The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-06-24
THE "DUNKERS.o
Their Faith and Practice Mode of WOr-
ship and Peculiarities.

3OO inhabitants In the Lebanon valley,
in Pennsylvania, is just now point of
some interest as the place chosen for
the meeting of the annual national con-
ference of the religious society prop
erly denominated "German Baptists,"
but better known by the name of
"Dunkers. There is probably no de-
nomination in the United States (says
the Philadelphia Press), that has been
more grossly misrepresented and ma
ligned, and concerning which so many
erroneous opinions prevail. Even
the encyclopedias, books of
theological literature, and other works
that are supposed to be standard au-
thorities on the subjects of which they
treat, have generally gone wide of the
facts in their notices of this denomina-
ton. One reason for this probably is
the lack of a UNCONVENTIONAL literature
of their own, giving their history,
views, and practices, and till within
comparatively few years, of proper
periodical literature. Some peculiari-
ties in their ordinances have made them
unusually liable to misrepresentation
and ridicule, especially by those who
have no respect for religious ordinances
of any kind.
There ere few published accounts of
the origin and history of the denomina-
ton, but the present organization I'M
doubtedly dates from the religious
movement of Alexander Mack, in Ger
many, in 170S. Mack, with seven
others, undertook the study of the bible
for the purpose of forming an opinion
of its teachings. The result of their
deliberations was the adoption of trine
immersion and some other peculiar
ordinances. Their views spread rapidly,
and churches were formed. They be
gan, about 1719, to emigrate to America,
and between this date and 1929 the
entire church left Germany, and estab-
lished itself in the United States.
The number of churches cannot be
much less than 500. There are certain
ly from 1, 500 to 1000 ministers and
elders, while the membership is about
100000. There are single churches
having as many as 900 members They
are most numerous in Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Vir-
glnia. There are churches in nearly or
quite all the western states-even the
newest, Kansas and Nebraska having
churches-and in some of the former
slave states, especially Tennessee, Mis-
souri,, and North Carolina West of
the Rocky Mountains, churches have
been formed in California and Oregon.
The denomination is steadily extending
: itself in the west.
The term Dunkers did not originate
among themselves, nor did they use it,
although they do not particularly OBJ
ject to it. 1t is a slight corruption of
a German word meaning ''to dip" and
Is expressive of one of their important
ordinances
The denomination has 10 published
creed of any kind. IT is a principle
with them to take the bible as their
rule Of faith and practice, without any
comment whatever. But in all organi-
cations There will always be some fun
damenral, set led principles, and such
Is the case with this church. In theol-
ogy, they are evangelical. They believe
IN Christ as Savior, and in the trinity,
and also in the absolute neces
sity of true repentance. faith.
and baptism. As to original
sin, they believe that but for the re-
demption of Christ, all infants would
: be lost. as well as adults; but that. as
the redemption OF Christ IS Just as far
reaching as Adams sin, original sin has
been fully atoned for; hence, infants,
idiots, and all other persons dying be-
for the commission of actual transgres-
sion are saved by virtue of that atone
ment, without the necessity of faith and
baptism. They give a greater import
ance to baptism than other denomina-
tions, regarding it as essential to
salvation, under ordinary circumstances,
as repentance and faith.
The "Dunkers have many peculiar
tiles which they strictly observe 1t is
to some extent their intention to be
peculiar people," believing it both
privilege and duty. They are non
resistants, and will not bear arms I'M
der any circumstances. They believe
IN implicit obedience to the govern
ment. They were the staunchest of
union people during the late war, and
contrlved to find ways to manifest their
sympathy, although they would not
fight. They vote, but do not generally
take very active part IN politics
They do not approve of going to law
against persons not members of their
church, and will not allow one member
to go to law against another
on any pretext whatever All
matters between members, of whatever
kind, must be settled in the church
councils. They have no peculiarities
of speech, except that they do not use
titles, and avoid by-words. The terms
" brother and "sister'' are very gen.
eral, but not universal. They never re-
cognized slavery, nor at any time al
lowed any person interested III or
UNFOLDING it to become or con-
tinue member of the church Their
record on this subject is very COM
mendable. They have no peculiar views
concerning marriage, and do not re-
strict their members to their own
church. They are strongly opposed
to secret societies, and make member
ship In them cause for excommllnica-
ton.
The prevailing style of dress among
them is somewhat similar to that of the
Friends, but variations have crept In
more among the brethren than the sis
tiers. There is no positive rule as to
style or color, the fundamental princi-
pie being that of entire plainness and
abstinence from useless ornament. No
jewelry, or anything merely for adorn-
ment, is allowed. The dress Of the
elderl ladies is black alpaca or stuff of
similar sort, with white half-handker-
chiefs and plain caps, and is exceeding
ly neat. The prevailing colors among
| the men are brown. gray, and black,