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 15
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They were first told, that they should be kept confined in this man- ner until the end of their life; in which they patiently comforted and surrendered themselves to the grace of the Lord. However when they saw that there was no hope of dissuading these people from their faith and re- ligion, they determined upon another plan (according to what we have been informed from Alsace) namely, that they should have to choose one of three things: (1) To go with them to church; or (2) Be Perpetually banished to the galleys; or (3 To have to die by the hands of the exe- cutioner.
This item is given prominent place, because here we have in the Emmen- thal or in Berne, near it the familiar names Slabach, Zuagg or Zugg, Baum- gardner and Peters, showing where the ancestors of these familiar Lan- caster County descendants lived and suffered.
ial Branch of Government to Crush the Mennonites.
Jan. 4th of this year says Müller (p. 136) Berne organized a special bureau to take full charge of sup- pressing the Mennonites. They were to look into the question thoroughly and do whatever was necessary. They were to find particularly whether the Mennonites gave sym- pathy and encouragement to the peas- ant war of Germany and Switzerland The Mennonites were suspected of this because, same as the peasants they opposed power and monopoly; and because the peasants showed such a liking of the Mennonites and joined them cordially. The commit- tee or bureau made a report that Lenzburg particularly was a Menno- nite hot bed. Lenzburg is a city about 16 miles directly west of Zurich. Sixty Mennonite families were found there. The council accordingly is- sued an edict punishing by a fine of 10 guilders any one who gave any encouragement or aid or held any communication with these Menno- nites. All people were ordered to re- port any neglect to attend services of the State Church. The edict was to be proclaimed from all pulpits. The motto adopted was Titus, 3:1. (Mül- ler 173).
1659-Amsterdam Edition of Martyr's Mirror Printed.
Brons tells us (p. 240) that, this year a complete copy of the Martyr's Mirror was printed at Amsterdam. The author says that this book next to the Bible was the most generally used of all books by the Mennonites of early days both in Switzerland and in Conestoga.
The stories of the sufferings of the Waldenses, of Menno Simon and the death of Klaus and Jacob Hollinger and Graybill and Manz and Hupmier
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103
BENEDICT BAUMGARDNER'S HYMN.
and Denck and Wagner and Müller | Two fiends named Shriner, left and and Hoffman and Hochstetter and right, Blauroch and Hasel and Meylin and Bound brothers 'gainst their cries. others were familiar stories to the children of our pious forefathers.
1659-Bendict Baumgardner's Hymn
Müller tells us (p. 123) that this year Benedict Baumgardner com- posed a hymn in which he relates his troubles growing out of his persecu- tions and as well the sufferings of his people for conscience sake. Some samples of its verses freely trans- lated are as follows:
Lord. for thy grace, I, Thee, beseech In chanting a new song.
Without thy grace naught reach. Help, God, my heart along.
we can
Our Savior in the mountain taught, In beatitude sublime;
So we the mount Dursrutti, sought, In sixteen fifty nine (1659).
And we the doctrine there proclaimed, Which on the mount, the Lord In holy lessons sweetly named, From the beloved "Word."
And as our blessed meeting charmed, There came into the room, Stern men with dreadful weapons armed.
And sealed our horrid doom.
One Simon, fierce and foremost came. And with him many more; And our poor Brethren, prisoned them,
And vexed their hearts full sore.
Then horsemen and rough halbred- ers, Bared swords in every hand, Rushed, cursed and swore; excited fears In all our Christian band.
Then ropes were brought, and in the sight Of children dear, and wives,
And then the teacher of the flock, Who glad himself confessed
They took, and hastened to the block And threatened- so, the rest.
So, Ully Baumgardner, the head, Went fettered to his death;
"Fear not, Oh little flock, nor dread" He said with parting breath.
To Trachselwald they first were lead Whose bailiff waiting stood; And took them then, in fear and dread, To Berne, to shed their blood.
And there in prisons, vile and foul, With other brethren thrown; Two ancient shepherds of the soul Cheered all, their Lord to own.
The jailer sought to wean away These Christian, from their faith; But Ully straight declared their stay Was God, of Heaven and earth.
Cruel and false accused were they; To strange lands driven far; But yet by grace of God they pray; His love their guiding star.
They trusted not in human aid; But built right on the "Rock." And crowns and scepters ne'er dis- mayed; Nor e'en the headsman's shock.
Yet none of these their duties cease. Imposts and tithes and taxes gave;
And served their country well in peace; Prayed God, their rulers save.
1660-Holland Forms a Swiss Men- nonite Relief Committee.
