1916 Virginia Conference Addresses US Congress

The Zion Mennonite Church near Broadway hosted a Conference meeting over a hundred years ago which  produced an urgent appeal to Congress .

The simple words composed by delegates of the Virginia Mennonite Conference in 1916 have proven to be wiser than any heard in the halls of Congress regarding participation in World War I. That costly, senseless and cruel conflict resulted in an enormous loss of life and incredible human suffering. It also set the stage for World War II and the Cold War that followed. Meanwhile, Mennonite war resisters were mocked, persecuted and accused of being cowards, German sympathizers and worse.

Here is the official statement drafted over 100 years ago:

We the members of the Mennonite Conference of Virginia now in annual session at the Zion Mennonite Church near Broadway, Rockingham Co., Va., on this 14th day of October, 1916, herewith submit for your consideration the following preamble and resolution:

Preamble

Whereas--as a peace-loving people we have long enjoyed the protection and benefits derived from the laws enacted by the Unites States congress by which we have been permitted to carry out the principles of the non-combatant life, and,

Whereas--we have information of a movement that is being encouraged by certain members of your body that would recommend the establishment of a form of military training for boys and young men in connection with their student life in the schools of this country, and,

Whereas--such training is manifestly intended, as occasion may require, for mustering into regular military service, such as may hold dear the principles of the non-combatant life,---

Therefore be it resolved, that we as representatives of the religious body known as Mennonites, who recognize the plain teaching of the Word of God, call your attention to the fact that we cannot engage in carnal warfare, and that, in the light of all good government, it is eminently proper that all matters of national dispute should be settled by arbitration (italics mine).

Since the Constitution on which the national government is founded upholds the principle that its people be allowed to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience; we plead for a continuation of this privilege, and thus have our children and members exempt from the military training contemplated in the movement herein described.

J. S. Martin, Moderator

C. H. Brunk, Secretary

Be sure to check out this amazing exhibit at EMU's Hartzler Library October 1-November 17 to learn more about some anti-war heroes. https://emu.edu/now/news/2018/09/voices-of-conscience-exhibit-at-emu-to-highlight-prophetic-insights-and-personal-courage-of-wwi-peace-protesters/