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July 17. 1835-
Thiladelphia

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Translated from the Dutch language into the German, together with other
instructive treatises, written by the author of this 'Foundation,'
which were formerly published separately, but here
appended, and the whole arranged as a
Common Manual.

BY MENNO SIMON.

To which an index is added, in order that all the points, articles, passa-
ges, and admonitions herein contained, may be readily found.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. 1 Cor. iii. 11.

PRINTED IN EUROPE, A. D., 1565,

TRANSLATED INTO THE ENGLISH BY 1. DANIEL RUPP, AUTHOR OF
"DER MAERTYR GESCHICHTE," &c. &c.

PUBLISHED BY JOHN HERR, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL.

Entered according to act of Congress, January 29th, 1835,

BY I. DANIEL RUPP.

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.

Printed by Boswell & M'Ckery, No. 9, Centre Square, Lancaster Pa.

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As Translator of this work, I consider it necessary to call the attention of the reader to a few remarks, previously to his perusing these pages. To most of English readers, the works of MENNO SIMON, may be entirely new, as his works have never heretofore appeared in the English language. Even the name of this humble, but zealous and successful Reformer, is at the present day unknown to many, whilst other Reformers, who with him withstood the papistic abominations, of the dark days which are past, are known to every christian denomination.

Since then, the History, the Doctrines and name of MENNO SIMON, have been hidden so long from a great portion of the christian world, I deemed it necessary in this translation, to present, as far as I was able, the precise Sentiments and Doctrines of the Author.-In many of those parts of the work, where Doctrines are involved, I have made the Translation almost literal; and according to the best of my knowledge, the meaning of the original is so closely adhered to, that the reader may consider, the present Translation, at least in all its Doctrinal points, as the language of MENNO SIMON, himself-Several of those passages in the original relating to corruptions, vices, practices and customs of the time when the Author lived, have been partially modified, by the permission and suggestion of several Mennonite brethren. Those who are familiar with the work in German (which is a Translation from the Dutch) will at once be aware of the propriety of modifying the passages alluded to; and all who are familiar with the writings in the religious, moral and literary world, of a few ages past, are aware that much which was then considered unexceptionable, would now be looked upon as indeli cate and immodest. I, therefore, with the consent of the Publisher and a respectable number of his friends and brethren, who examined the manuscript before it went to press, modified a few expressions, in order that no prejudices might be engendered against the book on account of the admission of language, which in the days of MENNO SIMON, was not considered indelicate or indiscreet. Besides some of the few exceptionable passages, alluded to, are but obscurely understood by most of those who have read the work in the German language, for want of an acquaintance with the customs of the times in which it was written.

I have stated that it was my endeavor to preserve every sentiment and idea in the Original. I did not so much regard the style and beauty of language, as the sense-this remark I consider necessary on account of those readers, who understand but one language, and, who of course have little acquaintance with the business of translating.. The structure of the German and that of the English language, is so different that any man of reflection, who is acquainted with both languages, must be aware that in order to translate the precise meaning of one, in the other, beauty of construction must often be sacrificed. A remark corroborative of this

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