Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-01-21
The TunkeFs.

sui IeCI, lrsrn that Tins denomlnauon ol
Christians is increasing more rapidly III
Rockingham county than, perhaps, any
other sect worshipping in our midst.
They move so quietly, and with so little .
ostenlation, that we were not ourselves
prepared to believe that their numbers (
are sugmenling as rapidly as they really
are.
Although reared in the midst o. com. I
munIy, so many Of whom ale Tunkers,
our people are, TO great extent, Ignorant
of their religious tenets and church policy. (
In all, we believe. the Tunkers embrace
those views which are simplest and least
assuming. In their practice they carry
out the same doctrines.
If we are not mistaken, they have no
confession Of faith or dogmas, other than
the Bible Itself, which they acknowledge
as the only true rule of faith anG guide OF
life. They believe i'll the universally OF
the atunement of Christ. In regard to-
baptism, they adopt immersion as the
mode. They have no long chapters OF
Church rules and laws. They have SIM
ply enough TO provide for the reception OF
worthy members into their society and
for the expulsion of these who offend.
In their practice and life, they are scru-
pulously careful TO adhere, as far as they
can to the example Of Christ. They at
,ach especial importance TO the virtue oi
, humility, and perhaps no offence is more
promptly punished than that of pride or
f osteuialion and extravaganza in dress
Their dress is always made Of the plainesi
! material, generaliyol their own homesPdn,
and without any regard to the fashions OF
the day. They adhere TO the round
breasted coat, and broad brim hat, while
there is no class in our community better
able to indulge in fine clothes than are the
!, members of that church. In their busl-
ness transactions they are models of hon
esty. Itis trite saying, that, so far as
, they are concerned, "ihelr word is as good
as their bOnd.'
In another particular they manifest
their regard for the teachings of the bible,
and that is in their care for the poor.
They are always ready TO reach forth q
hand to help the needy Of their flock and
in no case will they permit worthy
member TO buffet the storms Of adversely
alone. Their poor and helpless ones are
never thrown upon the parish Of the coun-
ty. When they get helpless and feeble,
. hey place them on tho farms which have
been provided by the Church for the pur-
pose.
They are, go far as we know, like the
pa,riarchs Of old--al ulIers Of the soil.
And with all our love for lhe ways OF the
world. and passion for fashion, when we
meet d Tunker friend, dressed in his sim.
pie costume, with his long, paIriarchaI
beard. we cannot but feel the highest res
pect for, and the fullest confidence in a
class of Christians, whose practice re-
J minGs ore Of the days of pairiarchal SIM
! plicity and Piety.
They adhere 10 the ancient rites OF
. Christians, such as the feast Of the pass
over, which occurs once year. They
follow the example OF Christ in washing
, feet, saluling with kiss, &c. AT their
extraordinary meetings, they generally
provide food, that all who attend may be
supplied. On occasion OF this sort, their
!, hospitality is evinced, for and everybody
, who will conduct themselves orderly, viii
meet hearty welcome al their feast.
, AS citizens. no community can boast
of better. They are, as We said before,
scrupulously honest, and punciual in
meeting their engagements no people
have greater aversion TO debts lhsn the
Tunkers. The consequence is, that a.
mongst them e. with them there is lille or
no litigation. II everybody was like them
r our Court House would soon become the
+ abode OF owls and bats. and the lawyers
\ would have 10 search for some other
source Of money making than that of the
law.
They are industrious, energetic and en-.
terprising.
Although they take, some of Them. IT,
lie or no interest in politics, "a large num-
Der never vote yet in regard TO internal
Improvements they do take lively inter
est. They are amongst lie best fTicnds
OF he Railroad we have, not only VoIing
for ii, bul contributing literally of their
own means for its construction. Would
that in the management of our National
and State affairs, we could have the fru-
gai,v and economy which belongs 10 The
/ Tunker poIity We might then soon
expect relief from our heavy burdens.
which are the result Of exrsvsgance s5d
in many cases Of bad management.
Rock Reg.
/ FIom New York, PImIsdelphis. &e..
the wall ol distress is looming nP--hun
dreds Of employees having been thrown