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

blical edification and “discussion” meetings from the Rhynsburger and evangelical Pietists; 54 rather the latter adopted them from the Mennonites who gave them up 74 DUTCH-PRUSSIAN ANABAPTISTS during the period of their decline only to adopt them later once again from the Pietists and Moravian Brethren [cf. IX. 9, Gnadenfeld]! To supplement and illustrate the above we will add a few interpretations of the Mennonites of various regions and time periods by non-Mennonite authors. VI. CUSTOMS AND CHARACTER OF THE MENNONITES AS SEEN BY PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS 1. Concerning Mennonites in General (According to Reiswitz and Wadzeck) a) Reiswitz and Wadzeck believe [ca. 1820] that there is probably nothing more difficult than to try to determine the character of, and to attempt to arrive at some universal generalizations in regard to, such a widely dispersed religious group. For it is obvious that the national peculiarities of the countries in which the Mennonites lived should exert an influence upon their customs, and therefore the customs of the Mennonite settlers in Russia 55 should be very different from those of the American or Swiss Mennonites, even if they agree unanimously in matters of faith[? Holland]. Generally speaking, the Mennonites have been favorably regarded from the beginning. The assessment of the Dutch ambassador to France, van Baeuning, made to Marshall Turenne [d. 1675] is remarkable in this regard. Why do you not wish that one should tolerate them? They are the most honorable and agreeable people in the world. They do not grasp after positions of honor. We need not fear an uprising from a sect which has as one of its articles of faith that no one may bear arms. The Mennonites pay their share of all the State taxes [and lent it millions more which were never returned to them! Cf. further “Wealth of the Dutch Mennonites”]. We do not need more than that. [Really?] In their customs they are a good example to us; they ply trades and professions and do not squander either their goods or inheritance. They prefer never to swear an oath: all the better! Nor does this in the least diminis h the prestige of the judiciary. These people deem themselves as obligated to tell the truth when they give their simple word as if they had sworn an oath. [Abbreviated.] b) A famous Protestant divine, Abbot Henkel, says of the Mennonites in his church history, that they had received the rights of citizenship and exemption from military service from William of Orange, governor of the Netherlands, in 1568, as a people of means. These they had acquired through industry, a frugal life style,avoidance of litigation in the courts and trustworthiness in their business dealings. Customs and Character 75 c) That the teachings of the avoidance of all revenge, the subjection and obedience to the leaders of the congregation and indeed of the congregation as a whole, as well as many other teachings cou