During the conflict between the Frisian and Flemish Mennonites in the Nether­lands in 1566-68, a group of congregations "in't Sticht van Overyssel," that is, in the northwestern part of the Dutch province of Overijssel, at first re­mained neutral, but in September 1568, after Fris­ians and Flemish had banned each other, they asked to have the whole matter reviewed. This reconsideration took place at a meeting of elders held in the fall of 1568. Thereupon the "Stichtschen" for­mulated their opinion in an extensive missive, the "Stichtsche Presentatie" (also called "Grote Stichtsche Presentatie," "Stichtsche Aenwys," or "Sticht­sche Wtsprake"). This was a well-documented let­ter of advice of about 260 paragraphs, dated 3 January 1569. The orginal is lost. Extracts are found in J. Outerman, Onder Verbeteringhe. Verclaringhe met bewijs (Haarlem, 1634). The Stichtsche congregations, though lamenting the schism, declared in this statement that they chose the side of the Flemish.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 632. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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