertheless they point out that they are still formally at war with Syria and other Arab countries and that in order to prevent acts of terrorism they had to resort to police state measures. Perhaps so, but the Arab request to be considered as a human being of dignity is one which every Israeli and fellow Arab must respect. It would be a profound tragedy indeed if the Israelis were unable to move beyond thier reliance upon the, ever present machine gun to build a society of trust. Until the legal question of the occupied territories and .refugees is settled, there will be little permanent improvement. In their relations to each other both Arabs and Israelis need to trust each other. It is clear they cannot continue to exist by a balance of terror imitating the super' powers. Either with or without the help of the superpowers, they must talk to each other and take the risk of trusting each other for the risks of war are evident. Israeli existence does. not in the long run depend upon military power alone. If this were so, the lessons of centuries of human life will need to be unlearned. What a tragedy that the land which served as the focus of God's activity in so many centuries has not yet become a place where people have learned to live together in peace. Perhaps however the Christmas story has less to say to this than does a story from Genesis. For Christians are a distinct minority here: there are only about 11,000 in jerusalem. When jacob and Esav were. s~t on a collision course heading fora showdown, jacob took the peace initiative. Without giving up his military strategy (he sent the women and helpless children,on ahead!) he ser:at Esau a peace offering and this so moved Esau that he disengaged his troops 'and met jacob with an embrace. The issues today may be much more complex- they surely are. But it is possible even -today to affirm that in the midst of conflict there is something that appears like the face of God (Genesis 33: 10). The presence of solaiers at the entrance to Bethlehem at Rachel's Tomb and at the entrance to Manger Square may ; tl"l~Jefore serve as a reminder that just as the ·.birth of jesus took place in a time of gre~t' tragedy and conflict the promise of peace was far

8 I mennonite mirror I december 1973

from empty. For peace was not promised as some automatic Christmas gift but as something that will follow when we go with jesus through suffering. The current suffering of families whose sons have been lost in this last episode of fighting can bring fruit. As in the first Christmas, so today Rachel weeps for her children and she cannot be comforted (Matth. 2: 18), because she cannot believe that this is the last war. Nor will it be unless people with fresh resolve put some real effort into peacemaking - even if they put only a fraction of the effort into peacemaking that they have been putting into warmaking. This might mean that Israel when it comes with palm outstretched to the United States asks not only for jets but also for assistance to give to the Palestinians the right of self-determination and economic stability. The same would hold for Arabs and their maneuvers to get support from other nations. As in days of old, so today Bethlehem is a study in contrasts. The beauty of the landscape, its peaceful appearance, stands in sharp contrast to the fact of war. As they knew of the power of Herod each time they saw his massive fortress, Herodian, a few miles away, so we know that beyond the hills of Moab in the distance rockets are poised for destruction, and, closer, by lie impressive Israeli defenses. If you look closer however, you will find Christians, Moslems and jews working hard for peace in Bethlehem. We can do more, but what

is most encouraging is that in Bethlehem today there are persons of goodwill who work for peace, for understand ing, and for the genuine self-respect of all people here. There are Christians working in villages helping people to obtain self-reliance, there are teachers working in Arab schools, workers in orphanages and hospitals. There are Christians and jews, Christians and Arabs, and even a few pockets of Christian Arabs and jews working for trust ard reconciliation. Language classes break d own isolation. In homes, some sharing of religious feasts takes place. In a few apartment buildings people are meeting as work groups to aid all paws. While this is not all Christians can do it is a star which s~ines in the. mm night pointing to hope.

MBCI Annual Christmas Concerts

Two nights - Two parts School Choirs: different ones each night One Act Opera: Amahl & the Night Visitors Date: December 17 and 18 Time: 8:00 p.m. Place: MBCI, 179 Talbot Avenue No Admission Charge - Collection

Give a Mirror! Gift subscriptions to the Mennonite Mirror can now be ordered in time for Christmas. Help someone who isn't currently receiving the Mirror to keep in touch with events at home. The Mennonite Mirror is publishing a special Centennial edition in January and February, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the coming of Mennonites to Manitoba. Those people who recieve a gift subscription will recieve the January - February issue as their first issue. I n addition, if you subscribe immediately on their behalf, we will send a Christmas card to them advising them of your gift. To: Mennonite Mirror 203-818 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G ON4 From: Name ____________________________________ Address ,__________________ _ Please send a gift subscription to: Name ____________________________________________ Addre$ _______________________________ ___ City,----_ _ _ _ _ __

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Neujahrs Wunsch De r Vater voll e r Gnade Gibt Heut e in neues Jahr Er wird uns auch bewahre n In Noth und in Gefahr.

New Year's Wish Neujahrs Wunsch A Christmas gree tin g and New Year's "\vish" were ge ner ally co pi ed out by young Mennonite students 'of ea rly ' Manitoba for presentatio n to t hei r parents and ex tended fam il Y over the holid ay sc" ~ on. The si mple pietistic ex pression was copied in t he studen ts' best ha nd arid b o und in a co lorful printed co ver. The followin g Ne w Year 's express io n was br o ugh t hom e to his parents by y oung Abram K. Friesen in 1891. He later became the first st ud ent from the Steinbac h a rea to attend the MCI a t Gret na. He bega n hi s high school education in Ja nu ary of 1900. Among other things, he used as a me a ns of t ransportation from Steinba ch to Gretna, weather permittin g, a bicycle. Mr, Friesen's gree ting is published here in its origin al, andit wo ul d be cruel to a ttempt to transl ate hi s "wish" into a form of E ng lish doggere l. We mu s t rely therefore, on para ph rase for an Uhderstanding of the words should one's Germ an be in adequ a te. "W,e have, thi s d,IY been gran ted a New Year by a Fa ther m ost merciful; a Fa ther who protects from want and danger; who will ab id e with us if we ab id e in him , by cast ing o n him each morning, ou r ca res in child like trust; who unto this d ay has le n t hi s fatherly a id and still stays by a ll those who call on him; wh ose ge ntl e fath er ly he a rt ac hes for the woe s of Hi s children . He comes, and his c omfort enters our h ea rts. Happy a re we to be the ch ild ren of . Christ. We face no fcars in this our 'Pi ig riml and." Ind eed, in simpl e tr ust as she e p,we journey to our 'Father la nd.' Th ough Satan m ay beset us, Chri st w ill protect a nd guide a nd reveal to us our ways. Now then, dear parents, we wish to e.xpress our joy in him, our Jes us, on this our festival of the New Year. To him who ca n keep us from fa llin g, we h o pe to f ully yield; we hope to live as he would have us live from this d ay to ete rnity."

Ein Weihnachtsgruss und Neujahrswunsch wurden gewoehnlich von jungen mennonitischen Studenten im frueh e ren Manitoba abgeschrieben und waehrend der Festtage den Eltern und naehrern Verwandten vorgezeigt. Diese Wu e nsche, denen in ei nfacher, fromm e r Weise Ausdruck verli e hen wurde, wurden in der besten Handschrift des Schuelers geschrieben und in eine n farbigen Umschlag gebund en (In Heftform). . Der folgende Neujahrswunsch ist im Jahre 1891 von Abraham K. Fri esen nach Hause gebracht worden. (Abraham K. Fri esen was d er erste Schueler aus der Steinbacher Gegend, der das "Mennonite Collegiate I nstitute" in Gretna besuchte. Er registr ie rte am 1. Januar 1900. Wenn es das Wetter erlaubte, fuhr er mit dem Fahrrad von Steinbach nach Gretna!)

