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

brotherhood, all those belong who are of age and are baptized. The elder or his representative chairs such meetings. “With regard to the support of our ministers it can be said that there are always many such spiritual workers found among us who, because they are financially independent, refuse any remuneration. This group constitutes the majority. Others receive according to need either a full or Preservation of Independence 635 partial remuneration— by way of a salary or in some other way. Although we use the modest terminology of our fathers and hence do not speak of a ‘hierarchy’ or ‘clergy,’ but employ the designation ‘spiritual leadership’ or ‘spiritual ministry,’ we are nevertheless convinced that we have within our church or brotherhood all the spiritual ministers or ‘stewards of the mysteries of God’ (I Cor. 4:1) as they were common in the church after the death of the holy apostles. ‘‘These ‘ecclesiastical regulations, customs, and rules of our confession’ we are resolved to observe, without deviation, also in the future without interference by worldly authorities in our spiritual affairs. To this end may God help us! “C. Concerning Freedom of Conscience "According to our understanding, freedom of conscience in the true sense of the word consists in allowing everyone the opportunity to practice his religion according to his own mature conviction. We are of the belief that no compulsory measure or force can satisfy or stifle the spiritual needs of a human soul thirsting for peace of mind. The Most High Manifestoes of April 17 and October 17, 1905, gives us a legitimate hope for such freedom of conscience. “D. Concerning Propaganda and the Unity of the Church “In the legislative proposal of the Minister of the Interior Sub No. 1474, it is stated on page 14: ‘that every religious communion has the natural tendency to enlarge itself and expand. Since every religious communion considers itself as the bearer of the sole and absolute truth, and all other religious teachings as false, it will consider it as its moral obligation to proclaim the truth, which it confesses.’ “Although we Mennonites 12 confess our religion with the full conviction of its truth, since we base it on the Gospel and the teaching of the holy apostles, we nevertheless recognize that there are truths of the Christian faith to be found in all Christian denominations. We confess with them the grace unto salvation, insofar as they confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that the repentant sinner is cleansed of his sins by the blood of Christ, and given the power of a renewed life. In I John 4:2-3 we read: 'Every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God.’ And the Savior Himself says in the Gospel of Luke 9:50: ‘Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.’ The faith in Christ, active in love, is the mo