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

agitators who are clothed with a false spirituality. As faithful elders, protect your congregations as much as possible from confusing and agitating influences and trust in the assistance and leading of the Spirit of Truth who makes you free indeed. “Dear brothers! You are expecting to leave your homeland again and to find citizenship elsewhere. I don’t want to emphasize the sacrifices and hardships that will necessarily follow such a decision. If that were necessary for the sake of truth and the honor of God it would have been sinful for anyone to burden your hearts. One would have to say: ‘Go in peace: The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord’ (Judg. 18:6). In reality, however, I cannot find that it is your duty to leave. I do not want to address myself to the fact that His Imperial Majesty’s government had declared its interest to keep you in this country, and that your departure would give it deep concern. This is, however, true— even if certain public writings have voiced other opinions— it is, nevertheless true. Permit me, however, to direct you to another point of view. By God’s grace you have chosen to be a widespread blessed example to our country. You have been exemplary in the physical affairs of life such as your thriving, well-supplied homes and farms, your successful agriculture, animal husbandry, etc., your orderly communal and congregational life. Not only that but much more! God has placed you into your environment in order to be a real and living testimony to the blessings of God which come to a community which sincerely promotes moral values and the fear of God, disciplined restraint from all manifest sins and vices, concerned training of young people in the fear of God and the traditions of the fathers, prevention of all that might harm the common good or loosen the bonds of orderliness. Your calling lies in this noblest, ethical-religious sphere— it is a missionary calling. The great significance of this calling will not be disparaged by anyone who recognized the urgent need for such an example in our country and among its people. And even if in all honesty you admit, my brothers, that not all those in your circles are concerned about this calling— that the winds of emancipation are being felt amongst the youth of your communities as well— that the old, simple and genuine ways of your fathers are occasionally threatened by the spirit of our times— then you may rest assured that you nevertheless have a holy calling from God and you are still fulfilling it! "Brethren! that comes from the Lord but it also makes you responsible to God, responsible to the calling which He has given you as it concerns this country. You cannot leave this country just like that— not without having God sever you inwardly and incontrovertibly from that c allin g. Exactly this turns the question of an obligation to Military Service and Emigration 601 emigrate for conscience sake into