Intended for the church and the public, the series offers texts and images to nourish future generations. They invite the reader to enter authentically into the past to sample wellsprings of human motivation. Hopefully, more insightful understanding of Pennsylvania Mennonites and Amish will emerge from these efforts, and hopefully that understanding will help renew the faith to which these documents bear witness.
Translated letters (1832-1887) by and to John Stoltzfus (1805-1887), Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Amish leader who moved to Concord, Tennessee. Documents (125) usher the reader into mid-19th-century world where a Great Schism occurred among Amish as the line between compromise and rejection of religious conviction was passionately debated. Includes accounts of ministers’ meetings, which attempted to unite Amish church leaders of North America but failed to achieve consensus on issues such as stream baptism, duties of full deacon, church-wide ministers’ meetings, rebaptism of persons baptized as adults, excommunication, and Sunday schools. Reveals communication network stretching from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa to Tennessee, where rural settings depict Amish folkways and family life. Topics frequently include land and crops, sickness and health, migration, reminiscences, and weather as well as an 1866 Amish woman’s diary of travel to Midwest. Historical-geographical sketch of Amish settlements, maps, illustrations, index.
First translation of the 1632 Mennonite Confession of Faith from Dutch directly to English and first English translation of 1633 preface. This classic theological agreement of 1632 between various Mennonite groups in the Netherlands has been widely accepted among Mennonites and Amish in Europe, North America, and South America. Today, nearly four centuries later, most groups of Mennonites and Amish still use it as a reference point for their theological affirmations-for example, the nature of God and Jesus Christ, Last Judgement, and coming of Christ--and for their church practices-ministry, Lord’s Supper, footwashing, marriage, civil government, oath-swearing, excommunication, and nonresistance. Includes 18 articles of faith, brief bibliography, facsimile of original text, list of all Dutch editions and of translations in German, French, English, and Spanish.
Basic theological treatise in 1850 (published in German, 1855) by Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, founder Jacob Stauffer (1811-1855) of the conservative Stauffer (Pike) Mennonite Church. An Old Order Mennonite defense of a disciplined church that maintains separation from worldly influences. Ten articles of faith with accompanying scriptural quotations. Interpretation of destruction of bride of Christ, nature of ban, believers church and ban, repentance, "brother sin," Matthew 18, separation, nonresistant church of God, historical survey of Anabaptist and Mennonite church, rise of apostacy, rationale for founding new Mennonite group, topical treatises, spiritual admonition. Index.
Color and black-white illustrations of the folk art of Amish dwarf Barbara Ebersol (1846-1922) of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, plus a biography and her necrology of Amish relatives, friends, and acquaintances from 1862 to 1915 (with author annotations). Over 75 color plates provide a veritable collectors’ guide to her needlework and fraktur motifs, borders, and lettering styles, including those of Ebersol imitators. Portrayal of Amish life along Mill Creek, reflections on her art and on Amish sensibilities, translations of her letters to cousins, bibliographical sources, index. Unprecedented opportunity to view world of Old Order Amish through the eyes of one of their own scholars. Widely featured in folk art magazines and newspapers. Lovely gift item.
Two works by Menno Simons (1496-1561), Anabaptist leader in the Netherlands. Revised translation of his autobiographical "Confession" (1554) tells story of his profound transition from Roman Catholic priesthood to leadership of a persecuted minority during Reformation. Now available in English for the first time, this personal account of a dedicated teacher-reformer shows how he encountered Christ through Scripture, became penitent, and subsequently changed his life course. The New Birth (ca. 1539), in a new translation from the original Dutch, describes his views on a crucial doctrine, about which he developed a unique theological understanding. Introduction and notes by Menno Simons scholar associated with University of Amsterdam.
First English translation of a foundational book of 17th-century Swiss Anabaptist spirituality, first published in German (Basel, Switzerland, 1702), then reprinted at Pennsylvania's Ephrata Cloister (1745). Wide-ranging compilation of texts which draws from martyr testimonies of the 1500s, confession of faith, prayers, singing instructions, and devotional admonitions. Treasured devotional literature of Swiss and South-German Anabaptists that served as a classic for early German-speaking Mennonites and Amish in North America. Includes an extensive interpretive preface.
Add $4.00 postage/handling for the first item and $1.00 for each additional item. A surcharge of $10.00 per order will be added to all international orders. Pennsylvania residents add six percent sales tax to total cost of items and postage/handling.
To place an order or for more information, contact: Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602-1499. Telephone: (717) 393-9745; Email: books@lmhs.org
Updated 8/21/2008
