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

the sums already mentioned. Out of this group of our young brothers, who for love of fellow-man and country left the comfort, quiet and security of their home life, there were three or four who lost their lives because of infectious diseases, thereby suffering “death for the Fatherland” in full measure. It should be noted here, too, that Dr. Nikolai Friesen, Tiege, a well-known and beloved Mennonite, died of over-exertion during his military service as physician in the army in Manchuria. We could cite much more in praise of our Mennonite people from Mr. Kamensky and other sources but we will let this suffice. May our lives testify that we love God, his church and mankind, our Tsar, our fatherland, and our fellow citizens, with a warm, grateful and active love! XXXIII. MILITARY SERVICE AND THE EMIGRATION OF RUSSIAN MENNONITES TO AMERICA 1. The question of “non-resistance” provided the basis and the motivation for the emigration to America, which we have touched upon here and there. Tsar Paul’s “Charter of Privileges” states as follows: “Sixthly. We give them [the Mennonites] our most gracious assurance that no one of the presently settled Mennonites nor of those who are inclined to settle in our empire in the future, nor their children and offspring, is obligated to participate in military or civilian duties at any time unless personal desire for such duty is expressed.” 1 2 * * * * * 8 2. It was in the year 1871, 9 that the first rumors of a proposed compulsory military service startled the Mennonites of Russia. Meetings of the civic and church councils in the Chortitza and Molotschna Districts were held and co-operative deliberations with representatives from both colonies followed. It was decided to send a deputation to St. Petersburg, if possible, directly to the Tsar. When, on February 16, 1871, the Chortitza deputies— Elder Gerhard Dyck and Minister Heinrich Epp (secondary school teacher)— arrived in St. Petersburg, they found the Molotschna deputation already there: Elder Leonhard Sudermann, from Berdiansk, Minister Peter Goertz, from the Rudnerweide Church, Minister Franz Isaak from the Ohrloff congregation (the well-known attorney of the “brethren”) and the secretory for the District of Military Service and Emigration 587 Halbstadt, Herman Janzen (former teacher at the Ohrloff Association School). It is noteworthy that Epp and Janzen had good command of the Russian language; the others, however, did not. (Epp had passed the examinations for a Russian elementary school teacher, Janzen served for years as land surveyor for the Supervisory Commission.) Isaak had a sufficient grasp of written legal language. 3. In St. Petersburg the Mennonites were cordially received by Privy Councillor Ettinger, president of the Supervisory Commission who was staying at the capitol, and the former president, Baron Medem, who was at that time a high official in the Ministry of Crown Lands.