File Folder 5 - Brüsewitz, Carl F.

1948-1951, 1954 Thin folder (about a dozen items). From 1979-1983 C. F. Brüsewitz [probably Carl Friedrich Brüsewitz, 1919-2008] would be chairman of the Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit (Dutch Mennonite Society, Dutch Mennonite Conference [Holland]), but at the time of this folder his stationery listed him only as a Doopsgezind preacher. Much of the folder’s content is business of the International Mennonite Peace Committee [pacifism, nonresistance, interMennonite]. Almost all letters are in English--some hand written, some typed. {1} C. F. Brüsewitz to Bender, May 21, 1948: in conversation at Krefeld Bender had said sources for Balk Mennonites’ history were in Europe, and now van der Zipp [? probably Nanne van der Zijpp ?] said they were in Holland; went on about his research and effort to find more materials; implied that he was working on a Mennonite Quarterly Review article [see Carl F. Brüsewitz, “The Mennonites of Balk, Friesland,” MQR 30:19-31 (January 1956)]; remarks for Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] and her work on Mennonite portrayal in novels.... • • • REPLY, Bender (at Basel) to Carl F. Brüsewitz (at Utrecht), May 24, 1948: thanks for the letter; that Elizabeth Bender [Elizabeth Horsch Bender] was not yet able to read Dutch fluently; Bender had failed to bring the Balk manuscripts along on this trip [to Amsterdam] but would mail them from Basel; hoped you study them carefully--an article for Mennonite Quarterly Review would be “much appreciated”; Bender and Elizabeth planned to visit Holland again in June, probably when ADS met [Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit (Dutch Mennonite Church [Holland])]. {2} Bender to Carl F. Brüsewitz, May 29, 1948: sending program of the “Basel Conference” with Brüsewitz’s name on it; also sending Balk manuscripts--if you find them to be historically valuable, would give them to Amsterdam Mennonite Library in exchange for copies for Mennonite Historical Library at Goshen College; glad to have an article for Mennonite Quarterly Review. {3} C. F. Brüsewitz to Bender, September 13, no year [penciled “1948?”--but probably 1949]; notes taken from a typed version, but there is a handwritten version stamped as received on September 19, 1949, and having more detail than the typed version]: some titles to be sold at J. L. Beyers Book Auction, Utrecht. / “our” [probably Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit] peace group had decided to join the International Mennonite Peace Committee; on programs of Bible Study; interested in news about plans for a Mennonite Bible School [Bienenberg Mennonite Bible School??--later, (English name) Theological Seminary Bienenberg; (German Name) Ausbildungs- und Tagungszentrum Bienenberg; (French Name) Centre de formation et de rencontre Bienenberg], as he had read in Gemeindeblatt der Mennoniten--sorry no Dutch brethren had participated, as it would be good to have Dutch young people study there; knew of suspicion against the Dutch; very appreciative of “the sending of the Peace team” for “our nonresistance [sic] witness”.... {4} C. F. Brüsewitz to Bender, September 24, 1949: on items from Beyers’ catalogue, including one by David Joris from 1551.... • • • REPLY, Bender to Carl F. Brüsewitz, September 28, 1949: interested in the David Joris Twonderboeck and another item; would like to have the catalogue. {5} C. F. Brüsewitz to Bender, October 12, 1949 [written on back of an invoice]: had bought “all books” he thought at good price, including “the Martyrbook of 1615” for 52 franks...; more such, regarding other books; had bought the David Joris book for f250 and had it sent to Bender. {6} C. F. Brüsewitz, in German, on Mennonite Central Committee [MCC] stationery that included an Amsterdam address, to International Friedenskomitee des Mennoniten [International Mennonite Peace Committee], January 30, 1950: in July of last year the committee had formed at Elspeet, Holland, at the leading of MCC Peace Section and the Holland peace group [Doopsgezinde Vredesgroep]; as you know an International Mennonite Nonresistance Conference was planned for 1950, and another in 1952 in connection with the Mennonite World Conference; early