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

! Rejoice with me, dear brother, that my wife, too, has found the foundation which supports our anchor. It is true that they now drive me out of school. But praise and thanks be to God, that which formerly was gain to me I now consider as refuse! In the world about us wickedness is revealed more and more but the Spirit of God strengthens us more and more according to His promise .... The Lord bless you. This I covet for you. Your brother in Christ, Gerhard Wieler.” b) Concerning the case of Gerhard Wieler. Private Tutor. I. “To the Mennonite Society for the Improvement of Farming, Trade, and Schools, Petition! The opportunity has been offered to some members of our church to have their children tutored privately by the capable teacher, Gerhard Wieler. He also instructs in the Russian language and is a member of our church. He possesses a good certificate [Wieler was one of the distinguished students of Heinrich Franz in the secondary school at Chortitza, and had been engaged by the Supervisory Commission for several years in Odessa] and has served as teacher for six years [in the Colony of Molotschna]. Therefore, the undersigned request permission of the Honorable Society in the name of those brethren in Liebenau, Peter Nickel Cornelius Reimer and [Mrs.] Johann Claassen to allow their children to be instructed by the school teacher Wieler in the home of Johann Claassen in the Liebenau Colony. The children would thus receive more thorough instruction in the German language than is given in the local village school and they would also be instructed in the Russian language. Heinrich Huebert, minister, Jakob Reimer, Cornelius Reimer, December 6, 1861. Colony of Gnadenfeld.” II. “To the Molotschna Area Administrative Office at Halbstadt. Petition! The village office has pro- hibited the local [Mrs.] Johann Claassen to take a private tutor into her home for her children. However, no reason for the action was given ex- cept that, since Gerhard Wieler was not allowed to continue in the village school, they could not permit that he be tolerated as private tutor in Liebenau. Wieler has a valid certificate and has served as teacher for six years prior to this. I herewith request the Honorable Area Ad- ministrative Office to inform me in writing, as soon as possible, how ac- cording to the laws of the country the village office can deny the rights to engage a home tutor, especially since the village school in Liebenau, because of the change of school teachers, has suffered seriously in every respect, and no instruction in the Russian language has been offered in it. [Mrs.] Claassen is deeply desirous that her children receive instruction in the Russian language as well. Liebenau, December 8, 1861, Heinrich Huebert.” Documentary Supplements 375 c) Gerhard Wieler to Claassen. "Still in Liebenau, December 12, 1861 .... You have been informed about my general well-being .... To the degree that I was formerly re