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

o have withdrawn from this or that congregation 40 , but who, according to their confession of faith, still belong to the total Mennonite fellowship (and for this reason are entitled to the privileges of [alternative] military service)— are not exempt from the taxes for supporting the forestry detachments which the Mennonite congregations (fellowships) 41 and are expected to pay according to the aforementioned law. This is so because the (tax) obligation is not incumbent upon the assemblies as an administrative or societal (communal) entity, but rather, upon the Mennonite congregations (religious fellowships) which form a uniform, recognized religious sect. After this presentation had been laid before the honorable Minister of Agriculture and Crown Lands it pleased His Excellency to order that it be disclosed to the authorized representatives of the Mennonite congregations (fellowships), Isaac Dyck and Johann Thiessen, that: a new legislative directive concerning the duty of each Mennonite regarding annual payment for support of forestry detachments is not necessary because this obligation is presently stipulated under Point 25 Military Service and Emigration 625 of the supplement to article 27 of the forestry by-laws (1893 edition). According to this article all the expenses enumerated therein are the Mennonite congregation’s (fellowship’s) responsibility and are charged to their account. (That is, charged to all those persons who because of then- confession of faith are enjoying the privilege of rendering (alternative) military service as stipulated in Article 27 of the forestry by-laws. Exempt from stamp taxation. On behalf of the director (signature). Section Chief (signature). The genuineness of the present copy of another copy is certified by the Halbstadt District Administration via signature and a stamp of the seal. January 19, 1909. Colony Administrator (Signature)— District Secretary (signature). 626 THE STATE F. ISSUES CONCERNING MATTERS OF FAITH IN THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD OF RUSSIA AT THE PRESENT TIME (1905 - 1910) XXXIV. NEW APPREHENSIONS WITH REGARD TO MATTERS OF FAITH 1. As is generally known, the year 1905 brought a great upsurge in social thought and aspiration among all segments of the Russian population. A truly “political” movement did not emerge among the Mennonites of Russia. In comparison with the huge peasantry of the empire, their social and economic condition was so good (if not excellent), that they could not expect anything positive for themselves from a possible, more or less radical, governmental change. To the contrary, as a genuine Christian-conservative and generally bourgeois 1 group, ninety-nine out of one hundred Mennonites considered such words as “democrat,” “democratic” with suspicion, foreboding ill, and from a democracy only evil was expected. (With this [attitude] the vast majority of Mennonites also condemned the party of the "Cons