Two events related to the “Mirror of the Martyrs” exhibit at Bluffton University will take place the third full week of October.
 
On Oct. 18, “The Ephrata ‘Martyrs Mirror:’ A History Dramatic and Useful,” curated by Carrie Phillips, archives and special collections librarian at Bluffton University, will open. The Musselman Library’s Mennonite Historical Collection contains many copies of the 1748 “Martyrs Mirror”—the largest book printed in pre-revolutionary America and the first edition to be translated into German. This ancillary exhibit explores the craft of early colonial printing as displayed in the Ephrata Cloister’s publication of the “Martyrs Mirror” and other German devotional materials.
 
The library’s exhibit will be open Wednesday, Oct. 18 – Sunday, Nov. 5 from 2-5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 3-6 p.m., Sunday.
 
On Sunday, Oct. 22 the Swiss Community Historical Society is bringing the Great Day of Singing to Bluffton University at 4 p.m. in Yoder Recital Hall.
 
Bradley Kauffman, project director of a forthcoming new hymnal from MennoMedia, will lead participants in hymns that explore the musical heritage of local Swiss immigrant churches: from songs of the Anabaptist martyrs, to favorite American hymns, to new songs from the global church proposed for the “Resonate” song and worship collection.
 
Mennonite churches and organizations from across North America will hold similar celebrations for The Great Day of Singing on Oct. 22.
 
The events are part of a series being held in coordination with the travelling exhibit “Mirror of the Martyrs,” which will be on display from Oct. 1-Nov. 5 in the Albrecht Gallery of Bluffton’s Sauder Visual Arts Center.
 
This dramatic and colorful exhibit tells the story of religious conflict and violence in the Reformation era from the perspective of Anabaptist martyrs and offers one way to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
 
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
 
The Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit is based on illustrated martyr stories from the 1685 “Martyrs Mirror,” and features eight of the original copper plates produced by Dutch artist Jan Luyken to illustrate the book. The exhibit allows visitors to learn about Mennonite religious heritage and its application to people’s contemporary lives. The award-winning exhibit was developed and produced at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton Kansas.
 
For more information about additional exhibit related presentations and performances visit http://www.bluffton.edu/arts/mirror/