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64Quaker History The Brethren Encyclopedia. Edited by Donald F. Durnbaugh. Philadelphia and Oak Brook, IL: The Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc., 1983. 2 vol. $100. ($133.25 for complete set. Vol. 3 to follow.) The Brethren Encyclopedia is a joint effort of the Brethren bodies: Church of the Brethren, the Brethren Church, The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Dunkard Brethren, and the Old German Baptist Brethren. This encyclopedia is intended to be a comprehensive collection of sources on Brethren history, life and thought. This goal has been eminently achieved in these first two volumes. The third volume will contain lists, appendixes, maps, statistics and other material best given in tabular form. There is a vast variety of articles on people, meetings, events, deeds, all of which are excellently cross-referenced. The only instance of cross-referencing breaking down that I could find is in the failure to provide an article on "solitary brethren." a term I ran across and wished had been more fully explicated. The illustrations are appropriate, adding a great deal to the whole. One aspect I found of interest to casual browsing was the inclusion of anecdotal items highlighted in grey, setting them apart. Knowing they are anecdotal is important, and the anecdotes add color and interest. Other than the case of "solitary brethren," the entries err, if indeed it is erring, on the side ofbeing too encyclopedic. I question the thin basis upon which the articles on the "Rhine River" and the "Battle of Gettysburg" were included. And while understanding Brethren concerns related to the peace movement and service, it seems that an effort should have been made to make reference to Brethren in the article on the American Friends Service Committee. As it stands, the article shows no direct relationship to the rest of the material surrounding it. Although the AFSC article is well written, it seems some editorial policy would have ensured that it relate back to the theme of the work as a whole. In the other main reference to Friends, "Society of Friends," I was bothered by the evangelical cast ofthe article. Given the limited space, the facts are accurate and reasonably complete but the tone seems inappropriate. Other articles are relatively free from this. Contrast the "Society of Friends" article with the clear factual tone of the AFSC article or the fine entry on the Mennonites, for example. In short, reading the various entries has given me a much clearer picture of the people belonging to the five groups of Brethren, their predecessors, and related sects. Their tribulations, schisms and reunions are all clearly discussed. The lengthy articles on doctrine, dress, discipleship, fellowship, along with the numerous histories, serve as the backbone for the work. The shorter biographical and placename articles provide a composite picture to be found nowhere else. Running across articles, for example, on the Studebaker family (of automobile fame) Daniel Boone, a photo of Mark Twain (visiting with his friend John T. Lewis, a black German Baptist Brethren), and a short discussion of neckties, all add the interesting sidelight that brings life into these pages, and which provides information not always readily available. In addition to the Brethren audience, I envision a generation of students writing their term papers on the Brethren for their Comparative American Religion course and going no further than this work as the major source. Well conceived and executed, it should stand as a landmark for others to emulate. The Society of Friends would be well represented in a similar encyclopedia. Whittier CollegePhilip M. O'Brien. ...

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