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April 1983 · Vol. 12 No. 2 · p. 41 

Historical Endnotes

Ken Reddig

DOCUMENTATION ON RUSSIAN MB CONGREGATIONS DISCOVERED

A valuable collection of journals, written by Rev. Herman A. Neufeld, a well-known Mennonite Brethren “Reiseprediger,” were recently deposited in the Center for M.B. Studies in Winnipeg. The twenty-three bound volumes, each containing over 500 handwritten pages, describe in detail the ministry of Rev. Neufeld. Thirteen of these journals are daily diaries. Beginning with the year 1881 they cover his ministry in both Russia and Canada until his death in 1931. Included in the collection are six volumes of sermons, one volume of poetry, one volume detailing mission tours (including financial accounts) and two volumes on family genealogy.

The significance of these journals is that they contain detailed descriptions of daily events, issues, conferences and relationships among the Mennonite Brethren congregations and the larger Mennonite brotherhood in Russia. Since they are written by a minister who spent approximately six months of every year traveling and ministering to the scattered congregations, these journals provide important new data on the early history of our Mennonite Brethren congregations in Russia.

The journals were in the possession of family members until a son, Dr. A.H. Neufeld of London, Ontario, collected them and began writing a biography, based upon the journals, of his father. It is projected that this biography will be published in late 1983.

SYMPOSIUM ON MB’s AND GC’s IN CANADA

November 4-5, 1983 has been selected as the date for a Symposium entitled “Inter-Mennonite Relations: MB’s and GC’s in Canada.” Sponsored by the Center for MB Studies in Winnipeg the papers presented will begin by exploring inter-Mennonite relations in pre-WWI Russia, and then tracing subsequent Canadian developments of these relationships in such areas as music, literature, theology and among congregations. Anyone interested in attending this Symposium can obtain further information by writing the Center in Winnipeg.

Ken Reddig

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