A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

e without prior investigation whether the government (Washington or Ottawa) would recognize such a restricted medical corps for conscientious objectors. It was only in October, 1954, that J. B. Toews and Orlando Harms (as conference representatives) went to Washington, D.C., to explore the possibilities of such a service with officials in the Pentagon. The response of the Pentagon was negative. Consequently the 1954 conference meeting in Hillsboro rescinded the 1948 motion with reference to noncombatant service." The temporary uncertainty with regard to conference policy led to confusion in the constituency. Some churches interpreted the 1948 resolution as an acceptance of any form of noncombatant service. GIVING TO CAESAR 353 Government officials used the document as a lever to pressure conscientious objectors into accepting noncombatant service with the argument that such service was recommended by their denomination. 38 A 1951 resolution (one that has not been rescinded) called for disciplinary action against members who entered combatant military service. If after due admonition they would fail to obey the Word of God, they "shall be further dealt with according to the Scriptures and their membership in the church discontinued." 39 Considering this recommen- dation (which carried with only two dissenting votes) in the light of the statistical evidence presented above, it is obvious that there is a "credibility gap" here between profession and practice that undermines the integrity and testimony of the brotherhood. Government Service in Canada The traditional policy of the Canadian government with respect to conscientious objectors has been very liberal. From 1808 to 1855 members of the historic peace churches were recognized as CO's, and were exempted from military service: but they were required to pay some "tribute to Caesar" in the form of a tax. The statute of 1808 provided for an annual payment of twenty shillings in peacetime and five pounds in wartime by all men between sixteen and sixty years of age. 40 From 1855 to 1867 Mennonites were unconditionally exempted from military service. In 1868 the newly formed Dominion government provided exemption not only for members of the historic peace churches but for "any inhabitant of Canada of any religious denomination . . . upon such conditions and such regulations as the Governor-in-Council may from time to time prescribe."'" As noted earlier, the more conservative Russian Mennonite groups who decided to come to Canada in the 1870's were not satisfied with the above provision and requested a clarification of the "conditions" that might be prescribed. In response to their petition the Governor General issued a special Order-in-Council in 1873 which stated clearly that they would be completely exempted from any military service. This Order-in-Council later also applied to members of the early Mennonite Brethren Church in Canada. The