W'lih Jlenno's appointment to the ministrj' of a class of '■ Anabaptists" at Groningen opens the most event- ful period of his life's work. His withdrawal from the Cluirch of Rome relieved liim of tlie vow of celibacy, and he made haste to select a companion for life, by whom he had several children. All these things would make it appear that IVIenno settled quietly at Gronin- gen, and there enjoyed life's ease. But this is not the record of Simon Menno. Anxious to spread the Re- formed doctrines, and more especially his own peculiar views of the Bible's teachings, he travelled constantly far and near. He visited not only aU Friesland, but traversed Holland and Germany, determined to make new converts, and to organize and unite the scattered members of the Anabai)tists into his own fold. Al- thougli oftentimes exposed to persecution, he neverthe- less continued steadfast in the work. AVhen he found it impossible to remain any longer in Friesland he re- moved to Wismar; finally he settled at Oldcslolie, in Holstein, where he was granted not only protection. 1 ut even encouragement, and was allowed to establish a printing-press for the diffusion of liis religious opinions. There he died, January 13, 15(5], in the satisfaction of liaving gatlicred a large and flourishing sect, which con- tinues to this day. See IMennonites.
Mcimo (IS u Protestant. — IMoslicim {Eccles. Hist. 16th century) thus speaks of Menno's labors after his es- tablishment at Groningen as a Protestant minister: " East and West Friesland, with the province of (Jron- ingen, were first visited by this zealous apostle of the Anabaptists; whence he directed his course into Hol- land, (Juelderland, Brabant, and Westphalia; continued it through the German provinces that lie on the coast of the Baltic Sea, and penetrated so far as Livonia. In all these places his ministerial labors were attended with remarkable success, and added to his sect a prodigious number of followers. Hence he is deservedly considered as the common chief of almost all the Anabaptists, and the |)arent of the sect that still subsists under that de- nomination." As Jlosheim persists in mentioning Men- no in connection with the Anaba[)tists, and as the pub- lic is prejudiced against all who were known under that name, we think it but just to insert here Menno's own account of Ids labors: "Through our feeble service, teaching, and simple writing, with' the careful deport- ment, labor, and help of our faithful brethren, tlic great and mighty (Jod has made so known and public, in many cities and lands, the word of true repentance, the word of his grace and power, together witli the whole- some use of his holy sacraments, and has given such growtk to his churches, and endued them with such in- vincible strength, that not only many proud, stout hearts have become huniiile, the imi)ure chaste, the drunken temperate, the covetous liberal, the cruel kind, the godless godly, but also, for the testimony which
they bear, they faithfully give up their property to con- fiscation, and their bodies to torture and to death; as has occurred again and again to the present hour. These can be no fruits nor marks of false doctrine (with that God does not co-operate) ; nor under such oppres- sion and misery could anything have stood so long were it not the power and word of the Almighty. See, this is our calling, doctrine, and fruit of bur service, for which we are so horribly calumniated, and persecuted with so much enmity. Whether all the prophets, apos- tles, and true servants of God did not through their service also produce the like fruits, we would gladly let all the pious judge. He who bought me with the blood of his love, and called me to his service, unworthy as I am, searches me, and knows that I seek neither gold and goods, nor luxury, nor ease on earth, but oidy my Lord's glory, my salvation, and the souls of many immortals. Wherefore I have had, now the eighteenth year, to en- dure so excessive anxiety, oppression, trouble, sorrow, and persecution, with my poor, feeble wife and little off- spring, that I have stood in jeopardy of my life and in many a fear. Yes, while the priests lie on soft beds and cushions, we must hide ourselves commonlj- in secret corners. While they at all nuptials and christenings, and other times, make themselves merry in public with fifes, drums, and various kinds of music, we must look out for every dog, lest he be one employed to catch us. Instead of being greeted bj' all as doctors and masters, we must be called Anabaptists, clandestine holders-forth, deceivers, and heretics. In short, while for their serv- ices they are rewarded in princely style, with great emoluments and good days, our reward and portion must be fire, sword, and death. What now I, and my true coadjutors in this very difl^cult, hazardous service, have sought, or could have sought, all the well-disposed may ea^ily estimate from the work itself and its fruit. I will then humbly entreat the faithful and candid read- er once more, for Jesus's sake, to receive in love this my j forced acknowledgment of my enlightening, and make of it a suitable application. I have presented it out of I great necessity, that the pious reader may know how it has happened, since I am on all sides calumniated and falsely accused, as if I were ordained and called to this service by a seditious and misleading sect. Let him that fears God read and judge."