The Brethren movement began in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany, when a group of Pietists of Reformed and Lutheran background adopted an anabaptist church organization. Because of severe repression and economic necessity, virtually the entire movement migrated to North America beginning in 1719. The name "Church of the Brethren" has been used since 1908. Brethren hold the New Testament as their guidebook for living, practice baptism as a rite for persons who choose of their own volition to believe in and follow Christ, value a simple lifestyle, and consider themselves stewards of the earth and all its resources. They seek to establish and maintain wholesome family lives, hold marriage as sacred, and emphasize service to their neighbors. Believing that Jesus Christ was the "man for others," they stress that the same orientation of life is required of his disciples. The Church of the Brethren is one of three historic peace churches, along with the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, and the Mennonites. Brethren believe in non-violent solutions to conflict through reconciliation and historically have expressed opposition to war through conscientious objection to military service.