Beverly, There are others on this list far more capable of explaining this than I. However, the Schwarzenau Brethren arose out of the Pietist movement in Germany (google and read about Ernst Christoph Hochmann von Hochenau a friend of Alexander Mack and an early Pietist.) The Pietists came after the Anabaptist movement, but were certainly influenced by them. However, in the beginning they were quite separate, as in the Krefeld congregation of Brethren, a brother was expelled from the church for marrying a Mennonite woman. In America, though there was a lot more interaction/intermarriage. Certainly with the same language, similar appearance, and theology it was natural for the groups to mingle to an extent. Brethren today are fairly diverse with some congregations being very modern and some few attempting to retain plainness of dress, the prayer covering, etc. The history is fascinating, and I hope that you enjoy exploring this. As a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren with most of my direct ancestors being Brethren, it has certainly been intriguing for me. The Amish and Mennonites went separate ways while still in Europe; I believe it was over the issue of "the ban" or shunning members who were not in the order of the church. John Shafer Oakton, VA> From: Bb43@aol.com> Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:01:29 -0400> To: brethren@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [BRE] Brethren history resources> > Thanks, Judy. I don't think I made myself clear in my post. My family is > intertwined with many in the Somerset region of Pennsylvania, with many Meyers, > Lichtys and Beeghleys in the line. When I read posts it's like one large > family in the late 1700s. They moved on to Illinois, then Kansas, but also Iowa > and California. Obviously information in these areas are of great interest to > me. And I do have specific questions I will be posting in the future.> > My main interest in this post, though, is a more general interest. I am > confused about the beginnings of Brethren - they are co-mingled with Anabaptists, > Mennonites and Amish in many catalogs and books. I can't semm to figure > whether they are splits form each other, or developed parallelly in the same region > of Switzerland/Germany. Their seem to be many of the same family names in > these groups. And I know some of them switched from one to another - due to > geogrqaphical reasoons? Or marital situations? > > And later in this country there were many splits, it seems, and I can't seems > to get a handle on the differences between the groups. I suppose theological > differences, but perhaps also how they presented themselves to the world? I > am also interested in how the Brethren practice today. I checked my state > (CA) and the closest church looks to be over a hundred miles away, so I really > can't even visit easily, certainly not regularly if I should be so inclined.> > I have a catalog from Masthof Press and there is a great selection. I don't > know what to order. I did purchase and read a book entitled "Old Brethren" > by Lehman. Interesting and quaint. I enjoyed it very much. And I bought Two > Centuries of Brothersvalley (not sure that's the exact title) by Cooper, and I > am reading that. But I don't think it addresses the general issues I am > interested in. Just thought someone might have a book they're reading now, or > have bought recently that they would like to recommend - a history of the church > through time, not necessarily ancestors.> > Beverly> > > > **************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music > scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com! > (http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)> > ------------------------> Search the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/BRETHREN> ------------------------> Support Our Sponsoring Agency> The Fellowship Of Brethren Genealogists (FOBG)> For further information contact Ron McAdams mailto:McAdamsr@hotmail.com> ------------------------> > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRETHREN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Keep your kids safer online with Windows Live Family Safety. http://www.windowslive.com/family_safety/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_family_safety_072008