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

Rueckenau congregation, was already buzzing because of the “protracted delay of the history.” A few people, whom I had initiated into and who understood the matter, represented me at the conference, and the latter accepted the collection of sifted, ordered, and elucidated material presented, through a recorded vote, as an adequate return for the money it had paid out. It declared that from now on author and conference were to stand on a free relationship to one another as far as work accom- plished and remuneration extended were concerned. (The honorable conference has made a few small payments for various materials I have given them toward a “history of the M.B. Church,” for which I express my thanks). Then, in 1900, it was decided to publish a very short “history” as a supplement to the “Confession of Faith,” etc. (cf. p. 670); but due to a misunderstanding between the author and the conference— the consequence of delays in the mails— this was never brought to fruition. In 1902, for reasons mentioned on page 164, a somewhat larger piece was finally to be printed. But this too did not materialize, to the great joy of the author. God would not allow a “little hat to be built on chicken feet” (a Russian proverb). And why, aside from the external hindrances, did the project take so long? For even I agreed more or less with the optimistic evaluation concerning my ability to write this “history” expressed by the old Area Administrative Officer and more or less shared by Wieler and all other interested parties! Had I not successfully completed a (even though not academic) specialized examination in order to teach the Russian language (and literature = history), general and Russian history and geography! Had I not taught these subjects for thirteen years and read quite widely in history and church history! At the same time I knew so many “old folks” personally from the Mennonite Church as well as from amongst the “brethren.” I remembered a great many incidents from the “olden days” I had myself experienced (although not as a boy or youth). Yes, but now the Low German Mennonite proverb— “The untried person speaks without thinking”— was to come true! I visited many "old folks,” loving uncles and brothers. They contradicted one another: one said this, XXIX another that. They contradicted themselves: they narrated things differently than they were given in the minutes of meetings they had themselves signed, differently than their own letters and “reports” (given to me by themselves or through the Rueckenau church council). In a period of ten-to-twenty-five years (indeed, in one-to-five years!) traditions regarding these events had developed in rural areas which interpreted the events the way they wished them to have happened! And they were quite honest in all this. Nor was there any difference between those belonging to the Mennonite Church or the “brethren” in this regard. Under these circumstances it was