The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites to Central Asia, 1880-1884, Fred Richard Belk, 1976

ner, and Johann Jantzen, convinced that following Epp was an irrational course against the best interests of the community, began to attack his theology. They open- ly admitted they had been duped by Epp for a long time and said the so-called “refuge” was a farce and a figment of Epp’s imagination. Penner, who had for some time believed that Epp was not a compe- tent biblical interpreter, now frankly labeled him unreasonable and irresponsible. With Jantzen and Toews agreeing with him, it seemed Epp would be completely discredited.° In fact, these were not the only leaders critical of Epp. A former Lutheran minister turned Mennonite who was in Lausan began advo- cating immersion as the only acceptable mode of baptism. Although Epp completely disavowed this method and spoke against the man, three families joined him in his crusade and defiantly held a baptismal service in the Amu Darya. They then began meeting together, used the Baptist hymnal, Voice of Faith, and attacked Epp for his authori- tarianism. Although this group contributed to the general discredit Refuge Becomes a Trap 169 The palace of the khan of Khiva, who hired Mennonites as carpenters and wood-carvers and to make glass mosaics for a new building. of Epp, the majority of the Mennonites felt they were preoccupied with minor criticisms and neglecting the larger plight of the com- munity. The four Baptist-minded families moved to Khiva when they saw they could no longer live happily either with Epp or his op- ponents. '° Invitation by the Khan By spring, 1884, others began contemplating a move to the city of Khiva. The khan encouraged such a move because, in his opinion, it was difficult to “protect” the Mennonites at Lausan. He even suggested that he had a ‘“‘big garden” near Khiva that would suit them well. Emil Riesen was sent to negotiate with the khan, and he came back telling of a beautiful ten-acre garden just eight miles southwest of Khiva. The garden, belonging to one of the khan’s kinsmen, was an ideal site, and he had promised those who settled there many special privileges — more in fact, than his own people enjoyed. Not only did the khan promise land but also $2000 in reparation for their hardships 170 The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites among the Turkomans, if they would come. The Mennonites who did not want to leave Khiva were overjoyed by this news. Abruptly the 39 families who agreed with Epp began preparing to leave Lausan and make their home in the safer “‘big garden.’””"' On April 16, 1884, Epp, Riesen, Wilhelm Penner, Jacob Jant- zen, Michael Klaassen, and 34 other families left by boat, carts, and wagons. They took everything they could use in a new settlement: lumber, doors, and furniture. So abrupt was their departure that fami- lies did not have a chance to reconcile differences and many simply separated without further discussion. For example, Johann Jantzen’s son cast his lot with Epp bec