Page:Mennonite Handbook of Information 1925.djvu/92

 Leinity and favor shown to such tender conscienced, al though weak Followers of this our blessed Savior, will not be forgotten by Him in that great day.

"The Advice to those who do not find Freedom of Conscience to take up arms, that they ought to be helpful to those who are in Need and distressed Circumstances, we receive with cheerfulness to all Men of that Station they may be it being our Principle to feed the Hungry and give the Thirsty Drink we dedicated ourselves to serve all Men in every Thing that can be helpful to the Preservation of Men's Lives, but we find no Freedom in giving or doing or assisting in any Thing by which Men's Lives are destroyed or hurt We beg the Patience of all those who believe we err on this Point.

"We are always ready according to Christ's Command to Peter, to pay the tribute, that we may offend no Man, and we are ready to pay Taxes and to render unto Caesar the Things that are Caesar's, and to God those Things that are God's, although we think ourselves very weak to give to God His due Honor, He being a Spirit and. Life, and we only Dust and Ashes.

"We are also willing to be subject to the Higher Powers, and to give in the manner Paul directs us for he beareth the Sword not in vain, for he is the Minister of 'God, a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doeth Evil.

"This testimony we lay down before our worthy Assembly and all other Persons in Government, letting them know, that we are thankful as above mentioned, and that we are not at Liberty in Conscience to take up Arms to conquer our Enemies, but rather to ipray to God, who has Power in Heaven and on Earth, for US and THEM.

"We also crave the Patience of all the inhabitants of this country that they think to see clearer in the Doctrine of the blessed Jesus Christ, we will leave it to them and God, finding ourselves very poor; for Faith is to proceed out of the Word of God, which is Life and Spirit, and a Power of God, and our Conscience is to be instructed by the same, therefore we beg for Patience.