THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

ad sown had originally also been nurtured in Rudnerweide, which came into existence at that time. It was the later elder (since 1819) of Rudnerweide, Franz Goerz, Sr., who induced Voth to give up his good position and move to Ohrloff, Russia. Services stressing missions, mission festivals, and warm, extemporaneous sermons were common occurrences under Franz Goerz, their first elder. This is confirmed by a letter from Elder Lenzmann of March 16, 1863, to the Mennonitische Blaetter. (Cf. further # 17: “Brotherhood” in the Gnaden- feld congregation.] 9. Later the colony of Gnadenfeld and its congregation became an influential nucleus of spiritual life in this “brotherhood” sense, as well as important for a progressive school system. This congregation has an interesting history of its own. 9 * * * * * 15 Around 1540, a number of Dutch Anabaptists, later known as Mennonites, moved to the formerly Polish region of Schwetz (now in the governmental district of Marienburg) in West Prussia and settled in Przechovka, the estate of a Polish lord. (Compare above under “Elder Wiebe.”) After having lived there for over 200 years, the majority of the congregation, because of the pressure brought to bear upon them by the current Polish proprietor, found it necessary to seek a new home. In 1764, 32 families moved to Brandenburg or Neumark, where, on the estates of a royal counsellor, Franz von Brenkenhofswalde, located near the city of Driesen and the Netz river, they founded the colonies of Brenkenhofswalde, Franz tal and others under the most favorable of circumstances. Their delegates, who had sought an audience with the king, had been coincidentally recognized as “Dutchmen” because of their speech and clothing by the Lord of Brenkenhofswalde, who accosted them, presented them to the king, who in turn granted them extraordinary privileges. They were 98 IN RUSSIA 1789-1860 expected to drain the marshy land, a task they accomplished brilliantly in short order. Frederick II had just emerged from the Seven Years’ War, thereby concluding the essentially military phase of his career, so that he could now devote himself to his land and people, becoming, in the process, the great father of his country. Thus, even in the midst of this militaristic Prussia, the non-combatant Mennonites were welcomed as victorious warriors against swamps, fever and poverty, at least until swamp and fever had been replaced by cultivated fields and prosperity. Meanwhile "old Fritz” died and no one any longer “knew anything about Joseph.” Once again it was time to move. In 1835, at a time of dire distress, the congregation, through its pious, energetic and intelligent Elder Wilhelm Lange (1812-41), obtained permission from Tsar Nicholas I, in spite of the fact that he had forbidden any further immigrations, to settle forty families in the Molotschna region with all the privileges accorded the first Mennonite colonies. During the inte