Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Amish People in the Countryside Haying" Signed lower middle. Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 34c Lone Star Amish Quilt stamp issued August 9, 2001. If it appears that certain patches of American countryside seem more pastoral and less cluttered with power lines and telephone poles, they may be inhabited by the Amish, a small Christian group named for its 17th century Swiss founder, Jacob Amman. Old Order Amish live without telephones and electricity. "Electricity is not in the Bible and so we have not the use of it," according to a man of the Old Order. Generally, Amish also oppose automobiles, preferring to drive horse-drawn buggies ... although some have installed turn signals. Shunning technology, they not only reject the ways of this world, they also make a profound statement about the environment -- Nature is the manifestation of God and natural resources were placed on Earth for man to steward and enjoy. Life is best close to the soil and weather, among the plants and animals. "A tractor gets the work done more quickly, but horses and the love of hard work keep us nearer to God," according to one Amish bishop. Some Amish who are not of the Old Order have adopted gasoline or diesel engines, but usually they are only for jobs that horses or mules cannot do, such as powering hay balers, which are mounted on horse-drawn wagons, or operating belt-driven wood saws. Their more liberal brethren, the Mennonites, use tractors for fieldwork. Even without the full use of modern machinery, the Amish and Mennonites are excellent farmers. A 60-acre farm must be intensively cultivated in order to provide a living and support large families. Image Size: 13.5 x 11.5 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B16945)