FREE ESSAY ON MENNONITES

MENNONITES

Throughout a long journey and endless flight the Mennonites have suffered religious
persecution almost wherever they were. In the story "sailing to Danzig" the author Rudy
Wiebe describes the life of a man who is searching for his identity through historical
books and the tales of his family members. 
The Mennonites religious movement was first started during the "protestant reformation"
in the "1520's" and was led by "Menno Simons" (Encarta). Originating in Switzerland it
was not very long before they were "prosecuted" because they "refused to sanction war or
to enroll in the military", because of their peaceful beliefs (Encarta). They fled to
numerous parts of the world such as "the Rhinelands and the Netherlands, others to
America (Pennsylvania), and still others to Eastern Europe." (Encarta) 
As a Mennonite the main character of "Sailing to Danzig" explores his past through books
and memories to cement his beliefs. Genealogical history accentuated by religious
persecution an isolationist living can help explain one's religious and family values.
The Mennonites throughout their existence have had a tumultuous history. Because of their
strong beliefs on various topics and their sect like behavior of seclusion the Mennonites
as well as other religious groups such as the Hutterites and the Amish have had to flee
to other countries to seek refuge and peace. 
The Mennonites were targeted since they were created for many different reasons but a few
are common and persistent. The move away from the Roman Catholic church was one of the
main reasons for their persecution. The Protestants under King Henry the VIII had a
leader and were a large group, unlike the Anabaptists who were divided into small groups
and therefore more easily preyed on. Their belief such as their position against infant
baptism were strongly disliked through out Europe. Later when the Mennonites were living
in Russia under the Communists they were also heavily persecuted as the Soviet-Union
cracked down on large gatherings.
In the Mennonite society the routes and places that their members have colonized seems to
be important to both their genealogical and religious backgrounds. They seem to reinforce
the faith in their religion by knowing that many people have died for their beliefs. This
is shown by the "Martyrs Mirror" which is one of the "Mennonite's history books."
(Martyrs Mirror) "The book contains over 1100 pages of accounts of early Christians and
Anabaptist," which describe tales of persecution, killings and torture of the earlier
Mennonites and Amish. (MM) 
It is important to acknowledge one's past and for Mennonites this seems of uttermost
importance. For Adam Wiebe traces his roots can be traced back to Danzig, one of the
first Mennonite settlements and an important one for Canadian and Russian Mennonites.
Danzig was first settled "to seek a state where citizens rights permitted shelter."( The
Mennonite Heritage Cruise) As written in the short story "Sailing to Danzig" Adam Wiebe
played an important role in developing the city "Adam sails to Danzig to lay the city's
first wooden watermains and set artesian wells in squares and drain the marshlands along
the Radaune River by building dikes and canals and wind and horse-drawn mills that lift
the turgid water up into the slate-gray sea." These accomplishments resulted in the
making of very fertile cattle fields which combined with very clean and tidy houses made
their settlement very attractive (TMHC). So attractive that after the Seven-year war in
Russia, Empress Katharina II invited the Mennonites to settle "in the South Russian
Steppe and to have freedom of religion assured." (TMHC) As we know from the short story,
"Sailing to Danzig" that only latter during the Communism rule did the father of the main
character escape to Canada from Russia. For the main character it is interesting to note
that he is gratified that his name is the same as one of his successful ancestors.
To accentuate one's religious beliefs and values it is important to know the history of
one's religion and people. This is the case in many religions such as Christianity where
students learn the tales of Moses, the accomplishments of David and the life of Jesus.
The history of the Mennonites is much briefer than the Christian's, but since the
recording techniques were much better more information has been kept. 
Adam Wiebe the main character in "Sailing to Danzig" seems to be worrisome of the value
of his life and culture after he has died; this is indicated many times through the
story. When he says "That beautiful soprano now lost forever except in the folds of my
memories," it indicates his belief that the song is only a memory and that it will be
lost forever when that memory dies. This fear is also clearly shown in the last two
sentences of the story when he says "Wybe Adam Von Harlingen, where are you now? Your
cables are gone. Only memories of Songs remain."(STD) It is also interesting to note that
a song is used a symbol for an entity that can be written about, or described, like a
human being, but if one does not know the tune, it is meaningless. 
Religious prosecution and flight have influenced the ways of living of the Mennonites.
Their past is very important to them religiously. Genealogy and history are thus very
important to trace their roots but it also has a symbolic meaning. It is a method of
comfort; it is a way to know that one will not be forgotten. But as Adam Wiebe ironically
discovers a name or a few words does not make a man's life eternal.