In 1660 (Müller 206) a large num- ber of worthy people of the Nether- land cities of Dortrecht, Haarlem, Leyden, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, met and formed a committee to help
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104 MENNONITE CHARITY AND EMIGRATION COMMITTEE FORMED.
the Swiss Mennonite cause. This was a valuable aid to our suffering forefathers. This committee did as much toward settling Lancaster County and eastern Pennsylvania as any one of the three or four factors producing that result. The commit- tee lived at least 75 years, and dur- ing the dreary time of the edicts of 1671 and 1690 and later, and the dark days of the expulsion down the Rhine into the Palatinate as late as 1700 and the days of embarkation to America from 1707 to 1735 and later the . Amsterdam Mennonite Charity and Emigration Committee, gave encouragement, made provisions with monarchs and rulers and furnished much of the moneys . by which the Swiss and German Mennonites found relief in the New World. A remark- able fact is that while Holland was more thickly settled than Switzerland and Germany, few if any of the Hol- land Mennonites came to America. The design of this item is to set out conspicuously. the beginning of that noble organization in Holland in 1660 which did so much during the following three quarters of a century to aid the oppressed and persecuted forefathers, of the most numerous na- tionalities of our imperial county and of eastern Pennsylvania.
1660 - List of Ancient Lancaster County Ancestors in Berne Jail.
Under the year 1659, quoting from the Mirror p. 1065, we noticed that the Mennonites driven from Zurich migrated westward toward Berne, and fell into afflictions there too. Müller (p. 179) now tells us that in the be- ginning of 1660, the Holland Commit- tee or Mennonite Relief in' Switzer- land found a considerable number of these Emmenthal Mennonites in Berne jails.
The minutes of a meeting held by the committee Jan. 20, 1660 reports the following in jail:
1. Rudolph Wertz, from Lenzburg, not yet an avowed and declared Mennonite.
2. Anthony Himmelsburg, from the Congregation of Wattenwyl.
3. Jacob Schlabach of Oberdiesbach.
4. Ulrich Baumgardner of Laupers- wyl.
5. Hans Zuagg of Signau.
6. Jacob Gut (Good) of Offtringen, of the Soffingen Congergation.
7. Hans Jacob Mumprecht of Rueg- san.
8. Peter Frider of Bigler.
9. Benedict Baumgardner of Lang- nau.
10. Christian Christians of Langnau. 11. Mathias Kauffman of Kriegstetten in Zolathurn district.
We observe in this list the names of Kauffman first appears-an ancestor. no doubt of the prominent and famil- iar family of that name here now.
1660-A Congregation of Swiss Men- nonites in Alsace.
Feb. 4, 1660 there was a Mennonite congregation in Alsace, the leaders of which had moved there from Switzer- land. On that day' this congregation assembled and signed the Dortrecht Mennonite Confession of Faith-for- mulated and adopted originally at Dortrecht. in Holland April 21, 1632. Among the Alsace brethren signing the same in 1660 were Jacob Schnebly, of Budlenheim-Rudy Egli in Kunen -. heim, Swissers and perhaps also Schmidt, Schneider and Funck. Thus before 1660 there was an immigration into the Palatinate or upon its bor- ders. However the great inrush was 'n 1671 (Müller 195).
1660-Walloons (of Belgium) Friends of Mennonites.
From very early times there dwelt in Belgium in, the region of Luxem- bourg and parts of Brabant, a Roman-
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105
AMSTERDAM INTERCEDES FOR SWISS MENNONITES.
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ic people. In and before 1660 they showed a marked friendship for the persecuted Mennonites. In 1660 one of these Walloons wrote a book in French, dated Feb. 29, (which year must have been a leap year) inter- ceding for them, addressed to the op- ponents and persecutors of Menno- nites and to the pastors and other leaders of the French church, at Berne. We cannot ascertain much about the book-its name or con- tents (Müller 183).
1660-Amsterdam Intercessory Letter For the Mennonites.
Apr. 16, 1660 a certain Harry Flem- ing in Amsterdam wrote an letter of nine pages, folio to William of Diesz- bach interceding for the Mennonites and for better treatment of them. He bases the letter on passages from the Gospels and on a historical presenta- tion of the manner in which freedom of religion had won victory in the Netherlands and finally on the state- ment that wherever toleration gained a foothold it brought blessings with it and persecutions always brought mis- fortune to the persecutors (Müller 179).
