Enns, D. P. (1877-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Jun 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1877 Jun 4

text of obituary:

Death Ends Outstanding Service of Colonization Board Member

D. P. ENNS OF ROSTHERN, SASKATCHEWAN, DIED SUDDENLY JUNE 4

EDITOR’S NOTE: Presented herewith is a summary account of the recent illness and death orf D. P. Enns, for the past number of years secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Mennonite Colonization Board of Rosthern, Sask.

Mr. Enns was well known in Mennonnite circles in the U. S., but especially among Canadian immigrants as an outstanding teacher in Russia previous to his coming to Canada in 1924. Among his many students was also G. H. Willms, former editor of Der Herold, Newton, Kansas.

At Rosthern, Sask., D. P. Enns, secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization died died [sic] suddenly on Tuesday, June 4. Mr. Enns was born in 1877, in southern Russia. He entered the teaching profession in 1896. later he specialized in commercial law and economics at Lenigrad [sic Leningrad] (then St. Petersburg), and taught these subjects as well as mathematics and science in various high schools. He remained in the teaching profession 28 years. in 1924 Mr. Enns and his family came to Canada.

Funeral services were held at the Mennonite church in Rosthern on Saturday, June 8, at two p. m., conducted by Rev. David Toews, Rev. J. J. Thiessen, Rev. J. G. Rempel and Rev. J. Gerbrandt.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Canadian mennonite Board of Colonization, Rev. J. G. Rempel, C. F. Klassen, D. H. Epp, A. Klassen, D. D. Rempel Active pallbearers J. Hein, I. Goertzen, P. Goertzen, J. C. Friesen, I. Ediger, N. Thiessen. Mr. Williams attended the funeral services representing the C. P. R. Colonization Department.

Surviving the decreased are his widow, a daughter, Anna, Lanigan, Sask., and a son, S. Theodore, Newark, Delaware.

Upon previous request by Mr. Enns, the funeral sermon was preached by a close friend, Rev. J. J. Thiessen minister of the Rosthern Mennonite church. The following is the message as presented by Rev. Thiessen:

Our Ways Not God’s Ways

Rev. 14, 13. — And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow them.”

There comes a time in the life of every man when he stands speechless and dumbfounded because of certain events and in wonderment at the strange ways our Lord leads us. Thus it was with me and many others, when it pleased the Lord over life and death to call our dear brother Enns out of this world. We often ask why our Lord leads us in ways so hard for us to understand.

In answer to this we find in Isaiah chapter 55, 8 and 9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts;” and also in Jeremiah 29, 11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.”

Sudden, Serious Illness

For us Bro. Enns’ passing came too suddenly, but not so for him. He felt his end coming several months ago and especially strong was this feeling during the last days and weeks. He warned us, prepared us for it, but we didn’t want to believe it. He discussed his going with his wife and made provisions for it.

To me he said: “You may officiate at my funeral,” On his last day he said emphatically: “My end is near, be prepared for the funeral.” When I attempted to infuse in him the courage for life, he said: “A small artery need only burst and all is over, maybe it has happened already.

Although short of breath on his last day of life he came to the office in the morning. He felt his strength failing. He worked actively until noon but wasn’t able to walk home.

Bro. Janzen, of Laird, drove us home, and also back to the office after dinner. The ride too tired him. We were the last to leave the office that evening and he longed for a car. We looked about, but in vain. Slowly we walked towards his home. He managed only a block then sat down on the grass. The attack of weakness wouldn’t leave him. The doctor was called. Bro Enns was completely exhausted.

He tried to lie down but his heart wouldn’t allow it. “I am dying”, he told me. I wanted to calm him but he insisted it was true. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, I prayed with him. He prepared himself to meet his God. I called Mrs. Enns. The doctor tried to strengthen the heart with injections, but his strength was failing fast. Kind friends aided us in taking him to the hospital. En route I whispered words of comfort to him. He did not fear the approaching death. With great effort we managed to get him onto the bed.

He requested oxygen and rest. He moved in the direction of his wife but it was too much for him and he said: “Let me rest !” In our arms he slowly sank back upon the pillows and a heart that had been beating for nigh on 69 years stood still. The doctor felt the pulse, examined the heart, but the clock of life had run its course. It ticked no longer.

