MENNONITES, a sect of baptists in Holland, so called from Mennon Simonis of Friesland, who lived in the 16th century. This sect believe, that the New Testament is the only rule of faith; that the terms Person and Trinity are not to be used in speaking of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that the first man was not created perfect; that it is unlawful to swear or to wage war upon any occasion; that infants are not the proper subjects of baptism; and that ministers of the gospel ought to receive no salary. They all unite in pleading for toleration in religion, and debar none from their assemblies who led pious lives, and own the scriptures for the word of God. The
Menonites meet privately; and every one in the assembly has the liberty to speak, to expound the scriptures, to pray and sing. They assemble twice every year, from all parts of Holland, at Rynsbourg, a village about two leagues from Leyden; at which time they receive the communion, sitting at a table, where the first distributes to the rest; and all sects are admitted, even the Roman Catholics, if they please to come.