The 12 or more branches in America differ so little in some instances that it is difficult to distinguish between them except by name. The census of 1916 reports three bodies in the group not in existence, or not known, in 1906. The distinctive bodies are: (1) Mennonite Church; (2) Conservative Amish; (3) Old Order Amish; (4) Church of God in Christ; (5) Old Order Mennonite (Wisler); (6) Re formed Mennonite; (7) General Conference of Mennonites; (8) Defenceless Mennonites; (9) Mennonite Brethren in Christ; (10) Mennonite Brethren Church; (11) Krimmer Brueder Ge meinde; (12) Hutterian Brethren. There are besides small unattached bodies which may be grouped as miscellaneous, including the Kleine Gemeinde, Stauffer Mennonites, etc.
A historical distinction, which also marks a difference in doctrinal position, may be traced between two European groups and through their descendants in America: (1) Those of Holland, Switzerland and northwestern Ger many, and (2) those of Prussia, North Ger Many and Russia. These emigrated from Hol land and used the Dutch tongue until after the middle of the 18th century, when they adopted the German which they still employ. They are of the orthodox type. The first group became liberal or rationalistic and are not in fellow ship with the representatives of the second group.
1. Mennonite This is the largest and oldest body of this faith in America. It is descended from the colony which settled in Germantown. In tendency it occupies middle ground between the stricter and the more liberal schools. Since 1896 it has had a bi ennial General Conference, composed of dele gates elected by the State conferences. The Amish body is represented in this conference— the two churches are practically one — and co operates in the conduct of the general mission ary, educational and benevolent work. The hoard of missions has missionaries in India and in America, with a department of city missions. The chief educational institution is at Goshen, Ind. Two unincorporated organizations help members who sustain losses by fire, storm, etc., one for Mennonites and Amish, the other for Mennonites and Old Mennonites. The property listed for this purpose aggregates more than $12,000,000. The Mennonite Church is growing in numbers. In 1906 it returned, according to the government census, 18,674 members; in 1916 that number had almost doubled — 34,965. There are 509 ministers and 307 churches in the Middle Western and a few of the Southern States, by far the larger num ber being in Pennsylvania. The Mennonite, of Berne, Ind.English. the weekly organ of the denomi nation in There is also a German weekly at the same place.
2. Conservative Amish Mennonite Church.
—This is a small body of the Amish type, with only one conference, 14 churches, 30 ministers and 1,066 members, census of 1916. The Amish Mennonites date from 1690, separating from the Mennonites in Switzerland and Alsace on account of their laxness of discipline. The name is derived from Jacob Ammon or Amen, who insisted that the doctrines set forth in the Dort Confession of Faith should be inter preted literally and accepted strictly. In late years this strictness has been relaxed and the main body of Amish is practically reunited with the Old Mennonites in the Mennonite Church.
3. Old Order Amish Mennonite Church. body represents the stricter descend ants of Jacob Amen and the Swiss Amish of the 18th century. While the main body of Amish were approaching agreement with the main body of Mennonites, the stricter wing i were holding the older position resulting in the organization in 1865 of the Old Order Church. This body is opposed to building churches, holding that one place is as sacred as any other and that separate church buildings savor of rit ualism. They therefore hold their meetings in private houses, which necessarily makes their congregations small. A Sunday service usually continues about four hours, and is exclusively in German. They use the old hymnal, Aus bund, first published for the Swiss brethren in 1571 and reprinted many times in America. The tunes supposed to be the original have never been committed to musical notation and of course never printed. The sermon is with out text, and traces God's dealing with the race from Adam down, setting forth the sinfulness of sin and God's love and care for his obedient children. On communion Sundays services are continued from morning till night without in termission, several ministers being in attend ance to keep them going. There is no church property, except hymnbooks, plain benches and utensils necessary to the preparation of a plain dinner. Houses and clothing of families, who observe a sort of community life, are very plain, carpets, curtains and wall pictures being forbidden. They have a few Sunday schools and no missionary or benevolent societies, schools or periodicals. They use the ban in discipline following the example of the orig nal Amish, who in some cases use the extreme penalty of separation of husband and wife The person against whom the ban was pro nounced was cut off from social and intercourse with all members of the church ar:e was treated as an outcast. The census of 191: credits the Old Order Amish Church wick 7,893 members, an increase of nearly 3,003 10 years, 90 churches and 253 Ministers.