The MENNONITE CIIERCII traces its origin to Jacob linter, who was burnt at the stake at Innsbruck, Tyrol. in 1536. It was at one time represented by 24 communities in Moravia, whence they were driven to Hun gary. They removed to Rumania in 1767. and two years afterwards to 'Russia. and finally, in 1874. to the United States. where they settled in South Dakota. They live under the com munal system. Their thogunge is Merman, and their hooks. preserved in manuscript. including their history are in that tongue. Their 5 emigregations have 352 communicant members and are served by 9 minister:.
III. The AMISH MENNONITE: CUURCII originat ed in the division already mentioned, which took place in Switzorland in 1620, and represents the tberland Mennonites, or followers of Jaeob Amen. of the Bei-nest. Alps. after whom it is named. It is second in importance among Mennonite bod ies in the United States, and has 265 ministers. 124 churches, and 13.226 conimunkant A, being most largely represented in Illinois. Pennsyl vania. and Ohio. A settlement of Amish :Men nonites was formed in 1821 in Wilmot Township. tintario. where land was bought for the purpose by Christian Nafziger. of Munich. Five ?.ongre gations have grown up from it. to which 329 families are attached.
IV. The ot.n mist' Cilyncit is the result of a separation from the Amish body which took place about 1805 of el' eon f,0-up. of worship and methods of Churell work, the separatists protesting against certain steps which they regarded as innovations. and insisting upon a strict adherence to the ancient forms and practices. They have 213ti niembers, with 7-5 ministers and 25 churehes, and nre strongest in Indiana and I thin.
NNoNITE CHURCH is a branch derived from the Amish. which came to the United States by immi,?ration from Europe about 1S40. The discipline is less strict than in the other Amish branches. Two churches are mentioned. both in Ohio, with 2 ministers and 209 members.
VI. The REFORMED MENNONITE CHURCH orig inated in 1812, under the leadership of John Ilerr, who protested against laxity in the :Men nonite Church, and insisted upon the preserva• Lion of purity in teaching and the maintenance of exact discipline. Its adherents are strict in the observance of the old ways and in their dis cipline. and do not as a rule hold fellowship with other denominations. They have 16S0 mem bers. about half of them being in Pennsylvania, with 43 ministers and 34 churches.
VII. The GENERAL CONFERENCE Cutitcht has adopted modern views and practices to a larger extent than most of the other branches. it originated as a result of proceed. ings which were instituted in 184S in Pennsyl vania against a minister, John Oberholtzer, who was (-barged with attempting to introduce new teachings and practices. oberholtzer and his sympathizers withdrew and formed a body called the New Mennonites. This body united with churches whose members had come from Germany and settled in Illinois and Iowa, and a General Conference was formed, with three districts— eastern, central, and western. A new Lion, described as being evangelical in tone. was adopted in 1898. The number of numbers is 10,3115. with 128 ministers and 16 churches.
VI11. TnE OF 1?01) IN CIIIIIST was founded in 1859, under the leading of John Haldeman, who belhwed himself inspired with the spirit of prophoey. it inculcates a strict adherence to the teachings of the founders of the Mennonite Church. The estimate of its num bers gives it 18 ministers. IS churches, and 449 members.
IX. The Ot.n. or WISLER, MENNONITES repre sent a Separation from the Mennonite Chureh in 'Indiana which took place about 1870 by those who opposed the introduction of Sunday schools, evening and other new feature:. The first General Conference was held in ISOS. They number 603 members, with 17 ministers and 15 churches.