Fall 1987 · Vol. 16 No. 2 · p. 79
Historical Endnotes
EARLY MISSIONS CORRESPONDENCE LOCATED
The Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada recently received copies of the correspondence of the first Mennonite Brethren foreign missionaries, Abram and Maria Friesen. The Friesens were supported in their missionary activities in Nalgonda, India by Mennonite Brethren congregations in Russia.
The correspondence is composed mainly of communication between the Friesens and the American Baptist Missionary Union, the organization with whom the Friesens were working. Beginning in 1889 and ending in 1916 these letters were located, and copies supplied by the American Baptist Historical Society, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
FRENCH CONGREGATIONAL RECORDS MICROFILMED
The records of the Quebec Mennonite Brethren Conference, the Institute Biblique Laval and three Quebec congregations were recently collected by the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Canada. Since the congregational holdings in Quebec are quite extensive, another trip to that province will be required before all congregational records are gathered. Microfilm copies of these records will be housed in Fresno, Winnipeg and at the Institute Biblique Laval in Montreal.
HISTORY OF CANADIAN PACIFISM NOW COMPLETED
A new book on pacifism in Canada entitled, Witness Against War. Pacifism in Canada 1900-1945, compares the responses of various individuals, activist groups and religious groups to war. Seen within the broad Canadian mosaic, Mennonites are viewed as “separational pacifists” urging withdrawal from the world rather than attempting to transform the world. Written by Thomas P Socknat and published by the University of Toronto Press, the author presents a fair and comprehensive treatment of Mennonite pacifist activities. However, most Canadian Mennonite readers may not agree with his conclusion that Mennonites had very little impact upon the peace movement in Canada due to their aloofness from war and society.
