USA > Pennsylvania > Historic background and annals of the Swiss and German pioneer settlers of southeastern Pennsylvania, and of their remote ancestors, from the middle of the Dark Ages, down to the time of the Revolutionary War > Part 10
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Byler is a well known eastern Lan- caster County name as we know. He tells of his ordeal in England this year.
1576-Zurich Issues New Decrees.
Zurich followed the example of Berne in 1576. It was found that the Mennonites and other Evangelicals were quietly leaving with their wives, as the result of the efforts of the "ex- citers from Moravia" as they were called. Particularly from Aargau the migration was felt. These Aargau citi- zens secretly sold their goods and prepared to leave. They were ordered watched and taken prisoners, (Mül- ler, p. 96).
1576-Mennonites of Zurich Fight Against a State Church.
This year was published another edict against the Mennonites about Zurich, Switzerland and this brought on in earnest the fight against a State Church. Their congregations sepa- rated from the State Church and de- manded not to be interfered with. Many congregations moved from Zur- ich into Moravia. But they fared no better there, and came back having lost all. The Sheriffs were to stamp out the migration. But there were no results; and in 1580 there was an- other Zurich decree stating they were
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BENDERS APPEAR-HOLLAND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE
getting more and more numerous; that people were adhering to them; and warning all that they should shun them, (Brons, 192).
1576-The Familiar Name "Bender" Appears. .
The Benders are prominent and nu- merous in Lancaster County and Eastern Pennsylvania. About this time Matthias Bender or Binder a Mennonite minister of Wurtenburg in Germany, was arrested and taken to Stuttgart prison on account of his faith, and later imprisoned in chains. He was examined and threatened by the doctors of theology, the represen- tatives of the Prince and by the ab- bott. He was then sent to the castle of Hohenwithing and remained two years, when in 1576 the Castle was burned to the ground. He was then released because of his brave conduct about the fire, (Mirror, 973).
1577-Liberty of Conscience Gains Foothold in Holland.
King William I called William of Nassau, January 26, 1577 at Middle- burg (in the southwest corner of Hol- land on the North Sea) issued a let- tef of privilege to the Anabaptists or Mennonites, reciting that these citi- zens complain their shops have been closed by the magistrates. because these people would not take oaths, though they have always paid their taxes, etc. This, the letter says is against liberty of conscience and it has just been decided by the people of Spain against their sovereign that liberty of conscience must be allowed, especially . as these Hollanders helped to gain liberty of conscience for others deprived of it; that the oath is used as `a means to drive these good people out of the country, and not only those residing in Middleburg, but those in innnumerable other places in Holland and Zealand. The letter then pro- ceeds and says these petitioners are
ready at all times to offer their tender "Yea" in place of an oath and agree that those who transgress the "Yea" shall be punished as perjurers.
He then ordains that those people shall be allowed to use their "Yea" in place of an oath; but if they trans- gress, they shall be punished as per- jurers. This was a great sin by the Mennonite Doctrine, (Mirror, 1000).
1577-Holland's Ruler Protects the Mennonites.
This year a deputation of Reformed preachers met at Dortrecht in Hol- land about ten miles southeast of Rotterdam; and asked that the Men- nonites be restrained. But the Dutch authorities now refused to interfere longer with them. The Prince of Orange said personally that they should not be interfered with and more than that, their "Yea" should be acepted as an oath. This shows how they were regarded as to truth tell- ing. The Prince further expressed his dislike that the civil authorities should assume to control matters of conscience. He also said to the Re- formed Churchmen who made the above demand that, they should re- member how the Catholics had abused them and not, in turn abuse these Mennonites in a similar way, (Brons, 117).
1579-Mennonites Settle Among Lu- therans in Northeastern Prussia.
Brons tells us (p. 249) that this year the Mennonites handed in a re- quest to settle about Koenigsburg in northeastern Germany on the Baltic Sea near the Gulf of Dantzig; and handed over their articles of faith for inspection. George Frederick, the ruler and successor of Duke Albrecht said reluctantly that the Constitution of Prussia required all should be of the Lutheran religion there, other- wise he would allow it. He ordered them to go to the consistory and be questioned about their faith and if they did not want to join the Lutheran
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MENNONITE MARRIAGES VOID-"NEGLEY AND KELLER"
church they should leave, in four months. But the order was not car- ried out. The Mennonites remained there and took deeper root. They could feel that Frederick at heart was favorable to them. Wherever they settled they made the land very fer- tile.
