a religious sect formed among the Arminians and Anabaptists in Holland, in 1619. They held sacred conventions twice a-year at Rheinsberg, near Leyden. Their leaders were three brothers of the name of Koddeus or Kodde, obscure men in rural life, but pious and well acquainted with their Bibles. Their followers acquired the name collegiants, because they called their assemblies "colleges." The brethren were once very numerous in Holland, Friesland, and West Friesland. They assemble twice a-week; and any one, females excepted, is permitted to expound the Scriptures and to offer up prayer. They baptize by immersing the whole body in water; and admit every one who presents himself, without regard to his sect or opinion, provided he profess his faith in the divinity of the Scriptures, and his resolution to live suitably to their precepts and doctrines.