Evangelical Society of the Canton of Bern (Evangelische Gesellschaft des Kantons Bern), organized in 1831, in the circles of Heimberger Brethren (Oberland Brethren) and the pietists of the city of Bern, Switzerland. Its object is to revive spiritual life in the Reformed Church. The official organ of the Association is Brosamen, Evangelisches Volksblatt. It maintains a school of evangelism in Bern, an office, and a bookstore.

The society has connections with the Mennonite congregations of the canton of Bern (Alt-Taufgesinnte, Alttäufer). A number of Mennonites are members of the main conference of the society. It often serves the Mennonite churches with evangelists (in evangelization weeks, holidays, etc.). On the other hand, Mennonites also serve at the conferences of the society. In Emmenholz in the canton of Solothurn, a part of the Kleintal congregation, Mennonite preachers and evangelists alternate in conducting the services. In Chaux d’Abe connections have been maintained since 1868, and in Kleintal since 1881.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, pp. 266-267. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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