Letter
from the Mennonites to the King
To
His Most Gracious Majesty George VI,
King
of Canada
Representatives
of the various branches of the Mennonite Church in Canada in Conference
assembled at Winkler, Manitoba, on the fifteenth day of May last,
unanimously resolved to have me submit on this the occasion of the
visit to Canada of your Most Gracious Majesty and that of your most
Gracious Consort the Queens, the deep feelings of loyalty and devotion
of the 80,000 Canadian Mennonites both to Yourself and the Government
of which You are the head.
The
Mennonite people have been severely oppressed at different times
and in different countries during the course of their history because
of their faith, but have at last found in this Dominion a haven
of rest, freedom and security.
The
first group of Mennonites came to this country in the year 1790
from the United States of America and continued to arrive here during
the next several years. The reason for this migration was the War
of Independence. They preferred to remain under the British rule
and protection with its political and religious freedom, although
this entailed pioneering in a new and undeveloped country.
The
second group came to Canada from Russia between the years 1874 and
1877. The occasion for this movement was the rescinding by the Czarist
regime of the privilege granted their forefathers not to be conscripted
for military service. This group settled in the Red River Valley
in Manitoba, and while they had to undergo great hardships as pioneers,
they rejoiced in the new found liberty which had been denied them
in Russia.
The
third and last group came likewise from Russia during the years
1923 to 1930. The terrible revolution which convulsed that country
just prior to the years named, and the bloody character of the Russian
Government, brought the greatest distress to them. All they possessed
was taken from them. Many, together with other Christians, were
either murdered or banished to the bleak tundras and forests of
Northern Russia. Famine and contagious diseases decimated their
ranks. In their great need and distress they asked for help in order
to be able to escape from the horrors of that country. The Canadian
Government on the petition of the Mennonites here, granted the same
and 21,000 of these refugees were permitted to make their homes
here. It is hard to properly evaluate the liberties which Canadian
citizens enjoy, yet the Mennonite people are anxious to express
their gratitude to God and their country for all the privileges
which have been extended to them every since they came here. The
Canadian Government has dealt with them in a kindly manner, and
by and large kept the promises made to their fathers. They have
been allowed to live their lives according to the dictates of their
conscience and follow their occupations as they pleased and enjoy
the fruits of their labor without any molestation or interference.
The
Mennonite people, therefore, cannot allow the opportunity to pass
without assuring your Most Gracious Majesty and Your Canadian Government
of their deepest devotion and unwavering loyalty and to express
the hope that both Your Majesty and Your Royal Consort, our Most
Gracious Queen, may enjoy to the full Your visit to this Dominion.
In
conclusion we can assure Your Majesty that our people will always
pray that Our Heavenly Father Who is Lord Over All, and on Whose
blessings we all depend, may grant long life and happiness to Your
Majesties and prosperity to the millions of our subjects so that
Your reign may always be remembered rather because of its accomplishments
in ways of peace than in the achievements of war.
God
be with You! [ExMCan, 54-56]
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