THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
comprising a minority only of the Mennonites of the fatherland, is dominated by rationalistic influences, and consequently the churches of West Preussen, Baden, Wurttemberg, Alsace-Lorraine and most of those of Bavaria are holding aloof from this body. The organ of the " evangelical " Mennonites of Germany is Das Gemeindeblatt, Reihen, Baden. The principles of non-resistance and the rejection of the oath are upheld by well-nigh all American Mennonites. In Russia Mennonites are required, instead of serving in the army, to labor in the forestry work of the State. In Prussia they have the privilege of serving as nurses or drivers in the army.
In some of the Mennonite bodies in America various practises are in vogue which can be explained only from their history; particularly is this true of the Old Order Amish. It is improbable that any other denomination was called upon to endure so relentless persecution as the Swiss Brethren in the cantons of Zurich and Bern (cf. E. Miiller, Geschichte der bernischen Tdufer, Frauenfeld, 1895). In consequence of their principle of non-resistance to which they strictly adhered, they were truly " as sheep for the slaughter." The severest persecution notwithstanding, extending over a period of over two hundred years, small churches continued to exist in the mountains of the canton Bern. When some of the oppressed found it possible to assemble for worship, the services were several hours in length. The members were scattered over a large territory and the paths over the mountains were difficult at best, consequently it was found necessary to provide a meal for the worshipers. This meal, coming after the services, attained a semireligious significance which it retains among the Old Order Amish Brethren, the brother in whose house the meeting is held being the host of the congregation. The custom of the ministers to enter the audience room after the congregation has sung some hymns, dates from the time when oppression had taken the place of bloody persecution, and orders were to apprehend the ministers only.
2. Doctrinal and Statistical Description: The Mennonites in America are divided in general into Old Mennonites, General Conference, Mennonite Brethren in Christ, Mennoniten Briider Gemeinde, Reformed Mennonites, and Old Order Amish.
The Old Mennonites are of " Pennsylvania Duteh " stock and of Swiss descent. They have an actual membership of about 29,000 in the United States and Canada (about 8,000 in Lancaster County, Pa.). They observe as ordinances, besides baptism of believers only (by affusion) and the Lord's Supper, feet- washing, the anointing of the sick, the kiss of charity, and the literal application of I Cor. xi. 5. Their meeting-houses are quite plain; instrumental music is not tolerated in worship. The churches are, as a rule, well supplied with ministers who are chosen from the brotherhood, special preparation not being considered essential for candidates. In case of more than one receiving the votes of the congregation, decision is obtained by lot. Few of the ministers receive financial support. Stipulated ministerial salaries are ponsidered unscriptural. Discipline is strictly en-
forced. Prior to every communion service a " counsel meeting " is held to ascertain whether any member who has given offense has refused to make amends after brotherly reminder by one or two other members. In case of serious offense a public confession by the offender is asked. Only those at peace with the church and who confess peace with God may partake of the Lord's Supper. Simplicity of attire, as opposed to the ever-changing whims of fashion, is held to be a Scriptural requirement. Titles, such as Mr. or Rev., are not in use. Members of secret societies are excluded. Oaths are forbidden, as well as suits at law. Non-resistance and the condemnation of war are emphatically insisted upon. This branch of the denomination has a flourishing mission with asylums for orphans and lepers in India, home missions in various cities (three in Chicago), also orphans' homes, homes for the aged, and a sanitarium. Their church organ is the Gospel Herald, published at Scottdale, Pa., by the Mennonite Publishing House, which is owned and controlled by the church. Books and tracts on the doctrine and history of the church are also published. The works of Menno Simons and of his coworker Dirk Philips, as well as the comprehensive work on the martyrs of the church by Braght, are common possessions. Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., their largest institution of higher education in America, also Hesston Academy, Hesston, Kans., belong to this branch of Mennonites.
The General Conference Mennonites, the most progressive branch of the denomination, consisting principally of German congregations which have immigrated to the western states from Russia and Prussia, have over 13,000 members. They have abandoned most of the former peculiarities. Bethel College, Newton, Kans., is their most prominent institution of learning, besides Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio. They have prosperous missions among the Indians of Oklahoma and in India. Their organs are Der Bundesbote and The Mennonite, both published by the Mennonite Book Concern, Berne, Ind.
The Mennonite Brethren in Christ, numbering about 6,000 members, form a very active church. They baptize by immersion, have open communion and practise feet-washing as an ordinance. Their camp and revival meetings are conducted after the fashion of the early Methodists. They support about thirty foreign missionaries. Their organ is The Gospel Banner, of Cleveland, O.
The Mennoniten Briidergemeinde consists of German colonists who immigrated to the western states from Russia. They do not agree among themselves on the administration of baptism. The larger branch (with nearly 5,000 members), having been under English Baptist influence in Russia, immerse the applicant for baptism forward while the Crimean branch insist on backward immersion. The latter have nearly 1,000 members. The organ of the former body is Der Zionsbote, published at McPherson, Kans. Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kans., belongs to this branch. They have mission stations in India and Oklahoma.
The Reformed Mennonites, called also Herrites after their founder John Herr (who in 1S12 seceded