I have posted two letters written by Benjamin Eby, the first was on May 14 and entitled "A gentle admonition," the second was yesterday. These letters were originally written in German, the English translations were done by Isaac R Horst, an Old Order Mennonite of Mount Forest, Ontario. I obtained the first letter during a … Continue reading Giving credit where credit is due
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
The first Mennonites to settle in Canada came from Pennsylvania in 1786 and settled near Sherkston, along Twenty Mile Creek in the Niagara region of Ontario. The church membership increased rapidly. Dissension arose between two of the ministers in the later 1840's. Bishop Benjamin Eby of Waterloo county was called in to make peace between … Continue reading Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Winter travels
Our fall was much warmer than usual, but now it has turned cold and every once in a while we get a little skiff of snow. There is just enough to cover the ground this morning and most of it could disappear if we get a sunny day or two. Nevertheless, this is the beginning … Continue reading Winter travels
Life is precious
Remembrance Day in Canada has aroused more poignant feelings than it has for many years. For the first time in living memory Canadian soldiers have been killed on Canadian soil. The incidents appear to have been unrelated, uncoordinated. In each case, only one soldier and the attacker died. Two young Canadian men had come to … Continue reading Life is precious
Learning the wrong lesson
Nelson was born with the umbilical cord around his neck, causing oxygen starvation to his brain. He was slower in learning during the early years of childhood and his parents were encouraged to place him in a school for children with special needs. The parents were disappointed with the results, or rather the lack of … Continue reading Learning the wrong lesson
Entitlement
"There was this Mennonite congregation in the town where I grew up, made up of people who came to Canada in the 1920's. Their people had lived in Russia for generations and had built up prosperous farms. All was going well for them, until 1917. The Revolution took everything they had worked so hard to … Continue reading Entitlement
Going Up?
Living in the presence of the Shepherd
There are well-meaning Christians who put much emphasis abiding by correct doctrine, even adding numerous rules of guidelines as rules of conduct. The intention is to construct a barrier around the people of God so that they would know not to stray far from the truth as given in the Word of God. But where … Continue reading Living in the presence of the Shepherd
Never alone
I expect most people know where I am headed with this post, but there is some rough terrain to be covered first. Alone with God is a wonderful place to be, but there are a host of other spirits vying for our attention. When destructive thoughts come – anger, envy, lust, suspicion, resentment and the … Continue reading Never alone
The intelligence of cats
Last Wednesday we put Angus, our middle cat, into the cat carrier, put the cat carrier in the car and drove off to the vet's office. We dropped him off there to get his annual shots and left for the human health clinic, where my wife and I had our flu shots. Now Angus is … Continue reading The intelligence of cats