1579-Berne Declares Mennonite Mar- riages Void.
About 1567 it was decided in Berne that if married couples do not go to the state church they shall be consid- ered as living together illicitly as if the marriage had never been per- formed; and their children should be illegitimate- the right to inherit should be denied to them. This re- mained an edict not carried out for 12 years; but in 1579 messengers were sent among the Mennonite congrega- tions warning them that the old edict was to be enforced and that those who do not choose to obey shall leave within three months or be punished in their possessions and lives.
1581-At Berne, Negley a "Reformed" Praises the Mennonites.
Müller tells us (p. 84) that in 1581 a large synod was held at Berne. There Negley announced as a Re- formed adherent that the many ac- cusations against the Mennonites were unjust. He said his own peo- ple, the Reformed, ought to study their own faults. He showed that great moral rottenness existed about Berne, but not among the Mennonites. He said that each individual of them was pure and set an example for others. He said that most of them were poor and their preachers taught without pay and did various work to support themselves. We call atten- tion to the fact that the name Negley is a common Lascaster County name.
1582-Prominent Norwegians Join the Mennonites.
This year Anslo, a Norwegian, joined the Mennonite church in Holland. He
founded a large cloth business and his sons became prominent in it. They were the head of the cloth makers' guild. One of his sons. Cor- nelius Claes Anslo was a prominent preacher of the Mennonites and his portrait was painted by Rembrant, and a poet named Vondel wrote some complimentary poetry under it. It is now in the gallery of the Lord Hol- land. Other great men about Amster- dam joined the Mennonites too, about this time, (Brons, 158).
1584-Wenish Keller from Austria Joins the Swiss Mennonites.
Austrian historians tell us that this year seven brethren were sent out of. that country. They went to the Swiss. One of them was Wenish Kel- ler. He labored about Berne nine year and his death was reported in 1593, (Müller, 97).
1585-Berne Mandate, Ordering Men- nonites Out.
This year, says Müller (p. 182) there was a mandate ordering the Mennonites to get out of Berne or suffer imprisonment or death. But execution by the sword was not al- lowed as in the past. It provided that those who were teachers should be branded. Hans Stence and Mart. Berger were two of them. After a long effort to cause them to recant they were expelled. Stence returned and was compelled to sign a cove- nant agreeing that if he came back again he should be beheaded. He was then sent away again; and never came back.
1585-Moravian Missions Successful in Switzerland.
So many people followed the Mora- vian missionaries in Switzerland that they could hardly all be taken in. A good part were accepted. In 1686 many Swiss joined the Moravian Men- nonites. Moravia had her trouble nearly 100 years before Luther led by
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EARLY ANABAPTIST STRICTNESS
Huss, who was burned at the stake in Constance, beginner of the Moravians, began his work. So here was an asylum for the Mennonites, (Müller, p. 98).
1586-Five Great German Mennonite Congregations
By this time, in face of all edicts, the Mennonite strength was amazing in Germany and throughout central Europe. The largest German congre- gations of Mennonites were at Mar- burg, at Niederulm or the Swamp of Weichsel, at Thom, at Gradens and at Danzig. They were the strongholds there, in spite of the edict of Danzig prohibiting any strangers there, by Whitemtide, (Brons, p. 251).
1586-Edict Against Anabaptists in Prussia.
The great tortures inflicted by
Papists upon the Anabaptists of various countries drove many of them into Prussia, in the hope that these Lutheran sections would be more mild than the Catholic ones. This hope was partly inspired by the fact that Prussia boasted of her liberality. But in this hope the Anabaptists or Mennonites were sadly disappointed. The Government of Prussia, Novem- ber 12, 1586 issued a decree that they must all leave or be tortured, but not killed. George Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg issued the chief edict, (Mirror, 1006). The next year there was a similar decree against all the Baptists of Koenigsburg, (Do., 1007).
15SS-Severe Integrity of Early Ana- baptists or Mennonites.
