The Columbian fountain., 1846-11-03
8 ano &eneral imtelliaen1e.
! Rev. ]. I. WARD, Assistant editor
7. PRICE ONE CENT.

| Iih,oinduoi ana knowledge of their fellow
men, y VIII be but paying merited tribute
70 those whose simplicity, kindness, and appa
renliy ieryent pety, made deep impression
on my mind
Prompted, like great many others rather bv
curiosity than any more laudable motive. on
Sunday, the llth Of October, 1886, i attended
sacramental meeting ofthe Dunkard Society ;.
held near Jacksonville, FLOYD county, Virei.
MIA. 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
brother, to the ample and flowing beard of
some patriarcha father verging on three score
and ten.' Both males and females were dress
ed with extreme plainness; their homespun
garments, cut in ancient and peculiar fashion.
We're totally devoid Of ornament. So much
Tor their outward appearance.
About II O'Clock, a. M, the services com
menced by prayer. When praying, they re-
man ON their knees until three or four of their
brethren have offered up their petitions in sue
cesson. On rising from their knees, one of
them read chapter from the Scriptures.
which was impressed on his mind,' and ano-
ther expounded it. Such is the course; they
DO not select texts and preach regular sermons.
but each oftheir ministers makes such remarks
as ne deems proper. Several spoke in success
SION, occupying some two or three hours
From their discourse, learned that in relation
70 falth and grace, they are Armenians-be-
hevlng that all men may be saved, if they will
but adopt the true course. Thus, they repu-
date election and predestination. They believe
that the proper mode Of baptism is immersion;
and so lar do they carry their advocacy Of i'm
merslon, that they immerse the believer three
times, once IN the name Of each person Of the
Trinity. This is done face do,DnDards, in token
Of humility. They repudiate infant baptism
believing that infants need no baptism-that
'of such is the Kingdom of Heaven;' and their
chief speaker, Rev. John Bowman, of Frank
lin, delivered one of the most powerful aud
conclusive arguments against infant baptism,
and IN favor of baptising snone but adult be-
LEVERS that | have ever heard They hold
close communion'--allowng the members of
no other denomination to commune with them.
Their ministers receive no compensation for
strong enoagh q sappo ha hf GeSRe
precisely ascertain the nature and form OF their
church government; but, so far as | could
learn, it seems to be modelled after the Apostle
lical order-bishops or elders and deacons in
the different churches.
After the conclusion Of the midday exercises.
tables were spread with food for all. This is
one OF their peculiar habits, and most excel
lent one tits. The whole crowd was invited
to partake Of the plain but substantial provi-
sion which was prepared. 1t was Of the sim
plest kind, but enough was provided 'for the
attending people, as well as for the members
OF the church. Grain was also provided to
feed the horses efall who were in attendance
Nothing could exceed the kind anxiety with
which they endeavored to render US all as com
Portable as circumstances would permit The
crowd was large, yet none who would partake
were neglected. a.
In the evening the services commenced
Alter singing and prayer they proceeded to 'the
washing offeet." This they profess to do in i'm
itation of the Saviour. as recorded in the 18th
OF Johns Gospel. The women washed each
otner's feet in house. but the men performed
this duty in public. The members sitting down
on bench. one took bucket of water, and
washed their feet in succession, and another
following wiped them with towel, (" girded
around him.' Each whose feet were washed
and wiped was saluted by the person perfor-
ming the duty with " the holy kiss" All see
med eager to perform this duty, for they esteem
ed it mertorious work; and operators were
so frequently changed, that presume nearly
every one washed the feet Of some of the 9th
ers. 1t is not upon these occasions alone that
the Dunkads kiss each other; that is there ordi-
nary mode of salutation wherever they meet.
After the washing Of feet was concluded.
they again spread the table to eat the Lords
Supper They draw distinction between the
LORDS Supper and the Holy Communion
They eat an actual, substantial supper, and
then administer the Sacrament Of the commu-
Mon.
None, however, but the members of the
chnrch were admitted 10 this meal. After it
was concluded they proceeded to.partake of the
holy elements. They break the bread one for
another, and il is distributed to every one te-
fore either tastes it. They were very tedious
in the service-singing, praying, reading ap-
propriate passages Of scripture, andexpounding
the same, and advocating and vindicatlng their
own doctrines and practices. Alter The sacra-
mental services were concluded, which was
not till late in the night, supper was prepared
for the crowd in attendance, and we were again
invited to partake of what was preparation US.
This wound up The services OF tie meeting
most of the members however, and many OF
the attending people remained on the ground
all night. In the morning substantial break
fast was prepared for " all hands," TO which
81,