Evening journal., 1901-03-09
AMONG THE QUAINT
MENNONITE NRCT
Unique, Distinct Force in The
Spiritual World
Ministry, Except for Travelling Evan
geIiStS ISLInSaIaried and Preach
ers Support Themselves
Copyright, 1901, The Christian Herald
New York

NtW OIh.
Few religious sects have appeared so
little in public print as the Mennon-
ties, although they have been a unique,
distinct force in the worlds spiritual
life since the days Of Luther, of whom
Menno-Simon. leader Of the sect. was
a contemporary. They have been in
this country since 1888. and there are
now some 10000 of them here and
over 10000 I'm Canada. The fact that
they are branching out in foreign mis-
sionary work Ga field in which they
have been comparatively imperative
and their recent activity I'M India re-
lief-they sent many carloads Of corn
and much money last Summer to India
through The Christian Ierald-has
awakened interest in many peop.e who
seem to have heard little or nothing
of them. Through the courtesy OF DR..
Dewitt r. Good. of Dale Enterprise,
Va. The Christian Herald presents the
following facts. compiled fer this paper
by Bishop L. j. Heatwole, of the Mid
die District Virginia Conference.
''Mennonites, previous to the year
1890 had never made public. any state
ment of their work, at which time, re-
ports as to their numbers, doctrines
and tenets of faith. were rendered for
use by the United States census of.
C ais. The custom, from time immemor-
.al. has prevailed among them to col
about things I'm a quiet way, and they
have never followed the custom Of
publishing an account Of their work
or the number Of their commandments.
With them the evangelical. life Is re-
duced TO a principle that requires not|
only sCra-ction hut also distinction
from the world. With respect to this
outward distinctive fO-m--uch as the
prayer hcld-covCr' for women ana
the peculiar regulation dress for men.
these people have maintained through
out all their generations the attitude
of sober singularity before the world.
The first authentic account OF any
settlement of MennOnites in America
is that OF a body OF some twenty-five
members. who located at Germantown.
Pa. October 6. 1888, coming thither
from Holstein on the invitation OF VII
liam Penn. The colony increased rap
idly through subsequent immigration
and It's members came under the notice
OF the neighbors as being very simple
in their habits and mode OF life; as
adhering, like the Quakers themselves,
to plain, modest apparel; as being
SLOW to abandon the customs OF their
fOrefathers. and not readily adopting
innovations Of any kind. With the
breaking out OF the revolutionary war,
there were fOrty-two meeting houses
In Pennsylvania Congregations ara
now located in at least twenty-five
states and in the Canadian provinces.
All MennOnites recognize the con
fessiOn OF faith, consisting Of eighteen
articles. which was framed and adopt
ed April 21, 1882, at the city of bort,
in Holland. In addition to the princi-
pies set forth in Baptism and the sac
rament OF bread and wine, this con
fession also enjOins the ordinance Of
fOOt-washing, enjOins marriage, only
between members OF the same faith
prohibits membership in secret organ
izations, forbids the taking OF oaths,
and impresses upon Mennonites the
doctrine of nOn-resistance.
The communion Is observed twice a
year. Every intending participant IS
ccrefully examined separately concern
ing his spiritual standing. before the
day appointed for taking the sacra-
ment. Immediately after the COM
munion Of bread and wine. comes the
ceremony Of fOot-washing. The mem
bers of the sexes perform the Office
among themselves. each in turn wash
ing and wiping the feet of his brother
or her sister. and giving at the same
time the hand Of fellowship and the
kiss of peace. Those who perform
the duties of the ministry are chosen
from the congregation to be served
Should more than one person be placed
in nomination by the congregation. O
day is appointed to choose by lot one
from among the persons nominated
DeacOns are chosen in the same man
ner. and are ordained to care for the
poor and the sick. to adjust matters
Of difference among members, and in
the absence OF the minister to conduc
the service with exhortatiOn and pray
er Bishops are chosen from amons
the ministers. and are ordained to ad-
minister the right Of baptism and th'
communion. to celebrate the rite o
matrimora', and 30 have the pastora
charge of a district in which ther'
are number Of places Of worship an
number of ministers and dea
cons. all under his direction"
The ministry, except for travelini
NfdllHtAlcNot ~ uNEllAlltut lA'eA AiANlF
deacons and bishops. supporting them
selves. as a rule, at their ordinary oc
cupations.
Their first college in this country
Elkhart Institute, Elkhart, Indian
the only one in existence among tn
class of which Bishop Heatwole write.
was incorporated in 1895. Among tn
growing institutions in the Mennonit
Church probably there is none whic
has such possibilities for usefulness
The school owns its own buTdlngs an
grounds, and has a well-eauippe
laboratory, a library, and modern 4.
cilities and methods OF instruction
The principal, Professor n. E. Bver
is a graduate Of Northwestern Unive
alty 1t is the earnest desire Of n
management to raise the endowmer
fund of $4,000 to $4,000 as soon ;
possible. Eleven states and Canada a
represented in the enrolment II
religious Influences surrounding Il
Students are very rood and fha sicfe