The St. Charles herald., 1922-05-20
Mennonites Ever Seeking Haven
Where They Can Follow Re!i-
/ gious Beliefs in Peace.
MEXICO NOW PROMISED LAND
interest In the Sect Aroused by Their
Exodus From Canada to Mexico,
Taking With Them $15,00o,oo0
In Goods and Cash.

Washington.-"Invited to Russia and
exempted from taxes and military
service because they could farm, then
banished because come Of them estab-
lished communistic colony; obeying |
the laws Of many lands, but refusing |
to take part in making or enforcing
them; frowning upon science, buttons
life insurance and tobaccO-such are
various branches of the Mennonites,
whose exodus from Canada to Mexico
adds another chapter in the centuries
old anabasis Of this quaint and goodly
people.
while geographers are studying hu-
man migrations on the basis of eco
nomic determinism, here is consider
able group who defy any such chart
Ing, and move about solely upon the
basis of the best opportunity to follow
their religious beliefs" says bulletin
from the Washington headquarters Of
the National Geographic society.
"From Holland to Germany, thence
to Moravia, Hungary, Rumania and in
to Russia-so runs the earlier course
VI MCuuOullC WduuCAAu6os AAoAA S~.~
steppes Of .Crimea and the treeless
banks Of the Molochnaia to Bonhomme
county in South Dakota was not too
long trail for the most home-staying
people in the world-so long as they
are not disturbed. They seldom travel
Individually. Just before the war a
trip to Washington was offered as an
agricultural prize to 12 young men Of
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, one OF
he oldest American Mennonite strong
holds, and Of the IL winners not one
had been outside his own county be-
iorel
snow about 1900 Mennonites are
leaving Manitoba and Saskatchewan,
Canada. for Durango. Mexico, and the
productive loss their going will mean
Is only slightly Indicated by the esti-
mate that they take along with them
some $15,OOO,OOO worth of goods, farm
Implements and cash.
Schooling Begins at Three Years.
Compulsory education requirements
Including the teaching OF English
which could easily be adjusted by 9
more compromising people, caused the
migration from Canada. In some
branches Of their church every Menno
nite child must begin his schooling
when he is three years old. From
that time until he is six the Bible ant
the Mennonite catechism are used fol
his instruction. After three years HI
takes up the three RS but in th'
more orthodox branches Of the churcl
all science, as such, is frowned upon
In farming, however, the Mennonite
are efficient and practical scientists
European countries have profited b,
their example, and to them wester1
Pennsylvania owes much OF Its pros
perity.
saThere are various gradatfOns of pol
lev among the various groups, such
Hutterians, the Amish, the Wislar, tn
Defenseless and other branches. al
hold against taking oaths and to noI
resistance, which led to their exemT
hon from the draft without any sue
Etigma as attached to many types
conscientious objectors.' Their like
ness to the Quakers led William Pen
TO invite them to his colony where the
first established themselves at Gel
mantown, spreading thence to Lancai
ter. Berks and Bucks counties In Penn
sylvania, and later into Ohio. Indian
and Illinois.
Have Quaint Dialect.
'Tn Tillie,' Mrs. Fiske disclose
some Of the pecuharities Of custol
and dialect Of the Pennsylvania Mel
aonites. Their adherence to teachin
German in schools is not SO much ths
they love that language as becaus
~ n n n..o0>S