American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-21

When the spray grows red O'er their garden ways,
And their EGen Wnds are past;
But dream of better, a beautiful cline,
Deep, deep in the upper sky,
Win lis golden sands and its scenes sublime,
And am glad | was born to die!
THE DUNKARDS-THIER CUSTOMS AND CE-
REMONIES.
correspondent of the Richmond Enquirer
furnishes the subioned interesting account of
visit paid to the sect known as Dunkards, ma
ny of whom reside in Virginia, generally in
settlements occupied almost exclusively by this
singular, but pious and unassuming class of
people:
Prompted, like great many others, rather
by curiosity than any more laudabe motive, on
Sunday, the lth ofOctober, 1916, | attended
a sacramental meeting Of the Dunkard Socie-
ty, held near Jacksonville, Floyd county, Vir-
ginia. These meetings being interesting occa-
sions to the believers, many of them were in
attendance from various surrounding counties,
and still larger collection of persons who
came merely to witness the proceedings. The
male Dunkards were conspicuous by their long
boards; for they obey the Mosaic injunction
Mar not the corner of thy beard.' There were
boards of every size, shape and color, from the
small bunch on the chin of some younger BROTH
4 ,er, to the ample and flowing beard OF some pa
trlarchal father, verging on 'three-score and
ten Both males and females were dressed
with extreme plainness; their homespun gar
ments, cut in ancient and peculiar fashion,
were totally devoid of ornament. So much for
their outward appearance.
About L O'Clock, a. m, the services COM
menced by prayer. When praying, they re-
main on their knees until three or four of their
brethren have offered up their petitions in sue
cesson. On rising from their knees, ono of
them read chapter from the Scriptures, which
was Impressed on his mind and another ex-
pounded it. Such is the course; they do not
select texts and preach regular sermons, but
each of their ministers makes such remarks as
he deems proper. Several spoke in succession,
occupying some two or three hours From
their discourse, | learned that in relation to
faith and grace, they are Armenans-believ-
ing that all men may be saved, if they will but
adopt the true course. Thus, they repudiate
election and predestnation. They believe that
the proper mode of baptism is immersion, and
so far do they carry their advocacy of INNER
sion, that they immerse the believer three times
once in the name of each person of the TIini-
tY. This is done face dOlUnpardS, in token oil
humility. They repudiate infant baptiSm-be.
lieving that infants need no baptism-that 'o
such is the Kingdom of Heaven;' and their
chief speaker, Rev. John Bowman, Of Frank
lin, delivebd one Of the most powerful and
conclusive arguments against infant baptism
and in favor of baptising none but adult be-
LEVERS that have ever heard. They hold
close communion allowing the members Of
no other denomination to commune with them
Their ministers receive no compensation for
their services, asserting that the Gospel is
strong enough to support ITSELF | could not
precisely ascertain The nature and form of theil
church government; but so far as could learn
it seems to be modelled after the Apostolica
order-bshops or elders and deacons in the
different churches.
After the conclusion of the midday exerci
ses, tables were spread with food for all. This
is one OF their peculiar habits, and most ex.
cellent one it is. The whole crowd was inyit.
ed TO partake Of the plain but substantial pro.
vision which was prepared. 1t was of the
simplest kind, but enough was provided fol
the attending people, as we'll as for the mem
bers of the charch. Grain was also provided
10 feed the horses Of all who were in attend
ance. Nothing could exceed the kind anxiety
with which they endeavored to render US II al
comfortable as circumstances would permit
Tho crowd was large, yet none who would par
take were neg ected.
In the evening the services recommended
-, After singing and prayer they proceeded tc
the washing of feet This they profess to DE-
in imitation ofthe Saviour, as recorded in the
18th Of Johns Gospel. The women washed
each others feet in a house, but the men per
formed this duty IN public. The members sit
ting down OH bench, one took a bucket o
water and washed their feet in succession, ant
another following wiped them with a tow
ell, 'girded around him. Each whose feet wal
was washed and wiped was saluted by the per
son performing the duty with the holy kiss >
All seemed eager to perform this duty, for they
esteemed it meritorous work; and operation
were so frequently changed, that / presume
nearly every one washed the feet of some o
the others. 1t is not upon these occasion:
alone that the Drunkards kiss each other; tina
is their ordinary mode of salutation wherever
they meet.
Alter the washing of feet was concluded
they again spread the table to eat the Lord
Supper. They draw distinction between
the Lords Supper and the Holy Communion
Eaey eat an actual, substantial supper, ant
then administer the sacrament Of the com
munon.
None, however, but the members Of tn,
church were admitted to this meal. After i
was concluded they proceeded to partake 9th,
holy elements. They break the bread one 70
another, AVID it issdstrbuted to every one be
So Az