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Ohio, and Indiana were at the church and nine persons were baptized in an impressive ceremony. Likewise the communion service was impressive "and we were made to believe that Jesus was in our midst   '

Sometimes members from the smaller and distant communities attended communion services in other places. Frequently members from Seneca and Wood counties made long journeys to attend communion services in Ashland County and sometimes as far east as Longenecker's and Kolb's in Holmes County. 17 Since many of the members in these communities were related, the visiting had both a family and church meaning at communion times.

"The Doctrines of the Scriptures"

Sermons of a doctrinal nature were appreciated by the churches. In 1883 C. B. Brenneman preached three doctrinal sermons at Delphos and the people were "very anxious to hear and learn more of the doctrines of the Scriptures as we teach them."" The same kind of reception was given to C. B. Brenneman's preaching at the Turkey Run Church in Perry County. The reporter, Benjamin Huber, tells of good attendance despite severe storm and cold. He adds: "Bro. Brenneman preached the doctrines of the Bible as taught by the church, as a nonresistant people, separation from the world. Many were so much interested that they would gladly have heard and learned more."'`'

"To Assist the Unfortunate Brother"

Mennonites and Amish have a long tradition of mutual aid within the brotherhood. The burdens of one become the burdens of all. (The brotherhood and not a worldly organization is to undergird and sustain when a loss comes.) The Ohio communities continued this practice as an expression of their Christian obligation. One example is cited here. Apparently the house of John Fried of Hancock County was destroyed by fire in 1874 with a loss that came to $1,200. Deacon David Boesinger of Bluffton pointed out that since the conference advised against insurance in worldly companies and since this brother had conformed to the conference position it now became the duty of the church "to assist the unfortunate brother and as far as possible make good his loss." He went on to say, however, that the local church is small and that its members had already given to their limit to aid the Russian Mennonites to come