Do You Live Near An Amish or Mennonite Community?

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Both of these groups came to North America from Switzerland, I understand. In fact, the Swiss have been coming to North America for a long time. Some came to find political or business opportunities. Some came for adventure or to escape punishment for crimes committed. Most of them came for land and for religious freedom. The Mennonites, named after their leader, Menno Simmons settled in Pennsylvania in the late 17th century. Later they divided into different groups, including the Amish. They are “pacifists” meaning that they are against war. William Penn, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, offered them an opportunity to come to America and they gladly accepted. The Amish leader Joseph Schantz (1749-1813) and a Mennonite leader, Peter Lehmann (1776-1843) established and developed their religious communities and these communities still thrive today, not only in Pennsylvania but also in Virginia and several other states. Near where my brother lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, there is a Mennonite community. They operate the “Cheese Shop” in Stuarts Draft. I love to shop there for cheese, candy and delicious jams and jellies among other things. I always go to the “Cheese Shop” when I visit my brother. Mennonites have accepted some modern conveniences, such as driving cars and tractors, but the Amish have mostly resisted change. They maintain a way of life that is much like life on a typical farm in Switzerland. They drive horse-drawn carriages and use only mules and horses to farm their land. While Amish barns have electricity to refrigerate the milk storage tanks, they only use kerosene lanterns and wood-burning stoves for heat. Their homes are very simple and they dress in plain colors. Because buttons are on military uniforms, the Amish will not use them. They fasten their clothes with pins. These people are kind and humble people and if all lived as “pacifists” like they do, there would be no war. There is another religious group who also do not support war in any form. Jehovah’s Witnesses. Think of what a peaceful world this would be if all people refused to go to war. The Bible says that day will come in the near future. (Isaiah 2:4; Psalm 37:10, 11))