The first mandatory retirement with a government pension was introduced in 1889 by Otto von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany. At first, the retirement age was set at 70, but was reduced to 65 in 1916. One story is that Bismarck wanted to modernize the army, but was held back by a bunch of old generals … Continue reading Why retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
God
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 4
Thomas Herman, a very earnest preacher of the Gospel, was arrested at Kitzipil in the year 1527, and was also sentenced to be burned. His heart they could not burn and at last threw it into the lake, which was near the place of execution. Leonhard Schoner, a defender of the teachings of Christ, was, … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 4
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 3
For more than 1,600 years these defenceless Baptists were distressed by persecution, imprisonment, beside all kinds of torment and torture, and finally killed by fire, sword, hunger and drowning. Nevertheless, through all the centuries from the apostles’ time on, there were many Baptists who maintained, preached and practised the pure teachings of Christ, in spite … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 3
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 2
AN HISTORICAL PRESENTATION OF THE ORIGIN OF BAPTISTS OR MENNONITES “This is My Beloved Son: hear Him!”— Luke 9:35. As Jesus, the Saviour of the world and founder of the Christian religion, wanted to start His teaching among the Jews, He let Himself be baptised beforehand in the Jordan by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13) … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – part 2
Who was Benjamin Eby?
Benjamin Eby was a great-great-grandson of Jacob Eby, who was ordained bishop of the Mennonites at Zurich, Switzerland in 1663. Jacob’s son, Theodor us Eby, left Switzerland in 1704 to escape the persecution of the Mennonites that was going on there. This Eby family settled in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1715. Benjamin Eby’s older brother, … Continue reading Who was Benjamin Eby?
What is the New Birth?
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That … Continue reading What is the New Birth?
The Turning Point
It was early spring of 1970, I was 28 years old, managing a grain elevator in Manitoba and it seemed that everything in my work and in my personal life was going wrong. There seemed to be a dark cloud over my head and I could see no good way to get out from under … Continue reading The Turning Point
Be Perfect
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect . . . (1 Corinthians 2:6). Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11). That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished … Continue reading Be Perfect
Succession of the apostolic faith
While many historians consider that there is no historical relationship or kinship of faith between the Cathars, Donatists, Waldensians, Mennonites, etc., we in the Anabaptist tradition believe they were all manifestations of one, holy, apostolic faith. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the author’s introduction to a massive book (1100 pages) compiled in 1660 by … Continue reading Succession of the apostolic faith
Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
I was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada throughout the years of my youth . Fifty years ago, I concluded that it might well have an abundance of outward and visible form, but was sadly lacking in the true inward and spiritual grace. Since that time, the Anglican Church of Canada has abandoned … Continue reading Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada