>From time to time people ask questions about the River Brethren on the Rootsweb Brethren Mailing List. Generally, these questions are about specifics of an ancestor or a congregation, and for those type of questions there are frequently no readily available responses. But in the generalities of the River Brethren there are articles I stumble across in the various Brethren periodicals. I share this with you freely. Wayne Webb Epistolary. Letter to Bro. Jacob Mishler, of Mogadore, Ohio: Dear Brother:-I suppose you are beginning to think that I am rather dilatory about answering your letter of inquiry. I intended to have answered it before now but did not find time, on account of being away from home. In the first place I feel myself to blame for not mentioning that it was what you term the River Brethren that I united with in church fellowship. However I hope you will pardon me for my error, for whilst reading the Primitive Christian my faith was so much strengthened in many points of doctrine that my heart was drawn out in love to you as a church, and I really felt that I could call you brethren in Christ. However, if you cannot call me brother because I do not belong to your brotherhood, I must try to have love enough to bear with it. You mentioned something of one Samuel Baker, of Markham. I would inform you that he is one of our ministers. You also mentioned J. B. Shoemaker and M. Weaver, two of your ministering brethren who visited Canada last winter, but had not the pleasure of seeing them, though I heard of them. They traveled through Waterloo county, some fifty miles south east from here. You referred to your fraternity having an Annual Council, and that, the States were divided into districts. You wished to know if our church was divided into districts. I would answer that our churches in Ontario are divided into three districts, namely: Waterloo, Black Creek, and Markham, with their branches. We belong to the Waterloo district. Our Annual Council was held in Markham this year. You wished to know if the names of our ministers were sent for insertion in the Almanac. I answer, No. Neither have we any right to do so. You stated that there was a body of Christians in the States known as River Brethren that originated from the Old Brethren. I need not correct that mistake, as Bro. C. H. Balsbaugh has already done that, for we neither originated from the Old Brethren nor from any other church, according as I have been informed. You also called the River Brethren a sect. Now I consider that you have no more authority to call us a sect than we have to call the Old Brethren a sect. We call ourselves the Brethren, but in order to make a distinction, we are satisfied for you to call us River Brethren. You stated that we observed the ordinances differently from the Old Brethren; but for my part I do not see much difference. I am perfectly satisfied that we have that faith which was once delivered to the saints. And by the grace of God I mean to contend for that faith. You said that in my letters I mentioned eight different brethren who had been at our communion and preached for us, not one of whom is named in the ministerial list in the Almanac. How do you suppose we ought to send in our ministerial list when you stated just above that you were inclined to believe we were River Brethren? Our lovefeasts have been as follows: First-Markham, six baptized and added to the church; second-Clarence Center, York State; third-Black Creek, thirty-six baptized and added to the church; fourth-Waterloo, two baptized; and tomorrow will be our lovefeast. Some are to be baptized, but do not know exactly how many. I believe the Spirit of God is at work amongst us in this part. Oh, that there may be a glorious revival of religion, that sinners may be awakened out of the sleep of sin, that Christ may give them light! Also, one week from tomorrow, lovefeast at Natawasaga; some to be baptized there. My wife and I were at Black Creek lovefeast. We left home on the 4th of June. Had some pleasant visits. Arrived at Brother Neils Holm's on the 5th of June, and held meeting in the evening in the union meeting-house. Spoke through much weakness to an attentive congregation. Arrived at my father-in-law's, 18 miles south of the city of Hamilton, and held meeting in the Baptist chapel. Spoke with freedom to an attentive congregation. Took the train next morning from Caledonia to Port Colborne; arrived amongst the brethren and enjoyed one of the best lovefeasts I ever enjoyed in my life. My heart was made to rejoice to see so many starting for the kingdom. On Monday morning was brought to Port Colborne; arrived at my father-in-law's; held another meeting in the Baptist chapel to good satisfaction. Thence proceeded homeward. Held meeting in Waterloo at Bro. Sol'n. Gingrich's. Met with brethren S. Doner and J. Baker with their wives, from Notown. From thence we proceeded to our home, and found all well, for which we have reason to thank and praise God for his tender mercies. Hoping that the time spent may prove effectual to the salvatian of sinners and the encouragement of believers is the desire of my heart. I must now bring these remarks to a close, hoping, dear brother, they may prove satisfactory to you and the readers of the Primitive Christian. Your weak brother and well-wisher in Christ Jesus. Nelson Kiteley. Fordwich, Huron Co., Ont., June 23, 1876. P. S.-One question I forgot to answer, viz.: "How long have the River Brethren existed in Ontario?" They were in Canada before 1812, as far I can learn. N. K.