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

ence and endurance he successfully overcame all opposition, whether this came 192 IN RUSSIA 1789-1860 from people or circumstances. He knew the moral behavior and outward circumstances of almost every person in the territory under his supervision, and acted accordingly. Where he met rudeness or dis- courtesy, he manifested himself as the serious educator of his people. f) The energetic and blessed work of this man was fully acknow- ledged by the authorities. In matters pertaining to the colonies Coraies became the trusted advisor of the Colonial Board and the central governmental agencies in Odessa. He associated with members of the high and highest nobility and state officials. The imperial house graciously honored Cornies with its attention. In 1825 he (as all of the landowners in Steinbach) was honored by a visit of Tsar Alexander I; and Tsar Nicholas I, at an introduction before his entire retinue in Simferopol, affably called him his “old acquaintance." Later Cornies had the honor and good fortune of hosting Tsar Alexander II, then heir-apparent, as well as other members of his household, as his noble guests at his farm, Juschanlee. Various gifts are to be found in the possession of members of the Cornies family as souvenirs of such most gracious visits. Prince Voronzov, governor-general of New Russia and Bessarabia, visited Cornies often and frequently sought his counsel in matters concerning the governance of his territory. g) Among other honorary appointments, Cornies was granted the title of corresponding member of the Learned Committee of the Ministry of Crown Lands, which for him meant being an active and useful co-worker. h) Cornies died in 1848, in the midst of his uninterrupted activity and in his sixtieth year, after having labored thirty-one years for his fellow-men in a spirit of sacrificial faithfulness and amidst rich blessings. The church could not accommodate all the mourners— among whom were many of his Tatar friends— who had come from near and far to his funeral. Love and thankfulness escorted him to his plot in the cemetery in Ohrloff. A marble monument marks his grave. This monument is in the form of a pillar with its top or head broken off: the deceased is supposed to have requested this in order to express the fact that, according to his conviction, the task of cultural reform within the Mennonite colonies had not yet been completed or sufficiently streng- thened. Thus tradition has it. i) We will conclude the brief sketch of this man’s life with the testimonies of two respected men of learning. The learned traveller von Haxthausen, who was Cornies’ guest for a number of days and thus learned to know him more intimately, said of him: “The Tsar of Russia could appoint him to a governorship at any time and he would fit right in; but he himself wants to be nothing but a Mennonite farmer who, at the time of his baptism, promised not to govern or carry arms in Docu