in December Brother Schnebele [Christian Schnebele] and the writer had gotten a message from Dr. Hershberger in Basel [Guy F. Hershberger, Guy Hershberger, G. F. Hershberger] asking for an agreement on a date for the conference; we had discussed this December 14 at Thomashof and suggested meeting May 7 or 14 at Thomashof...; especially interested in the Biblical basis of nonresistance...; P.S. lists recipients of the letter: Bender, T. O., Hylkema [probably Teerd Oeds Ma Hylke Hylkema, Teerd Hylkema], F. van der Wissel, G. Kater, Brüsewitz, Christian Schnebele, Otto Schowalter, Pierre Widmer, Jacques Graber, Hans Gerber, cc to G. F. Hershberger at Basel. {7} C. F. Brüsewitz to Bender, no date [from internal evidence, date is apparently between January 30 and May 1950]--handwritten English: informing Bender of proceedings of the International Mennonite Peace Committee of which Bender was president; unfortunately most brethren were too busy to give it much time; had heard MCC Peace Section had agreed that the provisional committee become permanent; in Fall 1949 writer had corresponded with Hershberger [Guy F. Hershberger, Guy Hershberger, G. F. Hershberger], and writer had visited Thomashof in the week before Christmas and conversed with Schnebele [Christian Schnebele]; on the letter sent out to executive committee--answers favored May 14, 1950; Schnabele [Christian Schnabele] would be chairman, and you will get program; Dutch participants would come by MCC truck, to keep costs down; invited suggestions. / About the books, payment through MCC, liking last issue of Mennonite Quarterly Review.... {8} C. F. Brüsewitz to various persons, June 10, 1950: a “Dear Brother in Christ” letter, in German, headed “Internationales Friedenscomitee des Mennonite [International Mennonite Peace Committee] and really made up of quoted content from a letter from Christian Schnebele; that Bender had inquired whether the conference could not have an assignment for C. F. Klassen [Cornelius F. Klassen] of Frankfurt, which would be possible if the event were October 5-6 when Klassen [or Bender?] would be in Europe; Bender’s hope that German brethren remain agreed with nonresistance [pacifism]...; had not been possible to make the Bible home available for the conference in the summer months...; hoped to publish the conference program in the Gemeindeblatt in the first July issue at the latest; ...(another paragraph); cc’s to Bender, Christian Schnebele, Pierre Widmer, C. F. Brüsewitz, T. O. Hylkema [probably Teerd Oeds Ma Hylke Hylkema, Teerd Hylkema], Otto Schowalter, G. Kater, F. van der Wissel, G. F. Hershberger [Guy F. Hershberger, Guy Hershberger], Hans Gerber, Jacques Graber. {9} Bender to Carl F. Brüsewitz, February 6, 1951: sorry that reply about Winona Lake Conference of November 9-12, 1950 was late--held up by printing of its declaration in the pamphlet Christian Faith and Commitment; Winona Lake conference had much appreciated your letter of greeting and mandated Bender to respond to the Dutch brethren; sending the declaration, hoped it could be translated and published in Weekblad; reference to conference planned to be at Valdoie in the summer, hoped to visit Holland then. / Had Brüsewitz been able to write his Mennonite Quarterly Review on the Balk group? [see Carl F. Brüsewitz, “The Mennonites of Balk, Friesland,” MQR 30:19-31 (January 1956)].... {10} Bender to Carl F. Brüsewitz, June 12, 1954: again reminding Brüsewitz about the Balk article and need to return manuscripts Bender had loaned; might be able to call on you at Utrecht about July 21-22. {11} Bender to Carl F. Brüsewitz, July 28, 1954 [writing from Frankfurt]: meeting of the International Mennonite Peace Committee would be Monday August 9 at noon at Frankfurt MCC house...; mention bringing a “Brother van Gilse”; among attendees would be John Howard Yoder, Pierre Widmer, Hans Gerber, Orley Swartzentruber, David Shank, Otto Schowalter, Christian Schnebele, and Bender; hoped you can report on the work of the Vredesgroep [[Doopsgezinde Vredesgroep, Dutch Mennonite Peace Group] and Holland’s provisions for alternative service for conscientious objectors [pacifism, nonresistance]; should also be discussion of the International Mennonite Peace Committee‘s future.