A remarkable instance of Menno- nite discipline is shown in 1588. A brother named Bintgens bought a house from a neighbor for 700 guilders, who was a spendthrift and a drunk- ard. The deed expressed 800 guilders. The church found this out through a
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deacon. He brought it before the church as being a device that would deceive the next purchaser as to its value. The church also found out
that the drunkard should not have had the money because his creditors were entitled to a part of it. They held Bintgens should have protected the creditors. Bintgens asked to purge himself before the meeting. He said that he was sorry and that he would personally pay the creditors their claims. Then some of the elders who did not trust him went and asked his wife whether he did it. She said her. husband did not act honestly. Then the whole congregation was called to- gether for an opinion and the elders of the surrounding congregations were invited to join in the opinion. This meeting divided the churches far and near-some were for Bintgens and some against him. Then his op- ponents felt injured and wanted him to resign as teacher. Jan. 1589 there was a big meeting of delegates from churches far and near to talk it over. The Amsterdam brethren asked Bint- gens again if it was true that there were 100 guilders more expressed in the deed than he paid. He said "Yes". but that he paid the 100 guilders in inen. Then a second meeting was held and all the prominent Menno- nites to be found were pressed to be present. It was urged that Bintgens be expelled. Others wanted it decided by a vote in all the congregations of Holland. Others wanted delegates called from all the congregations and that they decide. Others wanted to proceed according to I Timothy Ch. 5, verses 19 and 20. July 3rd, there was a special meeting called to decide the method of procedure only. Then the churches of Holland divided on the subject. The Haarlem churches led one faction and the Amsterdam churches the other. The Amsterdam faction was against Bintgens. Then the factions agreed to refer it to the church authorities of the congrega- tions of Groeningen, Emden and Col- ogne. At a later meeting in Haarlem this was done, and Bintgens was part- ly exonerated. Then the Amsterdam enemies accused the Haarlem people of covering up the facts. Bintgens
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EARLY MENNONITE CONFESSION OF FAITH
had denied the Groeningen Menno- nites and East Frieslanders the right to take part in his dispute. Bintgens and his adherents then left. Then the Haarlemites were put on trial by the Amsterdamers. Haarlem appealed to the whole Anabaptist or Mennonite world to show they did wrong. And so the matter ended in crimination and recrimination.
The public result is the most inter- esting. It was that the Haarlemites did act in underhand and inferior ways toward the Amsterdamers; and the latter gained in public esteem and in the esteem of the King as well. The Haarlemites gradually lost public favor. In Groeningen and East Fries- land Bintgens people fell in favor and were called "bankrupters" and "house buyers" in odium and finally they lost greatly in public favor. All this came from Bintgens sharp trick, which in- nocent in itself-was supposed by the brethren to be meant to deceive. The result was he and his party were much shattered for years throughout Hol- land. So the right won says Brons, (p. 122).
1592- The Familiar Name "Myers" Appears.
1
This year at Wier, in Baden, Mat- thias Myers was arrested through the espionage of a priest. The priest had a servant maid go to Myers and pre- tend she wanted to join the Anabap- tists. In this way they got evidence against him. And thus they drowned him in a most horrible way, putting him under water for some time re- peatedly and drawing him out to in- duce him to recant, which he would not do. He died steadfast, (Mirror, p. 1032).
1595-Lutherans and Reformed at Odds.
This year at Emden, a house in which the Lutherans held services was closed by the Reformed. They fought over the Lord's supper. Finally the Reformed allowed the Lutherans
to preach at certain times but only under governmental supervision and under conditions. One condition was, the collection was to be handed over to the Reformed. To this, and to other conditions they had to agree; and did so in writing, signed by 108 persons. Only under the Prussian government did the Lutherans get permission to build the Church that stands in Em- den today.
1599-Berne Edict against Ana- baptists.
This year, March 10, there was a mandate promulgated by Berne, de- manding that the Mennonites must leave without their property. Their real estate was confiscated to the Government. If they sold it before going, the purchaser would be com- pelled to pay it again. This was a severe edict, (Müller, p. 131).
This ends the annals of the six- teenth century.
1600-An Extensive Mennonite Con- fession of Faith.
About this year, says the author of the Mirror (p. 360), a Mennonite con- fession of faith was adopted, consist- ing of 33 articles. It contains the doc- trine as to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-the Creation- Fall - Restora- tion-Free Will-Election of Believ- ers-the law of Moses and the Gos- pels-Saving Faith- Regeneration- Incarnation-Death and Resurrection -Office of Christ-the Church-Ordi- nances of the Church-Baptism-the Lord's Supper-Feet Washing- Good Works - Marriage - Swearing and Oaths-the Ban-Second Coming of Christ and Kingdom of Heaven. Just where this was adopted is not clear.
1601-Groeningen & Sneek Decree in Holland against the Men- nonites.
