A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

rvice (initially favored by the iJussZaender-Mennonites) was provided by Order-in- Council P.C. 7251 in September, 1943, which permitted conscientious objectors to enlist as noncombatants in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps or the Canadian Dental Corps. The total number of men who actually served under this arrangement was only 227. Among them were a number of Mennonite Brethren. Although the war in Europe came to an end in May, 1945, and in the Pacific theatre in August, Alternative Service men were not completely demobilized until August 15, 1946. Contrary to the experience of Mennonite Brethren in the United States, there has been no compulsory government service for CO's in Canada since then, because the draft was terminated at the end of the war. Throughout the period of Alternative Service (1941-46) the Mennonite Brethren Conference endeavored to give moral and financial support to its members who were engaged in "service for peace." At the 1942 conference the delegation authorized the Committee on Military Problems to appoint a minister to serve in the ASW camps as spiritual adviser and pastor." At the convention a year later the delegates voted to collect fifty cents per member in support of this ministry. A special matter of concern were the wives and dependents of the men in government service. The wage of fifty cents per day was hardly enough to meet the personal expenses of the married men. In 1942 the committee recommended the establishment of regional committees as well as regional treasuries for the purpose of making adequate provision for this need. In determining the amount of financial support in any given case the committee was to be guided by the principle that no dependent was to suffer want." It is difficult to assess the total impact of the Alternative Service program on church and state. J. F. MacKinnon, Chief Alternative Service Officer during the war, paid the following tribute to the Mennonites: The Mennonites cooperated in every way from the beginning of Alternative Service. There was very close cooperation between Mennonite bishops and Alternative Service officials. Perhaps it can be said that this group contributed more than any other group to Alternative Service. 66 The men who returned home from Alternative Service camps brought with them a new zeal and devotion for work in the church and community. Many found their way to Bible school or Bible college and became leaders in the M.B. Church. There were also a few members who had entered military service. When they returned at the end of the war, the churches faced a problem 358 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH in church discipline. At the first convention after the war (1946) the conference agreed on the following procedure as a provisional guideline: Those returning (from the military) owe the church an explanation concerning their action. If they are willing to acknowledge that they have