Missive, van de Sociëteit der Doopsgezinde gemeenten in Vriesland en Groningen, geschreeven aan de Doopsgezinde Christenen, welke zich uit Dantzig in Pruissen hebben nedergezet in de Staaten van Haare Majesteit Catharina de Groote, Keizerin aller Russen (Leeuwarden, n.d.-1788) (Missive of the Conference of Mennonite Congregations in Friesland and Groningen, Written to the Mennonite Christians from Danzig, Prussia, Who Have Settled in the States of Her Majesty Catherine the Great, empress of all Russians) is an official letter, signed by the trustees of the Mennonite Conference of Friesland (FDS), Netherlands, drawn up at the special request of Jakob (von) Trapp (Trappe), the Russian director of settlements, at this time visiting the Netherlands and contacting the Dutch Mennonites. Alarmed by the information given by Trappe that the new settlers in Russia were torn by doctrinal differences, the Mennonite Conference of Friesland, which held a special meeting to discuss the question, resolved to send a letter to the settlers. This letter, drawn up by pastor Heere Oosterbaan and dated 31 July 1788, was a warm plea for moderation. It urged the Mennonites in Russia to avoid banning members who as Flemish married members of the Frisian branch and to live in peace and harmony. The letter, written in German, was printed in Dutch; it was reprinted in full by Blaupot ten Cate in Geschiedenis der Doopsgezinden in Friesland (Leeuwarden, 1837) 354-363.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 717. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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