Milford chronicle., 1930-05-16

tise press the following article on the
Mennonites and their history, both
of which are the subject of interna-
tional discussions at this time:
THE Mennonites descended from
tolerably pure Evangelical Walden
ses who were driven by persecution
into various countries, and who dur
ing the latter part of the twelfth
century fed into Flanders, and into
the provinces of Holland and Zea-
land, where they lived exemplary
lives, in the village as farmers, in
the town by trades, free from the
charge of any gross immoralities, and
protesting the most pure and simple
principles, which they eXamplified
in a holy conversion. xxx They were
certainly among the most pious
Christians the church ever saw, and
the worthiest citizens the state ever
had. History removes every doubt
on this subject
J. ]. DermOnt-1S19.
Chaplain of the King of the Meth
erlands.
Cause of Prosecutions and
MigratiOns.
They contended always for the
right of every person to freedom OF
conscience and freedom from COM
pulsion in religion, and that church
controlled by the state, or a state
administered by the church is un-
scriptural.
This refusal to acknowledge the
right of the state to rule the con-
science brought thousands of them
into direct persecution and martyr
dom through the centuries as it is in
Russia today.
MennOniteS PeTsistently
MisrepreSented:
They do not have a Bible of their
own. but use the regular Protestant
versions. They believe the Apostles
Greed. They hold the Christian fun
damentals, and the unpopular doc
trines of non-resistence and non
conformity to the world. They were
not pro-German in the World War;
they forsook Germany originally on
account of the oppression of the wal
lords. In the main body the German
language is not used in any large
degree in the religious actlVlties
They do not teach or practice com
munity of goods. They are not slmi'
lar to the Mormons, having dit
ferent origin, doctrine and practice
They have English schools and col
Ieges founded and supported by the
church; they believe in and patron
--ize- the Dublie schools, but protest
against anti-biblical instruction and
influence in support of a raise
science. Such book as Title Ihe
Mennonite Maid is as much sian'
der upon this people as it would DC
to take some ignorant backwoodS
bootlegger who called himself q
Methodist or Baptist and make MS
life the standard of those cnurches
A common mistake is to apply SONS
oddities of a small group TO tht
whole class.
A recent New York daily contain
ed articles giving the impression
tbat Mennonite prosecutions and mi
orations are from their own Iaull
and that they are always unsettled
in snite of the fact that the large
hodv of Mennonites of Canada ant
the limited States that made settle
ment in the early years of American
history are there today in prosperity
and contentment
In Lancaster County, Pa, ana au'
thinning counties are over lO,UUp mem
hers of one conference body, decenu
ents of the Mennonites welcomed DS
William Penn, and widely known at
among Americas most prosperous
mons and peaceable citizens.
Whv the migration of other groups
such as from Russia? 1t can be an
swered in a sentence. Refusal 70
surrender freedom of separation ol
church and state. Principles OF
which the Mennonites were world
nioneers as any one can see who VIII
read history Alright, and which talth
thew sealed with their blood; not III
war. but in persecution. starvatloh
confiscation and martyrdom sucn ds
thew are suffering again Ill hussld
today. % tauu.
arv 26 it is reported that the SoVle'
government of Russia has lnaugu-
rated a policy of persecution coniis-
cation and determination against the
"KuIaks" (well to do farmers)
which includes the Mennonites, VINO
are at this hour perishing OF colu
hunger, and cruelty; without nope
unless the well disposed and human
iiarian nations and peoples can sue
cessfullv intercede. They face the
dread alternative of making uncon-
ditional surrender of their religion
or to suffer hard and heartless eA-
termination, which in the nina oi
everv true American or lover OF Cog
and liberty must be considered SUI
ficient reason for seeking a land oil
religious freedom.
What could be done?
THE writer has pOnderOus recorus
of Mennonites prosecutions and mar
tvrdom of past centuries, showing
thai their terrible suffering intiu-
enced the establishing of freedom OF
conscience in the Netherlands unuer
William of Orange, and moved the
high authorities to intercede with
the state churches of Switzerland 10
cease their prosecutions OF a plous
and worthy people. .ooo
Appeal for MennOnites in 1861
"To Rulers and Councillors of the
citv and republic of Berne, the Bur
qomasters and rulers of the city OF
Rotterdam wish all happiness ana
prosperity.
"Noble, honorable, highly respect
ed Lords, esteemed friends: 1t was
hut a few days ago that there was
presented to us from the elders OF
the church, x of the Mennonites
-.,-.4 l., tho tarne Of caid church