The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-28
The Dunkers.
A Strange Religion. ssct--ThsIr Genuine
Love Feast,

The Dunkers are very curious re-
ligious sect, originating IN the old
world, and Hourishing in various parts
Of our country, especially in Lancaster
County Pa. They nfe well.to'do far.
mers. and, as friend remarked to me,
are likely to be found wherever there is
fertile limestone soil. Their ministers
are uneducated and unpaid farmers !
their religion is n compounded honesty,
hard work, and legal rites Their
churches are barns, and their chief
meetings concentrate themselves in
hHlf.yeasly services before and after
harvest.
Leaving Litis after tea, We were
quickly carried behind our landlords
swift and powerful horses through u
real garden land to the place OF bunker
meeting-the large white barn OF rich
farmer Of their persuasion. The lanes
leading to the barn were filed with car
riages, and the grounds were crowded
wit spectators, who were grouped under
the apple trees or around the wide
opened doors OF the barn. The seryi-
ces were well under wny, and the inter-
esting ceremony OF feet wishing over
when we arrived.
With some 1itlicaliy We worked our
way over implements and hay piles into
one corner OF the barn, from which We
could overlook the whole scene. The
building had been cleared for the
brethren and sisters, who sat along mar
row tables ranged noross the body Of
tho barn, A partition wall separated
the sexes, and over it we could see the
serious faces Of the sisters, with their
white caps and white capes, while row
OF sedate brethren sat SO near to US that
we could have laid ottr hands on their
hair, religiouSly parted in the middle.
As we came in they were silently par
taking Of their love feast. On the mar.
now tables stood tin bowls OF lambs
broth, with the boiled joint aside Of
them, bread and butter nAi water
served ont Of watching cans. About $50
were rGrlaking OF the meal by the light
of talIow candles, and never word was
spoken, except in address, or hymn, OF
prayer.
After the love feast was over, d speak,
er significantly Reminded us strangers
that rs We did not keep the Lords feast
in this divinely appointed way We had
little to expect on the Day OF Judg
ment, Then came a prayer, the 1911
chapter Of John, recounting our Lord'i
crncifixion, and the address of IN OLE
white-bcarded man, who, with rude but
deep pathos, told OF Christ's love in His
rcdeeming death.
The leader babe them greet each othei
with "holy kiss ere they tasted tlieil
Lords sacramental supper, and silently
and slowly tho srlutation passed down
one side the long tables and up the
other. Then the elements were conse,
Grated, and passed from hand to hand.
The scene was striking. The barn was
dimly lighted by the candles, the faces
Of all were sober, and some were
thoughtful. Many Of the men were
gray and toll worn, and some OF the wO'
men, IL not beautiful, had q sweet
charm in their faces. Sometimes n Ger
man or an English hymn peale2 upward
among the rafters ftlie barn, and thcr
there was deep silence again, broken
only by slight rnstlings in the hay and
low whispers AMONG tho strangers
watching to see what new ceremony
would next be started from the cross
table at which the Bunker preacher sat
Here was strange mixture of the true
and false; a ritual rude and yet refined,
and MS closely observed by these far
mors MS are the forms OF st. Adams by
its fashionable 1eYotees,