A Dutch Protestant sect of the early 19th century, known for its communal living, pacifism, and rejection of civil government.
The Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters, also known as the “Zwijndrecht New Lighters” or “New Lights of Zwijndrecht,” was a Dutch Protestant sect that emerged in the early 19th century. Founded around 1816 by Stoffel Muller, Maria Leer, and Dirk Valk, the group was centered in Zwijndrecht, South Holland.
Stoffel Muller, born in 1771 in Puttershoek, came from a family of barge skippers. His progressive religious views often caused friction with his community and family, leading to his separation from his wife and sons. Maria Leer, born in 1788 in Edam, was orphaned at a young age and worked as a maid and seamstress. Their paths crossed in Amsterdam in 1816, where they found they shared similar religious beliefs.
The sect’s teachings were heavily influenced by Muller’s interpretation of Christianity, particularly the New Testament. They emphasized communal living, pacifism, and rejection of worldly possessions, believing in the imminent second coming of Christ. Their doctrine was notably influenced by the Epistle to the Romans, particularly chapter 11 verse 36, which they interpreted to mean that sin derived from God. This interpretation excluded the belief in predestination.
One of the most distinctive features of the Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters was their practice of communal property ownership. Members surrendered all possessions to the community upon joining, aiming to create a more equitable and spiritually pure society inspired by the early Christian church described in the Acts of the Apostles. At its peak, the community numbered around 200 members from various backgrounds, including farmers, laborers, and some educated individuals.
The Nieuwlichters were known for their distinctive appearance and behavior. Men grew long beards and wore simple, uniform clothing. They rejected conventional social norms and religious practices, which often led to conflict with local authorities and established churches. Their approach to marriage and family life was particularly controversial, practicing a form of “spiritual marriage” where conventional marital bonds were dissolved, and all adults were considered spiritually married to one another.
Despite their radical beliefs, the Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters were generally peaceful and law-abiding. However, their pacifism and refusal to bear arms or participate in military service sometimes led to legal troubles, particularly during the Belgian Revolution in the 1830s. Their commitment resulted in mistreatment and even the death of one member in detention barracks. Intervention by J. W. Tydeman, a professor and friend of King William II of the Netherlands, led to sect members being assigned non-combat duties in the military.
The group’s economic activities centered around agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, including the production and sale of matchsticks, which earned them the nickname “sulfur sticks faith”. However, their rejection of private property and conventional economic systems often led to financial difficulties.
After Muller’s death in 1835, leadership passed to Maria Leer. The sect struggled to maintain its ideals and unity, facing harassment by local governments and the imprisonment of their leaders. By the mid-19th century, the Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters had largely disbanded. The group was officially dissolved in 1846, with a faction of about thirty members emigrating to the United States in 1863. These emigrants established a colony in Utah, attracted by the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although they remained distinct from the LDS Church.
Maria Leer spent her later years in Leiden, where she met Louise Sophie Blussé, who chronicled her memoirs. These memoirs, published posthumously in 1892, provide much of the information known about Leer and Muller. Maria Leer died in 1866 at the age of 78 from cholera.
The Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters, though short-lived, represent an interesting chapter in Dutch religious history, exemplifying the utopian communal movements that emerged in the 19th century.
image via Swaen
