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EVANGELICAL

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Editorial GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN Two hundred and sixty mountain climbers will brave snow, wind jagged knives of rock, hidden crevices and thin air to try and plant flags on 14 unknown and hitherto unclimbed peaks of the St. Elias Icefield Ranges in he Yukon near the Alaska border, in 1967. The wind-swept, lofty mountain ranges that these teams are tackling are said to defy description. A separate team of the best climbers will try and scale the most outstanding mountain to be called Centennial Peak. It is over two miles high! Faith, courage and daring will be required to subdue these proud peaks and conquer them. Mountains have always proved a challenge — to some. To others; formidable fearful and foreboding so that they rather stay in the shelter and security of the Valley. But the valley of security may some times prove costlier than dying on the slopes. Maybe this is the year — Centennial year — when you should tackle that personal "mountain" that has so long stood in your way; or the peaks which have so long beckoned you. God still has 'mountains' to conquer for those who will have courage to venture into the unknown. Caleb, whose name is prominently associated with the conquest of Canaan was such a man. At an age when we would think of retiring (85) he said to his leader, Joshua, "Give me this mountain." In this mountain were the Anakims and the cities were great and fenced. But this warrior said, "If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out..." (Josh. 14:12) And .Hebron became the in heritance of Caleb, because he was undaunted in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In another port of this paper you will read the obituary of one of our well-known pioneers, John R. Toews. I learned to love and appreciate this brother when we worked together in the then called Invalid Home on Hanover street. At his age (65) he too could have retired. But he accepted this challenge (moun tain) of administrator for this home and used his business training etc. to guide the affairs of this home and profitably invest some eight more years of his life in worthwhile service. "Give me this mountain!" For a while the Israelites of Joshua's day conquered. But we read that when Joshua was old there was yet very much land to be possessed. We further read that later, in the days of the judges, they did not only not conquer but made affinity with those very people whom the Lord had left for them to subdue! Truly a clever and easy way out. They took their daughters

to be their wives and gave their daughters to tlieir sons, and served their gods" (Judges 3:5) The mar riage of world and church! This had been expressly forbidden by God. Today too we are faced with compromise — and security — on the one hand, and going out to con quer and into the unknown on the other. Which will it be? Are we willing to leave all for the sake of Christ, even to face seemingly insurmountable mountains? Or will we draw back? God's maxim still is that, "... the just shall live by faith" This simply means that God is our Captain and we heed His voice. When He calls for some task we need never be fearful for He is faithful that promised. What then is this unconquered territory in the lives of Christians? What are these peaks that need to be subdued? Many could be mentioned. Here are a few. We need to soy yes, when the Lord calls us to go, "into all the world" to proclaim the unsearchable rich es of Christ. This is a mounain to be scaled, but not impossible. Many have done it before you and have found God able. Just recently one of our missionaries on furlough again repeated it, "The greatest need is for workers," he said, "And I'm going to mention this wherever I have the opportunity." Our egocentric way of life is in need of conquer ing. As churches and individuals we ore in danger of creating little islands and kingdoms that are almost impossible to penetrate. Church people above all people should be noted for their hospitality and cor diality, yet often the opposite is true. lust recently a brother remarked that there were two of our churches where it was hard to "get in". Not because we were too conservative but too exclusive! Maybe there are even more than two! God help us. Other enemies that need conquering are loveless ness and coldness of heart. This would be a tremen dous Centennial project for anyone. Love and com passion of course are the antonyms of the first two words, and this is what we need. Tears in the eyes of an earnest and concerned Christian was the means of bringing an agnostic to Christ as she said, "No one in my whole life ever shed a tear for me." Too often our love and compassion are selfish, ceas ing when there is a cost involved. Christ's concern was of a different kind. So was the good Samaritan's. And so must ours be if we want to follow in the steps of Christ. Space does not allow us to go on, but that moun tain in your life, whatever it is, can be conquered. All you need is the faith and courage of Caleb to say. "Now therefore give me this mountain." This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith! —D. S. COVER PHOTO: Manning

Park, Hope-Princton Highway, British

Colombia Government Photo.

The Messenger is the publication oi the Evangelical Mennonite Conlerence. Ils purpose is Io inform, instruct and inspire. Inform as to what

IS going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed Io the Editor. D. K. Schellenberq. Change of address and new subscription should be sent to the Board of Educa

tion and Publication, Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. Authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, andior payment of postage in cash. Printed by Deluxe Printing, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.

THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY By Herb L. Swartz

Winnipeg, Man. (MCC—June 6, 1967)—On the evening of June 3, 1966 we drove to the top of the Mount of Olives and parked on the crest of the hill which overlooks the former temple area of the "old city" of Jerusalem. A cool breeze from off the Mediter ranean was bringing a welcome relief to the extreme heat of the past few days. We looked and listened in silence. Jesus' prayer, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem", echoed in our minds and hearts. Then we spoke words of thanks giving and a prayer for peace. To morrow we would leave Jerusalem to begin our jour ney home after three years in Jordan. Since then we have followed events in the Middle East with a feeling of personal involvement. MCC co-workers are still there witnessing to the reconciling love of God in Jesus Christ. But now war has come again. In any evaluation of this situation three viewpoint must be clarified. First, the historical facts which account for the present developments; secondly, the Christian understanding which acknowledges God's dominion in the historical, and which accepts injust ice, hatred, and war as the fruit of man's sin; and thirdly, the fact that any attempt at objectivity is colored by personal sympathies. It is not our inten tion to speak to the second and third positions. How ever, the recall of the historical facts which contrib ute to the present circumstances is of highest import ance for a compassionate understanding of the many on both sides who must suffer now. As a country with two-thirds of its citizens born beyond its borders, Israel is an anomally in the Mid dle East. While the majority of the population is of Asian and African origin, the leadership is European. This may explain Israel's progress, but it does not explain the hostility of the neighboring Arab nations. 'This can only be explained within the larger un derstanding of political Zionism and its first leader. Theodore Herzl, who was hailed by the Eastern Eur opean Jews as a new Moses. After the first world Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, Herzl wrote in his diary, "If I were to sum up the Basel Congress in one word—which I shall not do openly—it would be this: at Basel I founded the Jewish State." The date was August, 1897. By 1917 the political maneuvers of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the chemist who developed a process to pro duce acetone for artillery shells, secured the favour of the British war leaders for the Zionist cause. The Balfour Declaration, a public letter from the British foreign minister to Lord Rothschild, called for the establishment of "a national home" for the Jews in Palestine. Heber; Swartz is presently on the faculty of the Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg. He was director of the MCC Jordan program 1963-66. The article was written upon request of MCC Information Services.

June 23, 1967

Under the British mandate over Palestine whicii began in 1922 both the Arabs and the Jews grew restless. Illegal immigration of the remnant of Eur opean Jewry from 1945 to 1948 was violently opposed by the Arab population, and ardently supported by the Jewish community in Israel and the rest of the world. As civil war continued, the British seeing the need to escape the financial and administrative burdens of the mandate, placed the problem of Palestine be fore the United Nations. The vote for partition of the land passed on November 29, 1947. The British man date ended on May 14, 1948 and the State of Israel was proclaimed. In the ensuing war Israel gained a third more ter ritory in Palestine than the amount allocated to it by the UN partition resolution. Nearly 750,000 Pales tinian Arabs were driven from their homes to be come refugees in other Arab lands, particularly Jor dan. The role of the great powers in this action and the Suez crisis of 1956 has convinced the Arabs that they are but pawns in a chess game played accord ing to the rules of national self-interest. The fact that UN resolutions on a just settlement ore ignored by Israel, although duly passed but unenforced by other nations almost annually, underlines this conviction. A succession of wars in other places with the con tinuing addition of new refugee groups has made us immune to the real meaning of such a term. What does it mean to be driven from one's homeland and to lose all of one's personal possessions? What does it mean for an agricultural people to be driven from o: fruitful land to a land of sand and stones, a land without industry or natural resources, whose popu lation is tripled by the influx of refugees. This is the lot of the Palestinian Arab refugees in Jordan. And because people go on living, even when it is on a handout from the United Nations, today more than 50 percent of the total refugee population of over one million people urges a return to a homeland they have never known. However, the main complicating factor in the Mid dle East is obviously the interests and designs of the other Arab nations. While one in religion, they are of mixed racial origin. Some are republics and others are monarchies. Intense nationalism has thwarted all attempts at unity. It would seem that their only common cause is a hatred for Israel be cause of the avowed Zionist intention of possessing the land as it was under the kingdom during Solo mon's reign. 'The return of the refugee to his home has become the rallying point for a holy war. But the frightful military superiority of the Israelis has always been a strong deterrent to aggressive action. Knowing this, they have provoked engagement after engagement, and dealt a devastating blow to the Arabs on each occasion While the Arabs hove al ways claimed that time is on their side, lack of es sential unity and the critical problems of economic development have received first priority.

By Edward Friesen Beginnings Tough Beginnings are tough. Yesterday a little premature baby was born to a young mother here in Picacho. The nurse says it will be a battle for this little creature to survive. A fellow-missionary half-enthusiastically announced the other day that old Don Agustin has made a deci sion for Christ, but added, "He'll have to mean business to make it. After all he can't read, environmently probably somewhat retard ed and a past history of murder." The Spanish Bible Institute is no exception. During its first year the problem was recruits. The second year had a severe drought and many young people had to find employment in other areas. And now this vear, the third term, the majority of the students insisted on studying only on a part-time basis. Probcrbly our objective set at the inception of the school was out of proper locus. The aim was to perpare pas tors and Christian-workers for our much neglected congregations when a good percentage of the mission aries Dulled out. However, it might have been more proper if our main objective had simply stated, "We shall endeavour to teach the Bible to Christian young men and wo men." And then prayerfully expect that this teaching in its time will pro duce the desired type of ministry. Fourteen Students We praise the Lord for the privi lege of instructing the Word of God to fourteen students, four fellows and ten girls. Ten different congre gations and three states were rep-

