Hiebert, Cornelius N. (1881-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Feb 21 p. 29

Birth date: 1881 Mar 24

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS N. HIEBERT

Cornelius Hiebert, noted Mennonite Brethren church leader, passed away January 26 at the age of 93. He founded Winnipeg's first two MB churches-the North End church (now Elmwood) and the South End church (now Central), as well as a Mennonite Brethren church in Neuwied, Germany. At his funeral in Reedley, California, on January 29, Dr. Erwin Hiebert, professor at Harvard University, read the following sketch of his father's life: In "The Story of My Life" written in 1968, Father wrote: "I was born on March 24, 1881, at Bingham Lake, Minnesota. At the age of 14 I found peace with God. In John 14:27 I read, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' Upon confession of faith I was baptized by Elder Heinrich Voth and received into the Carson MB Church in Minnesota, with the directive 'Be sober, be watchful' (I Peter 5:8) . "Because of a teacher shortage in 1903, I was granted a permit to teach in a new settlement in North Dakota, though I had completed only grade 7. Later I was granted another teaching permit and taught in Minnesota for a short time. "During farm work, at the age of 23, the Lord spoke to me in a special way and I knelt down beside the cultivator and consecrated my life to God. I said, 'Lord, I am willing to do whatever you want me to do. If I can't get the education to be a preacher, I am willing to be a Bible colporteur and go from door to door to speak with people about their soul's salvation.' My father bought me some Bibles and let me use his horse and buggy to begin my colportage work. I began to preach God's Word wherever I found open doors. My work took me to various states. In Oklahoma, staying at the home of David Harms, I became acquainted with their daughter Tina, a nurse. We were married by Rev. Martin Just at the home of her parents in Medford, Oklahoma, in 1908. "Our first child, Esther, was born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, in 1909. Subsequently, four children born to us died, two at birth and two in infancy. Albert was born to us in Fairview, Oklahoma, in 1917, and Erwin in Waldheim, Saskatchewan, in 1919. "We spent the next two years in California, where I studied with R. A. Torrey at BIOLA. It was there, in 1921, that our daughter Martha was born on Christmas day. "Returning to Saskatchewan, I continued my work as evangelist for the MB Conference. Ruth was born here in 1923. In 1925, the MB Conference invited me to take over the city mission work in Winnipeg. The immigration of Mennonites from Russia at this time led to the rapid growth and development of a number of churches. Our last two children, Naomi and Clarence, were born in Winnipeg. We were in Winnipeg for 17 years, where Tina and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary in 1933. During part of our stay in Winnipeg, I travelled to collect money and clothing for the refugees who had come to Winnipeg out of much suffering in Russia. "We moved to Hillsboro, Kansas, in 1941, where we purchased our first house. My wife Tina died suddenly in 1942. The text of her funeral sermon by H. W . Lohrenz was: 'My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed' (Psalm 57:7). "I was married in 1943 at Brotherfield, Saskatchewan, to Helen Harms, a school teacher and sister of my late wife. In 1948 Helen and I were invited by MCC to go to Paraguay. For two years we walked or drove with oxen from village to village and from house to house, comforting, preaching, and helping along financially with money received from friends in the United States and Canada. My wife capably conducted many children's services. After our return to the United States, we reported on the work in South America to many churches. "Two years later the MB Conference sent us to Germany where we began our work with refugee Mennonite families in Huemmerich at the little MCC headquarters, where we lived in an attic room. Our work consisted of house visitation and meetings. Eventually we rented a little hall. This was the beginning of the MB Church at Neuwied. W organized Sunday schools, prayer meetings and church services, helped with clothing distribution and spiritual counselling for the ever,increasing number of refugees. Our farewell from Neuwied was a touching exper· ience as our spiritual children gathered around the train and sang, 'Gott mit Euch bis wir uns wiedersel:m.' "In 1955 we moved to Reedley, California, retired, and bought a house just across the street from the MB Church. Our desire was to work for our wonderful Lord in some way until it would please him to take us Home. Our prayer is that he may give us a wide entrance to that Home up yonder in Glory when we have finished our work here." Our parents lived in this home for 17 years . For children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, although widely scattered and with only occasional visits, it was home, with a warmth and hospitality that only loving parents are capable of communicating. In Reedley our parents continued to be surrounded with love and kindness. Mother and Father celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary at a Hiebert family gathering in 1968 at Deer Creek Camp, in Colorado-a second Silver Wedding Anniversary for Father. Ours was a happy home where love reigned. True, there were tragedies, but we were reminded that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Above all else, Father impressed upon our hearts and minds to seek God's Kingdom first. Father was a man of slight build, neat, winning greyish eyes, kind face, crippled arm, refined manners, delightful sense of humor, fabulous memory of people, and an abundant supply of personal magnetism. All 'seven children rode on his reputation. His fascinating personality and captivating gift as a storyteller attracted all age groups. As a symphony has one theme with many variations, so Father's person and experiences expressed variations on one theme, i "How' to lead people to Christ." He was 'assured that God had chosen him "to bring forth fruit." Many people witness to his significant influence in their lives in being led to Christ and experiencing discipleship. Father died January 26, 1975, at the age of 93 years and ten months. He was predeceased by his first wife, four children, and one granddaughter. Cherishing his memory are our mother Helen Hiebert; four daughters: Esther Horch, Ruth Kroeker, Martha Richert, Naomi Dyck, and their husbands; three sons, Albert, Erwin, Clarence, and their wives; 21 grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.