The following decree was issued by the Dutch authorities of Groenin- gen and Sneek by the Reformed
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THE GRONINGEN AND SNEEK DECREE (HOLLAND)
Church authorities, who controlled the government now, against the Mennonites. The Reformed seem now to have forgotten the fierce de- crees of the Catholics in former cen- turies against them and in turn they now persecuted the Mennonites, who differed from them. This decree is found in Martyr's Mirror, (p. 1043) and is as follows:
The burgomasters and the council make known: Whereas it has come to our certain knowledge that not only many in the city and in the jurisdic- tion of the same presume to exercise and practice, contrary to the treaty sworn to and made with the city, A. D. '94, another religion than the Re- formed, to the adulteration of the word of God, to the misuse of his holy sacraments, and to the offense and se- duction of many persons; but that al- so nearly all disorders and abuses in and without the marriage state, and also others contrary to the Christian church regulations established and customary here, creep in and are practiced; and we by virtue of our of- fice recognize it our duty to meet and check all this with proper penalties: therefore, we have ordained, and do ordain and decree by these presents, as follows:
Firstly, that the exercise of all other religions than the Reformed is herewith again strictly prohibited.
And if any one be found to allow his house or place to the Anabaptists, contrary to the church regulations of this city, for the purpose of preach- ing, of holding meetings therein, he shall each time be fined ten dollars.
The preachers, as aforesaid, if found to be preaching, shall for each of- fense be fined ten dollars, or be im- prisoned two weeks on water and bread; and when detected in thus preaching the third time, shall be ex- pelled from the city or the jurisdic- tion of the same.
And all that shall be found attend- ing such preaching or gatherings shall each time be fined two dollars.
Whoever shall be found to have re- baptized anyone, shall be fined twen- ty dollars; and when detected the sec- ond time, shall be imprisoned on water and bread, and expelled as aforesaid.
Again, unbaptized children shall not receive inheritance, according to the city statutes.
No one shall be admitted to any administration or office, public or pri- vate, nor be accepted as a witness, except he render the solemn oath re- quired for it.
And all that refuse such oath shall be punished as is proper acording to law.
1601-Calvinists Try To Destroy Ger- man Catholics and Lutherans.
In the Mirror (p. 1044) under the date of 1601 we are told that, "In the year of our Lord sixteen hundred and one it occurred that Johann von Steyn, Count of Witgensteyn, Lord of Hamburg, being a member of the Cal- vinistic church, purposed to abolish the Romish and Lutheran doctrine, and at the same time laid his hands on the defenseless sheep of Christ, which were contemptuously called Anabaptists, and put them into pris- on.
Among these are mentioned by name, Huybert op der Straten, Trijn- ken, his wife, Pieter ten Hove, and Lijsken te Linschoten, which latter, as we have learned, was an aged woman of over seventy years.
The first three mentioned were im- prisoned twelve weeks, the latter seventeen days, she having been ap- prehended much later".
1601- Zurich Mennonites Migrate to Moravia, Believing It "The Promised Land".
Ernst Müller in his excellent book tells us, (p. 98), "Repeatedly we hear complaints from the Canton of Zurich concerning the Moravian emissaries, who invited the people to emigrate. The pastor of Wald even reports in
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THE VOGTS AND BOLLINGERS APPEAR
the year 1601 that 25 Moravian Breth - | 1605-Bollinger or Bolsinger of Ba- ren are traveling about the country varia Executed. two by two (Ottins, p. 192).
The tidings of the "Promised Land" in Moravia and of the "New Jerusa- lem" at Nikolsburg even penetrated to the prominent circles of the City of Berne. On the 20th day of March, 1601 Samuel Oachselhofer and Jacob Vogt are to pass over to the Treasurer 4000 pounds from the state of their mother and sister-in-law, Agatha Pfauderin and two children, who had secretly left the country for Moravia, this payment to be made to "His Grace" for his rights of confiscation". There are Vogts in Lancaster county.
Müller then tells us more of these banishments (p. 99), as follows: "If ever one of these children was to re- turn, then its share would be given back to it. (R. M.). Very soon there- after Elizabeth Oachselhofer, pre- sumably a near relation of the above named Agatha, with her son removed to Moravia as a Baptist, leaving be- hind a very considerable inventory, which was taken on May 17, 1605, and contained enumerated goods and chat- tels and the rich wardrobe of a lady of the highest rank, (K. A., Vol. 80, No. 19).
This inventory was estimated to be worth 8000 pounds and should revert to "His Grace". But there is to be kept an account in the interest of the son, should he ever return.
