View source for Nijdam, Cornelis (1884-1946)

Cornelis Nijdam was born 24 April 1884 at [[Leeuwarden (Friesland, Netherlands)|Leeuwarden]] and died 12 July 1946 at [[Amsterdam (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Amsterdam]]. He was a Dutch Mennonite minister, studied theology at the universities of Groningen and [[Amsterdam, University of (Amsterdam, Netherlands)|Amsterdam]] and at the [[Amsterdam Mennonite Theological Seminary (Kweekschool)|Amsterdam Mennonite Seminary]], and served as pastor in the following congregations: [[Graft (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Noordeind van Graft]] 1909-1912, [[Veenwouden (Friesland, Netherlands)|Veenwouden]] 1912-1926, [[Borne  (Overijssel, Netherlands)|Borne]] 1926-1930, [[Amsterdam (Noord-Holland, Netherlands)|Amsterdam]] 1930-1933, and [[Zeist (Utrecht, Netherlands)|Zeist]] 1933-1946. By his kindness, his simplicity, his untiring work, and particularly by his strong evangelical faith Nijdam was a great blessing to the Dutch Mennonite Church. Influenced by the pietistic theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher, and inspired by contacts with English Quakers, a Biblical faith and practical Christianity were firmly linked in him throughout his life. Nijdam was always a warm friend and a promoter of missions. In 1915 he became a member of the executive board of the [[Doopsgezinde Zendingsraad|Dutch Missions Association]], in 1923 its secretary, and he served as its chairman from 1934 until his death. In 1926-1930 he was also the editor of <em>Onze Zending, </em>a monthly dedicated to the interests of the Mission Association. Nijdam was one of the first members and leaders of the "Vereeniging voor Gemeentedagen," now "Vereniging voor Doopsgezind Broederschapswerk," founded in 1917. He wholeheartedly welcomed the spiritual renewal of the Dutch brotherhood for which this association was striving. In 1924-1927 he was treasurer of this association, and 1927-1934 its president. In 1922 in collaboration with P. Vis and W. H. toe Water, he instigated the founding of the "Friese Doopsgezinde Jongeren Bond" (Youth Association of Friesland). From the beginning (1924) he was on the committee for the Elspeet Mennonite Brotherhood Home, serving as secretary of this committee 1925-1932 and its president 1932-1946.

In September 1945 Nijdam was appointed president of the [[Algemene Doopsgezinde Societeit|Algemene Doopsgezinde Sociëteit]] (ADS; Dutch General Mennonite Conference), of which he had been for many years a trustee. He entered his presidency with great plans, but his premature death prevented him from carrying out his intentions. One of his projects, a general Mennonite weekly, which was to be read by all the Dutch Mennonites, was realized after his death. <em>[[Noodbrug, De (Periodical)|De Noodbrug]], </em>a temporary periodical published by the ADS, was edited by Nijdam and [[Gorter, Simon Henri Nicolaas (1885-1967)|S. H. N. Gorter]].

Nijdam published a large number of articles in <em>[[Zondagsbode, De|De Zondagsbode]] </em>and <em>[[Brieven (Periodical)|Brieven]]; </em>he also contributed to the <em>[[Doopsgezind Jaarboekje|Doopsgezind Jaarboekje]]. </em>Besides this he published some sermons and separately <em>Het NieuuseHuis </em>(Bergum, 1916), <em>De Doopsgezinde Zending </em>(Wolvega, n.d.), and <em>Een Winter in de Oase, brieven uit Biskra </em>(Haarlem, 1934). Nijdam was married to Anna A. Vogelsang, Th.D.
= Bibliography =
Brakel, J. E. van. "In Memoriam – C. Nijdam." <em>Doopsgezind Jaarboekje</em> (1949): 36-37.

<em>De Noodbrug</em> (September 1946).

Nijdam, C. "Spiritual Reconstruction." <em>Mennonite Life</em> 2 (January 1947): 31-33.
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