The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-06-25
THE DUNKERS.



A correspondent of the st. Louis Re
publican gives some particulars about
the German Baptists known as the
Dunkers, who have been holding their
annual national conference: "They
teach the doctrine of general redemp-
ton through our Lord Jesus Christ,
and hold that man is free moral agcnt.
They also believe in the doctrine of in
FAINT salvation, but their leading bishops
have not decided at what time in life
accountability begins. They believe
that Christian regeneration will exhibit
itself externally, and hence on becom-
ing members of the church they Se-
nounce the pomps and vanities of the
world, manifesting their belief by plain
ness and uniformity of dress, both men
and women; hence in all the assembly
none of the sisters exhibited any
founces, furbelows or jewelry, but in
stead are attired in plain modest colors,
many of them in calico, and all, both
old and young, wear sun-bonnets which
they remove while in church, each one
having on her head plain cap of Swiss
muslin, made after the style of our
great -grandmothers The men wear the
style of dress usually adopted by the
Quakers, and in meeting a brother
salute by shaking the hand and giving
the kiss of brotherly love.
In their moral tenets they are op.
posed to bearing arms, and will not re-
sort to the law to collect a debt. When
brother is unfortunate financially,
they render him assistance, and never
permit any of their members to be sup
ported by county or State charities
are opposed to all secret societies and
will not receive any one into member
ship who belongs s to them. Do not al
low members to make contracts with
persons, either members or otherwise
of the church, which they cannot fill.
Any member found guilty of this sub
jects himself to discipline of the church.
Preach temperance in everything, and
prohibit their members from dealing in
or manufacturing ardent spirits. Coun-
sci their brethren not to hold Office or
to vote, especially in time of war, and
advise not to vote or take any interest
in State or political affairs, and suggest
to the brethren not to read political pa
pers, on the plea that it has tendency
to lead their minds astray on religious
matters. Their annual conference is
held alternately east and west of the
Ohio river, beginning on Pentecost day,
which is the seventh Sunday from
Easter. The principal churches of this
denomination are located in the States
of Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, New
Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
Minnesota, Idaho, California, Iowa,
Arkansas, Kansas, Oregon, Colorado,
and Missouri, with a scattering mem
bership in the extreme Southern and
New England States, but no church or
ganizations, the largest body being in
Miami Valley, Ohio.
AS to the number of membership, it
is impossible to give anything more
than an approximate estimate, they
holding the doctrine that the Scripture
forbids the numbering of the brethren.
Their ministry is divided into three
classes, the first being teachers or ex-
horters, and advanced when found
worthy to the authority to perform the
marriage rites, and eventually to the
office of bishop, by the lying on Of
hands. They receive no salary, but
accept what the brethren voluntarily
bestow, and are at liberty to select,
with consent of the church, their field
| y
vote, and only by trine immersion, and
are not permitted to partake of the
sacrament with any other religious de-
nomination. They consider marriage
by an officer of the civil law as valid /;
are law-abiding citizens, except where
the civil law conflicts with their views
of the Bible doctrine, in which case
they prefer to suffer the penalties rather
than sacrifice their religious belief.
They observe the Lords Supper in the
ancient manner, by washing the feet
and kiss of brotEerly love, The
churches are at liberty to observe this
ordinance six times during the year, or
only once, as they may elect. Industry
on the part of its members is strictly
required, and all lazy, indolent mem
bers soon find there is no support for
them if able-bodied."