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

y into the Molotschna from the left, from which, in a few years, the beautiful Documentary Supplement 191 “Juschanle farm” emerged. Here he experimented with soil cultivation, forestry and gardening, cattle, sheep and horse raising. The results of these experiments later benefitted the whole settlement as well as many of the neighboring populace. d) The success of this man’s experimentation soon attracted the attention of the higher authorities who recognized his excellent characteristics, his practical turn of mind and his superior insights. From 1817 onwards, as a young man of twenty-eight and the “plenipotentiary of all Russian Mennonites,” 104 he had the obligation to further the welfare of his brethren in every way possible. As witnessed by a letter of 1823, he dedicated himself completely to this calling. Among other things the letter states: “I feel constrained, as much as lies within my power, to work while there is yet time, for surely the night will come when no one can work. I depend on no man nor do I pay any attention to the slander of those who disagree with me, for I place my trust in God, my Savior. The time is at hand when everyone of us can do much; however, be not cold, or lukewarm, but in the name of God attack your work!” It was this disposition that enabled this man not only to become the indispensable friend and advisor to all the unprejudiced and enlightened men of good will among his fellow believers, but equally the helper and benefactor of the Russians, Jews and Tatars, to whom his activity, upon the commission of the authorities, was gradually extended. The Nogai called him the “Batschka Ivan” or the “nimitz- sheik”— the great leader of the Germans— and, after many a contest with their most courageous, powerful, skilled, creative, and fastest riding representatives, he was honored and loved by them. Johann Coraies was one of those rare people who could find the “real person” within the— to the limited, self-satisfied, and short-sighted average man apparently ridiculous and repugnant— outer shell of a stranger and knew how to elicit the best from him and in turn give his best in order to bring out the best in the stranger. e) When the Agricultural Society was founded in the Molotschna in 1830 on the initiative of the government, the Minister of Crown Lands confirmed Johann Comies as its life-long chairman 105 (the current Colony Administrator was named ‘first colleague’ , and two others named as members, later the committee was elected. Comies dedicated himself to this new and expanded sphere of activity with the greatest sacrifice. Before he instituted something for the general welfare, he usually made the necessary experiments himself. These often cost him considerable amounts of money and sometimes naturally proved futile. In spite of that his motto remained: “No innovator, but no stubborn devotee of the old either: the middle-way is the golden mean.” Through pati