A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ember for an English family paper, and that every family receive this paper free for one year." 36 In January, 1962, this committee began to publish the Mennonite Brethren Herald as the official organ of the Canadian Conference. Rudy H. Wiebe, a graduate of the Mennonite Brethren Bible College and an English instructor at the University of Alberta, was appointed as first editor of the Herald. With vigor and enthusiasm Wiebe applied himself to his new and challenging task. By coincidence, the first issue of the Mennonite Brethren Herald also contained an announcement of Wiebe's forthcoming first novel, entitled: Peace Shall Destroy Many. The controversy over this novel more than that regarding editorial policies, led to Wiebe's resignation in the summer of 1963. 36 At the termination of Wiebe's services the Publications Committee of the conference addressed Brother Wiebe with these words on the editorial page of the Herald: "Through your pioneering effort the M.B. Herald has been given direction in the areas of quality and organizational structure. Your thorough and long-range planning has PUBLISHING FOR THE BROTHERHOOD 295 resulted in the high standard of literary achievement which it now enjoys."" During the 1963-64 year, Peter Klassen, music teacher at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College, served as interim-editor of the Herald. In July, 1964, Harold Jantz, high school teacher from Virgil, Ontario, assumed the responsibilities as editor of the conference periodical. For almost eight years now Jantz has faithfully and creatively served in this capacity. Since the Herald is sent to every Mennonite Brethren home in the Canadian Conference, the paper constitutes the most effective means of keeping members informed and uniting the widely scattered brotherhood in the common faith and task. It should be added that the Mennonitische Rundschau continues to enjoy a widespread popularity after more than ninety years of publication. When H. F. Klassen retired from the editorial office in 1967 (partly because of failing health), Erich Ratzlaff, a high school teacher from British Columbia, succeeded him as editor of this Christian family paper. Under Ratzlaff's able and wise guidance, the Rundschau continues its vital role as an inter-Mennonite paper, serving also as a connecting link between Mennonites in North America, South America and Europe. Through the years several major works were published by the Christian Press in the areas of Mennonite history, church doctrine, and Bible exposition. In 1949 the first volume of Mennonitische Maertyrer (written and edited by A. A. Toews) appeared, followed five years later by a second volume. In 1955 the Christian Press printed A. H. Unruh's 847-page volume, Die Geschichte der Mennoniten Bruedergemeinde, a book sponsored by the General Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In the same year the Board of General Welfare and Public Relations published