MISSI 4

Ed Friesen with a group of second and third year students. They are engag ed in exposition ot I Cor inthians.

resented. The Mennonite Church (Old) sent three young people from Sinaloa and Sonora to study with us. Evidently, we have several more prospects from these states for the next term, The Lord has given us some promising talent in the student be jy. The first graduate, Olga Valdez, has been used of the Lord in a singular way to lead souls to Christ during her three years at the Insti tute. Some of these converts are ma ture members in their respective congregations. There are other stu dents who have proven their gifts from the Lord in conducting ser vices and leading souls to Christ. However, one of these promising students, at present finds himself in severe spiritual conflicts. Yes, Jose Angel Dominguez is in need of your intercession before the Lord. Really, our Institute is quite unique in the sense that we oper ate in the context of two distinctly different cultures. The fact that this distinctiveness is between teachers and students accentuates even more the gap. This has some interesting advantages and blessings but nei ther is it deprived entirely of some handicaps, which at times has the potential to explode if not care fully handled.

Highlights No doubt the most important high light during the school term was the three day Annual E.M.C. Mexi can Conference. At this event we don't see members pulling up in new automobiles a minute before the first sessions begin, but several days before the first session the Christians begin to arrive from the more distant villages. The morning session begins after the first bus comes through town. Since the bus stop is directly in front of the Insti tute it really facilitates transporta tion for many. Others who do not have this convenience of coming by bus hire a truck paid by the lo cal congregation. Then of course the horse-drawn trailers are the most typical. But there are also the less fortunate who perhaps don't have a trailer neither cash for ticket who set out on foot before sunrise to participate in their conference. The sessions are very informal with as many Christians participat ing as possible. This year we even eliminated a formal theme and dealt only with issues and problems per tinent to the very present. Two bre thren had an informal discussion on tithing which became a warm subject during the free for all dis cussion period. Five Institute girls THE MESSENGEF

J* Seen here is one of the teacher's lake Kroeker, teaidiing a class in grammer QFirst year). r

> -*

V J.

r.,*7

! Grinding corn ior tortillas

had a lively debate on dating. where the burning issue was, "What can we do if we ore only Christian girls in our congregation without any fellows? Do we as girls win the fellows to Christ? Hours flew by as many and varied opinions were ex pressed. The third subject was Obe dience to Christ and the Church. Under this subject the discussion focused especially on the women's position in the Church, as it relates to Christ and to her husband, and the effect this has upon her public worship attire. In this Sponish-Indian culture the husband-wife relotion ship demands some careful instruction and guidance. They can husband IS fee head of the house (at l^st the _ „ relationship at times poses an ac-

wives this new freedom in Christ is one that knows few bounds. Our fourth and last theme was "soulwinning which constantly demcmds fTinmg to make the dying embers glow. With our reduced missionary staff thm responsibility rests heavily on the Christians and lay pastors. First Graduate Ahave all we praise the Lord for our last session when the first stu dent of the Institute was graduated. To the national church and to us as missionaries it was a joyous exper ience as the young graduate sol emnly peldged her first allegiance to Christ and to His Word. We would solicite intercession, espe cially of the young people, for this voung Christian. Why don't you put her on your prayer list. She has gone back home to some very diffi cult and adverse circumstances. A lune 23, 1967

r Supper time. Miss Dora Friesen QBack left') and students having supper in the dormitory.

a a

hostile world will be opposing her witness, The attendance at the sessions was around the hundred and fifty mark. Approximately twenty five towns towns and and villages villages were were representrepresentEspecially, were we thankful for our visiting speaker Bro. Vincent Mennonite Church (Old) missionary in the neighboring state of Sinaloa, -------- .... Other very appreciated guests were the Chairman of the Board of Missions, two members of the Mexico Executive Committee ^nd several other visitors from the Morweena and Prairie Rose congregations. rp, r.1, 7 7 The Challenge The time before us is short, and

the clock of history is striking the midnight hour. Soon there will be the shout, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go out to meet Him." Ere he cometh each believer must break break every every tie tie that that would would hold hold him him back and advance deeper into the enemy's territory in faith, confidence and victory. Only a 'beachhead' has been established for Him in Mexico, and the way ahead is beset with severe opposition. In the hour of greatest need, we call upon you back in the Homeland to faith xe..., fully hold tight the lifeline of prayer. Pray with us that a mighty re vival bom of the Holy Spirit may sweep over our field and make each heliever a flaming torch for the Gospel." (Adapted from J. T. Dale)

FLASH

-1

We have been informed of the safe arrival home of the Frank Kroeker family from Paraguay. They landed at Winnipeg International Airport on Monday, June 19, 1:30 p.m. They were reported to be "hale and hearty". Welcome homeI 5

1 NEWS I

ft 9

MACGREGOR

We are happy to welcome Marvin Thies sen back into our midst. He was teaching

Bible School in Alberta

past winter.

this

He is directing the choir once more. A young People's fellowship evening has in the home of Menno Hamms. We trust it will prove a blessing to our young people.

