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

the question of having the right to emigrate for conscience sake. It is from this standpoint that I implore you to test this matter before God. Save yourselves, I beg you, from a viewpoint which would imply that your migration constitutes a divine judgment for this land which necessitates your leaving! If others evaluate the circumstances in that way then let them justify themselves if they can. You, however, must not give occasion for such thoughts— they would seriously threaten your innocence and sincerity before God and man. “Is it possible that the truth may be exactly reversed? That in the circumstances of your submission to compulsory military service there may be a godly discipline to be learned which you would not do well to overlook? [Is it possible] that, much rather, you should humbly accept this discipline and believe that the God of all mercy will respect your obedience and allow you and all your congregations to harvest the peaceable fruit of righteousness, to be strengthened in the Spirit and also to strengthen that which is in danger of dying? Your Theodor Hans” St. Petersburg, January 16, 1873 b) “Dear Brothers! “I recall making the promise to notify you when the bill which is so important to both of us (concerning the compulsory military service law) would come before the Imperial Council. Today I am in a position to write you. "Count Heyden, the well-known chief of the Commission had promised to notify you through me as to the time when a written petition from you to the Imperial Council would be most timely and effective. I have waited until the present for news from Count Heyden but without results. Now I believe I cannot wait any longer without adversely affecting your interests. “Naturally it depends upon what your opinion is presently. Minister Valuiev, as you know, counselled that you entrust your cause to His Majesty the Tsar’s good will alone and spare yourselves further steps since your position is sufficiently known to the Tsar and other high officials. Should you, dear brothers, want to follow this guidance, then you would have to give up on a petition to the Imperial Council. I do not know if your conscience will permit this course of action and especially if your dear congregations will be satisfied with so very inactive a period of waiting. "Therefore, it is my duty to inform you that in case you intend to present your concerns before the Imperial Council, the time may well be 602 THE STATE §279 here to set the machinery in motion. The petition to the Imperial Council would have to be written in the Russian language and addressed directly to the president of the Council, His Imperial Highness, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaievitsch. Either the petition can be sent to the Grand Duke through the regular channels of the postal service— or, you may want to consider delivering the petition personally via two delegates who would, however, have good comman