Mennonite Handbook of Information/Chapter 20
CHAPTER XX
HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF MENNONITE LITERATURE
The first printing press known to be established in a Mennonite community was set up by Christopher Sauer at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1738, and it was here that the first quarto edition of the German Bible was printed.
This printshop is said to have been patronized in a general way by Mennonites, but it is shown that their patronage along this line turned in part in the direction of the Pietist community at Ephrata in Lancaster county.
Heinrich Funck had his work entitled, "Em Spiegel der Taufe, Mit Geist, Mit Wasser, und Mit Blut," issued from Sauer press. Sauer also published a reprint of Christopher Dock's "Schuleordnung," but the original issue of this work is thought to have come from the Ephrata printshop as early as 1744. Copies of this work may still be found in some of the large public libraries of the United States, as it is prized very highly by the antiquarian as the first book ever printed in America on the subject of school discipline.
Aside from the Bible, "Der Blutige Schauplatz oder Martyrer Spiegel" is perhaps the largest and most extensive literary work ever produced by Mennonites. It was in 1748 that the great work was undertaken and completed at Ephrata under the supervision and direction of two prominent Mennonites, Heinrich Funck and Dielman Kolb. The paper for this great book was manufactured at the same place, six men being engaged on the paper mill, while nine others labored in the translation from the Dutch, in type-setting, proof-reading and binding.
Copies of this edition are said to be rare, being found only in public and private libraries where German books are kept. The writer has a complete copy, of which the binding, metal corner clips, and side clasps are all intact. It contains over twelve hundred pages, and bears on the title page the imprint of—
EPHRATA IN PENNSYLVANIA.—DRUCKS UND
VERLAGS DER BRUDERSCHAFFT.
ANNO—MDCCXLVIII
A. The Production of German Books[1]
At a very early period there was printed at Ephrata an excellent book designed for young readers that bears the significant title of " ." As evidence that this work had general circulation among German people in America, appears in this that when the estate of Martin Kauffman (who died in 1749) was probated in the court of Augusta county Virginia, among other books of his library were ten copies of "Golden Apples in Silver Shells." Apparently this book, in pattern and form, was similar to that lately published by J. B. Smith under title of "One Thousand Best Bible Verses."
When the estate of "Felty Showalter," who died during the pioneer days, was offered for sale at public auction, near what is now Broadway, Virginia, there was a book sold bearing the title, "Predigt Buch" (A Sermon Book), auctioned off at a price that equaled about half of that brought by a horse or a cow that was sold at the same sale.
It may not be generally known that "Die Wandelnde Seele," (The Wandering Soul) is the product of a Mennonite author. This work appeared among German American readers about the year 1745. Other German books known to form a part of many Mennonite libraries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia are arranged in the following chronological order.—
"Gebete auf alle Stunden des Tages," arranged in 1789, by Johann Haberman.
"Der Kleine Kempis, oder Kurze Sprüche," published by Peter Leibert at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1795.
"Der Psalter des Koenigs David," printed at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1796 by Samuel Sauer.
"Der Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel," published by Samuel Sauer at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1797.
"Oekonomie, Oder Haushaltungskunst," issued from the publishers Johnson & Waner, No. 147 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"Handbuechlein durch Dietrich Philip," published by Joseph Enrenfried, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1811.
"Choral Gesangbuch," issued by Joseph Funk in 1816, who is recognized as the father of sacred song in Virginia. Printed at the office of Laurenz Wartman at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
"Gesangbuch," published in 1821 at Canton, Ohio, by Schaeffer & Sala.
"Katechismus zum Gebrauch in Schulen," first published in Europe, in 1797, and reissued at Waterloo, Ontario, in 1823.
"Die Ganze Heilige Schrift," printed by Kimber and Scharpless, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1830.
"Kurtzgefaszte Kirchen-Geschichte und Glaubenslehre," by Benjamin Eby in 1841, printed at Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario.
"Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersamnlung," by Heinrich Eby, at Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario.
"Die Kleine Geistliche Harfe der Kinder Zions," printed at Doylestown, Pennsylvania, by Young & Loeb in 1848.
"Christliches Gemüths Gespräch für die Jugend," by Christian Burkholder, printed in 1839 at Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario.
"Der Evangelische Botschafter," edited by Henry Bartolet of Skippach, Pennsylvania, in 1836.
"Erne Verhandlung von der Aeusserlichen Wassertauf und Erklärung der Irrthumer," by Peter Burkholder, printed at the office of Laurenz Wartman, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1818.
