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

the other religious groups persecute the Mennonites and withdraw from them. h) Some assert (Reiswitz & Wadzeck, p. 164) that they commonly deceive those with whom they have dealings. But why do they assert this? The first Mennonites came primarily from the Netherlands, the most important center of trade and commerce, to a province [Prussia] whose inhabitants were not nearly as initiated into the details of commercial life as were the Dutch, who are still the foremost traders of the world. Thus it happened that the Prussian had to learn from the Dutch Mennonite and pay for his instruction. As a consequence, the Dutchman’s characteristic prudence, combined with a sober gravity in business matters, was interpreted as knavery on the part of the Mennonites. Ask the authorities what accusations [until 1820] of illegal activity in business matters were directed against them. But if one heeds the objective voice of truth one will be convinced that the Prussian Mennonites lead a frugal, moral and domestic life, that they are peaceful and useful citizens, and can serve their fellows citizens as truly honest examples of patriotism worthy of imitation in every state which is not founded on the Roman Catholic Church or the miles perpetuus [the eternal soldier]. 57 2. The following episode from their history shows that the Mennonites in Prussia [in spite of the few expressions of affection toward them on the part of the Hohenzollem] demonstrated sympathy and a sincerely submissive gratitude toward their monarchs in times of need. In 1806 the Mennonite Abraham Nickel from Kulm in West Prussia had been commissioned by his congregation to present the royal couple with fifty thousand Imperial Thalers on the royal family’s journey to Memel, an amount the Mennonite congregations had quickly and voluntarily collected during that fateful time to support the war as well as the personal expenses of the royal family. The simple, guileless manner assumed by the bearer, the undesigning good-naturedness with which this expression of sincere attachment was presented made them worthy of special royal favor. Nickel had to present his wife to the royal couple, and she received a shawl from her majesty the queen, which is still [1820] preserved as a relic. A few years ago [before 1820] Nickel, who had been impoverished by the war and became very old, received a gift of several hundred Thalers, at which occasion the above facts were officially made known. Thus Reiswitz and Wadzeck relate in their Beitraege of 1820. In our time and through the initiative of our honored brother and colleague Customs and Character 77 Pastor H. van der Smissen a memorial is being erected in honor of Nickel by the Mennonites of Germany. ( Mennonitische Blaetter.) 3. To portray the manner in which the old Dutch Mennonites carried on their trade and commerce and grew rich, we excerpt the following from a conference sermon of a contemporary Dutch Doo