"A" is for Amish

 

The OCHF library holds several historic volumes of significance to the Amish people, including:  Tileman Van Braght's Martelaerspiegel with the famed Jan Luiken engravings, 1685; a copy of the famed Ephrata Cloister (Colonial American) printing of the same in the German language, 1749; a Froschauer/Zwingli Old Testament, 1638; and, a copy of a widely-used Amish prayer book, c. 1760's-1790's.

 

The Amish Mennonites are one of the most interesting Christian groups in the United States.   Noted for their traditional values and simplicity of life, the Amish people seldom use power-line electricity, telephones and automobiles, prefering the horse-drawn buggy for transportation.  Their clothing is plain.  Their Christian testimony emphsizes humility.  The primary language of most Old Order Amish is Pennsylvania German or, in some cases, a dialect of Swiss German.  High German is utilized in worship, and English for commerce as needed.  There are several Amish communities within 1 1/2 hours distance from the OCHF campus (see www.amishamerica.com/iowa-amish ).

 

Photo above is of the Our Christian Heritage Foundation's copy of the Ephrata printing of the "Martyrs' Mirror".  Below, the same book in the original Dutch language published in 1685 with the famous 104 etchings of Jan Luyken.  The Martyrs Mirror is a history of the deaths of Christian martyrs from the time of Christ until 1660.  The book was translated from the original Dutch into German by Peter Miller of the Ephrata Community in Pennsylvania.  The Ephrata printing was the largest book printed in Colonial America.  The Martyrs' Mirror is still a beloved book among the Amish.  In addition to the Bible, the Martyrs' Mirror in German is usually found in every Amish home, and it is often given as a wedding gift.