June 7. 1660 an intercessory letter of the cities of . Amsterdam, Rotter- dam and by the Holland States Gener- al carried by Adolph de Vreed, was persecuted to the Berne persecutors, and prmission was given to de Vreed to meet the committee of the Swiss Government (whom we have seen be- fore, had entire charge of the Menno- nite question in Switzerland) and treat with them in the presence of the great Council and Burgesses. In this letter a beautiful testimony of noble character is given
Holland and fulfilled their duties as citizens; they always showed an ex- traordinary beneficence toward the Reformed Church in Holland though not belonging to it; and they, short- ly before, on the recommendation of the Holland Government collected 7000 pounds Holland money for the persecuted Waldenses ?
The letter then continues and says "We durst therefore not, deny . our dear fellow citizens the favors of in- terceding with you in favor of their brethren in your country-Switzer- land, that if you cannot resolve to let them live as we do here in the cities and country of Holland, that it may please you to treat them kindly after the example of those of Schaffhausen or even after that of the Roman Cath- olic prince of Neuberg, by giving them time to depart with their fam- ilies and their goods. Dated at Am- sterdam and Rotterdam, Holland, June 7, 1660 (Müller 184).
This is a most extraordinary ex- ample on the part of one nation for citizo is of another, who were in nu way connected with the intercessory nation except by the ties of common humanity and of religion. It is an example (238 years earlier) of what the United States did toward the Spanish butcheries in Cuba.
It is very strange that there should be such a marked difference between the Reformed Church of Holland and the Reformed Church of Switzerland. Holland evidently was without fear and apprehension of any danger com- ing from the Mennonites at this date, while Switzerland-particularly the great canton of Berne-was full of fear because of them.
the Mennonites. They were declared to be a people who had lived in the cities of Holland 1660-Lancaster County . Ancestors Banished From Berne. and in the country, in perfect peace, many years, under the government; Quoting above from the Mirror (1065) and from Müller (170) we cited they always gladly contributed what- ever was demanded and levied of a list of Emmenthal Mennonites as them in support of the Republic of being in the Berne Jail in 1660.
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106
BERNE DOMINATED BY THE STATE CHURCH (REFORMED).
Under the same date Müller (p. 191) mentions the same list with some variation of names as being banished Sept. 10, from Berne and taken to Brug, Holland, in a ship. He men- tions Anthony Weber (Weaver) Jacob Schlabach, Ulrich Baumgardner Ja- cob Gut, Hans Jacob Mumprecht. Christian Christian, Rudolph Wertz, Benedict Baumgardner, Hans Zaugg, Peter Freider or Fridy, Mathias Kauffman and Hans Wenger. He adds that this was the first small emigra- tion to Holland, to which other Men- nonites afterwards joined themselves (Müller 191).
Müller adds (192) that the Holland- ers continued to care for the Berne brethren continually. There existed regular correspondence between a them up to 1681 as a letter in native Dutch on the subject shows.
1660-Mennonites Pay Heavy Boun- ties in Lieu of Assisting in War.
During the wars of the middle of the 17th century in Europe, heavy drains were made on the public reve- nues and upon the men of Switzer- Iand, of Germany and of other coun- tries. Since the Mennonites would not go to war, they were compelled to make up large sums of money. and to contribute that instead. The general mass of Swiss Mennonites were poor. They gave all they could possibly gather up; but that was far short of the demand on them, and for the shor- tage they were imprisoned. Their friends in Holland contributed for the Danzig Mennonites in 1660, for the Poland Mennonites in 1663, for the Moravians in 1665 and. in 1678 for those in the Palatinate. The whole sum raised for the Palatinate, mainly by Holland, in the last year was 30,- 000 guilden which was at least $12,- 000.00. The latter part of the same year they raised 20,000 guilden more. They also sent them several shiploads of goods. The sense of obligation to
help the struggling brethren is shown here very beautifully (Müller 162).
1600-Reply to the Holland Interces- sions.
.
The authorities of Berne,. on June 15 of this year make reply to the re- quests of Holland complaining that Switzerland should give the Menno- nites better treatment.
Berne says that rulers are bound to preserve good order and peace in the nation and also to preserve and defend the true Reformed Evanglical Reli- gion, pure and unadulterated; that the disobedience of the Mennonites has given much offense to the government; and ways and means must be devised to root them out entirely now as weeds, for they set bad examples; that it was intended to do this with great. patience and good nature, but the evil kept on growing and growing instead of abating; that finally twelve of the principal leaders and teachers have been arrested and placed in confine- ment, but not in jail, and that a room has been furnished for them so that the imprisonment shall not be too se- vere; that the government authorities, who are all sworn to support the Re- formed Faith held friendly discus- sions with these Mennonite leaders and reasoned with them so that they might be won back, but all this was of no avail; that nothing is left but to clear the land of them entirely, since they are so stubborn; they cannot be tolerated at all; that their goods and possessions must be taken from them because property is always a source of power and so long as they have property they can do harm; and be- sides, a just punishment for violating the law is deprivation of property.
All this was decided upon, declare the Swiss authorities: but as Holland has so strongly intervened they de- clare they would modify the decision somewhat and not absolutely confis- cate the Mennonite property; but only take it and hold it for their use and-
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SWISS MENNONITES MORE STRICT THAN HOLLAND MENNONITES. 107
give them the income for it, that was | left after expenses were taken out; and at the death of the owner the principal would be paid out to his wife and children if they obey the government and the religion of the country. If not, then it should go to such relations as did adhere to the Reformed Religion (Do. 186).
1660-Berne Withdraws Mennonite Permit to Migrate.
At one time the Swiss Government gave to Mennonites who migrated from the country, certificates as to their character, citizenship, etc. But later this was stopped. Then the Hol- land authorities were satisfied with the baptismal records given to the Men- nonite immigrants by their church authorities. The Berne government in 1660 ordered this to be stopped, so
that the Holland authorities should deny entrance to the Mennonites. But in spite of all this, Holland received and comforted these persecuted Swiss brethren (Müller 191).
1660 - Holland Mennonites Interest Holland Government in the Swiss.
For some time the Mennonites of Holland tried directly, to influence Switzerland to be more mild to their brethren, about Berne and Zurich. But they would do very little. Then they appealed to their own govern- ment (Holland) authorities to inter- vene. The Holland government then appointed De Vreede as a special agent of the government to intercede in Switzerland. Amsterdam and Rot- terdam took a leading part in the movement (Müller 167).
June 21, Adolph De Vreede having spent some time in Switzerland asked to inspect the jail where the Menno- nites were imprisoned. He was shown their sleeping apartments. They were allowed to have a friendly conference with him and he counselled them to be patient and to trust to the Holy Spirit for comfort (Do. 186).
1660-Holland Mennonites Not So Strict as Swiss Mennonites.
Adolph De Vreede, as we have seen, admonished his imprisoned Swiss brethren to be patient. He told them also that they should not be obstre- perous; and that they should yield in minor points, so that the Swiss gov- ernment officers (who were of the Reformed Church) would let them out of prison. But while they greeted him with friendly salutation, and in chris- tian fellowship, they would not yield any of their principles, at all. De Vreede, as was the case with Holland Mennonites, generally, was quite lib- eral in his views. The Holland Men- nonites, by becoming liberal soon found many favors and much protec- tion from their government. They wanted the Swiss Mennonites to modi- fy their views also, and to compromise with the government's request. De Vreede told them that they should give up a lot of their fogyism. But they would not do so. They preferred to suffer, rather than violate their conscience. Rev. A. D. Wenger, who visited the Mennonites of Switzerland. of Germany and of Holland a few years ago, says the Holland Menno- nites today are more liberal and worldly than the Swiss and others (Do. 186).
1660-Concessions Demanded by Hol- land for Swiss Mennonites- Swiss Answer.
De Vreede had with him six cer- tificates of concessions, granted to Mennonites by the Holland Govern- ment; and he urged that Switzerland should grant the same to her Menno- nites. They were: (1) The ordinance of Jan. 1577, by which the Mennonites of Middleburg were relieved of all forms of oaths, because that was a matter of conscience; (2) A prohibi- tion by the Prince of Orange, Earl of Nassau, of July 1570, restraining all persons from interfering with Menno- nites, in their trade. and freeing them from all fines in pursuing trade; (3)
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SWISS REBUKE HOLLAND-MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
An acknowledgment of the last named nations toward the Mennonites, about concession, by Maurice of Orange, in 1660. 1593; (4) A reprimand by the States 1660-Elbing, (Prussia) and the Men- nonites. General to the City of Aerdenburg (Holland) May 1615 because that city interfered with the Mennonites in the exercise of their religion; (5) A repi- tition the order of Nov. 16, 1619 grant- ing them freedom from interference in trade; and (6) An order of the States General of Aug. 1651, according to which marriage contracts solem- nized by Mennonite ministers shall be as valid and binding as if done by State Church authority, which custom was allowed Holland Mennonites over sixty years (Müller 186).
Their demands for concessions after being presented were heard by the in- ferior court or council. But instead of deciding the matters they certified them to the Superior Council in Berne as the highest body, and they gave opinion that:
1. No concession can be granted until it is decided whether the govern- ment will modify its orders against the Mennonites or not.
