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

e fellowship with the others because they consider themselves holier. It is my conviction that a large part of this sentiment is pride and self-righteousness. They are very critical of the mistakes of others but not of their own. We also had a church business session, at which time it was decided to discuss the nature of missions in my presence. It was raining hard, and so only a few brethren had gathered. However, I hope that the meeting was not without value. As far as the economic conditions of the dear folk are §233 504 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH concerned, there is still much poverty, but compared with the situation some 5 to 6 years ago, we can speak of wealth now. Fine, big orchards have been planted. The soil seems suitable only for orchards 303 but the caterpillars are already beginning to destroy the fruit trees. While we were driving to Brother and Sister Cornelius Reimer in Ovetschka, the skies were sunny and we could see the Caucasian Mountain range with its jagged, snow-covered ridge very clearly. The highest peak, however, was the 18,000-foot Mount Elbrus. The hills and valleys were clearly visible on its slopes. Mount Elbrus is estimated to be three hundred versts from the Kuban. Brother Cornelius Reimer has planted an orchard on the Ovetschka of about 8 to 10 dessiatines in size, with good fruit trees and all arranged according to a fine system. For house and orchard he has received offers up to five thousand rubles. Only weak attempts at grain cultivation have been made because the soil, in many places, is not suitable. 304 However, the raising of cattle and sheep is more widespread. If, for example, a family has one hundred sheep, it can just get by. The building style, in the case of most inhabitants, resembles somewhat that of the Russians; however, a good number of German-style homes with barns have been erected as well. Brother Heinrich Nickel has a well-situated water-mill on the Kuban River, which generates considerable income. Brother Johann Claassen has also established a farm on the Kuban River, where he owns one hundred and twenty dessiatines [two large farms]. Our brethren have gained the goodwill of the government, which could be a blessing for them and their descendants, if they do not also decide to emigrate to America. [Cf. special sections, ‘Non-resistance Issue’ and ‘Emigration.’] With few exceptions, the men here grow full beards. 305 The mountain people have much greater confidence in a man with a beard than for someone without a beard. The Area Administrative Office is in Wohldemfuerst, and the area administrator at present is Jakob Giesbrecht. At the same time he is elder of the Friends of Jerusalem. [When Hoffmann’s rationalistic ‘Circular’ appeared, he left the Templers and again joined the M.B. Church, of which he had been a member since the earliest years of its existence.] I took part in the washing of feet, which was carried out very meticulousl