The Zwijndrechtse Nieuwlichters ("Zwijndrecht New Lighters") were a Dutch Protestant sect in the early 19th century, led by Stoffel Muller, a former skipper, and Maria Leer, a prophetess. The sect was also known as the Christelijke Broedergemeente ("Apostolic Brethren Association") and the Zwavelstokkengeloof ("Matchstick Faith") and practiced what was later called "apostolic communism". The group held property in common and earned its keep by selling matchsticks and chocolate. Its appeal was broadly across the social classes, including day laborers, factory owners, and tradesmen. By the 1820s the group had established a community in Zwijndrecht, but could not outlive its founder by much; after the death of Muller the community split apart, with some members leaving for the United States and others forming their own congregations in the Netherlands.
History
Beginnings
The sect was led by Stoffel Muller, a skipper from Puttershoek who came from a strict religious background who had had a religious experience that spawned a theology based on a "vague pantheism" which put a new spin on the idea of sin. Muller's partner was Maria Leer of Edam, a prophetess and domestic servant, 17 years his junior, whom he had met in Amsterdam and with whom he had formed a "spiritual marriage". The third of the three founders was the local schout (bailiff) from Waddinxveen, Dirk Valk, whose family was involved as well, as were a number of day laborers in the area. While Muller was considered the group's leader, he was not formally appointed as such.
Settlement
The group settled with Valk in Waddinxveen and formed a congregation, inspired by the Sermon on the Mount and modeled on the early Christian community. In 1818, the group moved to Polsbroekerdam, to the property of the farmer Dirk Schenkel. He offered them a place to stay, and in return they provided for themselves by making matches, which they sold door to door while propagating their faith. The match business provided nicknames for the group: nieuwlichters translates as "new-lighters", and zwavelstokkengeloof references those matches as well. Some historians argue that it was thanks to the group's hardworking nature that they received a measure of acceptance, despite their "communist features" and their despise for social convention.
When the house they lived in Polsbroekerdam was sold, the group took to their ships and sailed around for a while, unable to find a homestead. In or around 1820, Muller, Valk, and Leer were sentenced to a year in jail in Dordrecht for vagrancy. Arie Goud and his wife, also members, were not sentenced; by 1822, when the three were released, the group had moved to Puttershoek and settled there; on 20 April 1823, the group legalized its community property relationship in Puttershoek. Valk and his wife, who had sold all their family possessions during the hard times of the late 1810s, left the group in 1822 to await Christ separately; Valk and his wife left shortly thereafter. In 1829, the remaining members bought a shipyard in Zwijndrecht and settled down for the last time, in the place that gave them their name.
Developments in the 1830s and dissolution
The 1830s saw the group prosper. They were joined by members who made important contributions to the settlement, including a wealthy baker from Krommenie and his wife, who started a bakery; a shoemaker from Middelburg and his family; and a former civil servant from the Dutch Indies. The most important new member, however, was Mets, a manufacturer of chocolate from Rotterdam, who came with his family and brought over his entire plant, workers and all, and the products were sold by the group's members. At this time there were two main sections to the settlement in Zwijndrecht. One, Welgelegen, consisted of a dance hall, which Muller had bought in Schellingwoude, taken apart, and moved to Zwijndrecht by ship. Meals were served in that hall; the members slept in a Keulenaar, a steam-powered ship that had been placed next to the dance hall. Men and women slept separately in two large rooms. Scripture was read during meals, and after dinner time was spent on religious study. The second area, Zomerzorg, was adjacent to the chocolate factory.