The Amish society has retained the essence of rural life and can tell us how this preservation is possible. Originally associated with the Swiss Anabaptists, Amish are often confused with Mennonites because of the early association with Menno Simons. Because the Amish do not make the "prideful" claim of salvation, they are non-evangelical. They maintain folk cohesion and social homogeneity through conscious isolation and the maintenance of a distinct lifestyle ordained by II Corinthians 6:14 which mandates that they not be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers." Thus they use horse and buggy for transportation as cars require licensing and the yoking of self to the "outside." Specific social rules, called the "Ordung," are established by each congregation. The most important rules involve highly visible aspects of social life making deviants obvious. Farming is the preferred occupation, and mutual aid such as barn raising is common. "Work as play" extends to children and is considered a part of their education. The Amish are a reminader that people are gratified when they help others and that available resources may be shared and useful to others. Although a clearcut cross-over does not exist, the Amish provide an example of what might be done by other rural people, especially in their conservative approach to technology, their refusal to rely on the government, their utilization of informal networks within society for mutual aid, and their social adaptiveness, considering the restraints of their religion. (PM)