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

of a “Most Humble Submision” 34 to the Minister of the Interior concerning our church registration records. The aforementioned submission was accepted by the assembly with the following changes or additions: a) Section 2, page 3, the German translation shall not read “Mennonite church congregations,” but “Mennonite congregations.” Note re: Section 2, page 3, point 1: “A certification of their congregation.” A commission composed of the men: Abraham Goerz, David Epp, Heinrich Dirks, Wilhelm Neufeld, and Peter Penner is given the assignment to prepare a form of certification, which is to be issued by mother-congregations when new congregations are established. §299 654 MATTERS OF FAITH b) Point 2, page 5, is to be formulated thus: ‘‘Our spiritual workers: church-elders and ministers (‘spiritual teachers’— Article 1105) are from the respective church parishes,” etc. c) Point 2, page 5, should read: ‘‘children of church members, who have been entered into the birth-register of the congregations, are considered as ‘adherents of the church.’ They stand under spiritual nurture and instruction (catechumen— children’s worship service) and attain to full membership rights only through admission according to the established order as laid down in point one.” d) To point 3A, page 11, 35 is to be added: “To these individuals is also assigned the supervision of the instruction in German, since the German language, as the mother-tongue of Mennonite students, constitutes an essential aid in imparting of religious instruction.” Second Day (October 27) Forenoon: Opening with song and prayer by the chairman, Mr. Heinrich Unruh, Muntau. The form of certification for joining a prospective new congregation, prepared by the Commission, is approved by the assembly and added to the documents [see end of these minutes]. The presentation of the “Most Humble Submission” as accepted in its changed form on the second day of the conference and also the undertaking of all steps connected therewith, are assigned to a commission composed of the following members : Elder Abraham Goerz, Ohrloff, Minister David Epp, Ekaterinoslav, and Minister Heinrich Braun, Neu-Halbstadt. The body of delegates in matters of forestry camps shall be asked to assume the costs connected therewith. 2. Second Point for Deliberation: The Mental Hospital “Bethania.” Mr. Jakob Sudermann, Apanlee, presents a report about the development of the work in matters related to the institution "Bethania” during the course of the last conference year: a) Concerning the establishment of two bursaries in Bethania through Mr. Wilhelm Schroeder (Jerlitzkaia) in the name of W.M. Schroeder, and for which Mr. Schroeder has made the sum of 40,000 rubles available to the administration. Note: The conference expresses its gratitude to Mr. Schroeder for his donation by rising. b) Statement of income and expenditures up to October 25, 1910: Total receipt