Er wird un s auch versorgen Mit All en was uns noth Wenn wir a n jedem Morge n Zu ihm den treuen Gott. Mit Dankgebet und Fle hen Uns wende n um vertrauen In fester Hoffnung stehen Und kindlich auf ihm schau en . Er hat uns ja bis Heute So vaeterlich ernaehrt Er steht fes t zur Seite Oem der ihn fest begehrt. Wenn wir im Leide stehen In Bangigkeit und Schmerz Kann er es nicht ansehen Ihm bricht sein Vaterh erz . Dann kehrt mit seinem Troste In unser he rz er ein Wahl uns das wir Erloeste Des He rren Christi sein. Wir fuerchten deine Strafe In diesen Pilge rland Wir gehn getrost wie Schafe In Gottes Vate rl a nd. Zwar will uns Satan schrecken Mit mancherlei gefahr Das Jesus thut uns decken Und stellt uns selbst uns dar. Drum wollen wir aufs Beste Eltern mein Am heutgen Neujahrsfeste Uns unseres Jesu freun.

o .I iebster

Und ihm uns recht ergeben Die ganze Lebensze it Nach seinem Willen leben Bis zu der Ewigkeit. Amen von Abram K. Friesen

First Snowflakes See the

sof tly

falling flakes of snow, The sun so brilli a nt makes them glow Like di a monds set in crown so fai r As ever graced a sovreign's hair. Now a vagrant breez e is stirring t hem In circles a nd in wisps that fly Out of th e diad em Into the blue, bl ue sky. by Mrs. F. Friesen

Your Florist of Distinction A COMPLETE FLORAL SERVICE City and World Wide

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If you have cooked for a family of four, are fifty years old, and come from Europe, we want you to cook for us. SAMOVAR COFFEE SHOP Phone 582-7313 After 2:00 p.m_

Charters to London Frankfurt Amsterdam

-1974Preliminary information now available on Charter flights for 1974

Footloose and Tightfisted by Roy Vogt

Many persons are now planning special little winter vacations, and a growing number are able to afford short trips to exotic places like Hawaii. However, most of us are concerned about the growing commercialism of such resort areas and we wonder whether it is really possible to relax and enjoy oneself without mortgagin g one's whole future. I discovered about a year and an half ago that it can be done- if you take little money with yo u and if you are prepared to enjoy the simple things that even such places offer in abundance . Like a ny other tourist I was only faintly aware before I left that Hawaii was act ually one of the large number of islands (about 120 in all) clustered together in the Pacific, five hours flying time from Vancouver. Like most tourists I didn't go to the island of Hawaii at all, but to the isl a nd of Oahu on which you find the city of Honolulu (with its famous port of Pearl Harbor) and Waikiki ' Beach. In other woros, I went to t he area which is mostly highly developed and com· mercialized, but is cheapest to get to . CP Air flies to Honolulu daily from Vancouve r. I went th ere for a week with $100 in my pocket, a nd no credit cards. The hotel and air fare had been prepa id, but all meals, entertainment, etc., would have to be paid in cash. I had a truly enjoyable and relaxing week at Waikiki Beach and returned with 10 cents in my pocket, enough for an emergency telephone call. You can be sure that I didn't go to any expensive shows in the eve ning- but I was surprised to discover that many of the most beautiful facilities are available without charge to tourists who don't particularly care to spend $50 to see Don Ho or other lavish productions. The impressive hotel s along the beach permitted tourists to relax in t heir lounge chairs and to I isten from a distance to the mu sic wafting from their co urtyard s (the music was most beautiful from a dis· tance, blending with the sound of the ocean):

10/ mennonite mirror / december 1973

Evenings were spent in this quiet but delightful way. However, with the $100 I was ab le to enjoy: - Several good meals a day, one in the kitchenette of the hotel room (where I thrived on good French bread and cold cuts) and at least one good meal a day in a restaurant. Tip: At lun ch the restaurants serve good meals at discount - and they are less crowded than in the eveni ng. - A round o f golf a t Pali , which cost $2 and is only 20 miles north of Honolulu. - A trip around the island in a rental car cost $18. .:- 1 lis te ned several times to a unique virtuoso performer called Ohta San who plays the ukulele like a classical guitar. I heard him for free in the courtyard of the Hawaiian Regent Hotel (I was staying at the cheaper but very adequate lIima Hotel). - I also enjoyed several evenings in the Cock's Roost, an unpretentious place in the Interna tional Market where an excellent quartet sa ng Hawaiian as well as American music_ One is expected to purchase several drinks wh ich ca n be purchased for $1 each. Several hours of relaxing entertainment for $2 was not bad. With a straw one can spend at least an hour draining a coke! - My week also included a shopping trip to the beautiful Ala Moana Shopping Center, where the m ajo r purchase was a Hawaiian shirt which I've hardly worn since. I returned from Hawaii quite broke, but in the knowledge that I had thoroughly enjoyed myself, felt much more relaxed than before I left (though isn't it sad how little carryover there is of such relaxed feelings)and all at very little expense. Try it yourself so me time. Because of inflation take at leas-t $120 with you-but be prepared to lo ok past the more obvious expensive pleasures, and you will be surprised at how many other worthwhile pleasures even a commercialized place like Hawaii has to offer you. mm

Remember - the 90 day advance booking requirement compels you to PLAN NOW! Advance registrations now being accepted. New next year - choice of 2, 3, 4, and 5 week duration on many flights Drop in - CALL US You're CHARTER HEADQUARTERS for 19741

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FYI* * for your information

A once forbidden tongue V ic Pe nn er is edito r of t he Red Ri ver Valley Ech o in Al t ona. H is colu m n is Ili s second in th e M ir ror's new reg ular featu re: FY I.

719 ELLICE AVE. Phon. 783 -6837

Traditionally fine funeral

. . 1887

service since

by Vic Pe nne r Out here in i:he We st Reserve th e sc hool d rama season is al reaLi\, u p on us . T he Gretn a Mel has presented the pla y Duvid Co pperfie ld (i n Engli sh ) ,lr.d i he pub lic high scho ols at A l tona dnd Winkler should i;le -foll ow in g soon w i th the ir ow n special perf orm an ces. Hop ef ully, I hey wi II aga in cho ose some Low Germ an p lays. A few years ago t here was q uite an o utbrea k of 10 '.>; G erm an dram as arou nd here, as t he writ ings of A rno ld D v c! ~ were d iscove red , o r re-d is covere d -w hi chever it was . Sin ce t he n J f ew contem porary Low Ger m an autho rs have also drawn attention, an d Old Ar n old is bei ng forc ed t o shar e the Low Germa n spotlight wit h SQm e up starts w hose nam es I Cdn ne ver rem ember . One of the reasons, I suppo,e, for my inl eres t in low Germ an pi al' s i s t he fact th at w ile n I was st art ing scho ol in Winkler f ar lon ge r ago [him I care to remember, spea kin g low Germ an WilS s1:ri c!ly "verbo-

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One of t he f irst rules laid down on Day One was: No Low Germ an allowed on the sc ho olya rd. And t he poor you ng Menno ni t e t ea che rs wen t t o great lengths to enforc e it, al t hough we often whisper ed in low Germa n be hind th e bu shes dnd never got ca ught. So gradually tal king lo w German had a ce r ta in st igm a at tac hed as w e went alon g from grade to gr ade; and then ,liong came t he Second World War and mo re or less dealt t he d eat h b iow. rhat 's why I find it so refres hin g (and amusing ) to see tod ay 's hig h schoo ls in th e rural Me n nonite towns scrambling to stage low Ger m an plays. Esp eci ally t he hi gh school at Winkle •. \Vh at a turn-arou nd in one generation . Even college professors (wh o once wouldn' t heve been caught dead ut tering t his "nonlan guage dia lect " , or at leas t would have died of embarrassment upon discover y ) :He n ow go i ng t o gre'lt len g th s t o beco me fluent in i t.

