Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

nd of $500.00 for each of the sixty-two men. Through the grace of God all these ends were accomplished as is related in the article entitled “The Famous Sixty-two.” In addition to the work with these refugees the com- mittee gave its time and thought to following up every possible clue that might lead to an opening into the sealed THE MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE 59 land where our brethren dwelt, naked, hungry, with their lives in jeopardy from persecution. Several avenues were considered. Our first choice always was to get in with our men and supplies through some suitable southern Black Sea port; another was to associate ourselves with representatives of the Friend’s Service Committee, who had been operating in Russia even during the time of the war; still another movement carefully watched was the American Relief Administration earlier organized un- der the direction of Herbert Hoover; and a final one, the effort put forth by Bro. A. J. Miller to enter Russia by way of Riga and make special arrangements with the Soviet authorities, such as would permit us to extend the much needed help to our brethren. When in the latter half of October the Mennonite Central Committee received word that the way was now open to reach the Mennonites in Russia and to do relief work there as a separate unit working under the Amer- ican Relief Administration or also under a similar plan provided for, in a contract which Bro. A. J. Miller had been able to make with the Soviet authorities, steps were immediately taken by the Executive Committee to realize these long looked for opportunities as soon as possible. While Miller was to continue his operations from the North reaching down to the Ukraine, Slagel was instructed to proceed from Constantinople to Odessa, with the sup- plies on hand, as soon as papers could be secured; and from there penetrate Russia to the Mennonite districts. IV. RELATION AND ATTITUDE TO COOPERATING RELIEF COMMISSIONS Having related in general the story of the organiza- tion and work of the Mennonite Central Committee, it is perhaps in place to state briefly our attitude and relation to the several branches of Mennonites and to other relief organizations. 60 FEEDING THE HUNGRY Our relation to the relief committees of the codp- erating groups of Mennonites is suggested in the state- ment of purpose expressed at the time of organization of the Central Committee, but this attitude can perhaps be made clearer by stating that our committee always tried to be the servant of all, in all phases of the work. We organized to work with and:for them. The chief factor of service rendered to these various committees consists doubtless in the fact that we, through our representatives, directed the distribution of the food to the needy abroad. Then through publicity work and appeals, we also tried to help in raising funds and in keeping up the interest in the great common cause. In matters of