THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

be patient; but woe, woe unto all those who persecute us without cause for the sake of God’s truth and heap so many and such great sufferings upon us and expel us like so many dogs or animals ; their destruction, judgment and damnation shall suddenly overtake them in terror and horror, in this world as in the next. For God will require from their hands the innocent blood which they have spilled, and will avenge His holy ones in a frightful and terrifying way, according to the word of the Prophets. Because you commanded us under threat of force immediately to go into exile, let this be our answer: We know of no place where we may live in peace and security, nor do we dare to live here any longer because of want and fear. If we return to the territory of this or that prince, everywhere enemies lie in wait for us. If we move forwards, we fall, like so many sheep encountering rapacious wolves and greedy lions, into the claws of tyrants and robbers. There are many widows among us and infants whose parents have been murdered and property confiscated by Ferdinand , 33 that terrible tyrant and enemy of God’s righteousness. We do not dare desert these widows, orphans, and sick children which God has entrusted to our care and which He has commanded us to nourish, clothe, console, and provide for in every way, who cannot travel with us, and, if they are not cared for in some other way, will not live very long. We dare not transgress God’s command- ments in order to obey human commands, not even at the cost of money and property, life and limb. For their sake we cannot move away; but before we permit them to suffer injury in any way we will endure every hardship, indeed allow our very blood to be spilled for their sake. Beyond that we possess houses and lands, property which we have acquired by the sweat of our brow, which is our rightful property both in the sight of God and man; in order to sell it we need time and leisure. This property is indispensable for the support of our wives, widows, orphans and children, of which we have a large number, otherwise these would be condemned to die of hunger. At the present we are encamped in the distant forests and, if God wills, without damage. But, if you return our property to us, we will, as we have in the past, continue to live in peace and quiet. We do not wish to become a burden to anyone or give our 22 ORIGINS enemies, not even King Ferdinand, cause to complain. Our way of life, our customs as well as our walk are well known to everyone. We would sooner suffer the loss of one hundred florins than cheat anyone of a penny, sooner offer our life and die than strike our enemy with the hand, much less with the sword, spear or halberd, as the world does. We carry no weapons on our person, neither spear nor firearm, as is apparent to everyone; and those who say that we went into battle by the thousands lie and slander us shamelessly before our government. We bemoan s