A BRIEF

Complaint or Apology

OF THE

DESPISED CHRISTIANS

AND

EXILED STRANGERS,

TO ALL THE THEOLOGIANS AND PREACHERS OF THE GERMAN NATIONS,

CONCERNING THE BITTER FALSEHOODS, SLANDERS AND ABUSES WITH

WHICH THEY, WITHOUT TRUTH, BURDEN THESE SUFFERING CHRIS­

TIANS AND EXILES, TOGETHER WITH A FRIENDLY REQUEST TO

HAVE A FREE DISCUSSION OF THE SCRIPTURES, IN ACCORD­

ANCE WITH THE RULES OF CHRISTIAN LOVE.

BY

MENNO SIMON.

"The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," 2 Timothy 2:24.

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," 1 Corinthians 3:11.

ELKHART, INDIANA:

PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. FUNK AND BROTHER.

1871. 115WE, poor and despised christians, Who have to endure and suffer so much, on account of the testimony of the word of the Lord, wish to all theologians and preachers of all countries who boast of the gospel, whoever and wherever they are, a new, penitent heart; a true, active faith in Christ Jesus; an unfeigned, ardent love; a salutary doctrine; a sound doctrine according to truth, and a pious, unblamable life, in the fear of the Lord, of God our heavenly Father, in the operation and power of his Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, his beloved Son, our Lord and eternal Savior, Amen.

116