Transitions, Leaders, and Changing Churches (1865-1900) / 137

doomed to extinction, unless a change is effected soon in their views and practice respecting missionary labors."

Nineteen years later, in the October 28, 1900, issue of the New York Tribune, the same note was sounded in an article which said: "It is not improbable that the Mennonite Church within the next generation or two will have become either extinct or absorbed into other and more flourishing denominations.

That all was not well within the Mennonite brotherhoods, as already noted, is clear to anyone who studies the records of the years between the Civil War and the end of the century or thereabouts. The period from the Civil War to the end of the century was one of great change in the national economy as the West widened and the nation attempted to adjust to increasing industriàlism. Even isolated rural and religious communities were affected.

As early as 1868 John M. Brenneman wrote that at Bowman's Church near Canal Winchester it was necessary to have English preaching, and he encouraged English-speaking preachers to visit this congregation. The language problem was noted three years later in the April Herald of Truth where a writer stated: "We stand in great need of ministers versed in the English language. Oh, if only the older brethren could comprehend it before the young scatter to other churches." In both East and West, said the editor of the Herald of Truth, English preaching was needed.=

The deepening crisis was expressed by Moses Brenneman of Allen County who in 1886 accompanied C. B. Brenneman to Wayne, Tuscarawas, Holmes, Medina, and Stark counties. Along with preaching and visiting the sick he rejoiced to see faithful young people but was saddened to see some youth join other denominations. "Truly we are in dangerous times and if we are not on our guard there is danger of our children being led astray."'

In 1890 Sam Yoder of Indiana gave his impressions after visiting Ohio communities in Ashland, Medina, Wayne, and Holmes counties: "The old people who used to meet here are sleeping beneath the sod and most of their children have united with other churches." The observation had to do with a Holmes County church but it also seemed typical of others.'

But the Ohio churches survived and grew. There were a number of reasons for this and probably not the least was the role played by certain leaders in the stronger communities.