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Doukhobor Collection of Simon Fraser University
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The Courier of Spiritual Freedom, periodical newsletter of the spiritual illumination, 1956 January
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The issue contains article "Reformed Doukhobors reply to Canadian press" by the Brothers’ Council of Christian Community and Brotherhood of Reformed Doukhobors, “Reformed Doukhobors” reply to Canadian press
April 17th, 1957 will surely become a memorable day for the Doukhobors all over the world. The importance of the day will always mark the sharp turn in the life of Canadian Doukhobors.
While their pleas and outcries have been rejected by all the Christians and so called “democracy”; while our people was suppressed by despair and disappointment after our children have been stolen and humiliated by the barbarian and fanatical government of British Columbia (Canada); members of Ch.C. and B. of R.D. [Christian Community and Brotherhood of Reformed Doukhobors] for the first time sent their petition to the representatives of the USSR in Ottawa asking for help and permission to return to the land of their fathers. Petition was sent on April 17th, 1957.
Doukhobors as a religious group, which was belied and blemished more than any other religious group in Canada, had no contacts with the representatives of their Motherland before. Only when the sadistic oppression by Christianity and democracy has become intolerable; only when the invitation to return to their Motherland has been received; only then Doukhobors (after much consultation) without wasting a minute sent their petition to the representatives of the country (also belied more than any other country), of our Motherland – Russia. The most peculiar thing is that the slander (in both cases) was originated by the Christian and democratic governments with their “free press”.
The historical importance of April 17th is recognised not only by all the Doukhobors of Canada but by the local press too. That press, as soon as it has become known to the public about our intention to leave “their paradise of democracy” (where you are supposed to play by the rules, otherwise you will be taken care of), was quick to publish bickering articles diminishing our intentions. Kidnapping of our children and humiliation of them was presented as Canadian benevolence, “Himmlers” of New Denver were presented as the angels of mercy. They quickly revised (in their newspapers) “the Doukhobors question”, contacted former pundits to know their opinion, and all of a sudden has brought the fault to Toronto and laid it on the steps of “The Courier”, the only Russian language periodical in Canada.
Every one of aforementioned pundits offered his hasty opinion. Although caught by surprise, the pundits produced the single opinion, saying that we are “highly unlikely” to pursue our intentions, that it all is done “in order to spark sympathy towards our children” (as if it is a big crime even if it is true), that “it is not the first time when Doukhobors try to leave Canada” (as if it is a big honour for Canada that Doukhobors have tried to flee it several times already). What they withheld from the press is that this time, as all the times before, they will do their best to prevent Doukhobors from leaving.
Leaders of other groups of Doukhobors answering the inquiries of the press also expressed their doubts about the probability of our intentions. But those were only private opinions of the leaders, for they did not consider it worthwhile to ask the rank-and-file members of their groups.
The press also asked the other “top” leaders of Doukhobors who have imposed the missionary role upon themselves only recently. To their shame and disgrace they were exposed as servants and assignees of the government, therefore they found themselves on the horns of dilemma. Caught even more by surprise, they blamed the Canadian government and, at the same time, they praised its benevolence.
Reviewing the newspapers’ reports one cannot fail to notice that the former pundits misinformed the public. One of them is Emmett Gulley, a Quaker and the former advisor of the government of B.C. on “the Doukhobors question” (now retired from 7-years seniority in the Doukhobors district with the salary of 10 000 dollars a year). When Canadian reporters phoned him about Freedomites and their supposed leave for native country (because he is considered to be a wise man and a pundit in the question of Freedomites), he said: “I will be surprised if Soviet government receives them”… (“Province’, May 1957).
The most remarkable statement. And why exactly Mr.Gulley will be so surprised? Isn’t it because, may we humbly assume, that Russian government will not give in to his provocation, will not believe him and will not organise demonstrations against our intentions? Unlike the government of Guatemala: we had hardly arrived in Los-Angeles to meet Guatemala’s consul when we saw the demonstration against us in the full swing. Yes, he was a remarkable Quaker, a specialist in dirty letters he would send all over South America to get in our way.