"Herold der Warheit," published originally at Chicago, Illinois, by John F. Funk & Brother, and later moved to Elkhart, Indiana. Also "Der Jugendfreund," by the same firm.
"Der Waffenlose Wächter," edited and published by Samuel Ernst, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and later issued from Olathe, Kansas where in 1891 it was discontinued.
"Der Familien Kalender," originally issued from Mennonite Publishing Co. Elkhart, Indiana. Later published at Scottdale, Pennsylvania.
"Die Mennonitische Rundschau," First published at Elkhart, Indiana, in 1877 and by Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pa., from 1908 to 1923, and since then by Herman H. Neufeld, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
B. Later Products in. English Literature
"Genuine Church Music," edited by Joseph Funk, Mountain Valley, Virginia, and, printed in 1832 by Robinsin and Hollis, Winchester, Va.
"A Confession of Faith of the Christians known by the Name of Mennonite, in Thirty-Three Articles, with short Extract of Their Catechism, Also Nine Reflections," by Peter Burkholder. (The same was translated from his German Manuscript, by Joseph Funk into English, and published at Winchester, Virginia, by Robinson and Hollis, in the year 1837.)
"A Collection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." This was first issued in 1846 and is the first edition of an English hymn book put out by Mennonites in America. It was compiled without song staff by a committee of three appointed by the Virginia congregations,—composed of Joseph Funk, David Hartman, and Joseph Wenger. The first edition of this work contained an appendix and was printed at Winchester, Virginia. Later editions were printed by Joseph Funk and Sons, Singers Glen, Virginia, while the sixth edition was printed in 1880 by Mennonite Publishing Co., Elkhart, Indiana.
From this last edition the German hymns in the appendix were eliminated and sixty-five English hymns substituted. The committee selected for compiling the new list were Emanuel Suter, Michael Shank, and John S. Coffman.[2]
"The Harmonica Sacra," a standard work on sacred music was edited and first printed on the press of Joseph Funk at Singers Glen, Virginia, in the year 1847. By 1870 this work had run through seventeen editions, and the total number sold by that time was 80,000 copies.
In the year 1915 the eighteenth edition of this work was published by Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, by Noah Blosser, Dale Enterprise, Va., a relative of Joseph Funk.[3]
"Conversation on Saving Faith for the Young," translated and arranged by a committee at Berlin (now Kitchener,) Ontario, in 1856.
This work became the basis on which the Minister's Manual was compiled and issued from Mennonite Publishing Company, Elkhart, Indiana, in 1890. Still later an edition of the original was published in 1921 by John W. Weaver, Union Grove, Pennsylvania.
"An Address to the Young," by Christian Burkholder, of New Holland, Pennsylvania. In 1857 printed in English at Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario.
The Canadian Edition of "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs" with German Appendix was arranged by a committee of that country in the year 1758.
"The Musical Advocate and Singers' Friend," published at Singers Glen, Virginia, by Joseph Funk and Sons. This periodical was issued monthly for some years, the first number appearing in July, 1859.
"This journal was discontinued during the Civil War, but after the cessation of hostilities, it was renewed under the firm name of Joseph Funk's Sons (the senior member having died, Dec. 24, 1862).
"The Herald of Truth" was established at Chicago, Illinois, in 1864 by John F. Funk & Brother. It was long issued as a monthly by the same firm at Elkhart, Indiana. After becoming well established as the representative publication for the Mennonite Church, it became a weekly issue. Since its taking over in 1908 by the Mennonite Publication Board, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, it is known as "Gospel Herald."
"The Family Almanac," was first published by John F. Funk & Brother in 1870 at Elkhart, Indiana. It is now issued from Scottdale, Pennsylvania.
"An Intermediate Question Book," first published in 1880 and "A Primary Question Book," appearing in 1883, was edited and approved by a committee in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and print-by the Mennonite Publishing Company.
"The Watchful Pilgrim," published at Dale Enterprise, Virginia, by Abram Blosser in 1880. It continued as a monthly publication for a number of years, until failing health of the editor required its discontinuance.
"The Martyrs' Mirror" was published in English in the year 1886. It is a volume of eleven hundred pages that was issued for the first time in that language by Mennonite Publishing Company. The translation of this work was made from the Dutch edition of 1660 by a noted linguist, John F. Sohm, who in the "Translator's Preface," states that the closest attention and energy of nearly three years were required to complete the work. Among the many difficulties that were met was that the original was written in a language that had long since become obsolete, and that there was no dictionary available to get the true meaning of many words used in the original text.
