A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

ces (Aemter)."* Bender's statement that Mennonite Brethren never had "any tradition or regulation forbidding participation in governmental functions at any level, except participation in the police function" is based on inadequate information. 10 The concern of the brotherhood on this matter finds expression at the convention in 1888: "In regard to being a delegate to national political conventions, it is strongly advised that, while we desire a good government, members should be careful so as not to defile their conscience. However, the conference does not want to form a definite resolution in this matter."" Two years later, however, a resolution was passed to the effect "that members of the church refrain from participation and involvement in the contentions of political parties, but are permitted to vote quietly at elections, and may also vote for prohibition." 12 Discussions and resolutions of the Mennonite Brethren reflect a strong conservative position on the subject of political involvement. Until recent years the Mennonite Brethren continued to be "the quiet in the land" [Die Stillen im Lande) and their participation in the GIVING TO CAESAR 345 life of the community was restricted to serving on school boards, town councils, and other activities which could be described as civic rather than political. However, social and economic pressures are gradually effecting a change of attitude. These pressures are reinforced by a popular misconception that there is a basic difference between the modern "welfare state" and the "police state" of earlier times. The modern democratic state, so the argument runs, has become so "christianized" that the church must cooperate with it, even though it formerly separated itself from a non-Christian or semi-Christian state. 13 That such participation in government on "higher levels" historically has led to a loss of vision and to a subservience of the church to state interests is often overlooked in such discussions. The history of the Dutch Mennonites in the nineteenth century and of the German Mennonites in the twentieth century would substantiate this observation. Mennonite Brethren participation in political activities has to the present been moderate (mostly on lower levels of government), and their expression of patriotism has generally been modest. In many communities where the Mennonites have constituted a large part of the population (e.g. Mountain Lake, Hillsboro, Buhler, Winkler, Steinbach, Hepburn, etc.) they have as a matter of course accepted local office and operated the municipal government. Peter Kroeker, a member of the M.B. Church, served as mayor of Winkler for several years in the early sixties. A relatively large number of Mennonite Brethren have served as aldermen on town and city councils. In Alberta, Raymond Ratzlaff, a member and choir director of the Linden Mennonite Brethren Church, served in the provincial cabinet of the Soci