Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-15
The TuDkerS.

The Council which met at Cedar Grove
Church, on Friday last, embraced the territory
between the county Of Rock bridge and the Po
tomac River. Southwestern Virginia forms
another District and West Virginia another,
thus making three Districts in what was for
mcrly Virginia.
The Church, like all their places Of worship.
was large being capable of accommodating
perhaps 1000 persons Although spacious and
that indicated an effort ut show or ornament.
The inside of the church was not painted. The
dress of the members was also entirely plain.
The men, almost invariably, had round breast
ed coats and broad trimmed hats. The ladies
had neither chignonS, nor waterfalls. heir
hair was neatly put up, and each had on
plan white cap. They do not wear their bon
nets in church. There was no pulpit in the
house.
The services were introduced by one Of the
brethren readinga hymn, when instead Of 4
trained choir with organ accompaniment,
the whole congregation united, as with one
voice, in singing We have never heard the
idea of congregational singing more perfect
ly carried out than i'll this instance. In fact,
in all their religious exercises there Is total
abandonment Of all unnecessary forms and
ceremonies and everything calculated to dimin-
ish the simplicity and earnestness OF their devo-
tions is discarded After singing, there was
prayer by two of the brethren it was then
announced that brother John Wine had been
chosen as Moderator and brother Jacob Mil
Ter, Secretary. The business of the meeting
was then proceeded with Committees were
appointed, after which recess was taken un-
til after dinner
In few minutes the backs Of y number of
benches were transferred to the TOD, thus fOrn-
ing sufficient number of tables for the occa-
sion. They were soon covered with an abun
dance of the substantial comforts Of lft and all
present invited to seats at the table After all
were seated, the entire assembly sang verse
of an appropriate hymn, after which blessing
was asked by one Of the "brcthern." At the
conclusion Of the meal, the congregation uni
ted in singing 'Praise God from whom all
blessing flow" when thanks were returned by
one OF the Ministers present. In few minutes
the tables were cleared and metamOrphosed
into benches and the meeting called to order.
During the session of the Council, which las
ted until Saturday afternoon many questions
Of interest and importance were dicussed and
disposed Of.
On Friday afternoon, the sacrament Of bap-
tism was administered to three candidates.
We stood on the bank of the creek and wit
messed the entire ceremony which was simple
and impressive The ceremony was introduc-
ed by reading portion of Scripture singing
and prayer At its conclusion, the Minister
led the candidates, one at a time, into the wa
ter. Previous to IMMERSION the subject knelt
upon the ground in the water, when the Min
ister, after questioning him upon the leading
articles Of the christian faith, immersed him
three times in the water. Then followed the
benediction
L,l N
70 allude to the peculiar religious practices Of
this large denomination of christians The
rapidity with which their members have been
inceasing, makes it matter of interest to know
more about them In their faith they are
purely orthodox. The leading articles in their
faith are based upon the declaration, ''he that
believeth and is baptised shall be saved. 1t
is, however, in some Of the ceremonies attend
ing their worship, that they are in some re-
spects peculiar aud marked. In addition to
the sacraments Of baptism, and the Lord Sup
per, they practice 'feet-washing, as a duty
imposed by the command Of the Saviour On
occasions Of the celebration Of the Lords Sup
per they connect with the taking of bread and
wine a Supper of lamb-soup and bread, This
is however not 4 commemoration OF the Pass
over; bat to keep in remembrance the last
supper of Christ
1t is their custom to salute each other with
kiss. So, when the brethren meet this simple
mode Of expressing brotherly regard is adopted
The Tunkers have no book of forms or faith
They have and use only the Bible and the
Hymn Book In cases Of offences committed
by members the accused is tried by the Bible,
and such punishment meted out as is suggested
by the New Testament for the offence named.
We have no idea of the number of members
connected with the Tunker Church. In the
Valley Of Virginia, they are among the most
numerous Of the religious denominations.
Their Ministers labor without remuneration.
They have no paid officers in the Church.
Churches are erected, and other necessary ex-
penses are met by the voluntary contributions
Whenever member becomes helpless and in
firm, and unable to take care of himself, or her
self, the Church maint lps them Thus Tun-
ker paupers has never been known.
The Tunkcrs are almost universally agrlcul-
turists They generally are good farmers, and
are noted for their trugality and industry. As
matter OF course, they are successful farmers.
Their children are brought up under the most
stringent rules OF morality Hence, the Turk
er boys and girls, rs a general thing, are eyanl-
pies of sound morality and propricty. 1t would
be Il wonder to see young Tunker drunk, or
to record a violation of the proprieties of chas-
tlty by the daughters OF lunker.
They are opposed TO litigation aud law suits
Controversies between the brethren are settled
among themselves, without referring them to
the Gentle world. -Rock;mgham Register.
ORIGIN OF kU-KLUX. All explanation of
the origin and signifcation of the term ku-
Klux would doubtless be gratifying to many
curious readers. The following extract from
an old poem will. perhaps, furnish it It is
from Viewers Funeral Monuments, edition
of 1851, quoted in Disraelis ''Calamities and
Quarrels of Authors London edition, 1867,
p. i2l. The lines were written on the death
ofJohn Peury, Welsh non-contormlst
The Welshman is hanged
Who at our kirke hanged,
And at the state banged,
And brened are his buks;
And though he be hanged,