1603-Reformed Swiss Church Op- presses the Mennonites.
Brons tells us (p. 132) that in "1603 a Reformed Synod resolved to request of the government, the latter should prohibit the bishops of the Menno- nites from traveling from one place to another, preaching and baptizing; in 1601 a resolution was passed in like manner that they (these bishops) should be prohibited from educating young preachers; 1605 the Calvinistic predicants handed in a request that the Mennonites be forbidden to build churches. And thus it went on through the whole Seventeenth cen- tury at 55 Reformed Synods".
Under this date the Mirror contains an account (p. 1044) of the execution of Hans Bollinger or Bolsinger, while traveling through. Bavaria, Germany. With him was Marcus Eder, too. I use this item simply to show the Bol- linger home in Europe. It is well known that there are several promi- nent families bearing that name in Eastern Pennsylvania and in Lancas- ter county. They too, were strong in their Mennonite Faith and died for it. The Bollingers came to this country about 1730. The now much paraded name Ballinger may be a form of it.
1605 - Mennonites Tortured in Hungary.
Many Mennonite people were in Hungary, when in 1605, during the Hungarian War, the ruffians were raging in Hungary and Moravia, pil- laging and burning towns, torturing to death the people. On May 4th, they ied 42 persons and on June 28th, 112 brethren and sisters, as slaves to the heathen lands and to the galleys, (Müller, p. 99).
1607-Mennonite Church Re-Organ- ized in Strasburg.
There were certain rules and regu- lations for the conduct of the Menno- nite church in Strasburg, Germany as early as 1568. But in 1607 the con- gregation was re-organized and many. regulations passed, upon the duties of elders, ministers and bishops. In ad- dition to the regular church duties, rules were laid down upon their du- ties to visit, console and comfort the distressed and the bereaved and the strangers. These missionaries en- dured many hardships (Müller p. 90).
1608-Progress of the Mennonite Church in Holland.
The Holland Mennonite brethren had taken vigorous possession of Tiegenhof, had constructed dykes and
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SWITZERLAND CONFISCATES MENNONITE PROPERTY
canals and had achieved such re- markable success that the proprie- tors made contracts with them for forty years, which were thereafter always renewed. Consequently their numbers increased to such an extent that the Bishop of Kuhn complained in the year 1608, that the vicinity of Marienburg was filled with Menno- nites and Samosatenes. Against this the town governments of Daniz, Thorn and Elbing protested, refer- ring to the Warsaw Confederation of 1585 approved by King Sigismund, which says:
"We promise among us, for us and for our posterity forever under oath of our fidelity, honor and conscience, that we, who differ in religion one from another, will keep the peace among ourselves, and on account of the different creeds and the changes in the churches, we will tolerate no bloodshed, nor punish anyone by the confiscation of his goods, injury to his honor, imprisonment or banish- ment from the country, nor will we assist any authority or official to do such, etc."
Here again the industrious charac- ter of our Mennonite forefathers is shown. We also have here another view of King Sigismund's ideas of justice toward these people and his faith in their willingness to abide by the government. On this faith he promised the protection which we have stated, (Brons p. 255).
1610-Switzerland Confiscation of Mennonite Property.
Ernst Müller (p. 131) refers to the confiscation of the possessions of the Baptist or Mennonite brethren by the State, viz: "If the Baptists who have emigrated (from Switzerland) had previously sold their possessions, then such shall be taken from the purchaser and be confiscated, and the purchaser must look to the seller for his rights." (Mandate of April 23, 1610). The hardships of the Men- nonites in Switzerland we see at this time are still going on.
1610-Berne Government Teaches Anti-Mennonitism.
All through the 17th century the authorities of Berne, Switzerland continued to do anything in their power to harass the Mennonites on the one hand, and on the other hand to encourage and give strength to the Reformed religion. They held meetings with those who believed in Anabaptism or the Mennonite doc- trine to get the weaker ones by argu- ment, to turn away from that faith, but they did not succeed to any great extent. The Protestant authorities of Berne, as the head of their church, left no method untried in order to guide and control the hearts and minds of their subjects. Among these methods was the censorship or censure. Hans Jacob Poll, of Zofin- gen, had written a tract, in which the doctrine was defended that no one should be prosecuted on ac- count of his faith or belief. This tract was printed in 500 copies at Basle, and therefore the authorities of Basle were requested to confiscate this edition, "for the sake of God and His beloved Church." (Mis. January 31, 1610).
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