Our annual mission conference was held

■fl

been started twice a month on Wednesday

Cliiiord Reimer and Gilbert Reimer, Panama and Arnold Fast. The little bowl Gilbert is displaying is Indian pottery hundreds of years old.

in May with John Peters of Germany as the

main speaker. Other reports were also given including Rev. H. Floumboum of the Jewish mission in Wpg. Once again the work of

missions was laid upon our hearts including the witness right at home.

May 14th a baptismal service was held in the morning and a communion service in the evening. May 21st the Valley Stream Young Peo

ple rendered a program. Our

prayers

sympathy and

out to

The

STEINBACH

problem

greatest

however

very

similar to the problem right here in Mani

toba —■ an attitude of indifference,

and a

lack of conviction for the right and worth of

a cause. The Cliff Reimers are now visiting their friends and family in Steinbach and the

Gilbert Reimers have gone to their home

"The Lord is great and greatly to be prais ed" Ps. 96:4. This was our experience dur ing

the week of revival meetings. Interest

and attendance was good and many hearts have been blest. We are especially grate

ful to Rev. Hoeppner for the inspiring mes

sages:

well as to the various partici

pants in the special numbers which were

in Saskatchewan.

greatly enjoyed.

Junior Senior Banquet

Sylvie Giesbrecht who is a patient in St. Boniface Hospital.

PANSY

were losing converts to these groups.

The annual Junior-Senior Graduation Ban

Our special S.S. attendance was recently

quet, for the '67 graduation was held Sun.

increased from 72 to 78. Hearts are warmed

May 28

the

church

lower auditorium.

on such a Sunday Morning.

Brother Jake

Penner has his leg

Mr. Clifford Reimer and Mr. Gilbert Reim

Ten Grade 11 grads were listed and most

er spoke at the Sunday night service in

of these could attend Banquet. Other grads

cast, due to a broken

listed were those of Bible Institutes, School

from a "minor" farm accident.

June

The

Cliff

Reimers

arrived in Winnipeg on

the

1st

Steinbach

June

Nursing

from Panama, and the Gilbert Reimers arrived

Hanna of

on the 2nd. also from Panama.

speaker.

Mr.

Reimer

stated

that

the

purpose of

the G.M.U. was to build the church of be lievers. The mission attempts to establish a

local church through; and

house visitation,

evangelism, teaching summer

(Jan.-April)

camps for the boys and girls, and a week DVBS and also through the work

of med

Since

and

Universities.

Dr.

Kenneth

Wpg. Bible College was guest

The George Wiebes

cartridge,

resulting

have motored west

ward to the Hot Springs with the h-pes of finding this to be a real health booster.

todays'

society demands more edu

A group of local (Lister East) girls under have

cation, the young Christian should plan his

the

program of training based upon the exper

been serving us in song on several occa

direction

Mrs.

Kornelsen

and upon the guidance

sions. Their hearty singing and playing is

of his parents and others who are con cerned for his success in life and service

greatly appreciated by all who hear them. ★ * *

iences

of friends

to his Master. Thurs. June 8th the film "Man of Steel"

ROSENOBT

was shown by the Seinbach United Young Peoples ert the Collegiate Auditorium. The

Extension Sunday School was again re

sumed in April as in former years. Three

ference" in the city for the young people

film is the production of the Barry Moore Film Crusade. The setting of the film is

groups are going out every Sunday to outlying communities. These districts are

and university students had been begun, and four Bible School graduates of their

in Canada, listing places like Toronto, Winni peg, Regina, Swift Current, Jasper, Juneau,

school were now pastoring churches, and a

Vancouver, White Horse, and Skyway.

ical clinics.

Mr. Reimer said that in the 8 years of his stay in Panama, 15 new preaching points had been established, a "Youth Con

lady graduate wgs secretary and dean of women in their Bible School.

Miami, Woodlands, and Lake Francis. Ten workers are outreach.

Both the 6:30 and the 9:00 showings were

involved

Mission

Night

this

evangelistic

well attended. The film bears out the fact

A few months ago the brotherhood decided

Mr. Reimer mentioned some of the prob

that a man's faith in Christ changes his

to shelve the monthy Christian Endeavour

lems and needs the mission was experienc

life, which enables him to bear up to the

programs and in its place call the last Sun

ing. Some of these problems were, the re resistance from Catholics, J.W.'s, Rosicrusian-

strain and frustrations in todays life in an educated business or industrial society.

day evening of the month "Mission Night." The Dan Koops were present for the April

ism. N.A.

