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

erate and morally upright. b) In his Histoire des Baptistes (History of the Baptists), Ramseyer says of these people: Since a special clause of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 guaranteed the inhabitants of Alsace freedom of conscience, many Baptists withdrew to the valleys and the plateaus of the Vosges, at that time nearly totally removed from outside interference, where they have lived to the present virtually unnoticed by the powers of this world. Still, they distrusted the magnanimity of the rulers and placed little faith in their agreements. During a period lasting one hundred and fifty years not one of them owned even an acre of land. Their industrious families worked the land they rented, and they preserved their wealth in securities and cash, constantly prepared to emigrate. Only since the beginning of the 19th century have they begun to purchase land. c) When the modem method of army recruitment was introduced, the Anabaptists of the Vosges sent a deputation to the most important members of the French Legislative Assembly. Thereupon the following decree of August 16, 1795, 62 was sent to the appropriate agencies by the Committee of Public Safety of the National Assembly: “Citizens! The Anabaptists in France have sent us their delegates in order to make known to us the fact that their confession of faith as well as their moral principles make it impossible for them to bear arms, and to beg us to use them in other ways in the army. We are convinced of their integrity and believe that a good government must utilize every virtue for the co mm on good. Therefore we call upon you to demonstrate the same gentleness toward the Anabaptists which they manifest in their character; to see to it that they are not persecuted and to make available to them such service in the army compatible with their requests, such as in the engineering corps and railroad service, or also allow them to relieve themselves of all military service by paying a sum of money. Signed: Couthon, Barere, Herault, Saint-Just, Thuerrot, Robespierre, L. Carnot.” [Thus did the men of the “Terror” of the French Revolution react to the “gentleness” of the Anabaptists! Cf. Matt. 6:5.] Napoleon Bonaparte followed this example of the Republic in regard to the Anabaptists. They died on the field of battle in great numbers, but without once having drawn a sword or fired a gun! d) If the Mennonites of the Vosges get into a litigation with a stranger, says Michiels 63 in Ramseyer, p. 403, they demonstrate the Customs and Character 81 injustice of his case to him and the justice of their own position. If their proof remains unconvincing and time for reconsideration does not open the eyes of their opponent or awaken his conscience, they do not turn to the courts for redress: their principles do not permit them to call upon the severity of the law, indeed prohibit all application of force. In order to end the quarrel they give their opponen