pastor of Jelsum near Lecuwarden and later Menno’s opponent, frequently preached Lutheran doctrine from the pulpit.9 With many other priests in Germany and the Netherlands Menno continued in his office hoping for better days to come, when evangelical practice should be introduced with the consent of the civil authorities. Menno Simons continues his narrative as follows: “Afterwards it came to pass, before I had ever heard of the Brethren, that a God-fearing, pious man named Sikke Snyder was beheaded