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

he loving Savior knows what is best for our souls .... Here at the Kuban many brothers and sisters have been sick .... Almost all, with few exceptions .... The brothers and sisters from the Old Colony have been much affected. But it is good to endure all things in patience. At the right time things will change . . . .” e) In the oft-quoted letter of April 19, 1866, from Tiflis to the Kuban Church, Claassen reports on many difficult events: “. . . Brothers and sisters, you will know very well how things went during the time when I was at the Kuban. If matters concerning the authorities arose, you knew very well where to find me; also when land had to be measured; and when help was needed [with money, etc] I was also expected to provide a solution. I believe, brothers and sisters, that I have served you to the best of my knowledge, and have worked for your best as I understood it. I do not mean to imply that I have not also made mistakes, for I am human and beset by weakness. Dear brothers and sisters, you know how in that time we were oppressed by physical needs; we had not taken enough money from home to travel to Tiflis, and since I could not travel anyway, the money was used to buy bread .... The brothers and sisters in the Molotschna were unhappy because I was not travelling; you have letters to demonstrate that .... The brothers and sisters from the Old Colony would have approved the removal of my authority, etc. . . .” §178 6. Document for Confirmation of the Mennonite Religious Rights of the Kuban Settlers. On November 19, 1865, Claassen arrived in Tiflis for the second time and had to remain there until finally (!) on May 30, 1866, he received the longed-for document in accordance with the instructions of His Highness the Grand Prince, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, whose deputy delivered the document. Translation from the Russian. Certificate "In accordance with the decision of the assistant to the Documentary Supplements 415 Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Caucasus, the civil authorities of the mountains [Gorskoie Uprvleniie ] affirm that the Mennonites of the administrative regions of Taurida and Ekaterinoslav, who have received permission from both local and Caucasus authorities to settle on the left bank of the Kuban opposite Staniza Nevinomysk, shall retain, in the exercise of their religion, all those rights which the authorities have granted them in their current places of residence. The authenticity of this is certified by signature and the affixing of the crown seal. No. 2718. May 30, 1866, Tiflis. In the absence of the Head of the Caucasus Mountain Authority [Signature] Seal-Division Head [Signature].” 7. How heavy the weight of all these struggles, this sitting and §179 waiting, running and asking, especially the separation from family and home, often was for Claassen is shown by this passage, together with many others, from a letter from Tiflis to his wi