Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-20
Ihn DumlSarslS

SALEM ROANOKE TO. Va, May l..
To day there assemblies in the county. few
miles from here, National Convention OF that
singular religious sect the Dunkards. For
several days they have been hocking in this di-
rection, n en-, women and children, from Penn
syvania, Northern Maryland. New Jersey,
the West, and all the mountainous portions of
Virginia, BY every conceivable mode OF con.
veyanee, until there are gathered in this vicln-
ity about seven thousand OF the queerest peo-
ple bright May sun ever shOne upon.
The men are ordinary looking enough, but
quiet and well hammered. The women arc
fresh, smooth anu robust. Some Of the girls
are very pretty, aud it is quite contrast to
see pouting lips, rosy cheeks. and roguish eyes
looking out from the prim edges of square
cut cap-whieh is old maidishly stiff, painfully
white, and QuakeriShly ugly.
1 have not been able To attend the Con
yen,ion, and doubtless, the mere business
proceedings would be dull for your readers,
but some particulars OF their peculiarlties
of creed and habits of life, may not prove
uninteresting. They are strict construction
lists of the Bible, and the system OF their
church organization Is patriarchal-the in
nuenoe of the Pastor almost omnpotent. -
They settle all business matters arising be-
tween the brethren by action of the church -
There is never law suit between Dunkards,
though they may sue, or be sued by outsiders.
And such a thing as pauper has never been
known among them. The congregation sup
ports its needy. 1t is one OF the BEST as well
as strongest oil their laws, that no member shall
be a candidate Tor public ofhce-the genuine
effect OF which rule is good, but It's execution
naturally engenders quite an indifference to po-
litical matters, and as they always vote unanl
mously as church, it Is hard TO bring them
out upon ordinary issues. Then they are timld
in such matters-the more so now. as in Nir-
ginia they unanimously voted for secession, and
regarding it as mistake, are more disposed
tban ever to let governmental matters alone.
In religious affairs they differ chiefly from
other sects in the strctneSs OF their lives though
their form of worship has some pcculiaritieS
Lased as they say upon the Scripture and anc-
eut practice They haptize by immersion,
pluuging the convert three times into the wa
ter, face forward In the communion-which
always occurs at night and in the open air
they have first a substantial repsst OF soups and
meats. Sc., at the end o. which they wash each
o,he. isel, the men intorchanging embraces
and kisses, and the women careSsing each
other, the final feature being the taking of
bread and wine.
The unanimous estimation OF these people
by their fellow citizens is that they are moral,
iuoffensive, and thrifty, but they never con-
tribute q cent to public improvements OF any
sort. Ii can find time to see more OF them |
will write YOU, w. f. Z.
NEWSPAPER POETRY. We have several
times requested our readers. not to send us
original poetry; still it comes. Not very long
ago We received several pieces, which not be-
ing published, we were written to, to know
what had become of it In our polltest man.
uer we replied that Our custom in regard to
poetry was not to publish begged hard to be
excused; apoloeized for not publishing, and
all that
Of course our readers will imagine we re-
ceived terrible letter in reply, in which We
were threatened with all manner of evils
Nothing of the kind; so tar from it, we re
ceived the following lines, which as ahowing
how poet may be meek and gentle Chris
tian, we are glad to print,
Though rigid as rough beanpoe, You may
profess to be,
Twice have you with most partial grace, iu
cliued your car to ne
Aud though so stern, unbending too, mos
clearly perceive,
With all your frmuesa, r0u are 10th TO disap
point or grieve
In the kind letter sent to us, forgiveness yor
desire.
For throwing so relentlessly, my verses to the
FIRE;
'Is granted and ak Of you full pardon for
waste time,
Thus caused to you by reading them, Tor even
one short linc)
1.-The Southern Churchman' we receive, and
thank you Tor the gift:
Mid toll, and care it soothes Our hearts, apC
Oft our thoughts uplift.
Accept this bret acknowledgement, for giving
US such cheer,
trust we shall be able, to subscribe for it hex
Soutida CharcLman.