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

1910, at Preservation of Independence 637 Schoensee, District of Berdiansk, Taurida.” 18 (These subjects for deliberation were submitted to all churches with the following accompanying letter) : “P.P. “Herewith there is presented to you one copy of ‘Requests, etc.’ and one copy of the ‘Most Humble Submission’ which you are to present for consideration to a regular brotherhood meeting of your church, so that your delegates at the prospective conference in Schoensee on October 26, 27 and 28 can respond to these questions in the spirit of the congregation. As an explanatory comment to 'Requests, etc.’ we add that the Mennonites in the projected legislation concerning religious bodies and communions are counted among ‘those churches not recognized by law,’ although the legislation grants the free exercise of their religion. We cannot be identified with the ‘not recognized churches,’ the free exercise of religion mentioned there has been our right until now, and is indispensable for the future— hence our comment: ‘cannot apply to Mennonites in a negative sense, etc.’ Paragraphs 6-12 deal with the establishment of a new congregation, especially important for us in our young settlements. A form of a ‘Certification of the Mother Church’ will in all probability be presented to the Conference. All comments of the congregation are to be made on the white margin. With greetings, H. Unruh, H. Braun.” I. “The wishes of the Mennonite churches 19 in Russia with reference to several points in the ‘Short Explanatory Notes’ relative to ‘the projected legislation concerning Religious Church Bodies and Religious Communions.’ "To Article 2, 1, of the Project and the annotation to this article. The application of Article 2 cannot be employed against the Mennonites in a negative sense since their doctrine is recognized by law: the gracious most high statute. Tsar Paul I, of September 6, 1800 (copy enclosed), and the Articles 1104 and 1105 of the regulations concerning the ‘ Ecclesiastical Affairs of Foreign Denominations.’ It would seem strange, if the Mennonite doctrine of faith would be described as not being recognized by imperial laws, when seven all-Russian monarchs, beginning with Tsarina Catherine II and up to the present, until the current blessed reign of the lord and Tsar, Nicholas II, have recognized it. We plead, therefore, to grant unto us the right to practice the church regulations, customs and rules of our Confession of Faith also in the future without any interference by worldly authorities in the spiritual affairs of our congregations. 638 MATTERS OF FAITH “To 6-12. The presently-existing Mennonite ‘Church-Congrega- tions’ 20 are sufficiently known and recognized (see discussion above). New congregations to be established give notice of the fact of their organization to the respective provincial authorities for registration. Such notification is to be accompanied by: 1) a certificat