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

we may also have the right, in the future, to use our school buildings (during the time not used for instruction) for purposes of worship. “The Imperial Charter of Privileges “We, through God’s enabling grace, “Paul the First, “Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia: of Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod, Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Siberia, Tsar of Kherson— Taurida, Sovereign of Pskov and Grand Prince of Smolensk, Lithuania, Volynia and Podolia, Prince of Estonia, Livland, Kurland, and Semigal, Samogit, Korelsk, Tver, Yugorsk, Perm, Vyatka, Bolgar, etc.; Sovereign and Grand Prince of Nov-Gorod, Nizov lands, Chernigov, Riazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Yaroslav, Beloozero, Udorsk, Obdorsk, Kondiisk, Vitepsk, Mstislavsk, Ruler and Sovereign of Iversk lands, Kartalin and Georgian Tsars, and Kabardin lands, Cherkas and Mountain Princes, and others, Crown Prince and Owner; Heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Sotrman, Dithmarschen and Preservation of Independence 643 Oldenburg, Sovereign of Ever and Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. “In order to authenticate our most gracious grant in response to the petition received by us from the Mennonites settled in the New Russian provinces, who, according to the testimony of their supervisors and because of their outstanding industry and their commendable way of life, can serve as an example to the others settled there, and who, because of this, have become deserving of our special attention, we have, in this charter of privileges granted to them, not only affirmed all of the rights and privileges previously agreed to, but have also, in order to encourage their thrift and concern for agriculture still more, graciously granted them additional rights in the following articles. "First: we reaffirm to them and their descendants the religious freedoms promised earlier, by virtue of which they are entitled to follow their faith and church practices unhindered. We also graciously grant, that if occasion should require them to testify in a court of law, their oral affirmation shall be considered legal in lieu of an oath. "Second: We affirm to each family as their indisputable and perpetually hereditary property, the sixty-five dessiatines of useful land, bearing in mind, however, that not the smallest plot under any circumstances may be transferred into strange hands, neither be sold nor any deeds of purchase be processed without proper sanction of then- authorities . “Third: We most graciously permit all Mennonites presently settled in Russia, as well as those who will arrive in the future, to set up factories and other handicrafts necessary for them, to establish guilds and shops in their villages as well as in cities of our Empire, and to allow them the sale of their products without hindrance in accordance with respective State laws. “Fourth: We permit Mennonites, according to the ri