Читать книгу Mennonites in the World War - Jonas Smucker Hartzler - Страница 27

The following from Hartzler and Kauffman's "Mennonite Church History" shows some of the trials which came upon this people:

"During the war many of the able-bodied Amish brethren of Berks County (Pa.), were drafted into service. Refusing to serve, they were imprisoned at Reading. So many were thrown into prison that the women were compelled to work in the -fields to support their families. According to tradition those who were imprisoned for refusing to do military service were sentenced to be shot, and the day was set for their execution. A meeting was held in the Reading prison to administer the Lord's supper to the condemned brethren. But the execution was never carried into effect. Through the leading of a kind Providence, friends interfered (particularly Henry Hertzel, Pastor of the Re formed Church) who appealed to the authorities in behalf of those who had fled from Europe to escape military service and who could not be expected to do what their conscience forbade them to do in their former country. The appeal was heard and the peace-loving prisoners were set free."1