Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-06-14

The Mennonites Of Augusta.

4AO hLCuHUulttS VI AuG, uSttd.
Editors Vindicdtor
We have noticed q communication in your
valuable paper Of the 31st ult., in regard to
a communion meeting held at Hide
brands church, situated about six miles
Northwest of Waynesboro, in Augusta
county, written by some one present upon
that occasion, in which the writer was led
into several errors which we desire to
bring before the public in their true light;
we having had opportunities Of acquiring
knowledge of the early history Of this
church.
The Mennonites mot mencse Tunker,)
derived their name from Memo Simon,
native of Witmarsum, born in Friesland,
A. D. 1895, q very Jealous and successful
lefogmer; but, owing to the manner in
which he and his followers were persecu-
ted, his name las never handed down to
posterity side by side with that of Luther,
Calvin and others. We are informed that
great numbers OF these humble followers
of Memo Simon were scattered from one
country to another. Some went to Russia,
Prussia, Holland, Denmark, and many on
the Invitation of the liberal minded VIM.
Penn, transported themselves and families
into Pennsylvania as early as 1858.
Amongst these emigrating at that early
date were the Hers, Kendigs, Millers,
Funks, Bowmans, Hildebrands and 9TH
erS.
Henry Hildebrand, the grandsire of the
present Bishop of the church, (Rev. Jacob
Hildebrand) emigrated to Augusta county,
Va, in the year 1895, he being a con-
sistent member Of the Mennonite church.
Jacob Hildebrand, ST., the father Of the
present Bishop, was born in Lancaster
county Pennsylvania in 1882; he being
| thirteen years of age at the time of their
| arrival in this county. After arriving at
| d proper age he engaged in the occupation
| of tilling the soil, also uniting with the
| Mennonite church, in which he continued
| consistent member to the time of his
| death in 1862.
| 1t was in the early history of his life
that he was instrumental in having small
| but comfortable church erected upon his
| own property i'll the year 1925: in which
this denomination worshipped for fifty-tWo
| years. AT the expiration of that time the
church being in want of repairs and too
small to accommodate the present pOpula-
| ton they deemed it advisable to erect more
| substantial and cGmmGdious structure
near the site Of the old church, which after
being G. mpleted was dedicated the fourth
Sabbath in April, 1877. 1t was deemed
advisable by the members Of the church to
retain the original name, (Hildebrand's
| as the church was widely known by that
name throughout the membership in the
| United States and the dominion Ct Canada
in which are vast numbers of members.
| They also have several other churches in
| the county. as well us q number of them
in other parts of the Valley of Virginia.
AS a body the Mennonites spend but little
| money in erecting stately buildings as
| churches, or for schools; economy and COM
| fort being their chief aims, discarding Or
nament III the erection Of their churches
| as well as in the decoration of theii bodies
with costly apparel.
| Rev. Jacob, Hildebrand, the present
bishop Of the church. is man of fine per-
sonal appearance and has been an ardent
and Jealous laborer in the vineyard of the
Lord for thirty-five years. He is widely
! known throughout the Valley, also in
| Pennsylvania, different parts Of the West
and il the dominion of Canada besides
being an earnest and sincere laborer IN the
service of his Maker he possesses fine me-
chanical genius, and is widely known as a
man of fine business capacity and a very
successful farmer. His fellow laborers IN
this part of the church are Rev. Isaac
Grove and Jacob r. Hildebrand. The for
mer being very Jealous in the cause to
| which he has devoted many years of his
! life, besides being sincere and devoted
| Christian gentleman, he is very econom-
| a man of fine intellectual attachments, also
a descendant of the Henry Hildebrand
| family and by occupation a farmer.