Category:Friedensstimme obituaries

Friedensstimme, a German-language periodical, was the organ of the Mennonite Brethren in Russia, founded in 1903 by Jakob and Abraham Kroeker, who at that time lived in Spat (Crimea). Because there seemed to be no prospect of obtaining permission to publish the paper in the neighborhood, they had it printed the first three years in Berlin. Under these circumstances the paper could not thrive. In January 1906 permission was obtained to publish it under censorship in Halbstadt, province of Taurida; the editors had moved there in 1904. At first the paper appeared semimonthly, then 1906-1908 weekly, and after 1908 twice a week. In March 1913 the subscription list reached its highest point, 5,800. The printers were the book concern Raduga in Halbstadt. Its program included inspiration, edification, exegesis, home and foreign missions, education at home and in school (for many years it was the organ of the Molotschna Mennonite teachers' association), politics, news from the Mennonite settlements; discussions of local questions, general welfare (housekeeping, farming, hygiene, etc.), entertainment, and advertising. At the outbreak of World War I it was discontinued.