Trades and Trade Regulations of the Hutterian Brethren: see articles Gemeindeordnungen and Economic History of the Hutterian Brethren. Attention should also be called to a remarkable passage in Riedemann's Rechenschaft of 1541, dealing with "Traders" (English ed., 126 ff.): "We allow none of our number to do the work of a trader or merchant, since this is a sinful business; as the wise man saith, 'It is almost impossible for a merchant and trader to keep himself from sin. And as a nail sticks fast between door and hinge, so does also sin stick close between buying and selling' (Ecclesiastes 26:29 and Ecclesiastes 27:1-2) . . . Therefore we permit this not amongst us, but say with Paul that they should work with their hands what is honest, that they may have to give to him that needs."

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 741. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.