So, wasn’t it his job, akin the one he did in Kamloops?... At that time he wasn’t surprised at all, in fact, he was smiling. Wasn’t it the same Gulley who in association with two Ivans – Lebedev and Verigin – organised the tent camp in 1953 in order to prevent Reformed Doukhobors from emigration to Uruguay?... Then he was not feeling surprised too, however he must have felt quite awkward when his backstabbing and disgraceful plot was revealed. Who else but the same Emmett Gulley organised shameful kidnapping of Doukhobors’ children in order to make the members of the Reformed Doukhobors community to break their oath of abstinence from the further secret admonitions – setting houses on fire and blowing up railways? Gulley declared the children were being taken away because parents refused to send them to schools… Was he surprised when he learned and realised that our Motherland would not believe him; that Russia knows the criminal records were imputed upon Doukhobors; that according to our religion we are pacifists and we stay that way; and that if our Motherland itself could not escape the fate of slander, we could not all the more.
In fact, we may as well mention that “the Doukhobors question” existed before Gulley has meddled in it. It would be only fair. The most serious problem started back in Farron, BC, in 1924 when the Leader of Doukhobors P. Gospodniy-Verigin was blown-up with the bomb in the CPR passenger car. Canadian government was aware of the incident and of the identity of the originator. We will elaborate on that later.
Needless to say, Emmett Gulley is not an inventor of the technique he uses while dealing with “the Doukhobors question”. He adopted it from others and used it because it seemed to him to be effective. Therefore, the technique is not new and he was able to use it for not very long time.
Earlier on, in our name but in fact as an assignee of the provincial police Ivan Lebedev visited Ottawa at the head of the delegation to discuss our return with Russian consulate. Despite the fact that he was not even received in the consulate, upon return he announced to people: “Mother-Russia demands that you must earn the right to return. Want to go home? Sabotage!” This statement was inspired by those who actually sent him to Ottawa. For the same purpose he used all sorts of quotes from the former leaders, like “Nobody wants to keep a kicking cow”, etc. and fitting them to the purposes of those who sent him to Ottawa he started wide-scale destruction of houses and explosions on railways and bridges. Railway companies are in agony, they promise big rewards to police if the culprits are found. Lebedev knew very well who they were, so he “found” them and made them plead guilty. That is when troubles started. These troubles were occurring even in the presence of representatives of two governments – federal and provincial. The houses were being torched right in front of the policemen who complained that the houses were not being destroyed quickly enough.
It can be interpreted like this: Doukhobors destroyed only the property they were ordered to destroy and they did it so that they would be expelled from Canada to Russia.
But the biggest historical significance of the date of April 17th, 1957 is in the threefold factors which compose the historical event, namely: Doukhobors, Mother-Russia and S.S.Sorokin. (“Province”, May, 1957). Up until that time, it was obvious that S.S.Sorokin and his followers being anti-communists will never dare to step behind the Iron Curtain, even more so after S.S.Sorokin has miraculously broke away from there.
In Canada he succeeded in setting his followers against Stalinism. But he himself became a target for humiliation, threats and intimidation – a scapegoat for Canadian government. Authorities demanded from him that he would keep order among Doukhobors, but they never supplied him with their support, cooperation and authority. Figuratively speaking they made him pull for them the chestnuts out of the fire they have been blowing for 59 years already.
During his two years of living among Doukhobors, he learned that Canadian government was not interested in the solution for “the Doukhobor question” and that its ultimate goal was to destroy Doukhobor sect spiritually and morally by the means of intimidation. He also saw that the enemies of the Doukhobors movement, using defamation and criminal records, deprived us of all possibilities of moving into another country. Because of that, he has not, and will never have, any reasons and means of keeping us from our aspiration for returning to Motherland. He will never gain anything, neither from Canadian government, nor from Doukhobors themselves. That is why he has to agree if he wants to keep his standing among Doukhobors. Otherwise, he will lose everything and will not gain gratitude from anyone.
Now the three factors are complete. We pleaded to Russia. S.S.Sorokin knows this is our last hope and does not interfere. He loves his people and wishes them salvation. He saw the plot Canada has devised against Doukhobors, therefore he must believe whatever terrors are waiting for us in Russia they will not be as bad as the terrors we are already living through in Canada. He saw both sides. On one side – the death of Stalin. On the other – incessant disregard by Canadian authorities of all requests of his and his followers to help him to solve “the Doukhobor question” in Christian way. This directed the wave of people’s urge towards Motherland. He knows we with all our soul stay faithful to our ideal “Labour and peaceful life”. However, there were incidents when we were provoked into behaviour that could lead to our complete disintegration.
