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This is a German-to-English translation of a report describing several Amish schisms where the main dispute concerned the Bann (excommunication), Meidung (shunning), and the full council of the brotherhood prior to these actions. The author was a committee member who investigated church unrest in the Seymour, MO, Amish settlement in 1974. The author argues from the New Testament and Menno Simons’ writings that leaders should not use the Bann to control people or get someone out of the way, as the Pharisees of the New Testament did, but should use it to help the sinner and keep the brotherhood clear from sin. The historical account begins with Sam Yoder placing the Bann on anyone who leaves the church for another Amish church. It then discusses difficulties in the Stutzman-Troyer churches, as they had disagreements about holding the Bann and leaders not taking council with the church. This resulted in the Tobe Hostetler schism. The Tobe group agreed to fellowship with anyone who takes full council from the brotherhood, so they fellowshipped with the South Churches. The story continues with a member from the Stutzman-Troyer church who was excommunicated but received into the Adams County, IN, Amish church. Later, a new Adams County bishop, Joe L. Schwartz, decided to uphold the Stutzman-Troyer Bann, causing a schism in the Adams County churches in 1952. By 1968, some people had moved from Adams County to Seymour, MO, but a schism occurred once more over how to observe the shunnings of the Joe L. churches. [Abstract by editor]

This is a German-to-English translation of four important decisions made by Amish church leaders. The first, in 1865, was the charter agreement that launched the Old Order movement among the Amish, as the progressive Amish-Mennonites who had been organizing annual conferences since 1863 refused to acknowledge the Ordnung Brief at the 1865 conference. The second, which also affirms the first, was written in 1917. It occurred in the shadow of the Sam Yoder division, and like the first, addresses pressures of the day on Amish practice and thought. The third, written in 1939, affirms the 1917 statement and elaborates with more recent concerns. Statements address relationships in family and church, continued observance of church rituals, views on excommunication and shunning, parental jurisdiction over youth behavior, entrepreneurship and advertising, alcohol and patronization of bars, technology such as refrigerators and automobiles, fashion in garments and grooming practices, tobacco, and reunions. [Abstract by editor]

This compilation includes two sections. The first addresses the schism of the Tobe Hostetler Church and the Troyer-Stutzman Church beginning in 1938 in the Holmes-Wayne Counties, OH, area. Several separately authored accounts of the same events detail the events. The second section provides an account of the Old Order Church-Andy Weaver Church schisms in the early 1950s. [Abstract by editor]

This is a German-to-English translation of Bishop Joseph E. Peachey’s (Belleville, PA) account of the September 1955 Allgemeinie Diener Versammlung in Holmes-Wayne Counties, OH. While Holmes-Wayne Amish leaders called the meeting, seeking to achieve peace and resolution, instead, the meeting finalized a pending schism between the Old Order (or South Churches) and the Andy Weaver (or Dan) factions. The main focus was on a group of laymen that had withdrawn from the Orrville Amish church (Wayne County) because they did not want to practice a Bann the church district leaders had decreed. The faction received help from an Amish bishop in Holmes County, who had support from some Amish leaders. The meeting revealed widespread tension both in the Holmes-Wayne Amish community and in other Amish communities, specifically about the Bann and revivalist ideas. Peachey’s account provides a chronological account of the September 1955 meeting, including the counsels, decisions, and actions of the assembled. The author also shares about his travels to and from the meeting. [Abstract by editor]

This is a German-to-English translation of an old history article published in the Amish/Amish-Mennonite periodical, “Herald der Wahrheit” (“Harold of Truth”). L.A. Miller describes how Jakob Miller brought his family to Tuscarawas County in 1808 and Jonas Stutzman to Holmes County in 1809. Then follows a succession of bishops, ministers, and districts. [Abstract by editor]