7th day adventists, "Gideons" Gideons) had increased, and

(not they

A man with Christ is a "man of steel" in

todays world.

program

and

Rev. Melvin

Koop was the

guest speaker at the May meeting. For the

THE MESSENGER

J. D. Graeber travelling with the Mennonite Hour quartett as speaker.

Mennonite Hour Quartett: John Miller, Ken Ross, Leon Miller and Mar vin Miller as they appeared in Steinbach on June 17.

latter program the committee had chosen as its theme — DVBS Challenge. Colonization Two more families are taking up resi dence farther west of here. This time it's in an area about half-way between Miami and Roseisle. The Ed. Siemens family has already moved and the Jac. Dycks are plan ning to move al the close of the current school term. Brother Dyck is one of our local deacons. Both families have purchased a farm. The Bill Siemens have purchased farmingland in the vicinity of Beausejour. Church Renovation Springtime is usually clean-up time and so it was also the case with the church building. But more than that was reguired. The entire interior has been painted as well as a choir loft built.

MORRIS A brief sod turning and dedication cere mony of the building site was conducted on Monday. May 22 for the erection of our new Morris EMC Church. Rev. P.L. Friesen, and Rev. C.B. Loewen, local pastor, were present. This marks an important milestone for our congregation as we continue to serve our Lord. Twenty eight volunteers distributed invi tations for the Billy Graham Crusade in Morris. Some members under the leadership of H. B. Remple, have attended classes to aid in counselling, ushering, etc. during this campaign. A bus for Monday and Thursday "Youth Nights" transported any interested in going. These were sponsored jointly by the EMC and Bergthaler churches of Morris.

lune 23, 1967

A baptismal service where seven persons were baptized was held in the E.M. church in Steinbach on June 18. They are seen on the picture together with Rev. Fast Qwho oihciatedj) and Rev. Jac. Dueck. Back row L. to R. Ron Reimer, Abe Hiebert, Jim Peters, Larry Reimer, Grant Loewen. Front row: Rev. Arnold Fast, Mary Kornelsen Adina Dueck and Rev. Dueck.

MCC Workers in Middle East Safe Latest word from the Middle East indicates that all MCC workers are safe or presumed safe. Word has now been received from most of the Mennonite workers there. Duane Kauffman sent the followinge account of his impressions of the war: "We definitely felt God's protecting hand and we give Him the credit lor seeing us safely through . . . We were forced to take shelter during air raids and some shelling, but there was no damage done to our school or to Beit Jala . . ." The MCC is planning to set up an emergency relief program in the Middle East to minister to Arab refugees and other people who are suffering as a result of the recent Israeli-Arab war.

tai cost is shared equally by the two senior governments. Federal and Provincial. BEGINNINGS 1956 At this point it would certainly be in place to note some of the steps and highlights in the deivelopment of this tremendous project. From time to time it had been pointed out by some people in the EMC as well' as in some other quarters that we needed our own Mennonite Mental Institution to take care of our poorest of the poor, the .mentally ill. In 1956 the ministry of our EMC finally did something about it. Five brethren: G.S. Fast, Henry Klassen, Dave Schellenberg, C. Unger and myself were elected as a Study Committee to investigate the possibilities of es tablishing such an institution. When our committee met we quickly rea lized that the project was too big an undertaking for our small con ference. So we decided to go and The Hon. Homer Hamilton cuts the ribbon to oliicially open Eden Men- see Bishop J.M. Pauls, Winkler tai Health Center. ^Canadian Mennonite Photo) whether the General Conference of Mennonites wouldn't be interested to take part as well. We found bro ther Pauls tremendously interested. He was still enthusiastic about the recently completed project of a Sen ior Citizens Home, that had been established in co-operation with the Provincial Government. From there on there were many, many meetings but I shall just point out a few of the important ones. By P. J. B. Reimer May 1957 On May 11th, 1957, there was a The dream of the EMC and other the Hon. C. H. Witney, minister of general meeting in the Rosenort Mennonite Churches was fulfilled Welfare, who was grounded with Church. Eight Mennonite Churches when the Eden Mental Health Cen his plane at Dauphin because of were represented by 67 delegates. tre was officially opened and ded the severe storm. He cut the ribbon. They elected J.M. Pauls, chairman, icated on Saturday afternoon, June The other MLA's were Jake Froese, P. J. B. Reimer secretary treasurer. 3rd, at Winkler, Man. The $700,000 Rhineland; Mrs. Caroline Morrison, Archie Penner, Bishop G.G. Neufeld modem institution with a 56 bed ca Pembina and George Muir M.P. for and P.W. Enns as members of a pacity and fully equipped for in-pa Lisgar. Howard Loewen, president Study Commission. tient core and out-patient treatment of the Manitoba Mental Health June 15th, 1957, another meeting has become a reality. Association also brought greetings, was held in the Bergthaler Church In spite of rather stormy weather Dr. E. Johnson, director of Pshyci- Morris, where 10 more members a large crowd of interested people atric Services gave the key address, were elected to constitute a Board. from all walks of life and a cross The Eden Mental Health Centre They were: Herbert Peters, Rev. G. section of practically all different Board and the whole Mennonite Neufeld, Rev. P.A. Rempel, Jacob Mennonite churches and groups brotherhood were heartily congrat- Rempel, Ben Braun, Erdman Rempel, in Manitoba gathered in front of the ulated on their tremendous achiev- Rev. John P Loewen, Ted Friesen, imposing building for the opening. ment. The Mennonite Churches of Rev. Gerhard H. Penner, and WillMr. J. R. Dyck chairman of the Eden Manitoba are paying half the cost iam Redekopp, Niverville. Board directed the proceedings. of construction and have already At another meeting July 2nd. at Three MLA's took part: Mr. Homer paid about $174,000 in cash for this Winkler the Board elected three Hamilton MLA for Dufferin acted for institution. The other half of the to- committees: Building Com., Finance Large crowd attends opening oi $700,000.00 Eden Mental Health Center at Winkler.

