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

l as in their church parishes.’ The law makes this supervision obligatory for all ‘spiritual teachers’ in active ministry. As a result of the peculiar Mennonite church order, the training of ministers varies greatly. For this reason, the spiritual teachers of all Mennonites impose upon themselves restrictions in this regard— with the consent of their congregations— in that they elect from their midst those colleagues for school supervision who are regarded as the most competent, spiritually and pedagogically (mostly former pedagogues). Every such election is brought to the attention of the local school board. “B. The Employment of Teachers of the Schools Supported by the Mennonites. In a circular of September 13, 1891 (under Number 15884), the Administrator of the Ministry for Public Education, Bythshkov, prescribes, in the form of a temporary rule, ‘that the teachers of these schools are chosen by the school inspector, and upon his recommendation to the Director of Public Schools they are to be certified for service, dismissed from the same, or to be transferred to another school.’ On the basis of this regulation, misunderstandings have occurred and are occurring at present in many congregations, who support their own 642 MATTERS OF FAITH §296 schools, and their local school board. In agreement with the explanation of the directing senate in its decision of June 15, 1883, under Number 4807, (and of October 8, 1903), the jurisdiction with regard to the selection of candidates for teaching positions belongs to the owners of the school. Therefore we petition, since all our congregations are the founders, owners, and supporters of the schools, again to restore the regulation as it existed prior to the mentioned temporary arrangement with regard to the employment of teachers in our municipalities, villages, estates, etc., according to which the school assembly or society has the right to select teacher-candidates and to present them for certification. “C. Worship Services in School Buildings. Ever since the Mennonites have lived in Russia, they have conducted their worship services not only in their churches, but also in school buildings. In the villages these are built and supported exclusively at the expense of the village communities. (On the landed estates at the expense of the landowners or renters.) During school-time, they are used for the purpose of instruction, and at other times— according to need— they serve as places of congregational worship, as has also been the practice of Catholic and other Protestant colonists. ‘‘At the present time, the conducting of worship services in school buildings is prohibited by the police in many places. 25 Through such prohibition the respective congregations are brought into a difficult situation, since many of their members reside at some distance from buildings of worship (in places from four to ten versts and more). “We, therefore, request that