March 28,1902

At last the time arrived that we could give up the old Welsh dwelling and step into the new cabin. An elevating feeling of solemnity filled us as we stepped in. We felt we had much more space than before. The ever-growing population had made the old dwelling agonizingly crowded. Without the bonds of harmony, peace and love of the comrades we would not have managed. Everyone has gladly yielded to their fate. Having lived in poor conditions as far as shelters are concerned, we are feeling happier about the new cabin. We will add more dwellings in the surroundings of the cabin.

With the number of comrades growing we have had eager discussions at night about the many aspects of our new life. It has been decided that a discussion-evening is to be held every Monday. In the first scheduled meeting we will discuss the topic Why have we come to Malcolm Island? Saarikoski will be the opening speaker. Considering the topics of the former meetings we believe this topic will expand and be enriched in a way that it is not necessary to have other topics in the meeting.

It was decided that minutes would be taken of all the decisions in meetings in order to record Malcolm Island’s history.

The town we are about to build has not yet been officially named although there are several proposals. New proposals are allowed until the official decision is made.

Here and there in different parts of this churning world there are people who from the bottom of their hearts wish to find a peaceful haven where war and racket would not embitter one’s life. We are hoping to gradually find it here, as our minds settle from the rage that the battles in our life have put there.

The concept of peace is known to all, and as well-known is how important is has been to man in his development. It has now developed so far that some peace has been given to animals. About Rauhala [Place of Peace]; it has been decided that the bay on the side of which our dwellings are – Rauhalahti [Bay of Peace]- will be placed under protection so that no living creature shall be shot there. Hundreds of water birds may swim there without distractions, without having to fear man being the kind of beast that would take their life. Except for some boyish mischief, like casting stones on the birds, pacifism in this case has been largely understood and accepted. An indication of this is an incident that would not have been possible for a predatory man. One day a flightless, fat duck runs in front of a group of men. It would have given many men some tasty treats. But since it was a dweller of the protected area, everyone agreed that the bird should be left in peace to spread the word to others about the good people of the shores of this bay. The Mosaic law is unnecessary to a people who are automatically above it, we feel sorry for those who still need it as a guiding principle.

What the whole humankind has longingly searched for thousands of years to calm down the restless tumult, has finally been found. That place of peace, where the biggest task for man is preserving peace, love and harmony. This is one of the reasons why it wouldn’t be out of place to call our future city Rauhala [Place of Peace]. This would also mean that the bay would be called Rauhalahti [Bay of Peace].

– T. Tanner

News

Matti Halminen writes on the type of soil on Malcolm Island: “On the first days I wandered around examining the lands. I didn’t settle for the plain surface, but instead dug all the way to the bottom layers. I am now certain that this island is better for cultivation than was ever expected. I found beautiful, pure clay by the stream at Kotilahti [Home Bay]. The centre of the island has excellent soil that is covered with water-moss and partly with sphagnum-moss, which is a little more problematic because it is so wet. So tell everyone the soil here is worth working for.

– Matti Halminen