286 HISTORY OF 



whites against their own brethren ; however, with this 

 differencej that in both cases under consideration there 

 was no cause at all for these suspicions. The inoffensive 

 Count, as well as the inoffensive Mennonite and Ger- 

 mans, had the singular fortune to be noticed ''with green 

 eyesJ'^ 



When excitements run high, arising from prejudice, 

 the innocent themselves feel as though it were a duty 

 they owe their fellow men, to avoid every appearance 

 that might engender unfounded suspicions. This the 

 Mennonites of Lancaster county did on more than one 

 occasion. ^'In 1741, a second attempt was made to 

 prejudice the Assembly against the Germans, but in the 

 message of the Assembly to Governor Thomas, the 

 House expressed their views as follows: Who they are 

 that look with jealous eyes at the Germans, the Go- 

 vernor has not been pleased to inform us, nor do we 

 know. Nothing of the kind can be justly attributed to 

 us, or any preceding Assembly, to our knowledge. — 

 The Legislature of this province has generally, on appli- 

 cation made to them, admitted the Germans to partake 

 of the privileges enjoyed by the King's natural subjects; 

 and as we look upon them to be a lahoinous, industrious: 

 people, we shall cheerfully perform what can be expected 

 from us for their benefit, and for those who may here- 

 after arrive.'^ 



To allay unfounded prejudices, the Mennonites gave 

 a decided proof thereof in 1742, in convoking a church 

 council, consisting of elders, preachers and the bishop, 

 and meeting at the house of Martin JMeylin, in Lam- 

 peter township. 



Martin Meylin, grandfather of Martin Meylin, Jacob 

 Meylin, John Meylin, and Abraham Meylin, all at 

 present residing in West Lampeter township^ built what 



