A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

hren differed from the Mennonite Church in their attitude toward the marriage of unbaptized young people. In the latter church only baptized persons could enter "holy matrimony" with the approval of the church. Since there was no provision for civil marriage in the Mennonite colonies young people, even though unconverted, submitted to baptism in order to be married. The Mennonite Brethren felt that this "ordinance of the elders" set aside the commandment of Christ concerning baptism, which is to be administered only to those who believe. They taught that marriage belongs to the "creation order" and not the "church order." A church wedding, however, could be meaningful even for non-Christians in showing them the way for establishing a Christian home. P. M. Friesen felt strongly that the linking of marriage and baptism in the old congregations was one of the greatest obstacles to the renewal of the Mennonite Church." (3) Inter-church Conferences. The previous chapter described the so-called "Bible Conferences" {Bibelbesprechungen) which were begun in 1875 under the auspices of the Rueckenau M. B. Church, and in which members of various Mennonite churches participated. In later years, "Faith Conferences" [Glaubenskonferenzen) were held from time to time to which speakers from Germany were also invited.' 9 No formal affiliation between the two bodies (Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren) was realized, however, until the first decade of the twentieth century. P. M. Friesen finds fault primarily with the Mennonite Brethren who were reluctant to respond to invitations for a more fraternal relation- ship. " The winds of change that affected all social and political structures in the Russian empire after the abortive revolution of 1905, also influenced inter-Mennonite relationships, although indirectly. When the law against sectarianism was passed, representatives of the "old" Mennonites asked the Mennonite Brethren to clarify their mutual KRA OF PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS (1885-1914) 103 relationships. The latter responded by officially adopting a resolution to extend communion fellowship to all true believers, regardless of denominational affiliation. M A special incentive for more formal inter- Mennonite relations was the question of military service. It was felt that in this matter all Mennonites should speak to the government with a united voice. An inter-Mennonite Conference dealing primarily with this issue was convened in 1908. The first official All-Mennonite Conference was held on October 26 and 27, 1910, in the Mennonite Church of Schoensee, Molotschna. At this conference about one third of all delegates were Mennonite Brethren representing practically all congregations located in the Ukraine. A three-member "Faith Commission" {Glaubenkommission) was elected at this convention, with Heinrich Braun representing the Mennonite Brethren. Two years later the name of the commission was changed to Kom