Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-06-06
The German Baptist National
Conference.


Conference Of the German Bqist
National Society met at this placon
the Oath of May, and Was the latest
garssssfing of that denomination lhat
ever occurred in this country is
estimated that 10000 persons fere
present. An enormous tent WAS
erected for their accommodation ca
rable of holding 5000 persons but
was found too small, and vAious
religious services were held il the
shade of trees, in Il large barn, and
in a church adjacent. This vast
assemblage descended upon little
Village 10000 strong, and where
they have found place to sleep, or
.,---. U,,vJ ""'v FOUND to eat ID, /.
the days they have been sesether
are questions impossible to settle
These Dunkers are German Baptists
whose organization dates back to the
year l70S, and their title is derlsive
one, coming from the word TINKER
to sop. They are sometimes called
Tumblcrs, from the method they
adopt in baptizing, Of placing the
candid ties on their knees, and then
pushing them forward into the water
Among the peculia,ites of their
doctrines and practice is included a
marked planness in speech and dress
akin to that of the Quakers. They
will not go to law; will contract no
debts outside Of their order; will not
vote, or take part in political affairs;
and are opposed to war, and will not
serve as soldiers.
Some Of these peculiar tenets have
been anew expounded in the con
ference Just closed. Among the
points decided are these: That a
bunker may wear full beard, but
not a mustache only; that members
may not engage in banking business,
as it leads to covetonsness; that it il
not advisable to send children to
college, and that membership in
farmers clubs, oranges, etc, is not
cXpelicnt. They also united in q
strong condemnation Of the "ungodly
piano" and other musical instru-
luents. They discussed the ques.
ton whether it is necessary to salute
colored members with the incl. kiss,
and left the matter to The op;nion OF
each church. The strength OF
the denomination is in the West.
ern aul Southwestern States, but as
;hey believe it to be unscriptural tc
number their members, onl y an ap.
,,,. o.t;,, 10 o,n Iva o;ror Th,
'N','''.' ''''''' wa " ,.n onn
late't figures put it at $50, 1000
Concerning their customs and ap
pearance correspondent OF tn,
(l;o,oo I,,l,.Oc,o1 saws.
NV
lheE hola 'lat ohriSt''h r'6e''r'
''on Will eAhiol' ''|cIi cA'"tn'''!y
and hence, when entering 'he Onorci
as mem'ers they ren9"hce me pomp'
ana V"nl'ieS OF 'le "orlu' ''e'
'ho"id manifest II by 4 p!a'hneSs o
dress, OF unborn character IN inc
mon as we'll as women; hence. IN all
the large number present no sister ex
hIhlled amy i'o"nceS, furoelo"s' OF
'Jewelry IN dress, but instead Were
"tnrcd IN plain, modest coIors, many
of them IN Calico ana al both ola ant
Young, wear sun-bonnelS ana remove
them while IN church, each on'
having Oh her head PLAIN cap OF
the style OF our great grandmother
days, made of white SWISS muslin
The men wear the style of dress
usually adopted by the Qnakers, an'
IN meeting" brother salu.es py sha
h, nil lr',I l ""0 S lVhnoo ' Irothn '
unfortunate financially thev ass;s
him, and in no case allow one @
their members to be supported b.
the expense OF the State or county
a nI u'stn az o SsI tho n so1'e
in roce;v;no memhers Th,v adyo