Eden Mental Health

Centre Opens

THE MESSENGER

Com., and the Executive Committee. The latter committee was made up of: J. M. Pauls, Chairman P.J.B. Rei mer, Secretary-treasurer, P.A. Rem pel, G.G. Neufeld and Archie Pen ner. However Archie Penner soon resigned. At his meeting it was also decid ed to go to Newton, Kansas to look at the Prairie View Mental Centre which had recently been established by the Mennonites of Kansas. Pauls, Rempel, Broun and myself went by car July 16th 1957 and returned two days later. May 1958 May 10th 1958 the Board called a general meeting of delegates at Rosenort Church to consider an of fer of a large farm just east of Morris for this project. Actually it was the water problem which helped to de cide against Morris as the centre of our Manitoba Mennonite com munities at that time. Of course, I should mention at this point that we had interviewed the minister of Health, Hon. R. Bend, in 1957, already but although he showed an interest the government had just established policy on assist ing the building of Old Folks Homes, but had not established any policy whatever of establishing Mental Centres in different communities. When the Roblin Government came in we got an interview again and they indicated that the whole prob lem of mental treatment and care was under review. Since govern ments usually act slowly our Board considered going ahead from time to time on our own. We even en gaged architects who drew up plans. 1961 Finally by 1961 government policy slo’wly began to emerge although they were by no means ready for making concrete immediate propos als. Bishop J.M. Pauls began to ail and then resigned, being near death. In September 1961 I resigned too, both from the Executive Board and as Secretary-treasurer. Our deacon, B.L. Kroeker took my place for a while as Secretary-treasurer and he is still a Board member. Rev. I.K. Klassen became the chairman and J.J. Wall the Executive Secretary. 1965 In 1965 Mr. I.R. Dyck became the June 23, 1967

chairman who has brought the pro ject to its final success. 1967 At the Annual Meeting which fol lowed the Opening Exercises Mr. Ben Braun acted as the new chair man because of the resignation of I.R. Dyck. The Centre is in operation now wih Arnold Schroeder as Admini strator. Tom Faulkner as Director of nursing staff and John Kroeker as director of Social Services. With amazement and a truly thankful heart did we all go through the many rooms and departments of this tnemendous, spacious Mental Health Centre. Our Mennonite bro therhood in Manitoba has achieved much in this institution but at the same time the maintaining of it will continue to be a very big challenge, economically, socially, culturally, and spiritually for us.

"DO THOU FOR ME" Psalm 109:21-31

Mabel Glenn Haldeman Do 'Thou for me, O God the Lord, For Thy name’s sake, I pray; Because Thy mercy is so good. Oh, save from Satan’s sway!

Reproach is mine because of Thee, And Satan stalks me hard; But knowing Thou art my Defense, Thy will I e’er regard. Oh, let my foes in haste retreat. And clothe them with their shame; While they, confused, are put to rout. I’ll praise ’Thy matchless name. I know that Thou art for me. Lord, So who can e’er condemn This subject of Thy grace divine. Set for Thy diadem?

GOSPEL HERALD (Abridged Edition)

The Mennonite Church and Mental Health By William Klassen

The Mennonite churches' involve ment in the mental health move ment is one of the most creative as pects of our church life. We seldom venture into creative and new insti tutional forms, but when we estab lished mental hospitals we did not copy from other denominations but embarked on this new program out of CPS experiences in the state hos pitals. The establishment of our mental hospitals seems to me to be one of the most creative and cour ageous steps ever taken by our church leaders. It is impossible to measure the effect of that decision upon our churches. It was made deliberately and is indigenous to our way of life because it repre sents an expression of our convic tion that all human life is sacred. We belong in the mental health field, not only because it has come out of an authentic need and a con frontation of resources with need, but also because it is the very na ture of the church to be concerned with people who hove problems.

