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7. Show appreciation for government and be clear that opposition to war is not founded upon disloyalty to government but upon the conviction that the Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Peace.'

Another communication was addressed by the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference to President Wilson as follows:

Sugarcreek, Ohio, June 14, 1917.

To the Hon. Woodrow Wilson,

President of the U.S.A. Executive Mansion, Washington, D.C. Greeting:

The Eastern Amish Mennonite Church in conference assembled at Walnut Creek, Holmes Co., Ohio, June 13, 14, 1917, hereby wishes to bring to your notice the position of our various congregations with reference to war and military service.

We reaffirm our former petition of June 1, 2, 1916, by this same body, and further add that the nonresistant principles held by the Amish Mennonite people are founded on the teachings of Scriptures, and are set forth in our Confession of Faith adopted at Dortrecht in Holland in 1632, and later ratified in France, and which has always been an essential principle in our creed.

Inasmuch as our forefathers in Europe suffered because of this principle, and were invited to this country on the promise of liberty of conscience and religious freedom, and inasmuch as we as a Church today hold sacred these same principles of nonresistance and conscientiously believe that we should continue to maintain said principles.

Therefore we humbly petition your excellency that we may be exempt from all forms of military service, or learning the art of war. Believing as we do, that we can not engage in war in any form; we sincerely appeal to you that in your message setting forth what shall constitute noncombatant service, that you give due recognition to our religious convictions, that we may be permitted to serve God and humanity in such capacity only as will not violate our conscientious obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our opposition to war and militarism is not founded on cowardice or disloyalty to our government, but upon the conviction that the Gospel of Christ is a Gospel of peace. We appreciate the kind consideration which we as a Church have already received from those in authority, and we shall ever pray for our rulers that peace may soon be restored and become the joy of our country and the happy lot of nations, and that we may continue to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honestly. I Tim. 2:1, 2.

Very Respectfully Yours, J. S. Gerig, Moderator, C. Z. Yoder, Secretary