Concerning the origin of the word "Kleinhäufler," to which others like Stäbler, Gemeinschafter, Schwertler, and Sabbater should be added, the chronicles of the Hutterian Brethren relate: In 1528, because the group in Nikolsburg was growing and a large number adhered to Jakob Wideman and Philip Jäger, Hans Spittelmaier commanded his people to have nothing to do with them. The difference was still that which had existed between Hubmaier and Hut. Wideman and Jäger held their meetings in the homes, received pilgrims, guests, and strangers from other countries, and united into a brotherhood (Gemeinschaft). Spittelmaier, on the other hand, taught that war, the sword and levies should be maintained, hence the name Schwertler. The other group was called "Kleinhäufler" and "Stäbler" by the Spittelmaier group. The Schwertler, the chronicles add, were also called Sabbater.

The names Kleinhäufler, Stäbler, and Gemeinschäfter thereafter referred to those Anabaptists who separated from the Nikolsburg group in 1528, and later also from the Rossitz Anabaptists, and who in 1530 were divided into two groups, the Hutterites and the Austerlitz group. The Stäbler taught "that a Christian should not take part in war, therefore do not carry a sword, but only a staff."

Bibliography

Author(s)	Johann Loserth
Date Published	1957

Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe; Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 507 f.

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Loserth, Johann. "Kleinhäufler." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1957. Web. 24 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Kleinh%C3%A4ufler&oldid=57650.

APA style

Loserth, Johann. (1957). Kleinhäufler. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Kleinh%C3%A4ufler&oldid=57650.

Kleinhäufler

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