2. It is not advisable to modify the edicts preventing Mennonites from emigrating to Holland. The orders cannot now be revoked, taking away the Mennonite property' from them (except a small interest) because the Mennonites of the country of Lenz- burg and of Eggivyl are gaining every day in numbers and they declare the government is yielding.
3. The complaint that the Menno- nites are persecuted barbarously are not true.
4. That Adolph De Vreede, while he will be allowed to continue to con- verse with the Mennonites in the jail, must first declare what and how he wished to speak to them and must speak only in the presence of the Swiss authorities.
This shows pretty clearly, the atti- tude of these two antipolally disposed
Elbing is a city in West Prussia on the Gulf of Danzig of 42000 people to- day. In this town, Mennonites flour- ished nearly 400 years ago. For over 100 years, or down to about 1660, they were compelled to hold their meetings secretly here, and in pri- vate families. They were at last al- lowed to build a church in 1660. The same privilege was allowed to the Friesian Mennonites, living on the borders of Germany and Holland, about the same time. They were also allowed to build hospitals for the poor and sick. Thus their privileges began about this time (Brons 260).
1660-Musical Instruments Not Al- lowed in Early Mennonite Services.
Brons tells us (p. 260) that as the early Mennonites held services se- cretly, they did not have either in- strumental or vocal music as part of their worship, since it would reveal the congregation and endanger ar- rest. This writer also says that about 1660 when the Danzig, and the other northern Mennonites were allowed to build houses of worship, they' omit- ted organs and instruments from their equipment partly because they feared to make much noise in connec- tion with worship, and partly because of a prejudice against instrumental music in service from the long cus- tom of having omitted them. They thought it wrong to have them. How- ever, soon after 1660 the Friesian Mennonites installed a pipe organ in their church. They were the first of the European Mennonites to use or- gan music in their service. This in- novation was very offensive to the Flemish Mennonites, who lived near them in Flanders, who were more strict. Yet later the two congrega-
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109
A SOCIETY TO ASSIST MENNONITE EMIGRATION.
tions amalgamated into one.
We may perhaps, here have some light upon the cause of the great mass of the Mennonite church not having musical instruments in their churches today. The prejudice against instruments of music must have been very strong. when such great music lovers as the Germans, would not al- low them to be used.
1671-Renewed Intercessions By Holland.
There is a letter dated Feb. 26. 1661 written by the Hollanders, thanking the Swiss authorities for finally al- lowing the persecuted Mennonites to leave; but the letter. at the same time, complains that the time given them to go is entirely too short, since they cannot sell their property in that time, except at great loss, not settle their obligations. Thus they ask that the time be extended.
These intercessions. were recorded also by each of the six largest con- gregations of Holland, viz: those of Dortrecht (where the Mennonite Church really was born), Leyden. Gouda, Haarlem, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The signers for Dortrecht were William Broithhunsen, Thielem Van Bracht (Author of the Great Mar- tyrs' Mirror) John Zorn Byghboom. Geisbert Rees. Cornelius Dirchson of Soferyl and Klaus Cornel.
The signers for Leyden were Jaques Van Gamerslagh, Anton David Kop. Abraham Jackson of Limburgh, John Bogl, Henrich Van der Doeck and Ludwig Peter Caelvert.
The signers for Gouda were Hen- rich Giesbach, Adrean Kahlor, John Gillis. Cornelius Abrahamissen, Paul Gillissen and Wouhert Daemen.
The signers for Haarlem
were Peter Marcus, Boudebin Doom, Isaac Snep, Conrad Von Bollenborn, Lam- bert Colen and John Everson.
The signers for Amsterdam were
Tobias Wingert, Hubert Wingert, Isaac Van Limburg, Gerrett Kuysen and Frans Stevens.
The signers for Rotterdam were Andreas Jacobsen, Jean Boenes. Bas- tian von Weehingen, Guil van der Sluys, Mathias Mullen and Hendrick Doeman of Reet.
I mention the names of these lead- ers of these six chief Mennonite con- gregations of Holland, because, while scarcely any of them are fa- miliar Lancaster County names. they are the very men who and principally whose sons, throughout Holland did very great service from this time on- ward to 1710 and later, in gathering money and means and in moulding the influences which enabled the per- secuted Mennonites of Switzerland and of the Palatinate, (Germany) to get started to Pennsylvania and to our county. Holland early formed an emigration society to help our Swiss and German ancestors to America (Müller 192).
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