The Church of the Brethren on this sixth day of August, 1958, assembled in a world convocation of Brethren at Schwarzenau, Germany, in celebration of the two-hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the church in this beautiful and peaceful village on the Eder, desires:
First: To recognize with praise and gratitude the kindly providence of God our Father, in bringing safely once again to this land of our fathers so many Brethren from the communities of Europe, and from the countries of Americas, India, Africa, South America, and other parts of the world. We praise God for that blessed fellowship in Christ which knows no bounds of geography, and no partiality of race or color.
Second: To express our profound gratitude and appreciation to the kindly and sturdy people of Schwarenau, for their tireless effort in preparing for our coming, for the cordial reception which they have extended to us in their homes and community, and for the warmth of their friendship expressed in countless deeds of kindness and helpfulness not only on this occasion but across many years of visitation by our people to this place of our origin.
We especially express our gratitude to the officials of church and government and request that they convey to the people of the Schwarenau area our warm greetings and deep appreciation.
Third: To pledge the Church of the Brethren, under the Lordship of Christ our Redeemer, to a renewed ministry of love to all peope to the end that peace between man and man, race and race, nation and nation may become a reality on this earth. We reaffirm our faith in the spirit of love and reconciliation as an instrument of harmony among the peoples of the world and implore rulers and statesmen to seek peace and security, not on the basis of violence and preponderance of arms, but upon the principles of brotherhood and goodwill, of reason and understanding, and of freedom and justice to all.
Source: The Adventerous Future
