MennoLink Books and Music

Book 2 in the Polyglossia: Radical Reformation Theologies. Copyright 2007 Herald Press.

The Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit developed after longtime Mennonite historians Robert S. Kreider and John S. Oyer became aware of 23 existing copper plates from etchings included in the 1685 publication of the Mennonite book Martyrs Mirror. An Inter- Mennonite Martyrs Mirror Trust Fund purchased them and, in 1990, Kreider and Oyer mounted a traveling exhibit of the plates and their prints. When Oyer and Kreider agreed that hymns related to these plates would enrich the visual experience of the exhibition, Oyer began searching 16th and 17th century German hymnals for texts written by the martyrs represented in the prints, or about the martyrs. Later, tunes were chosen by a hymnology class at the Associated Mennonite biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and combined with the texts. The Eastern Mennonite University Chamber Singers perform choral settings of these martyr hymns and ballads.

The recording also features 20th century responses to stories from the Martyrs Mirror. Prompted by organist and CD producer Shirley Sprunger King, composer Brent Weaver wrote three works for solo organ inspired by poetry by Sarah Klassen. Klassen's poems, a response to the Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit, are included on the recording, read by Raylene Hinz-Penner. A final composition by Weaver, I Sing With Exultation, is a setting of a hymn text by Anabaptist leader Felix Manz and features the EMU Chamber Singers with organ accompaniment by Shirley Sprunger King.

Here is a collection of accounts of more than 4,011 people burned at the stake, of countless bodies torn on the rack, torn tongues, ears, hands, feet; gouged eyes, people buried alive, crucifixions, beheadings, stonings, drownings, smotherings whippings, and of people dying in dungeons; stories of songs, letters, prayers, and confessions, of many who were willing to bear the cross of persecution and death for a faith which followed the New Testament teachings.

A Worth Heritage

Van Braght collected the accounts of martyrdom in MARTYRS MIRROR with the hope that they would inspire the reader to hold as tenaciously to the faith as did the martyrs of whom he wrote. The heritage of bloodshed and persecution for the sake of a clear conscience and a pure faith grounded in the Word of God is the heritage of the Christian church. Such a faith, worthy of so dear a price, is worthy of perpetuation and should serve to challenge its descendants even today to a greater loyalty to biblical teachings.

For Today

MARTYRS MIRROR has a timeless value in teaching of the position of Christians in human conflict today. When Christians sincerely want to know their responsibility in world conflagrations, this book presents an answer based on the life of Christ. An overflowing heart is greater than an exciting mind. The testimonies of these thousands of martyrs disclose a heart in likeness of our Savior. MARTYRS MIRROR is for today!

to read these accounts of court trials and martyrdoms of a people who expressed supreme allegiance to their Lord and Master is to learn that, come what may, the Christian life is one of supreme discipleship, of strict adherence to the way of life as expressed by Jesus and his apostles.

Many Editions

The first American edition of MARTYRS MIRROR was a translation from the Dutch into German and was printed at the Ephrata Cloisters, at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, in 1745.

The first English edition, translated from the German, was published at Lampeter Square, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1837. The second English Edition was published in 1853 in London, England. The third English edition, published in 1886 in Elkhart, Indiana, was a translation from the original Dutch language edition of 1660.

A reprint of the third English edition was published in 1938 at Scottdale, Pennsylvania. Reprints were released in 1950, 1951, 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1975.

The eleventh English printing, 1977, and subsequent prints, include reproductions of the engravings.

Copyright 2006 Herald Press

These believers died public, tortured deaths as martyrs. Many modern-day Christians claim these persons of courage as their spiritual ancestors. Many of those scenes were etched on copper plates by Jan Luyken, A Dutch artist who worked in the late 1600s. Numerous of these copper plates still exist. Mirror of the Martyrs reproduces 30 of these etchings and tells the courageous stories of these people of faith.

Stories of courage, inspiringly retold, of sixteenth-century Anabaptists who gave their lives for their faith.

Offered is a series of short tales about martyrs. The intention is to give a more composite picture of martyrdom--touching upon its many aspects and its much variety--than only a few stories could sustain. Each story, therefore, was selected for some singular, often unique, element in order to show the variety that was the sociopolitical reality for the victims of sixteenth-century religious discrimination. More complete details for each martyr are usually found in the Martyrs Mirror itself, or more frequently, in the Mennonite Encyclopedia. The authors have chosen source material not used by either van Braght or writers in the Mennonite Encyclopedia.

The storytelling perspective varies: sometimes from the martyr's point of view or that of a friend or relative, sometimes that of a child or bystander-or even the executioner or betrayer. The martyrs come alive through these stories and their witness for Christ inspires us.

Discussion questions focus on present-day meaning making this a valuable tool for study groups.