I had occas ion recently to do some library resear ch at th e University of Manitoba and was stro llin g along on e of th e halls of learning soaking up th e high intell ect r ampan t the re, when to my great astonishment I was hail ed b y a loud voice emanating from the mid st of a group of lo ng-haired youths in blue jea ns: "Heeah, Pann a," it said . "V aot deist du Iwa h? " Thi, wo uld h ave never have happened in th e school I went to in Winkler. And wha t' s m ore , Dr. Ernest Sirluck, the president of t he Universi ty, is also a former Win kler st udent. I half expected the University's No. 1 man to come darting out of one of th e rooms and trot this bras h young Mennonite off by the ear for using any ton gue other than a Canadian Official Language in his sc hool. Th en a familiar face under a white woollen toque appeared from amongst the hair and blu e jea ns. I t was the one and only Prof. Leona rd Sawatz ky, former Altonan, and now a geogra phy teacher at U of M. "V o at de die ste l hast du heah verlorren? " he demand ed. And we carried on in simil ar vein while I cast furtive glances over my shoul d er ex pecting the sudden appearance o f the universities top man. Later, how ever, I learned that Dr. Sirluck wa sn't enforcing anti-Low German rules at his sc hool . In fa ct, last summer during the Sunflower Festival he appeared in my office and anno un ce d he had come "Tum en beht Plautd iet sc h reden." Obviously, the No l.ow Ge rm an rul e at Winkler in his youth had turned him off too. Actually, th e Low German part of our conve rs ation didn 't amount to much, but w hen you have th e pre sident of the provi nee's hi ghes t ed ucational institution comin g into the hinterland "tum Plautdietseh reden ," then prospects have to be looking up for our mother tongue. mm

mennon ite mirror / december 1973 / 11

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The Temptations of Rudy Wiebe by AI Reimer The Temp tations of Big B ear: by Rudy Weib e, 47 5 pp., Toronto, McClelland and Stewart, $8.95. In assessing Rudy Wiebe as a novelist several years ago in thi s journ a l, I ve ntured the guess that the time had com e for him to make the difficult tra nsition from Mennonite themes and ex p e rience to wider dimensions of novelistic e x pe rience. With Th e Temptations o f Big Bear, hi s fourth novel, Mr. Wiebe shows ind ee d tha t he is no longer just a "Mennonite" nove list in the narrow sense. The subject of his new novel is anothe r misunder stood and persecuted minority - the In di a ns of Western Canada during the period of Pra irie sett lement in the 1870's a nd 8 0's . Big Be a r, las t of th e g rea t Pl ai ns Cree chiefs is a he ro o f epi c proport ions who, in hi s opposi t ion to th e "Whites kin" takeover in the We st, bec om es . t he sy mbo l of a noble, indi ge nou s civili za tio n forced into submis sion by a ruthless, techno logica ll y superior white soci e'y ac t ing in the name of the a ll-p owerful Qu een Victoria , th e remote "Grandmother" whose will th e In dians strive to unders ta nd . Bi g Bea r refuse s to sign a treaty or to move on to the (Alberta) reser· vation allotted to him and his people by the governm e nt. But the buffalo a re gone a nd the In dians are f orced into the cruel dilemma of submi tt ing to t he white man or facing starvation. Bi g Be a r a t last loses control of his "P eopl e ," and eve nts cu lminate in the North west Re belli o n of 1885 . Th e dignified old chi ef w it h the wise head and the deep, compe ll ing orator's voice is subjected to th e humil ia tio n of a white man's court a nd th e call o us law th at goes with it.

Hi s final speech from the prisoner's dock jus t befo re he is sentenced to imprisonment is an e loqu e ntly tragic plea for his doomed people: "H a ve you no ch ildren? Have they never as ked you For food? Is there nothing but punishm e nt in th e Gra ndmother's law? "The land is torn up, black with fires, and empty. You have don e this. And there is nothing left now but that you must he lp us. "I have heard your many words, an d no w yo u have heard my few. A word is power, it comes from nothing into meaning and a person ta kes his name with him when he dies. I have sa id my last words. Who will say a word for my people? Give my people help! I have spoken." I t is a nobel s tory and one of terrible impact eve n today. It wou ld be gratifying to be ab le to say that Rudy Wiebe has done just ic e to hi s great t heme. In conception he has, but not in executio n. The best scenes in the book - e .g., Big Bear's last bu ffalo hunt, the massacre of whites at Frog Lake a nd Big Bear's moving cou rt case - 's urpass anything this aut hor has done before and are as good in their way as the writing of any Ca nadian nove list of the day. But individual scenes no m a tter how superb, do no t necessari ly add up to a great novel, or even a good one. The sad truth is that The Temptations of Big Bear conta ins all of novelist Wiebe's inherent fau lts writ large. The book has been pai nstak i ngly researched and Mr. Wiebe obviously writes w ith compass ion a nd understan din g a bout his Indi an subjects . In Big Bear he has created a character several times as memorable and symbo lica lly potent as Elder Block in Peace Shall Destroy Many. But Big Bear is the only memora ble character amo n g literally scores of na tive and w hite ch a racters. The rest are eithe r too thinly etched or are simply m ade to ac t as "voices" in a historic al pagea nt. In talking abo ut hi s novel, Mr. Wiebe has sa id that he has not invented any ch aracte rs or situations but that he has stuck entirely to real people and situations. But that is exactly the trouble with the st ru ct ure of this novel. The author has all owed hi s inve nti ve powers to be ha mstrung by hi story, so that he alternates between beautiful, often poetic flights of fiction espec iall y in dramati zin g the character of Big Bear - and the dull, prosa ic recording of letters, reports and journals by people who mean nothing to the reader as characters in a drama. Fewer characters in total and more im agi native ly invented characters wo uld have made for a mu c h more exciting novel. As it is, the novel is exc it ing in its best parts, and almost unenduarbly dull an d flat in its remaining parts And that brings me to the vexing problem of Rudy Wiebe's prose sty le. Why he persists in using a prose sty le as obsc ure a nd eccentric as the one he has used in his last two novels is difficult to understand in a writer of such obviou s and s hi ning gifts. I predic t th a t m a ny intelligent and ex-

perienced read e rs will put thi s no ve l dow n unfinished in shee r fru stra tion o ver it s unreadable prose style. And wha t a pi ty th at is! Th e Temptatio ns of Big B ear co nta ins all the eleme nts for a tr ul y g rea t nove l. If only they had been combi ned in t o a clea r coherent structure of langu age . I have los t none of my faith in Rudy Wi e be as a n artist. Like hi s own hero Big Bea r he is caught between two temptation s - to co ntinue writing in a highly impress io n ist ic style that is occasionally exc itin g and be a uti ful but more often dull a nd tru gid, or to go back to the simp ler but more se rvi ceab le style of his earlier period. My hope is th at in his next nove l he w ill have res o lved his only remaining major problem as a no ve li st to the immense ga in of his e xp ecta n t readershi p. mm

I Revi e\N

I

/kt. Accurate but Superficial Reviewed by Eric D. Friesen, Ottawa Broad caster with the CBC. A review of Grass Roots by Heath er R obertson, 373 pages, with 728 photographs by Myfanwy Phillips. Publish ed by jam es, L ewis and Samuels, $ 7O. 00.

" . . . 1 went West, an accide nt al city slick e r looking for roots, a third generation Can adian in need of a history an d a sens e of place." So, Winnipeg author a nd journ ali st, Heather Robertson, describes the fir st impulses of her book, Grass Roots. This book is a bout the West, t he real, rural West : its history, a nd its contemporary face. The author weaves brief snippets of historical analysis (the Ri e l Rebellion, th e pol itical reform movements through th e fabric of contemporary portraits of th e rural West; portra its of a Saskatchewan family, and five prairie communities (Miam i and Winkler in Manitoba, and Bienfai t, Biggar and Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan ). The book is also a pe rsonal lament over th e all too "obscenely brief" history of the rural West, most of the rural comm uni t ies now dying, and the fragile agricu l tural economy, as we know it, in deep trouble. As a Mennonite, born and raised in southern Manitoba, I _was particul a rl y drawn to the chapter on Winkler. There is no queqion but that the portrait of Winkler Which Heather Robertson sketches, w ill cause considerabl e controversy among Ca nad ia n Mennonites. As a people in Canada we, ha ve nourished 'a nd enjoyed a reputation for industriousness, . thrift a nd sobriety. It is ironic that for once the m a nifestation s of these very virtues are the sub ject of a non-Mennonite 's critici sm, rather than pra ise. Winkler is the only one of the five town s

mennonite mirror / december 1973' /13

II I

! 1

I

SeasonsBest to you from us at SAFEWAT that is growing and flourishing economically. But the author does not find the seeds for western Canadian renewal in Winkler. She finds an anomaly. Winkler flourishes beca use energetic and opportunistic e ntreprene urs have in the author's view, been able to exploit the natural industriousness and sub missiveness of Mennonite people, and because the church has-sanctioned this exploitation. I found Heather Robertson's sketch of Winkler vividly recognizable, and , in many respects , uncannily and devastatingly accurate. Yet, and this is where :1 become critical of the book, it is only a sketch, or to use another metaphor, only a single sn apshot catching the life of the town in a few frozen seconds. Print journalism is often closely akin to photo journalism in its tendency to present a brief, superficial glimpse of facts as a comprehensive, in depth portrait or profile. In Grass Roots, only the carefully chosen, negative detail of the community has been given. In th e

14/ mennonite mirror / december 1973

context of the journalistic tendency to over-generalize and polemicize, I miss the other face of this human community: the warmth of its people, their generosity, their graciousness, their sense of humor, the sincertify of thei r faith, a nd thei r true communal sp irit. There is also a trace of urban con descension in Heather Robertson's vie w of Winkler, and I detect some of the prior biases of th e author's hu sband, who was born and raised a Mennonite in the Gretna community. I was torn between two responses to the boo k. On the one hand, I was drawn in by a powerful emotional recognition of the author's description of the West and muc h of her crit ica l appraisal. On the other ha nd, after the first emotio na l imp ac t was spent, I was uncomfortably aware of all the omissions of detail in the portraits of the town, the vast generalizations, the all too superficial histori cal analysis, and a lack of sympathy with t hose who are attemptin g to s urvive in th e Wes t. Yet, with those

reservations in mind, Grass Roots should be read by all Canadians, to focus critical attention and discussion on the nature of th e West's survival. mm

Fellowship Bookcenter to relocate: Fellowship Bookcenter has announced plans to relocate its bookstore to 302 Kennedy Street fr om its present location on Henderson Highway. The move into the downtown area of Winnipeg is designed to make the sto re more accessible to the people of Winnipeg and the outlying communities. Fe ll ows hip Bookcenter was formed two years ago as a result of the amalgamation of the Faith and Life Bookstore of Rosthern Saskatchewan and the Christian Press Bookstore of Winnipeg. The stores were serving under the auspices of the General Conference Mennonite C hurch and the Canadian Confe rence of the Menn onite Brethren Churches.

I

Revie\Ns

1

Die Physiker Those who saw the performan ce of Die Physiker put on in Winnip eg Mennonite Theatre group were intrigued and somewhat baffled by its main theme: thre e physicists feigning madness i n order to cope with t he awful burde n of their scien tinc ins ights. Most viewers wer e deeply moved, as evid ence d by Pete r Klass e n:~ reveiw and the p er sonal obsl?r vati ons of Peter Paetkau. Mr. Klassen is a professor at th e Mennonite Brethren Bibl e College and Mr. Paetkau is a farmer near Sp erling who is a f requent c~ ntributor to this magazine.

A drama review by Peter Klassen

Members oCthe Winnip eg Mennonit e Th ea tre prese nted Friedrick Duerrenmatt's "Di e Physiker" at the Playhouse Theat.re, Winnipeg, on Novemb e r 16 and ·17. It was an exc iting perform a nce. The pl ay wa s a happy choice for the gro up.. since it is a modern drama using advanced techniques to communica te a rather subtle message. The many humorous ep isodes and the witty dialogue help to li ghte n the rather unpalatable truths th at the dramatist asks th e viewer to cons ider. The prec a rious staw that humanity finds itse lf in at the end of the play is no lau ghin g matter. Duerrenmatt ha s written a complex wo rk in "Die Physiker" a nd the memb e rs of the Mennonite Thea tre gro up are to be co mmended for th eir "understanding" presenta-

tions. It was a ll that one could reasonably ex pec t: from an amateur group, and at frequent points in t.he drama the leve l was as profess ion a l as that to be found anywhe re . Som e small defects were noticeable in th e lac k of clea r enunci a tion on th e par t of some of the actors a nd in unnecessary movements, o r in th e lack of ft)eiing fo r th e poetry of a lin e. The pac ing seemed a bi t sl ow at times, and I would have f avoured a slightly more "metallic" int e rpretati o n of some sectio ns of the play (especially th e ending), rather t han a "romantic" sty le. However, th e audience se e med to have littl e difficulty in und erstan din g the play itself. The ability of Duerre nm att as a dram a ti st was e vid e nt in th a t tht' aud ience was und e r the impression th e play had ended in a "satisfactory" manner after th e lead in g physicist gained the acquiescence of hi s

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mennonite mirror / december 1973/15

co lleagues in th e .an empt to withold dan" gerous in form ation fr o m th e public. The surpri se endin g sh o wed the ph ys icists to be pa wn s in a ga me bein g pl ayed on a hi gher Jnd m o re s inis te r le vel, and th e a ydi ence le ft w i/h . th e unce rta in feelin g th a t a ll is not w ell with c ommon humanity. Anythin g ca n happ e n in a n insa ne asylum, an d it d oes. Unfo rtunately, th e audience

ca nnot help but reali ze that it is our world that has gone mad, and that we are caught in th e grip of forces tha t are too powerful to control with the laws of physics. I Ii ked the straigh tforwardness in the presentation. The leading roles were well cast, and there was little to choose between . them. William Thiessen, Horst Friesen, and John Wiebe gave excellent renditions of the

the three insane physicists, and Eliza beth Schlichting's performance as Frl. Dr. Mathilde v. Zahnd (the ultimate villain) was certainly noteworthy. The supporting roles left little to be desired. The long and the short of the matter is that we had the rare opportunity of seeing an excellent modern German drama per" formed by a very capable group o f actors. We shall be looking forward to more of the same!

Peter Paetkau's observation

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It is to be expected that a professional drama critic will be reveiwing Die Physiker, and therefore I shall not attempt to do that. However I would like to make some of my own comments on the excellent production as a theatre-goer (now once a year, thanks to WMT). Perhaps none attempted to record the entire drama on a cassette recorder, and I may go on record as the first to have done this! (the amplification could have been better in the Playhouse for such purpose.) Replaying the drama has been in" valuable to the understanding and appre' dation of the presentation. My first reaction to this grotesque nonsense was utterly disturbing; I felt a futility overcoming me while attempting to fathom all these extraordinary situations and rela" tionships. I t was a mad drama one was not free to leave because this was a bit of our real world Watergate and the llAiddle East crisis are no less grotesque. In other words, Duerrenmat is a great playwright in that he achieved something of what he set out to do " to disturb and . thereby draw attention to the human dilemma we are really in. mm

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I

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Teufel des Zeitmangels ist, an den Waere ich ein Amerikaner, dann andern dem auch so geht. Hi n u nd muesste ich sagen, nein. Denn ich habe wieder taucht damit auch ein Iiebes Gebis heute noch nicht die Mindestzahl sicht aus der Vergangenheit auf. Sollten von Weihnachtsgratulationen erhalten, wir einen Maszstab enlegen, so wuerden die mich aus dem Grau der Bedeutwir die Zahl der Briefe vorschlagen, ungslosigkeit ins Licht der Beliebten heben. Es muessen, wie eine ameridie unser an Weihnachten und Neujahr kanische Untersuchung feststellt, mingedenken. Nach Paketen sollte man destens 13 und ein Drittet sein nun seine Beliebtheit aLJch nicht [Tlessen. waren es tatsaechl ich bei m ir sogar 17 Bei vielen ist nicht die Neigung, sonVielleicht gibt es ueber 20 ei ne Art von dern die Pfl icht der Absender. Koennten die Pakete sprechen, so wuerden Super-Popularitaet. Doch der Jv1aszstab stimmt nicht wenigsteris nicht fuer uns sie ueber viel Seufzer beim Einpacken 'alte Europae'~r, die sich nicht mehr so berichten. Die aermsten unter Ihnen viel vormachen, wie die jungen Amerisind die, die man Leuten schicken kaner, Ihnen macht noch vieles Vermuss, die alles haben und bei denen gnuege-n, was wir nicht mehr anruehren. eine bescheidene Gabe nicht mehr anAis wir jung waren, konnten, wir auch kommt. Auch jene, bei denen dem Abnicht genug Weihnachts- und Neujahrssender nichts Rechtes eingefallen ist, gruesze bekommen. Damals zaehlten weil er keine Zeit, d.h. keine Zeit fuer wir sie. Heute waegen wir sie, und die uns gehabt hat, denen er es schickt. meisten werden zu leicht befunden. Wir Aber gute Briefe sind ein ehrlicher muessen uns durch GentelmenagreeMaszstab. Denn bis jemand sich zu ments, durch behoerdliche Abkommen Ihnen h insetzt, muss er schon von gutoder durch Abloesepauschalen gegenen Gefuehlen, Absichten, Gedanken ueber Wohlfahrtseinrichtungen vor der getrieben· sein. Wer also viele gute Weihnachts- und Neujahrsbriefe bePlage schuetzen. Es sind zu viele falsche Fuenfziger, Prlichtgruesse, Konvenkommt, in denen der Absender tionskarten darunter. Zu viele Eselsmenschlichen Gewinn und Verlust des bruecken, um von den zwoelf brieflosJahres waegt, u ns daran teil nehmen en Monaten des alten Jahres ungeschorlaesst und nach unserer Bilanz fragt, en ins neue hinueberzuhuschen_ Einige der darf von sich sagen, dass er beliebt, jedoch wollen wirgelten lassen. Sie sind - dass er geliebt ist, wenn auch nicht ein Gruss aus der Ferne, ein 'jWinken populaer. mm mit der Hand von einem, der ein armer

