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

ot in opposition to the fundamental principles of our faith, it would nevertheless disturb the family heads to bind themselves irrevocably to a land and deprive their descendants, under pressing circumstances, of the possibility of making a decision in line with the confessional stance of the Mennonites. If, however, he and his descendants were to retain the personal freedom to emigrate unmolested, even at the expense of a part of their property, neither he could accuse himself, nor could his children and their descendants direct accusations against him for having remained in the country. Should the door to emigration be irrevocably closed to him and his descendants after the ten-year period of grace had come to an end, however, this would create fears and concern and cause many to seek a land where they might find greater legal freedoms, even though not a surer guarantee for their non-resistance principles. 29 “4. In view of the conscription of our youths into the service we dare to request two things, both of which are of the greatest importance to us: 1) that special lottery districts be established amongst us, 30 and 2) that the same privileges pertain to our conditions of service that pertain in other areas of service with regard to education and the voluntary 31 decision to enter the service. “5. In our submission to His Most Exalted Excellency, von Totleben, we expressed the request that our schools, which have till now been left to our free supervision and immediate care by the most gracious monarchs of the Russian Empire, retain this relationship and be granted the rights of other schools in the empire which compare with them. At the same time we obligate ourselves, out of a sense of duty to our dear fatherland, to promote the language of the land with the greatest of diligence. Naturally, we could not expect that this matter would be immediately decided upon along with the law concerning our service obligations. Nevertheless, we find ourselves at present forced, by the prevailing conditions, to request that the question be resolved by a Military Service and Emigration 605 legally binding decision. Because, as the result of serious consideration of our future, we have more and more arrived at the conviction that this point is of decisive importance and immeasurable significance to us, indeed also with regard to our services vis-a-vis the state, we dare herewith to request a favorable consideration of this our petition.” 3) A letter from church Elder Jakob Wiebe 32 of the Krimmer Mennonite Church. (From the original): Karassan, February 27, 1876 "To the venerable Elder Johann Wiebe, Schoenau near Samara. Much beloved brother in Christ Jesus I “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. "... That our achievements have been recognized in military law is to our greatest benefit. This, especially, give