The people's voice., 1959-01-30
Our Neighbors; the Hutterites


until they reach about 21 years of
age, when they marry. The marital
decision, Kleinsasser pointed out, is
a problem left entirely to the discre-
ton of the children.
Each colony is governed by body
of elders, the chief of whom is the
pastor who looks after the spiritual
needs of the community. Democratic
ally elected by all communicates in
the colony, the Hutterite elder serves
for his life unless he proves himself
unfit % WELD the responsibility placed
in his hands. Economically, each col
ony is overseen by business mana
ger who, in the case of the Milford
community, is Peter ]. Kleinsasser,
brother of the spiritual leader.
Classified under state corporate
law as religious organization en-
gagged in business" there are three
groups of Hutterites, two of which
have colonies in Montana. The Lehra
Laeut group comprises communities
in Montana and "a in Alberta; the
Schmidten Laeut colonies are con-
fined to South Dakota and Manitoba,
and the Darius Laeut group has set
Elements in Montana and Alberta.
The Milford Colony is one of the
Lehra Laeut group whose overall
spiritual head is the Rev. Peter D.
Hofer of the New Rockport Colony
near Choteau. The Darius butterflies
are led spiritually by the Rev. John
Wurz of Lethbridge. Religiously,
Kleinsasser explained, the Lehra
Laeut Hutterites are a group, but |
each colony is autonomous economic
ally.
The colonists lead simple, austere
life. All furniture and as many acces-
sories as possible are hand made and
eXude an air of professionalism chal-
longing to the most artistic of cabinet
makers. The traditional garb worn by
the Hutterites is made by expert
seamstresses from drab materials
purchased by the bolt.
The Milford Hutterite day begins
about 6 am. with breakfast. At 7
everyone is dispatched to his or her
job. There is no duplication of services
within the colony. For example, GER
tain individuals are assigned to cattle
raising. The women's work is ro-
tated, with each taking her turn as
seamstress, cook or in the perform
ance of other chores necessary in any s
Lunch is signalled at 11:3O, fol- {
lowed by work from noon until about t
80 pm, when dinner is served in {
the large community dining room. {
Evening prayers complete the regi- S
nented Hutterite day. c
Regarding 'luxuries," the sect at
Milford is the proud possessor of
machines, sewing machines, f
rons and clocks. There are, however, +
10 radios, television sets, monographs n
,r books other than those concerned Z
With religion. The colony subscribes +
% several farm journals which are
cad carefully to determine any new :.
agricultural techniques which might !.
improve the economic well-being of =
he community. q
In addition to farm periodicals, the y
olony regularly receives the Great '
'alls Tribune and the Lethbridge Her 2
Id. There is only one telephone at G
ne Milford Colony, and that, Pastor y
said, is used as often by :.
in distress as it is by sect =
lembers. a.
Possessors of the most modern farm
on the market, the Milford 8
olony has several trucks but only a.
ne automobile, station wagon used ~
visit other colonies. Kleinsasser ex- ..
ressed doubt that the colony would a. "
west in another, however. "They are g ::
citing too fancy. ~
Philosophically, the H u t t er i "a "a
rethren represent a protest against u
Established churches, forms, liturgies
nd theologies and seek a return to a a: a.
mple expression of organization, -. ~
lith and worship. In short, the Hut 81 81
rites advocate return to apostolic "
implicitly. er
The membership is composed of DC
who have made con-
ssion of faith and have been bap- l lii'
zed. When an individual enters a y: oc
utterite colony, he puts all his pos W. w.
ssions into common pool, and. if ~, ~,
decides after one or two-year oUi
obationary period to withdraw his