(XX)

Mix-up is a contest to test your skill at spellin g - th at is, your ability to unscramble the letters and re-arrange them so that they form real words. The newly formed words should fit into the squares provided. Letters within squares with circles are to be combined to form an "answ er" i~ the bottom row of ci rcles. One entry will be selected from among all the correct entries submitted. Answers to the December puzzle should be sent to the Mennonite Mirror office before December 21. The winner of the October Mirror Mix-up -was R. Friesen. 523 Kildare Ave. W., Winnipeg, Man. This is not the R. Friesen who is 'a member ot our organi zation. Mr. Friesen is receiving a cash prize of $10. A similar award is offered to contestants in this issue. He was one of 40 entrants to the contest. Answers for October are: grace, labor, autumn, bounty, acclaim; with answer, cornucopia.

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Torten und Tortenstocke in grosser Auswahl

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Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser

mit

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Aile deutschen Brotsorten (ThiJringer Landbrot)

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Dobos Spanische Vani 110 Haselnuss

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BrOtchen

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Kirschtorte

Kase·,

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849 NOTRE DAME AVENUE 215 Oakland lve. , N. Kildonaft

339-2289

Sahne-,

FEiNSTE WURST· UNO FlEISCHWAREN, DELIKATESSEN

Florentinertorte

SpezialiLHen, Westfalischer Schinken und Wurst nach Hausmacherart, viele deutsche und europaische Importwaren

USW.

und

FREIER PARKPLATZ AN DER SHELL·TANKSTELlE FREITAG lIEFERUNG FREI HAUS! -

KaiserbrOtchen

Tlalich frisch -

TELEFON: 772-9668

GUTE PARKMOEGLICHKEITEN VON 4~O BIS

18/ mennonite mirror / december 1973

847 NOTRE DAME AVENUE -

E, WEGNER

TELEFON: 783-1969

INH. FRITZ ROSENKRANZ 6~O

UHR IN DER WINNIPEG AVENUE

Weihnachfsyorfreude von Marianne Ewy

Es gehoert schon fast garnicht mehr zum guten Ton, an Weihnachten Geschmack zu finden. Viele Leute behaupten , das Fest sei e igentlich eine arge Buerde - die teuren Gesche nke, das viele Essen sowie der viele Besuch eine ganze Rei he mu ehse liger Verpflichtungen, und erklaeren sie werden froh sein, wenn es erstmal vorbei ist. Fuer die Be-rufstaetigen bringe es ja ein odei' zwei extra Feie rtage - aber die arme Hausfrau - aile si nd sich eining, dass sie beim Fest nichts zu lachen hat. Abe r was waere das Weihnachtsfest ohne hausmuetterliche Ueberstunden? Eine Feiertag, an dem man viele Karten erhaelt, aber das meiste was darueber hinausgeht wohl oder uebel von der Dame des Hauses geleistet werden muss lu nd meistens auch das schreiben und abschicken der Karten!) . Gewi ss, es macht alles Muehe, aber - es macht auch Freude! Wahrscheinlich kommen ueberhaupt nur die zu e inem wirklichen Festvergnuegen, die fl eissig daran mitwirken. Denken Wir nur an die Herstellung des Weihnachtsgebaecks. Es ist gar nichts so besonderes in unserem Lande Kekse zu essen, aber Weihnachtskekse zu back en ist eine besondere Lust. Wenn der Geruch von Gewuerzen das Haus erfuellt tauchen wohl in jedem wieder Kindheitserinnerungen auf. Und der rohe Teig schmeckt koestlich, meist noch besser als das Endprodukt. Man weiss ploetzlich wieder wie schoen milde auf die teigbeklebten Finger der eigenen Ki nder. Die Maenner allerdings geraten etwas ins H intertreffen bei all d iesen Vorbereitungen. Bedingt durch ihre Berufstaetigkeit sind sie oft nicht dabei, wenn kleine, ungeschickte Kinderhaende basteln und kleben. und daher faellt es ihnen nicht immer leicht die viele Ai-beit und Mu ehe gebuehrend zu wuerdigen, die mit der Herstellung der kleinen, oft schon etwas angeschmutzten Geschenke verbunden ist. Aber das schadet nichts, denn die Entstehungszeit steckt so voller Spannungen und Aufregungen, und whare Weihnachtsarbeiten sind ja in erster Linie fuer den Geber ein Vernuegen .

Wer zum Beispile ganze Abende an die Herstellung raffinierter Paeckchen wendet, Zauberdinge aus Goldpapier und Schliefen formt, der wird wohl kaum ernsthaft erwarten, dass der Empfaenger die Aeussere Huelle gebuehrend . bewundert, Weihnachtsverpackung ist eine jener weiblichen Handarbeiten, die ihren Lohn in sich selbst finden muessen. Staunend sieht der Hausvater zu und brummt wohl ab und zu ueber die langen Abende, die mit all dieser Muehe vergehen. Aber zu Weihnachten gibt es eben keine G leichberechtigung! Da sind die Frauen auf ganzer Li nie die Sieger, denn sie erwerben mit der Muehe auch die Fruede. Vor allem aber praegen sie zu diesem Fest ihre eigenen Sitten und Braeuche. Es

scheint, als ob Weihnachtstrad ition fast immer aus' der Familie der Frau stammt. Ob es das grosse Festma hl, dessen Zusammenstellung auch meistens Tradition ist, am Heiligen Abe nd oder am ersten Feiertag gibt, ob Suessigkeiten, vergoldete Nuesse usw. an den Weihnachtsbaum kommen oder vornehmer Silber - oder Goldschmuck, das wird oft von Muettern bestimmt und von ihren Toechtern weitergegeben. Der Ablauf der Bescherung, die Verlesung der Weihnachtsgeschichte, das singen von Liedern, in Einzel· faellen vielleicht noch das aufsagen von Gedichten, oder welches Naschwerk auf den "Bunten Teller" kommt, das sind Entscheidungen, die oft schon von der Grossmutter getroffen wurden. Es ist nun auch mal alter Brauch, dass die Maenner vor dem Fest etwas stoehnen muessen. Sie sprechen von Kosten und haben doch in Wirklichkeit Angst vor der Sentimentalitaet. Sie erklaeren immer wieder, dass s.ie absolut nichts brauchen, sie haetten genuegend Schlipse, Socken, Hemden usw. Aber wenn schliesslich die Weih· nachtskerzen . brennen und "Stille Nacht" erklingt, dann ist es oft der Vater, der verstohlen nach dem Taschentuch sucht, Mutter hat gar keine Zeit fuer soviel Ruehrung - sie muss zwischendurch mal in die Kueche.

