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ent handling of conscientious objectors in World War II. Ohio churches and leaders, both Mennonite and Amish, played a significant role in what paved the way for a different approach to the problem of conscientious objection in time of war. The Ohio

Mennonite Conference leaders were not unmindful of nor ungrateful for the official policy of the government and in 1919 passed a

resolution "giving expression of our good will and appreciation for privileges granted us hitherto." The resolution was forwarded to

"our authorities in Washington.""

In a similar vein the Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference in its 1919 minutes records a resolution of appreciation sent to President Wilson and to Secretary of War Newton D. Baker:

A resolution of appreciation to the officials at Washington, to the Honorable Woodrow Wilson, President of the U.S., and to the Secretary of War, Hon. Newton D. Baker.

Sirs:-Whereas at various times during the four years of the late great world war, this body (The Eastern Amish Mennonite Conference), in regular annual session, petitioned you for certain considerations on account of our convictions and beliefs against war and military training, according to the plain teachings of Christ in His Word, and

Whereas your Department has shown every courtesy to our Committees appointed to confer with you, also thru the officers in the various camps to our boys who were drafted.

We, the Eastern A. M. Conference in regular session assembled at the Beech congregation near Louisville, Ohio, May 20, 21, 1919, hereby desire sincerely to express our appreciation for the consideration granted us.

We can only in return, endeavor to teach more diligently the Gospel of peace, under the protection of our noble Government, live more consistent peaceful lives in the hope that our Nation may never again be called upon to witness such a terrible carnage.

We can not help, however, to reaffirm our former position as to war.

"Blessed is the man whose God is the Lord" (Psa. 33:12) and we shall ever pray for those in authority, that God may give you wisdom and understanding to so rule as may be well-pleasing to Him.