Mennonites in Texas: The Quiet in the Land

Title Page, Copyright Page

Mennonites in Texas number twelve Sam Rayburn Series on Rural Life Sponsored by Texas A&M University–Commerce James A. Grimshaw Jr., General Editor Text and photographs by Laura L. Camden & Susan Gaetz Duarte Foreword by Ann W. Richards With contributions by Mark L. Louden & Dennis Carlyle Darling MENNONITES IN TEXAS The Quiet in the Land texas a&m university press ⁄ college station Copyright ©  by Laura L. Camden and Susan Gaetz Duarte Printed in China by Everbest Printing Co. through Four Colour Imports All rights reserved First edition The paper used in this book meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, .-. Binding materials have been chosen for durability.    --  Camden, Laura L., Mennonites in Texas : the quiet in the land / text and photographs by Laura L. Camden and Susan Gaetz Duarte ; foreword by Ann W. Richards ; with contributions by Mark L. Louden and Dennis Carlyle Darling.– 1st ed. p. cm. – (Sam Rayburn series on rural life ; no. ) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. isbn–: –––– (cloth : alk. paper) isbn–: ––– (cloth : alk. paper) . Mennonites—Texas—Seminole Region. . Seminole Region (Tex.)—Religious life and customs. . Amish Mennonites—Texas—Lott. . Lott (Tex.)—Religious life and customs. . Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship. I. Duarte, Susan Gaetz, - II. Title. III. Series. BX.SC  .'—dc  Although “the quiet in the land” was used to describe various religious groups throughout history, the expression was also applied to the Mennonites during the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Facing persecution because of their beliefs, they fled to safer areas, withdrew from society, and lived apart, hoping to avoid attention as they continued to practice their beliefs. The concept of living “in the world but not of the world” is still preferred by the Mennonites today. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Let not them that are mine enemies wrong fully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Psalm :– (). We would like to dedicate this book to the members of the Mennonite community in Seminole, Texas, and the families of Faith Mennonite Fellowship in Lott, Texas, who graciously welcomed us into their homes and their lives. ...