mm

J(la66en :Juneral Chapel TOSERVE AS WE WOULD BE SERVED "By now you have heard of our service why not compare our prices?" 194 HENDERSON HIGHWAY TELEPHONE 668-0179 (DAY AND NIGHT) WALTER KLASSEN

WE WISH OUR CUSTOMERS AMERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR KRAHN'S TV 1163 Henderson Hwy. Phone: 339-7186 mennonite mirror / december 1973/19

Peeta Lurenz en Berlin von Reuben Epp

Pecta Lurenz ut Rostock es mol en Berlin enn haft 'et sea drock. Grod aus hec met aulem sootoosaije foadig es, enn aufreise well faellt ahm noch bie daut hee en'e Sta~dt noch Jeschaft too driewe haft. Aus hee soo aewarem gr?ote Plautz ieiht, wua de Kieisa sem Schlott steiht, ligt de Kjeisa em Fensta enn kjikt rut. Daut mag soo rom klock acht z'morjens seene. Wiel hee nich vael Tiet haft, denkt Lurenz: "Mau bloos nuscht moakje lote enn stell veble seheiwele." Oba au~ hee ja?~jen'em Schlott kjemmt,' kjrlgt de Klelsa ahm em Kiikja enn roopt ahm aun: "Waut, Paeta Lurenz, mien oola Frind enn Duuzbrooda, woascht du hia dann vebie gohne? Komm fuats nopp." ':.Holl mie bloos nich opp, Fritz", sallt Lurenz. "Ekj had 'et drock." "Ekj well die uck nich opphoole 1/ saijt de Kjeisa. "Du saulst bloos ne~­ kome enn meine Fru go'n Dag saije." Auf Lurenz nu well oda nich, hee mott nopp. De Kielsa moakt 'ne groote dobbelde Daea op. "Fru" roopt hee. "Peeta Lurenz ut Rostock es hia enn well die go'n Dag saije." See gohne am groote Sol nen, enn waut de Kieisa seine Fru es, dee ligt noch em Badd unjar'en siednet Loak enn haft 'ne groote Kroon opp 'em Kopp. "Marieche" saiit de Kieisa. "Stoh schwirid opp enn back Peeta Lurenz Ine Paunnkuak. Enn spood die, hee haft 'et drock." Ut H. F. Raabes Volkjsbuak, 1854 Aewasatt von Ollnburga Plattdt1t1tsch opp Preissisch Plautdietsch von Reuben Epp. 1973

Weihnacht Lass den Schnee aus deinem Wolkenschmis fallen, Herr, und huell' uns gnaedig ein! Lass uns stumm und dir gehorsam sein und uns schweigen und uns horchen bloss. Denn wir leben unser Leben nicht. Aus der Ahnenferne kommt es her. Denken wir's, wird uns der Atem schwer Wir verglimmen wie ein Weihnachtslicht.· A~er

horch: auf einmal klingt ein Leid! Kmderstimmen singen durch die Nacht! Und wir wissen es: das Leben wacht! Und wir fuehlen es: das Leben blueht! von Hermann Claudius

20 I mennonite mirror I december 1973

Und die Sterne sind doth aile da von J.H. Enns Von iung an habe ich gern nach den Sternen geschaut. Soauch nach dem wolkenlosen Himmel am Tage. Aber' auch die Wolken habe ich gem gesehen. Wasfuer wunderbare Gebilde kann man doch von Ihnen machen! Wie auf einer Karte bilden sie Inseln, ganze Laender u.a. Und manchmal ersehien in ihnen der siebenfarbige Regenbogen. Eine wunderbare Bruecke am Himmel. Mein Bruder Hermann sagte mir wir koennkamten nie unter den Regengoben men, so weit wir auch laufen wuerden ihn zu erreichen. Grischka, Onkei Brauns Kutscher, sei freilieh einmal unter ihn gekommen mit einem Gespann guter Pferde . . . Und wie herrlich strahlen abends vom dunkelblauen Himmel die Sterne! ~an kann sich an ihrer Pracht und I~ren Strahlen nicht satt sehen. NatuerlI~h zaehlen kann sie niemand. Fuer mlch waren das in meinen Kinderjahren lauter Fenster am Himmelshause aus welchen die Engel herniedersch~uten zu uns auf Erden, was hier unten die Menschenkinder taeten. Nun bin ich schon mehr also 40 Jahre in der Grossstadt. Ich schaue auch jetzt noch abends nicht in den tief dunkeln, sondern halb hell en Himmel u~d suche Sterne. Einige Planaten kann Ich zu verschiedenen Zeiten finden, so den Jupiter, den Saturn den Mars und die jetztschoen aUfsteigende Venus als Abendstern. Ja aueh einige andere Sterne habe ich entdecken koennen. Auf dem elektrischen Licht etwas entfernten Hinterhof meines fureheren Hauses - das Gebilde des Grossen Baeren, den Polarstern und einige andere. Aber durchaus nicht die vielen, vielen Sterne, die man abends auf dem Lande Wahrnimmt. Unser vieles selbstgemachtes, elektrisches Licht' hat uns den Anblick der Sterne geraubt hat uns die Herrlichkeit des Himmel; genommen. Und doch weiss ich: Die Sterne sind aile da. obgleich wir sie in unseren feinen Staedten nicht mehr sehen koenen. Wie trefend sagt das doch Matthais Claudius im folgenden Versen:

Seht ihr den Mond dort stehen? Er ist nur halb zu sehen . und ist doch rund und schoen. So sind wohl viele Sachen die wir getrost belachen, : weil unsre AugeQ sie nichtseh'n. Wir stolzen Menschenkinder sind eitel arme Suender und wissen garnicht viel. Wir spinnen Luftgespinste und suchen viele Koenste und kommen weiter von dem Zie!. Das bringt mich auf andere G,edanken und auf einen anderen Vergleich. Wie schoen ist unser Kinderglaube, uebernommen von einem frommen Elternhause und gutem Unterricht in der Schule. Wie einfach und befriedigend! Und da mag es geschehen dass dann jema~d im Bestreben, sein; B;ildung zu e:weltern, von Schule zu Schule geht, elne Menge von Kenntnissenerwirbt von wi rk.liche!1 Daten in archaelogi~ schen, blologlschen, astronoinischen und besonders auch geologischen Wissensgebieten, Daten, die ihm den Kinderglauben erblassen machen, ia ihn ganz nehmen koennen. Darueber kann jemand sehr traurig und unruhig werd~n .. Ihm moechte ich sagen: Deine klndllchen Vorstellungen, die Du einmal hattest, entsprechen doch der Wahrheit - wohl inanderer Form. Aber sie sind zu Recht da. Glaube sie und suche. weitere Erkenntnis. Die Sterne am Himmel sind dbch aile da auch wenn unser bloedes Auge durch das selbstgemachte Licht in unseren feinen Staedten sie nicht sieht. So sind a~ch ~eistliche Dinge da, obgleich wir mcht Immer sie in ihrer Erhabenheit er kennen. Bei ehrlichem Suchen werden wir zu den Lehren der Apostel kommen und erfahren, dass der Glaube an Jesum C.hristum und sein Heil der Sieg ist, der die Welt ueberwindet nach 1.J h. 54 "Studiere nur und raste nie' . , Du kommst nicht wiet mit deinen Schluessen: Das ist das ,Ende der Philosophie: zu wissen, dass wir glauben muessen." Emanuel Geibel mm

Erinnerungen yon Da,Yid Toews Siebente und Letzte Fortsetzung Ein Wunder geschieht: Die Einwanderung beginnt

