THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

rmer endorsed the use of the sword to establish such a kingdom, the latter decisively rejected all human means toward this end and declared that the kingdom of God would always be persecuted on earth, while the Melchiorites adopted a mediating position, believing that the kingdom of God would be established through a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” [“Melchiorites”— named after Melchior Hoffmann, a talented but doctrinely not very sound leader of the Anabaptists.] II. MENNO SIMONS 1. “Menno Simons’ Withdrawal from the Catholic Church.” This autobiography of Menno, written in the eighteenth year of his ministry in the Anabaptist movement, is found in the Beitraege zur Kenntnis der Mennonitengemeinden and in Menno ’s three “foundation books” found in Deknatel’s edition of Menno Simons Vollstaendige Werke (Menno Simons’ Complete Works), published hy the Mennonite publish- ing House in Elkhart, Indiana, 1875, and in Geschichte etc. und Glaubenslehre der Taufgesinnten oder Mennoniten (History and Doc- trines of the Anabaptists or Mennonites) by Pastor C. H. A. van der Smissen. These and other publications agree perfectly in all essential matters. Only occasional variations in style are to be found; but since the books are translations from the Dutch and the style not original, we have not confined ourselves to any one style. a) “Dear reader, I write the truth in Christ and do not lie. At the age of twenty-four 4 I entered the priesthood in my father's village of Pingjum [Friesland, Northern Holland]. Two others my age served there as well: one was my pastor [provost], a well-educated man, the other was my subordinate. These two had read the Scriptures to some extent; I, however, had not so much as touched it, fearing that I would be led astray if I read it! Imagine how ignorant a preacher I was for two years. b) “One year later, as often as I handled the bread and wine in the performance of the mass [the Roman Catholic communion service], the thought occurred to me that these did not really constitute the Lord’s flesh and blood. At first I thought this idea came from the devil who might be trying to lead me away from the faith. I confessed it often and prayed; nevertheless I was not able to rid myself of these thoughts. c) “The two above-mentioned young men and I spent our days in gambling, drinking, and similar vain amusements, as is unfortunately the custom among such idle people. If we then began to discuss the 4 ORIGINS Scriptures, I could not say a word to them without being derisive, for I myself did not know what I wanted, so closed was the Word of God to me. d) “Finally I decided in all diligence to examine the New Testament. I had not read far when it became clear to me that we had all been deceived; it was thus that my doubts concerning the co mmuni on bread were resolved and my fear of guilt was removed without any human instruction. Luther, however, did help me to the extent