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

enberg and Dyck (at the same time the answer to the presentations from the province of Ekaterinoslav). In this way God led the M.B. Church to a new stability in its rights, which had come under attack either as a result of ignorance or ill will. 8. a) As far as the annual brotherhood consultations or conventions are concerned, they are de jure (legally) simply extended brotherhood meetings: e.g., the Molotschna or any other M.B. congregation sets up from time to time, besides its customary brotherhood meetings, such extended conventions for especially important questions in order to preserve versatility and unity with the sister congregations. The area congregation initiating such meetings requests representation from the sister churches ; most of the congregations cooperate in sending the requested delegates. The local congregation limits its number of voting brethren to a small number and extends equality of re- presentation to the sister congregations. It has been the custom in the Mennonite churches from time immemorial to allow any approved elder, minister, brother or sister of sister congregations to have this privilege in the brotherhood, be their stay at such meetings of long or short duration. (Cf. above 015 h and 063 “Cornelius Warkentin.”) According to law, the local legally instituted elder is responsible for leadership. One or more assistant leaders may be approved by the voting delegates of the meeting. Upon reports of their delegates at regular congregational meetings, all M.B. congregations discuss the decisions reached at these brotherhood meetings and either approve or disapprove the action taken. 322 The decisions accepted by all congregations become con- stitutionally binding for the M.B. brotherhood. Maintained 323 and explained in this way the internal affairs of the M.B. brotherhood in Russia will receive no opposition from the Russian government so impartial to foreign creeds (cf. XXV Claassen’s petition, etc.). In essence §241(3) 528 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH the congregations of the Mennonite brotherhood follow the same pattern in their local brotherhood meetings and at their general conference sessions (in which the M.B. Church participates in general questions such as school matters, and forestry service), b) Regarding “songfests’ one could simply say that they are Mennonite festive worship services in song, and that they may be evaluated on the basis of the Mennonite ecclesiastical organization and custom. §242 9. The divisions (affiliates, stations) of the M.B. Church of Rueckenau, Molotschna, in the most recent time (cf. above #229ff). The center, the church of Rueckenau-Molotschna in the narrower sense, in- the villages of the Molotschna volosts of Halbstadt and Gnadenfeld falls into six groups according to places where meeting houses are found: Rueckenau, Tiege, Tiegenhagen, Alexandertal, Waldheim, and Sparrau. The religious leadership is found in the