At the heart of the gospel is con cern for the oppressed. We claim to be concerned about the outsider or the outcast. It is clear, however, that the outsider does not come to mass evangelistic meetings, he does not come to our Sunday morning worship services, he comes increas ingly less to other agencies of the church, but he does come to the mental hospital. Statistics show that in our hospitals we not only minis ter to many people who do not be long to our church, but also to many who do not belong to any church. If it is indeed the mission of the church to minister to those who are not its members (is not the church to minister to those who are not members of it?) then that which happens at our mental hospitals is at the very center of the church's life and reason for being. Dr. William Klassen is the Executive di rector of Mennonite Mental Health Services. The above is an excerpt irom a longer paper by Dr. Kiassen, "Further Thoughts on the Church and Mental Health.

In the Chief's compound were nine little houses built in a row. The Chief had nine wives, and each wife had her own house. Matu's mo ther was the fifth wife and hers was the fifth dwelling place. When Matu came along for his supper, his mother was feeding his baby sister and his little brother was eating By Rhoda Couldridge a roasted plantain. Matu was still excited. "Tomor row 1 am to skin the snake," he told his mother for the seventh time. "Eat your food now," she replied, handing him a piece of manioc bread and some plantain. It was barely light when Matu awoke the next day, but he hurried outside and began to sharpen his already rapier-like knife. Soba, his stepbrother, the son of Monza, who lived in the first house, was also awake and called to Matu to leave his knife. Soba was the eldest son; he was nearly seventeen, renowned as a hunter, and the younger children often sang songs about his bravery. "Come, Matu," he said. "Our fa ther is ill. He was smitten with a Beginning ioday is the first part ol an exciting African adventure story fever in the night and is even now for hoys and girls. The story will run through the summer and we hope calling for you, his favourite son." Matu in you hoys and girls will -enjoy it. I----- entered --------- the house ------- and ---- — the gloom he groped his way to Chapter I Is it dead yet? osk^^ Matu as the mat whereon his father was lyhe cautiously- approached the snake.• ing. -THE CHIEF IS ILL "Yes," said his father while he 'Matu," said the Chief, "today A DENSE CLOUD OF dust orose as wached the contortions and wrig- my head aches and my body lacks strength. You and your friends may the goats and sheep stampeded gles which still continued. "We all see sorrow because our do as you wish with the dead through the village and ran amok between the houses. Toko was an Chief's goat is dead," said one of snake. ' ■ ’his spear. _ , Matu nodded his head. Through gry as he hastened from his house. the men, as he withdrew "Yes, indeed," said another.* "But the open door he could see his mo "Stop worrying the goats, call your dogs off," he shouted. better the goat than the favourite ther and some of the other wives coming towards the house. The "A snake! A snake! Oh, Father! child." children were following, and some Oh, Mother! Ah me! It has swal "Thank you, my friends, for your lowed the black and white kid. Here goodwill," said Tokyo. "Come of the villagers were also entering the compound, all coming to in it is. Father, behind the firewood." down," he ordered turning to Matu A crowd had gathered at Matu's who had climbed onto the bundles quire after the Chief. The sick man was shivering, and warning shout, and the men of the of firewood. "When the snake stops' village, running toward the firewood, moving, then you shall learn how to Matu pushed another log on to the fire. "My mother will give you some threw their spears at the large py skin it." medicine. Ugh! it was nasty, but it thon. The great snake in is agony made me better when I had the lashed and writhed wildly and scattered the dry sand over the The Author; Rhoda Couldridge has lived in fever," he said. Matu threw some more logs on to Congo many years as a missionary and roadway. his "My goat! My goat!" groaned understands well the country and the people.the fire, then sat , down near Toko, and the men stared at the She has boys and girls ot her own and father. The Chief had turned oway from swelling which indicated the un knows how to tell a good story. We thank masticated goat inside the snake's Mrs. Couldridge lor permission to reprint her {he fire and was lying quietly. Ma stery in the MESSENGER. tu thought his father was asleep body.

