Jacob Riis

“ Nonresistance Affects Actions Nonresistance is inseparably connected with fair dealing because the party knows that he can not defend himself, and he must be careful so that there will be no occasion to resist. That was William Penn's way of dealing with the Indians, and the very small amount of blood that was shed in the early settlements of Pennsylvania compared with marauding and murders committed in other colonies tells its own story. ”

“ Through some of the officers of the Confederate government who knew something about the Mennonites and their religious principles, a law was passed which gave them exemption. L. J. Heatwole says, "This bill provided that all people professing the peace doctrine as a part of their religion. .. .residing within the Confederate States would be exempt from military duty on conditions that each male member of such religious body who was subject to bear arms, should pay into the treasury the sum of five hundred dollars." ”

“ The Mennonites who shall be called out for military service shall be assigned to duty only at other places than at the front, as in hospitals, in military works and similar establishments, and shall be exempt from bearing arms. This provision shall not include such Mennonites as shall unite with the Church after the new military law shall have come into force, or such as shall come into the Russian Empire from any foreign country. ”

“ Further, we find ourselves indebted to be thankful to our late worthy Assembly for their giving so good an advice in these troublesome times to all ranks of people in Penn sylvania, particularly in allowing those who, by the doctrine of our Savior Jesus Christ are persuaded in their conscience to love their enemies and not to resist evil to enjoy the liberty of their conscience. ”

“ Lesser Wars of America The war of 1812, sometimes called the Second War for Independence, the war of 1848, known as the Mexican War, and the war of 1898, known as the Spanish-American War, were all fought by volunteers so that there were no serious trials for those who could not take part in them. ”

“ Mennonites and Tories At the time of the Revolution there was a class of people living in the various colonies Which sympathized with the British, called "Tories." They naturally opposed the war. Others, among them Amish and Mennonites, were also opposed to it, but were not at all in symlpathy with the actions of the Tories. Many of the colonists >could not under stand how any one could be opposed to what they were doing and not be in sympathy with the enemy. ”

“ MENNONITES AND OTHER WARS Growth of Militarism in Europe The barbarous practices of war had been in vogue in Europe as far back as one can trace, re gardless of the advancement made along the lines of education and science. ”

“ Many of them were poor and could not pay the fine. But the Church stood together, and in all such cases furnished the necessary amount for their brethren. They sought to follow the teachings of Holy Writ, "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it."
Contrasted Effects of Exemption These trials brought the Church very close to gether. Old and young were knit together as one man. The young appreciated the help of the older and the older appreciated the attitude of the young. Trials from without can not greatly harm if there is the right spirit within. ”

“ Then what makes it harder for me to go, I have a neighbor who is very angry with me about a line fence, and I wanted to reason with him about it, but he began to curse me and call me all kinds of names. I was sorry and angry at the same time. What would you do if a man would talk that way to you? He is just as mean as he can be. ”

“ The Committee having received informataion that diverse persons, whose religious tenets forbid their forming themselves into Military Associations, have been mal-treated and threatened by some violent and ill-disposed people in the County of Lancaster, notwithstanding their willingness to contribute cheerfully to the common cause otherwise than by taking up arms. ”

“ T his was frequently done, and in this the Mennonites did their full share. Substitutes could often be gotten. Some men paid a thousand dollars to have some one else to take their place. People who had conscientious scruples against war and could satisfy the recruiting officer that they were members in good standing in a non-resistant organization and lived as well as believed the doctrine could be exempt by the payment of a fine of from two to six hundred dollars each, but that only freed them until the next draft when they were liable to be drafted again. ”

“ At the same time they consider it to be their indispensable duty to intimate to the public their entire disapprobation of any abusive, opprobrious or insult ing expressions that may be made use of by any person whatsoever against such of the respectable inhabitants who may think proper to associate for the defense and support of their inestimable rights and privileges. ”

“ The Committee will find means to bring such impudent persons to a proper sense of their misconduct. Yet they ardently wish and hope that no further violence, threats or animosities may appear, but that every member of the Com munity will readily use his utmost endeavors to promote peace, good order and unanimity among the inhabitants of this respectable county. ”

“ European Trend and Nonresistance With such strong counter^currents against them, not only in Russia but in Holland, Germany, Switz erland and France, the Mennonites of Europe either emigrated or largely lost their nonresistance. Tak ing any kind of service a few decades ago meant noncombatant service for their children and com batant service for their grandchildren. It meant compromise on a Gospel principle, and while that may be a seeming advantage for the time being, it invariably means disadvantage in time to come. ”

“ This Tcftimony we lay down before oar worthy Aflembly, and all other Pcrfbns in Go vernment, letting them know, that we are thankfullasabove-mentioned, and that wearenot at Liberty in Confcience to take up Arms to conquer our Enemies, but rather to prayf* GOD, who has Power in Heaven and on Earth, for US and THEM.
We alfo crave the Patience of all the Inhabitants of this Country, - what they think n> lee clearer in the Doftrine of the blefled JESUS CHRIST, we will leave to them and GOD, finding ourfelves very poor ”