The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-06-16
MENNONITES ON THEIR
EXODUS TO MEXICO

Winnipeg, Canada, June 15.-Thou-
sands of Mennonites are giving up
prosperity for the hardships of pio-
neering, so that they may lead the
simplest of simple lives.
Ten thousand Mennonites in Sas-
katchewan and Manitoba are trekking
to Mexico because the civilization of
their prairie homes is becoming too
complex. This means Canada, which
spends thousands of dollars to attract
farmers from Europe and the United
States, will ose just so many of its
best farmers.
Thirteen prairie towns will be de-
populated. About 100000 acres of
the best farming land in western Can
ada will cease, temporarily, at least,
to yield wheat crops.
The Mennonites are leaving because
the government wants to teach their
children history, geography and Eng
lish. Members of the cult object be-
cause knowledge of other peoples
| would make the children worldly.
| Wordliness to them is the cardinal
sin. They say it makes one depart
from the precepts of the sermon on
the Mount.
Not all Mennonites are so self
J segregative. Fifteen thousand of them
in Canada and 100000 of them in the
United States believe in higher educa-
tion and up-to-date clothing.
The migrators call themselves Rein
landers. They are also known as Old
Colonists. They are very hospitable.
They will board stranger for a
month without charge. But they
won't talk to visitors. Men wear short
coats after the Russian peasant style,
wide trousers and broad-brimmed
hats. No collars for them. Collars
are decorative and decoration is sin
| full.
Dresses Of girls and women look
like burlap sacks tied in the middle.
| They wear handkerchiefs on their
heads. Cosmetics and style patterns
are unknown Their knowledge of
English is rudirhentary. They need
it but little in conversation with
strangers. Here's an example of a
conversation with worldly man.
"Good crops?"
"Not bad"
| "Going to leave this country?"
Silence.
"Want to sell your land?"
Silence.
\ "How's the weather been?"
Good"
"How many are going to Mexico p
"Don't know"
Not even Heinrich Freisch, bishol
of the Reinland. church, will say how
many are going. He is the one who
exhorted the people to leave when tht
outside world began to encroach upor
their ways of living.
The members of the cult never dis
obey the bishop. He rules territor!
, of 500 square miles. What he say
, goes. He was elected to the position
, Is years ago.
The bishop gets no pay. He support
, himself by farming. Many Memo
mites who could well afford autos vii
, not buy them because he disapproves
/ That is because they establish inter
, course with the outside world an
!. contamination by wordliness.
!, He forbids telephones because the
] induce gossip. Electricity, phono
!, graphs and latest cut underwear ar
;. also forbidden on the ground tina
: they are luxuries. However, he er
!: courages farm machinery and appl
: ances that tighten labor.
. There is no ease in the worship G
i the Reinlanders. Churche are squar,
: barn-like buildings. Hard benche
u without backs prevent maps durin
the sermon. The preacher reads frol
the Bible without gestures. His voiC
d is in monotone. They pray heeling
v | silence HYMNS are sung i'm uniSo-