The press of course tries to prevent this [Doukhobors’ return to Russia]. The public does not believe it and the authorities employ all their means to cover it. But we swear on the bread, salt, and water that nothing can deflect our way to redemption. And before we have left the country, we will reveal everything without respect of persons. We plead to clear our name of the web of disgrace and evil spun around us by the leaders of democracy. Only those who are deprived of human emotions and of the ability to understand our position could be surprised by our plea to Russia. They have never learned – neither from the Holy Scripture, nor from their own nature – what does it mean, “I ask for mercy, not for sacrifice”. They were surprised not by our plea itself, but by the fact that they have seen a good Samaritan in the nature of our Motherland, Russian soul that heard the cry of her own children wandering in the spiritual desert of Western civilization. This historical fact, which was revealed to us in all its clarity, was crowned by the darkest phase of Canadian barbarism practicing the children-stealing.
Doukhobors hear the call of their Motherland and Motherland hears the cries of her children. This historical process is moved by the forces beyond the human capabilities. We acknowledge the will of God in it, and believe that nothing can stand in the way of this will.
Mr. Gulley will be surprised if Russia accepts us, but we in our turn will be surprised if it doesn’t, because in this case it will not fulfill its own declared amnesty to Russians abroad and its own invitation to Doukhobors to return to their native country.
We know that Russian government will be quick to clarify the picture distorted by the Canadian press and government. It will soon understand (and we have all the necessary proof for that) that the police agents – Lebedev and alike - were responsible for our prison records, while the justice of this country have never had justness towards us.
We will prove that, and not in the court in Kootenay but in international court. We are sure Russia will help us in this, in order to clear our name and its own name, as a proof that she is our Mother and she is ready to defend her children from humiliation and exploitation by others.
The Brothers’ Council
of Christian Community and
Brotherhood of Reformed
Doukhobors
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A peculiar people: The Doukhobrs [Chapter II: Preparations in Canada]
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Pages 45-78 of A peculiar people: The Doukhobors,J. A. Forin's copy, with his marginalia,Summary: Maude went with Prince Hilkoff and other Doukhobors as part of initial delegation to Canada to help pave the way for Doukhobor immigration. Describes emigration preparations, agreement with Canadian government regarding Doukhobor settlers, problems with arranging immigration, and Canadian prejudice against Doukhobors. Explains choice of settlement location, which was in part due to arrangement with government and CPR which allowed Doukhobors to take up land in compact settlements and thus obtain solid townships.,Describes difference between real and perceived character of the Doukhobors. Asserts that Doukhobors were not saints like the Tolstoyans believed, and that Doukhobors often exhibited a gap between theory and practice. However, Maude assured the government of the good quality of Doukhobor settlers, and communicated to the Doukhobors that they would have to supply vital statistics, make individual entries, pay taxes, and follow the laws of Canada.,Maude mentions several people with whom he was in contact at the time, and who were somehow concerned with the Doukhobor migration. Describes his experience with newspapers which printed false information about the Doukhobors. Tells of the Doukhobor voyage across the Atlantic to Canada from Russia, and of the help of the Friends (Quakers).,Includes map and photographs.
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[Letter] 1908 November 6, Verigin St. [Station]
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[Letterhead: Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood. Doukhobors in Canada]
November 6th, 1908
St[ation] Verigin
Letter to Brothers and Sisters from Peter Verigin
Let me inform you brothers and sisters, we need to speed up loading of barley for disposal, so that we have finished shipping by the 20th of this month. I have been waiting for the high price for barley, but so far it sells no higher than 40 cents, and we have decided to ship it to Port-Arthur. That is why we need to speed up the shipping, for the port will get frozen and the barley will get stuck there for the winter. If any village has its own ways of disposal, sell away but not cheaper than 40 cents. That is the price we are planning to settle with you.
I wish you all the best from Our Lord.
Your brother
Peter
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The Doukhobors: an illustrated article
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Typescript, corrections in ink, first page cropped,Summary: outlines some aspects of Doukhobor culture and history: focusing on misconceptions about Doukhobors, leadership in the Doukhobors community, the role of the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood and problems between the Doukhobors and the Canadian government.
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[Letter]
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Let me advise you brothers and sisters, if your village did not sent oats through our office during the second third, it cannot be credited for. You need to submit the number of loaded freight cars to Misha Kazakov, because, as I informed you before, I have signed up already for a hundred thousand bushels for December.
Besides, please send me from every village the quantity of the threshed grain, wheat, barley, oats, and flax. If some is not threshed yet, show your estimates. Send your counts to Misha Kazakov as soon as possible.
Peter Verigin
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