A Separate PeopleAn Insider's View of Old Order Mennonite Customs and Traditions by Isaac R. Horst |
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"This is an amazingly frank, informative, and truly authentic narration of both public and intimate life among the Old Order Mennonites. Readers will be fascinated not only with the numerous and intimate questions about the church, community, and family life, but also with the frank and detailed answers given." —J. Winfield Fretz
Isaac R. Horst deftly gives an insider’s account of Old Order Mennonites and why they live a separate life. He does this by taking readers along on a tour of Mennonite country of Ontario. In Martin’s Meetinghouse, Horst explains church events such as baptism, counsel meeting, conference of ministers, communion, foot washing, ordinations, and funerals. At a schoolhouse, he tells why the parochial school system was started and how it operates.
His group visits farms and shops and helps with a barn raising. Horst also shares on an array of subjects such as marriage, roles of women and men, raising children, and mutual aid. Finally, his granddaughter asks questions that let Grandpa share from his experience and wisdom.
"Chatty dialogue takes readers vividly into meetinghouse, schoolhouse, and farmhouse. Horst cheerfully points out colorful, nonstandard features." --John L. Ruth, Mennonite Church Historian, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
About the Author
Isaac R. Horst, Mt. Forest, Ontario, is the most prolific Old Order Mennonite writer in Canada and is frequently asked for interviews and lectures. He is the author of 23 books and of many articles and columns.