The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-11-19
For THE HERALD
GREEN RIDGE, October, 1873.


the Big Barbecue we drove some six
miles across 4 most beautiful and fertile
country, enchanting to the view, to
Green Ridge, to witness the ceremonies
which were to take place at night
Rabbi Ben O., our companion in our
rambles at Mountain Lake, was along
with lis, looking us sedtte rs m old
old gobler at sndown. But to the
The sect is one that has no
existence in Newberry, and is not
familiar to many Of yonr readers, we
take it for granted. They are called
"Dunkarll$," "Dunkers," and by some,
"Tunkers.' History tells us that they
were founded by Conrad Peyscl, about
the year 1921. lie, it seems, became
weary Of the world, and retired to an
agreeable solitude, within fifty miles of
Philadelphia, that he might give him.
self up to contemplation. Curiosity
brought several Of his countrymen to
visit his retreat, and by degrees, his
pious, simple and peaceable manners
induced others to settle near him -
Such is 4 simple statement of their orr
gin. ''In 1777 their number did not
exceed five hundred, and since that
period they have not multiplied great
ly"
They have some peculiar tencts.-
They lament the tlll of Adam, bnt
deny the imputation of his sin to pos
ter.tv. They use trinc immersion,
Chipping three tines in baptism. and
employ the ceremony Of the imposition
Of hands when the baptized are recciv-
ed into the church. They deny the
eternity of future punislment-believe
that the dead have the gospel preached
to them by our Savior, and that the
souls of the just are employed to
preach the gospel to those who have
had no revelation in this life But their
chief tenet is, that future happiness is
only to be obtained by penance and out
ward modification, so as that Jesus
Christ, by his meritorious suferings,
became the Rcdeemer of mankind in
general, so each each individual Of the
human race, by q life of abstinence and
restraint, may work ont his own. saliva
ton" So much for some of their doc
trincs.
And now for what we saw of their
ceremonies. This was one Of their an
nual meetings, hence big time with
them. Members were present from L
great distance; present TO break bread
with their brethren, and to exchange
The friendly kiss. They assemble on
Saturday and remain until Sunday
evening, remaining at the church Sat
urlay night The church has an upper
story arranged for sleeping, and after
the ceremonies at night they all retire
to the apartments. upstairs. At early
candle-lighting, services begin. They
ull soat themselves at long tables in the
church, after which they sing and pray,
Then 4 preacher gets up and explains
why they believe in the ordinance of
feet-washirg, others follow him, and
while they are preaching the congroga-
tion are engaged washing each others
feet. rhis Gspp with, the ministers eA-
plain why it is they cat a supper to-
getilcr. They say it Was "ordaincd"
the night our Lord instituted His sup
per, but is not the Jewish Passover.
While this doctrine is being set forth
some arc engaged bringing in great
pans Of soup, loaves Of bread and
plates of mutton. The blessing is pro-
nouneea, and the announcement made
that ali have waited patiently nntil all
the preparations were made, apd nov
Ill would unite in eating the supper,
leaving us To look on as idle spectators.
This over, and the table cleared, they
pass the kiss around. And now comes
the sacrament. Each member break
ing bread for his neighbor on the right,
and in no case, breaking for himself.
The cup is passed in like MANNER
They ti.ea sing p hymn and retire.
Before dismissing the saDjuot, Wr
must speak of some OF their pcculiarities
Of dress. They will wear nothing but
the conlmoncSt material, made after
!l,e most ancient fashion. They will
excMi.lnul!icate a naearbse f2l Nearng
buttons on his GOAT behind. The men
wear their l,aip long and parted in the
middle, and are not allowed to shave.
The ladies wear caps, old and young,
which makes it difficult to tell "w!lo is
who" They will not allow their chill
dren to attend Sunday Schools, and will
not attend prayer meetings themselves.
They will not swear in court, neither
will they fight upQE aHy Drovocation.
Such is a brief, yet simple statement Of
the Dunkards.
and now, Mr.. Editor, permit us to
make brief mention Of the weather.
For two weeks it has been ypgy cold.
On tue goth, the mountains weFc white
with snow. 4 few mornings ago the
ponds were frozen over. The sky is
now clear, and, LANA, pale empress Of
the night" sails through the azure blue
in serenity and calmness, but ere morn
ing. clouds iqay Qyerspread the heavens
and the gentle dews be distilled little
too freely upon the head of poor fel-
low who has to ride eight miles to sec
his ''Sclicbte."
With best wishes for your success, |
am, Ysnfs vsry much.
"ZULA.H
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