The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-03
THE DUNKERS.
why they 10 Not Participate IN tho Religious
RcVivais- Model Insurance.

Why they DO Not fnriir ipate In tho Religious
RcVivais- Model Insurance.
NEVILLE, Pa. Feb. 2S.-The only Profess
tant Chris ian sect that has been unllstutbci by
the rcyivals that have awakened the peoT lie here
and elsewhere is that known to religious histo-
rars as German Baptists, - its own members as
The brethren, and to the public generally as
mixers. Their opposition Ia not aggressive, but
It IA Arm. upon the basis that these are neither
true reyivals Of religion nor reyiylls Of true
lieion. Their own meetings ar, held with their
accustomed order aud REGULARITY The Dun
kers claim over one hundred thousand followers
10 the United states. and quite number reside
In this valley, comprising the most industriou Gus
class Of our farmers. The term Quaker, ex-
pres-iyo merely OF their mode Of baptism, Is
being accepted by them as tae 'stinsdi-h
name Of their society, md they admit to pecu-
liarties, referring 10 the scriptural passage,
My people are peculiar people," They acc IT
tho N"w testament ~ tho viii Of q cd, anu hOld
that the proulse n -a!vation goes only Eith the
obsery nee 81 all is Requirements, OF which
they give prominence 10 i.h, repentance,
praN or. baptism bS tline immersion, feet wish
ing, the IUru'S ) p. cr. tic 80 lao tuntnunuu,'
ci-'ri.v non conformity To the world ana resic-
nation t. God's vail "a revealed through Christ
besides tut, tAey oppose wer, slavery, and
secleusm, and adjust difficulties by peace
to tie World is not So marked al
tncr Love ftasts ~ comm i'u- barns; now
thcY haze their church cs. Iutnthcv lcuuance I'd
music cal instrument :; nov some Of ,h"m permit
then VA thrlr homes ihen lueY opp"-ed edu-
caionI Institutions; now they are founding a
college ia TINS state To educate their children in
the higher branches ~ English liter iure. They
retain tuelr Qu.ktr-like garO, and the men wear
long nalr md ful hotrds, Obj cctiug 20 the wear
ing of houstdches alone. The men kiss when
they meet, though II Is thought OF aooli-hiug
thi- custom.
The semi-annual love feasts arc "A favorlte
It Of ala nl..rg flttff an
held ia barns. but al the churches ut TODAY, anu
the crowds gre itly annoy tue humble brethren.
Their charity Is proYernla and their homes are
well known 10 profe ,sional traiup'. lhey help
each other, and poverty is unknown among
A bright Illustration OF their practical applica-
tion II Tho prccept, Ba.r ne a tothor's bur
dens," was given here last year. birn belong
Ing TO one of the fraternity was DESTROYED by
are. Following tho disaster a meeting OF the
church members was held, the loss was esti-
mated. aud the fuli amount paid over 10 the suf-
tcrer boy his sympdthzlng brothers.
The sect known az the Seventh Day Blptisis "a
a seeding branch OF the Duukers, though now
weak In Comparison. Yet they have strength
sufficient to cause tho serious discussion OF q
uTuppsition before the LEGISLATURE to permit
them u worN ON sunday because OF their OBJ
servlnce OF saturday.
These rsliciori rs nave monastic institutions
In Lancaster aud trdn.h n counties, in whicn
maids and oacho lors, widows aud widowel-,
and even scuarated wives aud husoln4s cipstcr
themselves. Iuey nave an interesting historic
reputation for CHARITY ANA kind deeds duung
Revolutionary and other Wa times, aud also
| claim the honor OF keeping up the first sabbath
school successfully years .elore they were III
truduced la London.
The annual conventions OF the Dunkors, COM
monty called the blg meetings, which take place
| III Mnitsun week every year, are very lar-el
attended by members from all paris OF tho
country. Tue large expense incurred 10y these
gatherings seem to many Of tue fraternity To
neccssiLUto thor abolition, and IL h. urged that
the money be devoted To the education OF the
rising generations and the cuoni1 cation OF tho
Menuoniles Tor whose persecution IN Russia
| they have u brOthcty sympathy