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

The latter introduced the delegates to the Minister of Crown Lands who was, then, the chief authority over all the colonies. The Minister regretted the fact that the two elders, after a seventy-year stay of the Mennonites in Russia, could not speak the Russian language and declared this a sin. Minister Epp’s assurance that efforts were being made to make up for this neglect, he answered with: “Too late!” 4. A presentation of the basic principles of non-resistance was made, at Baron Medem’s request, showing exactly how they grow out of the (Mennonite) articles of faith. The document (contained in its entirety in D.H. Epp’s book, which we have cited, as well as in several manuscripts in our archives) is signed: “Church elders: Gerhard Dueck and Leonhard Sudermann; Minister Franz Isaak, Peter Goertz and Heinrich Epp; Church member Hermann Janzen. St. Petersburg, March 2, 1871.” 5. On the date cited the six men were received by the president of the Commission for working out the legislation concerning compulsory military service, Count Heyden. The Count told them that it was intended from the very beginning that the Mennonites’ Confession of Faith should be taken into consideration and that they would in any case not be expected to take up arms,— only to render medical services, and even this "not until about 25 years later.” (?) The explanation by Elder Sudermann, at the second meeting with the Count on the following day, that the Mennonites could not participate even in the medical corps if it was affiliated with the military, upset the Count. He voiced his opinion to the effect that the Mennonites would then have to look for another country where no duties whatsoever existed towards the state. He asked, furthermore, “whether the Mennonites recognized any state organization at all?” Elder Sudermann who did not understand him, answered: “No." This would no doubt have caused another misunderstanding on the Count’s part had Sudermann not added immediately that the Menno- nites acknowledge the authorities over them, obey them and pray for them. In answer to the question, what he would do in case of war, Sudermann said: "I would be reconciled, go to meet the enemy and 588 THE STATE embrace him , 10 but I would not kill!” The Count smiled and suggested that no state could exist if everyone did not want to take up arms, and so the Mennonites contribute nothing useful whatsoever to the state. When Sudermann remained silent, Minister Epp spoke up: “If people followed the example of non-resistance they would draw back from any kind of fighting whatsoever.” Count Medem, Count Heyden’s adjutant (a young commander of the guards), laughed and suggested that if all people were Mennonites there would be no war at all! Count Heyden then explained that the delegates could do nothing further for their cause at this time and that they were thus at liberty to drive home. He would inform them at the appropriate time