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

and repeated what was said earlier concerning medical service. 6. The deputies were not permitted to confer with the Tsar personally, but His Majesty allowed himself to be seen as if by chance (during a leisurely drive) and honored them with a few words. 7. “. . . During our deputies’ stay in St. Petersburg they had found a noble friend in the person of Pastor Hans, leader of the local Moravian Brethren 11 congregation. This dear man took an active part in the Mennonites’ concern and energetically helped along where he could. His counsel and work were often of substantial help to them. . . .” 8. On February 26, 1873, a second deputation came to St. Petersburg. It consisted of Elder Gerhard Dyck, Chortitza; Elder Bernhard Peters, Margenau; Minister Heinrich Epp, Chortitza; Minister Peter Goertz, Rudnerweide; and Mr. Heinrich Heese, Ekaterinoslav. With Pastor Hans they found representatives from the Volga Menno- nites and the Volynian Mennonites. A representative from the Hutterites (Huttertal and Johannesruh near Melitopol), Joseph Hofer, was also there. On March 6, they were led into the palace of the president of the Imperial Council, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaievitch, who had granted them an audience. “. . . His Imperial Highness was friendly, condescending, and spoke German to our surprise. . . . He inquired about our home country and after we had named the provinces from which we came, he asked about each one’s village. He mentioned the fact that he had visited our villages, whereupon we answered that we had pleasant memories of that visit. Our concern, he continued, was well known to him. Nevertheless he was going to receive our written petition and peruse it later. The petition could not exempt us from compulsory military duty; since, however, according to our faith we were not permitted to carry weapons or take part in warfare, the government would protect our conscience by assigning us to hospitals and work camps instead of conscripting us into military service. We had been in Russia for 70 or 80 years (he said), and enriched ourselves and had enjoyed protection and favor: now we were to recognize our duty to do Military Service and Emigration 589 something for the fatherland. When we replied that we felt deeply grateful toward our eminent sovereign and beloved father of our nation, and that we were prepared to prove such gratitude in a manner which would not cause conflict for our consciences, he answered: ‘You are supposed to be good Christians and as such it is your duty to help and take care of a wounded soldier.’ When we tried to explain to him that such service rendered under military command was different from voluntary service, his countenance darkened somewhat. He discontinued, took the petition from us, and dismissed us. The general appearance of his highness was cordial, as was his bearing, but at the same time, firm and determined. ...” 9. Under these circumstances, t