Origin.

A sect usually emphasizes some aspect of an orthodox faith that has been neglected in a denomination and depends on the perfection of its adherents, rather than church institutions, to effect salvation. Most of the pietistic sects that appeared in the colonies originated in central Europe in the latter part of the seventeenth century as an effort to revitalize and purify the growing intellectualism and formalism of the Protestant churches. Most of these groups settled in the tolerant climate of Pennsylvania and other proprietary colonies to the south.

Mennonites and Amish.

The Mennonites arrived in Pennsylvania in 1683, settling in an area around Philadelphia which they named Germantown. They were joined by other pacifist sects who agreed with their goal of returning to the simple, primitive church of the early Christian communities. Such a life demanded discipline that could best be maintained when their...