Notwithstanding the many difficulties that were met in making the translation, it is evident that this is by far the most authentic version of the history of Christian martyrs of the past, and by which the present generation may know of the testimony of their forefathers, which they gave even to the extremity of great bodily suffering and death. It is one of the few books extant by which believers of today may live and abide in the company of the apostles and martyrs of the centuries of world history gone by.
Some of our people have laid this book aside long before its perusal had been finished, because of the harrowing and heart-rending accounts of torture and suffering that are given; but aside from the Bible itself there is possibly no other book that should serve more as a stimulant and a means of fortitude to the persecuted and oppressed Mennonites of to-day.
"The Church and Sunday School Hymnal," was arranged by a committee composed of Eli S. Hallman, D. D. Miller, and J. S. Shoemaker. The first edition of this work was printed in 1902 by Ruebush-Kieffer Company, Dayton, Virginia. A Supplement was added in 1911. It is still in common use in our congregations.
"The Gospel Witness," was founded at Scottdale, Pennsylvania, in 1905 by the Gospel Witness Co. It continued as a weekly publication until it was merged with the "Herald of Truth" and became known as "Gospel Herald."
"Infant Lesson Book for use in Sunday Schools," edited and compiled by John S. Coffman in 1880. It is a booklet of fifty yages, and consists of questions and answers for very young learners. It was printed under the sanction of the bishops of the Lancaster Conference of Mennonites and was issued by Mennonite Publishing Company.
"Life Songs," issued from Scottdale, Pennsylvania, in 1916, after being compiled by a committee composed by C. Z. Yoder, J. D. Brunk, S. F. Coffman, S. R. Good, Ed. Miller, and Walter S. Yoder.
- ↑ Where not defined in the text the following translation is given for the benefit of readers who are not familiar with the meaning given in German titles here used.
"Oekonomie oder Haushaltungskunst."
"Goldene Aepfel in Silbernen Schalen."
"Golden Apples in Pictures of Silver."
"Gebete auf alle Stunden des Tages."
"Prayers for Every Hour in the Day."
"Der Kleine Kempis oder Kurze Spruche."
"The Smaller Kempis or Short Verses."
"Der Psalter des Konigs David."
"The Psalms of King David."
"Das Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel."
"David's Smaller Psalmody."
"Economy or Skill in Household Affairs."
"Spiritual Harp for Zion's Children."
"Handbüchlein durch Dietrich Philip."
"Handbook by Dietrich Philip."
"Choral Gesangbuch."
"Hymn Book."
"Gesangbuch." "The Hymn Book."
"Katechismus zum Gebrauch in Schulen."
"A Catechism for Use in Schools."
"Die ganze Heilige Schrift."
"The Complete Holy Scriptures."
"Kurzgefaszte Kirchengeschichte und Glaubenslehre."
"The Small Church History and Presentation of Doctrine."
"Die Gemeinschaftliche Liedersammlung."
"Collection of Hymns."
"Die Kleine Geistliche Harfe der Kinder Zions."
"Christliches Gamüts-Gespräch für die Jugend."
"A Spiritual Conversation on Saving Faith."
"Die Mennonitische Rundschau." "The Mennonite Review."
"Der Evangelische Botschafter."
"The Evangelical Ambassador."
"Eine Verhandlung von der Aeusserlichen Wassertauf und Erklärung des Irrtums."
"A Treatise on Water Baptism and What has been Erroneously Declared as Water Baptism."
"Herold der Wahrheit." "Herald of Truth."
"Der Jugendfreund." "The Youth's Friend."
"Der Waffenlose Wächter." "The Weaponless Watchman."
"Der Familien Kalender." "The Family Almanac."
- ↑ It should be mentioned that this committee while occupied with its work had one original hymn donated to this list by Mrs. Annie L. Price, the wife of the Presbyterian minister then at Mt. Clinton, Va. This hymn is being sung far and wide throughout our Mennonite congregations in the United States and Canada. It is No. 49 in Church and Sunday School Hymnal:
"Above the trembling elements,
Above life's restless sea,
Dear Saviour, lift my spirit up
Oh, lift me up to thee." - ↑ The impulse and love for sacred song given from the use of this book went forth as a great wave among thousands of people in a number of the eastern states. Harvest hands and haymakers spent the noon hour singing. Sunday afternoon gatherings of the young people in homes, school houses, and churches were engaged for hours in tireless singing, while in some cases soldiers took the Harmonia Sacra along with them to camp, where the weary hours were whiled away in sacred song.
Those who were children and young people of those early days are now the old people of today. In keeping with the noble sentiment created in early life, it is a custom well preserved in many of these communities for having old people's song services as an annual occasion in most all churches regardless of denominational lines.