Als ich von Kansas nach Hause kam, gab es Sitzungen der Board. Ich erstat· tete Bericht, Wir waren aile davon ueberzuegt, dass es vergebliche Arbeit sein wuerde, genuegend Aktein zu verkaufen, um auf den Charter operieren zu koennen. Manche waren auch fuer Aufhebung des contracts. Ted Nickel sagte in seiner impulsiven Weise. "Well poys, we are beat. Lets cancel the contract." In Bezug auf den Knotrakt sprachen sich mehrere so aus. Ich sagte: "Nein, ich glaube wir muessen den Kontrakt aufrecht erhalten. Wenn die Bewegung nicht in Fluss kommen kann, dann wollen wir uns wenigstens nicht beschuldigen muessen." Spaeter las ich auch einen Brief von Aelt. Isaac Dyck, Chortitza der da,rauf schliessen liess, dass man drueben wusste, wie es hier ging, und wie unser Ansehen auch in Russland gesunken. Inzwischen kam ein Brief von D.H. . Bender an A.A. Friesen in dem er ihm ueber Gurendung der "Colonization Board" Mitteilung machte, Aus unserer Board waren da in ihre Board genommen A.A. Friesen, P.P. Epp, C.J. Andreas dann noch H.H, Ewert: Da war ein Komitee fuer Unterbringung, eins fue,r Transportation eins fuer Propagada u,s.w. And Friesen schrieb Bender - I want to use you for those coming by way of Quebec and I want to use Orie Miller for those coming by way 'of New York. Es schien als ob B. glaubte, dass er unsere Organisation mit einem Brief hinwegwischen koenne. Ich musste mich ueber siene Vermessenheit, dann aber auch ueber seine Unzulaenglich-

keit wundern - Es war da kein Kredit arrangiert und die Einwanderer durften unter dem Gesetz garnicht in die Ver. Staaten einwandern. Auch an BoB. Janz wurde diese "NeuOrganisation" gemeldet. Er sprach in einem Brief, wohl an A.A. Friesen seine Freude darueber aus, dass jetzt eine Organisation geschaffen sei, die das Vertrauen d. Volkes habe. Weiter habe ich nichts darueber gehoert. 1st wohl im Sande verlaufen, wie nicht anders zu erwarten war. D iese Board so lite unsere Organisation ersetzen, Warum, werden die Initiatoren selbst kaum wissen. Der Weg nach Canada war offen, der nach den Ver. Staaten verschlossen. Vorlaeufig waren in Russland noch manche Hindernisse, Es ist nicht gut ersichtlich, warum man in Russland immer hierher schaute als laegen die Hindernisse hier. Die Hinternisse waren drueben und sobald diese beseitigt, konnte die Arbeit einsetzen. Ais ich das zweite Mal nach Montreal kam sagte Col. Dennis, es seien Berichte: dass die Kolera in der Gegend um Odessa ausgebrochen sei, auch seien die Verhaeltnisse in den Dardanellen derart unrugin, dass sie jetzt keine Schiffe senden koennten. Hierauf wurde der Plan erwogen, ob man nicht ueber Riga operieren koenne. Das groesste Hindernis war wohl, dass es auf diesem Wege viel mehr Geld kosten wurede, die Auswanderer bis an den Hafen zu bringen und die Leute durchweg kein Geld hatten. Ais diese Sache geregelt war, erklaerte dir russische Regierung, dass sie keine Auswanderer zurueck einlasse, wenn sie

erst ueber die Grenze seien und dort etwa durch Krankheit zurueckgewiesen wurden. Hier fand nun das Komitee in Deutschland einen Ausweg indem ',es die deutsche Regiergung bewog; di e etwaZurueckgesteliten aufdem Lechfelde auflunehmen und zu haltenbi s sie ausgeheilt seien, Besonders aengstlich war man hier wegen Trachoma u. wegen Tuberkulose. Deutschland schien nichts zu befuerchten. Dru ebe n gab es wohl immer wieder Schwierigkeiten wegen der Ausreisegenehmigung . Hier gaben wir bald aile Hoffnung auf Erfolg auf, doch hatten wir alles getan, was moeglich u, noetig war, Unsere Gegner fingen an zu spotten. Ein Prediger soil das sogar oeffentlich von der Kanzel aus getan haberl. Dann im Juni 1923 erhielten wir indirekt Nachricht von Jacob Ni ebuhr, New York dass die erst Gruppe kurz vor der Abreise staende, P.H. Unruh, Goessel, Kansas, der eine weitgehende Vollmacht von drueben mitgebracht hatte, erhielt von B.B. Janz dieselbe Nachricht, Wir erhielten keine Nachricht. Wussten nichts, Wir war.en anfangs Juli, 1923 auf unserer Konferenz in Langham, als ich das mir von Col. Dennis gesandte Telegramm nachgesandt erhielt, dass 750 von Chortitza abgefahren seien . Wir hatten in Langham die Einwanderungsfrage bereits durchgesprochen . H. H. Ewert, . C.E. Krehbiel, J.J. Balzer u. P,A, Penner waren da. Stoff genug war da nach all dem was gewesen war, genug Stoff, Br. Krehbiel hatte in den verschiedenen Kirchen die Verhaeltnisse in Russland und das H ilfswerk derart nuechtern hingestellt, dass manche unter uns nicht wussten, was wir dann von den Briefen zu halten haben, die uns di e Lage so traurig schilderten. Br. Krehbiel war wohl gegen di e Auswanderung und wollte wohl durch ruhige, sachi ich e Oarlegung den Eifer hemmen . Er hoffte wohl auf Besserung der Lage, Da kam das Telegramm an mich. Ich gab es gleich bekannt. Es wirkte sehr verschiemennonite mirror / december 1973 / 21

den, doch nahm man die Nachricht ohne siclTtlidw Aufregung auf. Ich habe bei manchen Widerwaertigkciten seit Juli, 1923 daran den ken muessen, WilS Br. P.A. Penner mil' damals sagte: 0 ie Immigranten werden sich noch einmal schaerfer gegen dich stellen, als es die Einheimischen jetzt tun." Damals konnte ich das nicht fassen. Haute 1934 glaube ich an die Moeglichkeit. Es si nd viele sehr treue liebe Menschen seither hereingekommen auf die ich mich fest u. immer verlassen kann; aber es sind auch andere. Ich hoffo, dass diese in der Minderhiet bleiben. Mit sehr grossem Interesse verfolgtcn wi r den Zug soweit un5 das moeglich war. Von Moskau erhielten wir Nachricht, dann von der lettischen Grenze. Volle 25% wurden zurueckge5tellt, meistens wegen Trachoma. Sie durftcn nicht zurueck nach Russland und durften nicht nach Canada. Wir waren gam niedergeschlagen. Ich schrieb einen sehr unwilligen Brief nach Ottawa: Man habe uns cine leichte Untersuchung versprochen und nun sei sie so streng wie nur eben moeglich gewesen. Mr. Blair ein sonst sehr lieber Mann und unser guter Freund, ein wahrer Christ, sagte mir bei meinem darauffolgenden Besuch: "Sie koennen gerade so gut versuchen mit ihrem Kopf durch diese Steinwand zu laufen als dass sie Trachomakranke in Canada hereinbringen. Man fuerchtetTrachoma scheinbar mehr als Pocken. Da war kein Unterhandein, nur Ausheilung. Sogar Narben von Trachoma durften nicht sein. Die Vorsicht u. Furcht war wahl zu gross. Die Aertzte in Deutschland sahen die Sache lange nicht nacho Das machte uns viel Arbeit u. Sorgen und auch Unkosten. Es gab, unter den Reisenden Entaeuschungen u. wieder Abschiedsschmerz, in Deutschland sehr fruendlicht Auf· nahme von Seiten der zustaendigen Beamten. Zum Empfang der ersten Gruppe wurden Gerhard Ens u. P.P. Epp delegiert. Sie fuhren nach Mon· treal, dann weiter nach Quebec wo sie die erste Schiffsladung, die auf d. Schiff "Empress of France" herueber kamen empfingen. Hier wurden mehrerer unserer Gegner nervoes. Sie versuchten die Leute zu beeinflussen, die Immigranten nicht aufzuhmen indem sie sagten: "Wenn Ihr sie aufnehmt, macht Ihr Euch mitverantwortlich fuer d. Kontrakt." Es waren wohl nur wenige, die sich so weit erniedrigten, diese haessliche Arbeit zu tun, aber sie waren da und fanden Gehoer. Hier war man aber doch unsern Versicherungen zugaenglich. Sehr viele wurden bereit Gastfreundschaft zu ueben. Wir luden eine Reihe leitender Maenner ein, und besprachen mit ihnen die Lage. Es war uns klar, dass wir die grosse Gruppe wuerden aufnehmen muessen, wall ten d_as auch durchaus,