The Eternal God had said: “Come back thou man.” We commended his soul which had held together all the fibres of body and spirit to God. But we had to console ourselves with the fact that Mr. Enns with his enviable talents, with his love and ability for work, with his admirable attitude for truth, right and humanitarianism, with his child-like faith of God’s Word and Jesus Christ his Lord has laid down his life’s work.

“Blessed are the dead from now on who die in the Lord, yes, the spirit says, that they rest from their labors; for their deed follow them.”

We do not belong to those who preach salvation through works but “by grace you shall be saved!” That is our creed. But there is a great difference between an inactive, fruitless life that comes to a close, and a busy fruitful, faithful one. Mr. Enns served us for 50 years in different capacities and deserves a rest.

Family Life

Today we think of Bro. Enns as a good father. A Christian family life was his high ideal, and he set a fine example to his family. He worked for his children and together with his wife, raised them to become fine Christians. The death of his elder daughter was unspeakably hard for him.

His place in the home, in the family, now remains empty. His advice and admonitions have ceased, but the spirit remains. He has completed his work in his family and I know his wife and children do not begrudge him his rest with his God.

Responsible Public Positions

We also think of Bro. Enns today as a great teacher. At the age of 18 he became a teacher. He taught in various public and high schools. He liked and treasured his calling. Character building played an important role in his teaching. Through him many boys and girls were inspired to strive towards higher ideals and became good, progressive members of our church. No doubt many of them have kept a high regard for him throughout the years. Among the teachers he was also highly respected. Many responsible positions were entrusted to him. Conference Leader, chairman of the Teacher’s Association and many more.

He served in this profession for 28 years. In Canada, his new country, he could not continue his teaching due to language difficulties, but he remained in close touch with all efforts to improve our schools. He served on the school board as secretary-treasurer for many years. This work, too, has now come to an end and justly we quote Daniel 12, verse 3: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

We like to think of Bro. Enns as an active member of our Mennonite society. The welfare of our people was a great concern of his. Organizations with the aim to raise our cultural standards had his every support. He was willing to sacrifice his time and effort for this cause. He acted as chairman and member of different organizations and committees.

On Colonization Board

He was in whole-hearted agreement with our immigration from Russia to Canada.

In 1924 he came to Rosthern and served as bookkeeper and secretary-treasurer at the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization until his death. Whoever has an insight into the extent of this work will understand and agree that we owe him a lot. He handled about 15,000 accounts. More than perhaps many banks. Bishop Toews, the former chairman could depend absolutely on Brother Enns’ faithful service. The accounts were kept conscientiously, no mistake was made intentionally or superficially passed over.

Days and nights were spent by this faithful worker between the four walls of our Board office, figuring and organizing, so as to keep everything in proper order. Sometimes he worked under the impression that there was little understanding by us for the heavy load he shouldered. He tried to understand the various debtors in their particular circumstances and excuses to postpone the payments; but tried also to educate them in the necessity of doing their honest share as Christians to contribute to the final liquidation of our [sic line repeated in original, sentence unfinished.]

Without question the C. P. R. with which we have dealt through all these years, will appreciate his integrity and efficiency. At present we are not able to fully realize how big our loss is in losing Bro. Enns. The historian will give his name the honored place it deserves in the annals of our church.

Bro. Enns was a Christian, a good father, and efficient worker. To me personally he was also a good friend. Not that we agreed on every point! There were differences in opinion but on one thing we agreed complete — we considered ourselves coworkers and servants of the same Lord. Close fellowship bound us together. The sincerity of his prayers touched me. I have always admired him for his general knowledge and deep understanding of the Bible and Christian ethics.

Our sorrow at his departure is lightened by the thought that we all shall meet again in Heaven. Let us live a sacred life and be prepared to die in the Lord. I shall close with the following Poem:

There is no sorrow in Heaven,
No parting and no good-bye;
To those with sins all forgiven,
There will be no tears in the sky.

There is no sad disappointment,
No eyes fill’d with tears to dry.
For there will be glad contentment,
There will be no tears in the sky.

Up there no hearts that are broken,
There no one breathe a sigh,
No unkind word will be spoken,
There will be no tears in the sky.

Here hearts are sorrow’d by sadness,
For lov’d ones and friends must die;
But there is sunshine and gladness.
There will be no tears in the sky.