The Priest and the Hedge
Preachers
Menno Simons
The bearded Dutch priest eyed the knot of farmers gathered around a stall in the village market. He noticed the wooden staves at their belts. What a contrast to the men of my parish who wear sharp swords, he thought.
Slyly he sought information about the Anabaptists, or "hedge preachers" as they were called. "They refuse to have their children baptized," a fellow cleric told him. "They perform their own marriage ceremonies and have their own worship."
Menno Simon's beard bobbed up and down. "I see. I see. They are like the Lutheran heretics."
"In some ways, Father, but unlike the followers of Luther they do not court the favor of princes. They believe church and state should be strictly separate."
"They should be arrested," the Dutch priest thundered.
"Nay, but Father, they are too honest to be charged by the law. They have many friends in the village — many Catholics. Besides they are fleet of foot when in danger of persecution."
I am a new priest here, Menno Simons mused. If I
Page 30
should cause them to be arrested, the people might turn on me. He looked away as if in deep thought. Hmm. I know. I shall engage these hedge heretics in debate. I shall show them up before the village.
"Why do you refuse to let the one true church baptize your children?" Menno Simons bombarded them with questions. "Why do you set up ceremonies of your own? Who is your pope?"
The Anabaptist leader with whom he was debating replied softly. "We conduct our lives and our worship only by Scripture," he said. "We desire only to be left alone. We are not troublemakers."
"Only by Scripture," Menno Simons continued with a sneer. "What part do you give holy tradition? And who gave you hedge preachers the authority to interpret Scripture?"
The gentle hedge preacher was not to be taunted into anger. "We abide only by Scripture," he repeated and then remained silent.
"All right All right!" the bearded Menno shouted back. "I will prove you are heretics — by Scripture. We will meet again."
The Anabaptist nodded soberly. "We shall pray that God will open your eyes — through Scripture," he said as he turned away.
For the first time in his priestly life, Menno Simons began to study the New Testament seriously. And, unknown to his superiors, he began reading the writings of Luther. At first he tried to put aside his doubts by telling himself, "It is the devil trying to lure me away from the true faith."
But disturbing thoughts kept invading his mind. While he was saying Mass he found himself thinking,
Page 31
I cannot possibly turn this bit of bread into the flesh of Christ.
Shaken, Menno Simons took his doubts to his superior. The cleric smiled. "Father, there are some things we do which are not directly based upon Scripture. But the councils and sacred tradition give us ample authority."
Menno went away without relief. He paid closer attention to the simple Anabaptists. He noticed that they baptized only believers. He heard stories of their honesty, purity, and thriftiness.
Then a most disturbing event occurred. His brother became an Anabaptist. At the same time, the persecution of the hedge preachers became more intense. Menno feared for his brother's life.
Then in the year 1535, a dusty messenger ran into Menno's residence. He reported that three hundred Anabaptists had been slaughtered by civil soldiers while hiding in an old monastery. Menno was aghast at the news. "They did not resist?" he asked.
The messenger solemnly shook his head. "All were killed except the women and children. Even your brother."
"My brother!" Menno's voice was breaking, as he waved the messenger away.
Menno spent long hours in meditation and prayer. Then he visited his superior and resigned his office as a village priest.
When he began preaching his new beliefs, his old colleagues in the church vigorously denounced him. Soldiers chased him out of the area to the province of Gronigen. Shortly afterward he was baptized and ordained an elder among the Anabaptists. Soon he
Page 32
became the most famous hedge preacher of all. In 1542, the Emperor Charles V commanded, "On penalty of death no one is to receive Menno Simons into his house or on his property. No one is to speak with him, give him shelter, provision, or read his books."
Menno fled to Cologne, Germany, where a tolerant ruler let him preach and write in peace. For seventeen more years Menno led a fruitful life, writing and preaching to all who would listen. He died on January 31, 1561.
Today, Menno is remembered for the doctrine of religious liberty which he fostered. Over one million Mennonites today, named after the renowned hedge preacher — along with other free-church members — salute the bearded Reformer as a champion of the open Bible and the truth that sets men free.