22 / mennonite mirror I december 1973

um ZLI beweisen, dass wir uns von keiner Arbeit u. Verantwortung zurueckziehen wollten. Es war der Ge-· danke, dass die Immigranten so weit sie arbetisfaehig waren im Erntefelde arbeiten soli ten den vollen Lohn erhalten und moeglichst alles auf die Reiseschuld zahlen. Fuer Kleider wollten wir versuchen zu sorgen, Nahrung und Obdach sollten sie in ihren Herbergen haben. In vielen Faellen liess sich das so einrichten aber in manchen Faellen ging es weniger gut. Die Schuld lag bald auf einer, bald auf der anderen Seite. Obiger Plan wurde allen mitgetBilt und daraufhin suchten die Brueder Herberge in ihren betreffenden Kreisen. Manche Kreise wurden ausgelassen zum Teil weil man negative Beeinflussung fuerchtete,zum Teil auch weil in jenen Kreisen die Willigkeit fehlte jemand aufzunehmen.lch wandte mich dann an die verschiedenen Stellen in den Ver. Staaten umgebrauchte Kleider. Gerhard Ens tat dassel be in den Kreisen der Kirche des neuen Jerusalems (Swedenborgianer). Dann versuchten wir einen Plan zu machen wie der Empfang geschehen sollte. Es war wohl am 19. Juli, als wir von Gerhard Ens von Ignace, der Zentralstation zwischen Ft. William u. Kenora ein Telegramm erhielten, dass sie kaemen. Warum er nicht eher telegraphierte, weiss ich nicht. Nach unserer Rechnung muesstensieam Mittag d. 21. hier sein. Aile Stellen wurden gleich telephonisch benachrichtigt und wir warteten weiter indem wir aile Einzelheiten versuchten zu regeln. Da kam ein wei teres Telegramm von der C.P.R. mit der Frage, ob wir die Immigranten von Saskatoon abholen koennten. Wir sahen die grosse Schwierigkeit. Die Wege waren nicht gut, die Entfernung fuer die wi lligen Mitarbeiter 50 bis 60 MeHen. Auch muesste das im englishen Volkgrosses Aufsehen geben. Wir erhielten dann Nachricht, dass der Zug bis Rosthern kommen wuerde. Wahrscheinlich konnte sich die C.P.R. mit der C.N.R. nicht recht einigen ueber die Bedingungen, wenn der C.P. R. Zug auf d. C.N.R. Gleise in Rosthern ankommen sollte. Der 21. Juli kam und wir warteten schon auf Mittag auf den Zug. Wir erhielten nur spaerlich Nachricht, wie weit er war. Ich weiss n icht mehr, wann wir die Nachricht erhielten, dass der Zug in Saskatoon sei. Die Autos sammelten sich in Rosthern von nah u. fern. Man hat wahl kaum je in Rosthern so viel Leute gehabt wie an jenem 21. Juli, 1920 und auch nicht so viel Autos. Aile warteten wir gespannt wann und wie das grosse Ereignis in der mennonitischen Geschichte sich abspielen wuerde. Auf manchen Geschaeftshaeusern wehnten die Fahnen. Etwa um

fuenf Uhr nachmittags fuhr del" lange Zug mit 10 Personenwaggons und drei Waggons mit Baggage in der Station ein. Noerdlich von der Station und oestlich von der Bahn ist ein treier Platz. Der Zug fuhr dorthin und die Immigranten stiegen aus und sammelten sich auf dem Platz, auch die vielen, die zu ihrem Empfang gekommen waren 608 Immigranten und sehr viele Einheimische. Ein Chor Immigranten sang das Schoene Lied Gott gruesse Dich, Kein anderer Gruss gleicht dem an Innigkeit U.S.W. Dann sagte fch den Choral an: Lobet den Herren den Maechtigen Koenig der Ehren. Beim Blick auf diese Schar war mir ganz besonders die Strophe wichtig: In wieviel Not hat nicht der gnaedige Gott ueber dir Fluegel gebreitet. Wir waren aile tief ergriffe:' beim Anblick derer die drueben Hunger u. Verfolgung durchgemacht hatten und ganz ohne Mittel heruebergekommen, die frueher reich waren gewesen. Es galt nun hier unter ganz neuen Verhaeltnissen einen neuen Anfang zu machen. Der Eindruck der Gesellschaft war, dass sie aus Armut und Not kamen. Der blosse Anblick ruehrte viele zu Thraenen. Ein zurueckgekehrter Soldat, ein Englaender, bekannte, er habe sich der Thraenen nicht erwehren koennen. Da sassen sie nun auf ihren Buendeln u. Koffern und warteten auf ihr Schicksal. 0 ie Einheimischen ging.en durch die Reihen und suchten sich passende Familien aus und diese wurden dann registriert und aufgeschrieben, wer sie aufnahm. Da sassen sechs volle Waisen aus einer Familie dachten dabei aber wohl, dass sie verteilt werden koennten. Ich sagte dazu, dass sie nicht getrennt werden duerften, wer die Waisen wolle muesse sie aile sechs wenigstens vorlaeufig nehmen. So kamen sie aile zu Jacob A.L. Friesens nach Tiefengrund. Diese Waisel) waren .begabte Kinder konnten schoen singen und man merkte an ihnen eine gute Erziehung. Friesens liebten die Kinder und taten ihnen Gutes. Ich weiss nicht von allen, wie es ihnen ergangen. Mehrere sind verheiratet. Zwei haben ihr Lehrerexamen gemacht und halten Schule. Sie bestellten m kh noch vor kurzem zu gruessen. Sie sind jetzt 1934 aile erwachsen undo helfen sich selbst durch, wenn es unter den schweren Verhaeltnissen oft auch schwer gehen mag. Bei der Verteilung blieb eine Familie Nikolai Dyck das laengste sitzen. Die Familie war allen zu gross, wohl 80d. 9 Kinder. Da kam Peter Thiessen von der Zoar Gem. Langham und nahm sie mit. Br. Thiessen war nicht kleinlich berechnend, sondern stellte sich als Mann hin. Nach wenigen Tagen kam A.A. Dyck Bruder von Nikolai Dyck von Didoburg Alberta und holte den Bruder und seine Familie zu sich. mIT

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Wpg. Ph . 47 5-5484 Bus iness Ph. 326-3443 Stein bac h. Manitoba

PROTECTING MANITOBANS ON THE MOVE

Residence Ph. 326-6175 Steinbach. Manitobd

Phone 942-6171

Bus. 284-6130 Res_ 256-6798 St. John', Corntr 8,ooL

Real Estate Commercial Properties

Homes

Riddell, Stead & Co. a~t~~'1 Otul\\~

John Oyck

.

Toronto

McLINTOCK MAl:\! LAFRENTZ & CO london ~

The Royal Trust Company Real Estat~ Division

,~(' H.m i hl"lll

CHARTERED ACCOLJN rANT., Wonni"" 804·220 PORTAGE AVE~:f~~:r WINNIPEG I, MAN. ~~::,onIO"

Grant Park Plaza 1120 Grant Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 2A6

Wf'11Hill"It'1

V.urOU'"cr

The Mirror Has An Office

• INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • LI FE INSURANCE

CJ%z()&J/OM SYNDICATE LIMITED

The Mennonite Mirror now has its own office at 203-818 Portage Avenue Frieda Unruh staffs this office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1 :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m . Telephone us at 786-2289

Art Kroeker

Syd Reimer

Dave.. Stoesz

George Sawatzky

284-0!170 GRANT PARK PLAZA OFFICE

McKeag Harris 'teall'l ~~ "Pl·,J/ol,,,,ent Co., '~td. 131 1 P ORTAGE

AVENUE .

WINNIPEG

10 . M A NITOBA.

AREA

CODE

204.

Spouc,

4·2505

@/is the joy, light and love of this Christmas season, radiate their blessings upon all, we sincerely wish our good friends in the community a holiday filled with life's most treasured gifts.

MONARCH INDUSTRIES LIMITED