Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-06-22
An osroINAL MARTYR BOOK,


I.
Of EM q. Rsist.
Ell q. Rsist, OF Mount Joy, has what he
calls - copy Of the original Martyr Book. I"
The Mount Joy Star says Il descended 10
him through his grandmother, MrA Oar
her, long since dead. A sketch Of the book.
the trials and tragedies its pages enshroud
and other data will prove OF interest
II was the WORK Of the Meunonites, and
gives history from the time Of Christ TO
the end OF the sixteenth century, which u
again taken mp BY T. J. Van Brasht Q
Mennonite thsclcsiar: re brought the
ites at the invitation Of Penn came TO this
country and settled in-Lancaster county,
they brought with them Q lev copies
OF the book. In the year 1748, the
Mennonite Brotherhood bad Il trans.
lated into the German for the frat
time. The printing was done at Ephrats,
this county, on . hand press, page at .
time, and its typographical appearance 10
highly creditabie TO the pro6ciency Of the
workmen. The copy which Mr.. Reist u
fourteen pounds, and contains $50 pagss
OF stout paper. In sizs Il u 15xl4 inches
and 5X inches THICK. 1t ID heavily bound
In cloth and covered with calf brass corner
plates fastened on with brass rivets, . pair
Of heavy brass and leather clasps keep the
book closed at the top and bottom OF the
back are two studded brass straps for the
purpose Of giving additional strength. The
title page, which 10 in Old 0ormsn, reads
Der blutige Schau-P Piatz oder Martyrer
6piegel der Tauffs- Gesinten oder wehrlooen
Seltgmachers willen getillen habep, und
seynd get -oedtet worden. Won Christie Zsit
an bis auf das Jahr, 1860. vormals aus
unter-schiedliche glaubwnerdigen ChY0n.
icken NaohEiChditen uud Zengnuessen
gesainlet und in Hallsendicher .Spraoh
otSasN n NJ
aber sorg faeltigst ins Hochsentsche neber-
setzt und zumerstenmai ans LIGHT gebracht
EphratA Pensylvanien Draks und
veriaes der RruederschaffL Ammo
MDCCXLVIII.
The translation OF the title is:
The Bloody Theatre or Mirror OF Martyrs
OF Anabaptists, or defenseless Christinns
who have suffered In testimony of Jesus
their Saviour, and have been killed since
Christ's time until the year OF 1860. For
chronicles and testimonials and published
in the Dutch language by T. J. Won
BraRht But now for the first time brought
to light and carefully translated In the Ger.
man language.
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, printed and pub.
But few OF these copies In the excellent
safe Of preservation OF this one are In ex-
tstence. A New York bibliomaniao holds
his copy ct $500. The cause ascribed for
this scarcity is OF historic interest. During
the revolutionary war, our brave army was
presPed for war material, and the fact be-
coming known that there was a large
quantity OF paper and books stored at
Ephrata, q squad Of soldiers with six
wagons was sent there and took possession
Of the paper and martyr books, which were
utilizsd for gun wsdding, etc. In the front
of the book theI ls an allegorical engraving,
which gives an additional value to this par.
ticulsr copy, ss all do not contain II. At
the time the book was printed, the Mennon-
ties refused to have an illustration In their
pook, while the Dunk ards desired II. The
Is very Interesting, representing
many of the events OF Biblical times. At
the bottom right hand side OF the page
stands griffin, with the face OF man and |
body Of . leopard on the opposite side of |
the page Is representation OF Mosef, y no Ia
holding up the law. The engraving goes
ON to present numerous striking SOC mes,
the whole combining to form q picture cal.
culated to make an impression. Some
scores OF years ago this book was held In
religious veneration In this section. Mr..
Reitt prizes his copy very highly.