The boy who escaped

THE MESSENGER

and he wondered if he would hove time to creep out softly and look at the snake. He edged towards the door and stared out into the deserted compound. Hearing his fa ther move, he turned form the sun light and sow the Chief rise from the mat and seat himself beside the fire. "The fever has left me, my son," he said, "but I am weak, and have need of your company." "Yes, Father," said Matu obedi ently, but with rebellion in his heart. It was a long, day, the longest day that Matu had ever known in all his eleven years. Sometimes the Chief was feverish and fretful, some times he was much better, and fa ther and son sat around the fire and talked, and Matu felt very grown-up. However, he was glad when at last he heard the children shouting and saw them running to greet the hunters. "The men hove returned with meat. Father" he said The hunters came to visit the Chief and with pride told Ji'ni that they had two antelopes. Outside Soba's house they skinned the ani mals and divided the meat, so that there was rejoicing in the village, for everybody had meat to eat. Away from the firelight it was dark, and Matu was afraid to creep away and look at the dead snake. "Where is my snake?" he asked h’s vounger brother. "Soba skinned it this morning," answered the lad. "The skin is stretched out to dry near the wood pile." Matu moved his meat away from the fierce flame and nodded gloom ily. "Father said I could skin it." he said. "But he kept me at his side all day." "Ngo/" At the sudden wail from the com pound, the children all turned to wards the sound and saw Soba's mother coming out of the Chief's house. "Alas! Alas!" she cried. "I have cooked meat for the Chief my hus band, and he cannot eat it." 'The men and women were start led at her cry, and leaving their own food, they hurried to see what ailed June 23, 1967

the Chief that he refused to eat the meal which had been prepared for him. They found the sick man uncon scious; his skin was very hot and his breathing laboured, 'The villag ers were frightened and gathered together to discuss the remedies for such a high fever. "We thought this morning that it was on ordinary fever and that this evening my father would be better." said Soba. "Now we see that he is worse, and unless we know the cause of his illness, he cannot re cover." "You have spoken truly," said an

old mon with gray hair. "We must send Zwou of the swift feet to fetch the docor. Meanwhile we must make cuts on your father's chest and let out the evil spirits which are giving him pain. Soba, you get some grass, and we will bind his head and try to ease the aching." Zwau rose to his feet. "Elder of the village, what you say is good, but it is dark and I am afraid to enter the forest alone." The old man nodded. "Wait until the moon rises. Then you must go, and Kumenda, who is also swift of foot, shall go with you." —(To be continued')

Liilacs in Bloom By Elma B. Dueck The lilacs are in bloom! Toyouslv I feast my eyes on the gorgeous orofusion of purple flowers om’d the green foliage. Delightedly I breathe in deeply of their heovenh'fragrance. Even the house inside is delicatelv scented with natura’ perfume as I have olaced bouauets of lilacs in several rooms. I bury my nose in a bouauet of lilacs riah* before me on the dining room table as I write this and again inhale their fragrant aroma. "Thank-you, Lord, for the beauty and fragrance of flowers. How mar vellous—how exquisitely oerfect is Your creation even to the minut est detail of each tiny p>etal of each little flower!" Doesn't God's Word say some thing of flowers and fragrance (a sweet savour') as comoored to a Christian's life? I must check up on this. What do I find? I find to mv amazement that the word "flower" is mentioned at least twelve times in the Bible. I will quote only one for you as each reference is simi lar in that it likens the flower to the frailty of man—blossoming for a few days and then falling away. "As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone." Ps. 103; 15, 16a.

We as Christians should not only be a fruit-bearing tree" but a "fra grant flower" as well. In 2 Cor. 2: 14, 15 we read. "Thanks be to God who leads us, wherever we are, on Christ's triumohant wcrv and makes our knowledge of Him soread throughout the world like a lovelv oerfume! We Christians have the unmistakable "scent" of Christ, dis cernable alike to those who are be ing saved and to those who are heading for death." (Phillip's trans lation.) Does my life, by word and deed, give out the sweet, sanctifyina aroma of the indwelling Christ so others are attracted to Him? The ointment that Marv soent to anoint the feet of the Saviour filled the whole house. Is the fragrance of faith and love to Christ as evident to those who enter our house as is the fragrance of these lilacs? In the Old Tesotment we find re peatedly that incense and sweef spices were to be included in the Israelites sacrifices to make a sweet smelling savour unto God. In the same way we as Christians are to be a sweet smelling, living sacrifice unto God. Oh that my life and the influence of our home might be as fragrant for my Lord as this bouquet of pur ple lilacs before me.

Seventeenth Annual

Convention Evangelical Mennonite Conference

JUNE 30 & JULY 1, 2 THEME OF THE CONFERENCE:

The Kingdom of God

PLACE:

Rosenort

Phil. 2: 14 - 16

MAIN SPEAKER: ARCHIE PENNER, KIDRON, OHIO I

The Nature of the Kingdom of God

The Ethics of the Kingdom

III

The Nature of the Kingdom of the World

Life and Message of the Kingdom of God

The Consumation of the Kingdom of God

IN ADDITION TO THIS THERE APPEAR SOME 17 OTHER NAMES ON THE PROGRAM FOR VARIOUS

FUNCTIONS OF THE PROCEEDINGS. NUMBERS IN SONG ARE SUPPLIED BY VARIOUS CHURCHES.

FIRST SESSION:

7:30 p.m., Friday Night

SUPPORT YOUR COFFEREFCE BY PRAYIFG AND ATTENDING THIS ANNUAL CONTENTION.