Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

at they think of this proposed organization. If the proposition finds. favor and meets with general approval, we would suggest that the various conferences take action in selecting their representatives, who could then come together, organize, and agree upon an effective plan of action to bring relief EFFECTS AND AFTER EFFECTS 421 to the needy. In order that through our united ministration to the needy, the world may know, that we, Mennonites, are a charitable, peace loving people, who understand our mission to be similar to that of Christ expressed in the: words, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Cordially yours, MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, P. C. Hiebert, Chairman. The response to this appeal was quite generally fa- vorable. Thereupon it was suggested that this matter should be further taken up and considered at the next regular meeting of the Mennonite Central Committee to be held at Scottdale, Pa., Dec. 28, 1923, since practically all the members, selected for this more permanent organi- zation by the several branches of Mennonites responding, were the same brethren that had already served on the Mennonite Central Committee. Bro. D. N. Clauden, Meadows, Ill., of the Defenseless Mennonites was the only new member, so he was invited to meet with the Committee. At this meeting all discussions were necessarily but introductory, nevertheless the question of a permanent or- ganization was carefully discussed in a brotherly way, which evidenced that we were unanimous in the belief that such an organization would be desirable if a basis of organization could be found, such as would not interfere with the individual interests of the several branches of Mennonites and yet at the same time function promptly, and efficiently when occasion should arise. After suggest- ing and discussing a number of the leading points that should come under consideration, the informal conference on a permanent organization instructed the Chairman of the Mennonite Central Committee, to study the matter more carefully and draw up a tentative working basis for this new organization, and report at our next meeting of 422 FEEDING THE HUNGRY the Mennonite Central Committee. The result of the studies and communications with one another can perhaps best be expressed in the minutes of the first meeting of the proposed new organization as held in conjunction with the meeting of the Mennonite Central Committee at Chi- cago the following year, therefore we include these here in their entirety. PRELIMINARY MEETING OF THE AMERICAN MENNONITE RELIEF COMMISSION Pursuant to a call sent out by P. C. Hiebert, Hills- boro, Kansas, a meeting of the representatives of the different Mennonite Bodies, who had responded favorably to the invitation, was held at 2812 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Ill., Dec. 30, 1924. This meeting was called to order immediately following the adjournment of the meeting