A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

France, and Germany. At the second MWC held in Danzig (Germany) in 1930 the program was devoted exclusively to the history of past Mennonite relief efforts and current relief operations. Among the three representatives from Canada was C. F. Klassen, a leading M.B. layman. The third MWC convened in the Netherlands in 1936 and was especially marked by the observance of the 400th anniversary of Menno Simon's renunciation of the papacy. Although the major addresses were historical in nature, there were also serious discussions on contemporary issues. The attendance was much larger than in the previous conferences, with a goodly number from Germany, a few from France and Switzerland, and about fifteen from North America. Of the Mennonite Brethren who attended, P. C. Hiebert and C. F. Klassen took an active part in the program of the conference. The delegates assembled at Amsterdam were keenly aware of the deteriorating international situation and the growing menace to world peace by the rise of Adolf Hitler. Their concern found expression in a "Mennonite Peace Manifesto" which was prepared after consultation with Mennonite groups and individuals in Brazil, Paraguay, Canada, 396 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH the United States, Holland and Switzerland. The document, signed also by M.B. representatives, closed with the following appeal: We therefore appeal to all brethren and sisters to witness vigorously to our peace principles in our congregations everywhere, and to witness to the world our desire to render service in the spirit of Christ. Let us labor together, that we may accomplish this service of love, and also that we may give spiritual and material help to our brethren who are convinced that God has called them to refuse military service, or who may be called upon to suffer for their peace conviction. 1 " The anticipated world conflict came three years later, and the Fourth Mennonite World Conference, planned for 1940, had to be postponed indefinitely. In the meantime Christian Neff had died and the MCC then assumed the responsibility of convening the conference in 1948. Harold S. Bender succeeded Neff as president of the MWC in 1947 and gave outstanding leadership to this world-body until his death in 1962. This fourth MWC held in Goshen (Indiana) and Newton (Kansas) was attended by a large number of delegates and visitors. P. C. Hiebert delivered the conference sermon. The following discussion topics indicate the widening interest and concern of MWC: Relief, Faith and Life, Nonconformity to the World, Missions, Youth Work, the Peace Witness, Colonization and Christian Education. Overseas attendance was still quite limited, with twenty-seven delegates representing eight different countries. In 1951 the M.B. General Conference gave its first official approval to MWC participation. During the conference sessions held in Winkler that year the following resolution was passed: "(a