, 1876-02-25
The Tunkers.

This religious sect was founded in Ger
many in 17OS. and in 1919 and 1929 en-
igrated to this country, to which it is
chiefly confined. They are also called
German Baptists, but should be distin-
guishcd from the Scycnth-Day Bsptists,
established in Pennsylvania about the
same time. They take for themselves the,
name of Brethren, according to Matt.
xii. 8. Their form of church govern
mCnt is nearly the same as that of other
Baptists, except in choosing ministers.
Their mode of baptism is by dipping the
kneeling candidate forward under water
Some branches of the sect are very ignO-
rant, and all are primitive in their lives.
The Tribune gives picture of them at
their annual convention near Lancaster,
Pa. "In all parts of the country they are
known as a solitary people, dwelling in
hill places, apart from politics, fashion, or
any kind of worldly turmoil. Their re-
cent cOnvOcation was held on a quiet
farm, according to their habit, rather
than in a town; but it attracted large
crowds from all parts of the State, who
apparently were of the opinion that no
circus or collection of wild beasts could
offer so amazing a spectacle as this un-
noticed sect that for generations, without
conflict or heat of any sort, had held it
self aloOf from the world in belief and
department. The services also were of a
remarkable character, consisting of the
usual religious exercises of preaching,
prayers and singing in Pennsylvania
Dutch, during the day; and in the even
ing the assemblage of all the brethreA
and sisters in barn, where a love-feast
supper of mutton broth was solemnly
eaten, followed by an equally solemn
washing of the feet of the whole multi
tude of believers. After these services
of love and humility the communion was
plrtaken of.
"In spite of the oddity of these rites,
we are told by observers that the sim
picity and devotional feelings of the
worshippers were so great as to command
the sympathy of the great multitude of
spectators We can readily conceive
that the sight nowadays of hundreds OF
women, many of them young and pretty,
dressed in scrupulously coarse and ugly
attire, was enough to take the breath of
any spectator. There is a delicate de-
vout coquetry in the Quaker's spotless
white and dove color, of which the pretty
Quaker knows how to reap the full ad-
vantage. But these poor Tunker women,
in their ugly gowns and tight mob caps,
were literally mortifying the flesh for re-
igion's sake. This recent convocation
has brought other things to light about
them.
'Not only do they abjure all vanity or
finery In their dress, and houses, but they
utterly refuse to be led into quarrels, pub
lie or private; no Tunker bears arms or
ever was party to a lawsuit; they urge
hard work as an essential of religious life
upon all their members; no Tunker was
ever seen in apoor-house; when holy men
OF God among them are moved to preach
His word, they receive no wages for so
doing; they have no theological schools,
consequently they never quarrel on doc
trlnal points; their ministers having to
earn their bread by the sweat of their
brow or starve, have no time to deal in
turg1d affairs of sentiment, or to cover
Christ's simple truth with their own foggy.
hyperbolic fancies, or shame his church
by Their personal passions or prejudices.
Their fruits in the Christian life are not
very apparent, perhaps; they build no
million-dollar temples on the streets to
glorify God in the holiness of architect
ural beauty; send out no missionaries to
convert other Christian sects to their own
way of thinking; there is no chance in
their religious development for the out
growth of a Cardinal McCloskey, Spur
geon or Beecher. The quiet Tunker in
the mountains of Pennsylvania or Virginia
tries to deal justly, walk humbly, and
keep himself unspotted from the world,
and is content"