3 of 4 A Division in the Mennonite Church

In the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, in 1693 a dispute arose in the Mennonite congregation over church discipline or upon the views of scripture as held by Menno Simons.

John Reist and Jacob Ammon both were Bishops. Reist being the elder bishop had been accused by Ammon as being too liberal in the use of excommunication and the ban. On the other hand, Reist accused Ammon as being too strict upon the same matter. At first the problem was only between the two bishops but it soon passed to the congregation and in a short time all the Mennonite colonists were afflicted.

Meetings had been called but there was no success in finding a solution for the problem. Meetings only brought on other disagreements upon The Articles of confession in church documents. Both bishops had a group of their congregation that would side with them. Much criticism had been done which caused many heartaches and ill feelings.

At last Ammon expelled Reist from the church but Reist didn't pay too much attention to what Ammon had done. He kept on holding church services as before. Upon this Ammon expelled all members that would side with Reist. This sad affair continued for some years and nothing was being accomplished.

The followers of John Reist held the name of Mennonite while the followers of Jacob Ammon held the name as Amish.

About the year 1700 the Amish made an effort to return to the Brethren, going so far as to admit that they had done wrong, asking for patience, and entreating the Brethren to pray for them, but the desired reconciliation was not received. The Reist brethren could not bring themselves under the practice of avoidance and the Amish could not with good conscience discontinue the practice. The divison was a very painful one.

So here again we find that history proves itself, "Prosperity has often been fatal to Christianity but persecution never."