A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

distinction not only of being the host church of the first three General Conferences of the Mennonite Brethren Church (1879-1881) but also of initiating the ideas that led to the formation of a larger working fellowship. In 1878 Peter Regier invited the brethren from Kansas, Dakota, and Minnesota to a meeting in York County, Nebraska. Four brethren from Kansas responded to the MKNNONITE BRETHREN COME TO THE UNITED STATES 139 invitation and joined seven representatives from Nebraska on September 28, 1878 for a discussion of common concerns. This meeting was not recognized in later years as a de jure conference because of a lack of proper representation of the churches, and also because several resolutions passed were not considered to be in agreement with Mennonite Brethren principles.- 7 It was, however, a first step in the direction of conference organization, and the agenda may be of interest. " All representatives favored the uniting of the congregations into a conference. Resolutions were passed on the following issues. (1) Excommunication: The practice of "avoidance" is not to be applied to the marriage relationship. (2) Baptism: A single immersion (backward) is to be the mode of baptism. The mode of the K. M. B. Church (forward immersion) is also recognized as valid. (3) Marriage: Ministers may officiate at the marriage of the unsaved children of church members, but should refrain from any official function when the groom and bride belong to other confessions. (4) The Sister-kiss: Although this form of greeting is rejected between brothers and sisters in the congregation, it is agreed that the leading minister may also accept sisters into church membership with this form of greeting.'" (5) Headcovering for Women: With some opposition a resolution is passed requiring headcovering for sisters not only in the church, but also in the home. (6) Positions in government: Brethren are not to serve in any government offices. (7) Relations to Baptists: Union, and even communion, with the Baptists is declared to be unacceptable. The above resolutions reflect the problems of young churches in a new environment. They are closely related to the desire to "walk according to the same rule" in the various groups and congregations. The "hard line" against fellowship with the Baptists was strongly advocated by the ex-Baptist Eduard Leppke, one of the representatives From Kansas. Later this position was modified to conform with the general policy of the Mennonite Brethren in Russia. :5. Mennonite Brethren in Minnesota The state of Minnesota, known as "the land of ten thousand lakes," is not only attractive to vacationists in our day; it was also attractive to many Mennonite settlers in the 1870's. By 1880 three hundred and fifty families had arrived at Mountain Lake, a small railway town in Cottonwood County in the southern part of the state. Among those who immigrated in 1875 and 1876 were six M. B.