A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

in ihe immigration and colonization of the Russian Mennonites. The two organizations served distinct though related purposes in the overall program of meeting the needs of the Russian Mennonites: The MCC concentrated on relief and reconstruction, whereas the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization concentrated on immigra- tion and resettlement. With the organization of this latter board the Canadian situation seemed to be prepared for mass-immigration from Russia, except for one major obstacle — the Order-in-Council passed by the Canadian government in 1919 which barred Mennonites and other conscientious objectors from entry. After several delegations to Ottawa by Mennonite representatives, the Order-in-Council was repealed on June 2, 1922, thus opening the door for the Mennonites to enter Canada. 4 " However, grave and almost insurmountable obstacles had to be removed for the would-be immigrants on the other side of the Atlantic. IN THK SHADOW OK I1KATH 119 Among the Mennonites of Russia two organizations also emerged Lo cope with the post-war problems of the colonists — the VMSR (Union of South Russian Mennonites) and the AMLV (All-Russian Mennonite Agricultural Union). As a result of the disruption caused by the Revolution and the Civil War, two separate organizations became necessary to serve Mennonites in different geographical areas: the VMSR came to represent primarily the interests of some sixty-five thousand Mennonites in the Ukraine, whereas the AMLV represented Lhe forty-five thousand Mennonites in northern Russia and in Siberia. Although both associations were organized primarily for agricultural and industrial reconstruction, they became increasingly involved in the problems of emigration. The name of the organization representing the Mennonites in the Ukraine was later changed from VMSR to VBHH or Verband Buerger Hollaendischer Herkunft (Association of Citizens of Dutch Extraction) in order to obtain a charter. 41 In God's gracious providence the VBHH became the chief agency in preparing the way for the mass-emigration of Mennonites from Russia. Its distinguished chairman from the beginning and throughout this period was a Mennonite Brethren minister and teacher, B. B. Janz from the Molotschna village of Tiege. Janz has sometimes been called the "Moses" of the Russian Mennonites, who led his people out of Soviet bondage. At the Alexanderwohl convention (February 19, 1921) where Janz was elected chairman, this relatively unknown man had impressed the delegation by his quiet dignity, and his ability to analyze complex issues. The following character profile, given by someone who knew B. B. Janz rather well, portrays his outstanding leadership abilities. His friends knew him as a man of broad sympathies and great courage. He possessed a keenly analytical mind and a persistence bordering on stubbornness. Deeply committed to the faith of his fathers, he seemed to personify the