which he had received. In both Germany and the Netherlands a class
of fanatics had risen, advocating absurd and seditious doctrines,
outraging order and decency, and proceeding to violence and insurrection.
Menno saw the horrible results to which these movements would inevitably
lead, and he strenuously opposed the erroneous teachings and wild schemes
of the fanatics. There were many, however, who had been misled by these
fanatics, but who had renounced their pernicious doctrines; and there were
still remaining many descendants of the ancient Christians, the fruits of
the Waldensian teaching. Among these classes Menno labored with great zeal
and success.

For twenty-five years he traveled, with his wife and children, enduring
great hardships and privations, and frequently in peril of his life. He
traversed the Netherlands and northern Germany, laboring chiefly among the
humbler classes, but exerting a wide-spread influence. Naturally eloquent,
though possessing a limited education, he was a man of unwavering
integrity, of humble spirit and gentle manners, and of sincere and earnest
piety, exemplifying in his own life the precepts which he taught, and he
commanded the confidence of the people. His followers were scattered and
oppressed. They suffered greatly from being confounded with the fanatical
Munsterites. Yet great numbers were converted under his labors.

Nowhere were the reformed doctrines more generally received than in the
Netherlands. In few countries did their adherents endure more terrible
persecution. In Germany Charles V. had banned the Reformation, and he
would gladly have brought all its adherents to the stake; but the princes
stood up as a barrier against his tyranny. In the Netherlands his power
was greater, and persecuting edicts followed each other in quick
succession. To read the Bible, to hear or preach it, or even to speak
concerning it, was to incur the penalty of death by the stake. To pray to
God in secret, to refrain from bowing to an image, or to sing a psalm, was
also punishable with death. Even those who should abjure their errors,
were condemned, if men, to die by the sword; if women, to be buried alive.
Thousands perished under the reign of Charles and of Philip II.

At one time a whole family was brought before the inquisitors, charged
with remaining away from mass, and worshiping at home. On his examination
as to their practices in secret, the youngest son answered, "We fall on
our kne