The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-15
THE UNITED BRETHREN
Their Origin, gcuenss .ss,a Discip:i.

E'Neir origin, ECtresasS :sslti 4EScis,.i;se
PROGRESS SINCE ORGANIZED tx BALTIIoEE A CENT?
l;Y AGo-PEooEEpISGS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA CON
FERENCE. ETC.
The baltimore American OF line 18th, furnishes
the following interesting history OF the United
Brethren Church OF the United States
The ninety-seventh annual session OF the Penn
syivania Conference of the United Brethren in
Christ. with iurisdicionoI the 14s churches in the
territory between the Susuuelianna river and
HagerStown, and the .,i;niata river and Baltimore
which commenced at Salem Church. corner Fran
els and Retire Streets. on Thursday last vii,
continue its proceeding several days longer. and
this afternoon will be occupied with the ordina-
ton OF three young mon. Nj W. A. Dielserson. OF
Grove, Nd, and air G. W. Bingham, of Perry
caunty. Pa. who have qualified themselves foi
the ministry by long aud arduous study The
Conference is composed OF elders and preachers
from the different congregations i'll the district
described.
TIT MOTHER c.!G'ECH.
1t is essentially fitting that these representa-
tives of an important branch of the United Breth-
rem should gather i'll council in this city, where
over q century ago, the fraternity was organized
under the fostering ministrations of Philip VIM
Otterben. who founded in 1T5i the first church OF
the United Brethren, still standing a venera BILE
and picturesque building. the corner Con-
way and Sharp streets. In those early times,
when Maryland was haven of religious toer-
ance to foreigners, who permitted to enjoy
their respective modes OF faith ana worship with
out the molestatlon met in other States, there
came to Baltimore, among Others, many followers
OF Luther. and not few professors OF the German
Reformed doctrines, who multiplied churche and
ir- good time. through missionaries aud otherwise.
made hosts of disciples in the far west At first
the Lutheran and German Reformed congrega-
tons worshippea together in a building on
Charles Street, opposite where St Paurs z. Il.
Church now stands II was approached with diff
ficulty, especially by the aged and infirm, ac-
count of the steep hill of sand they were Obliged
to climb every sabbath in order to reach their
humble place OF worship, which had no cushioned
seats, no cafpeted aisles. no sweet-toned organ to
aid the voice of praise, ana no stove to keep the
worshippers comfortable in winter. The first
pastor was Rev. John Christian Faber. but 81 part
OF the congregation separated ir ITO. Quilt a sec
ond Reformed Church on Conway, near Sharp st,
and elected Rev. Mr.. Swope. u warm-hearted
young German. as their pastor. who was succeed
ed i'll 17Ti by Rev. z. w Otterbein, who came
from Dallenburg, Germany in 1852, aud had been
congregation then became distinct organzat ion
and under Mr.. Otterbein's administration three
different houses OF worship were erected. among
them the fine old edifce on Conway street that
now bears his name
PROGRESS OF TIE CHURCH.
Tie denomination spread with great rapidity
throughout PENNSYLVANIA. Maryland, Virginia and
the Western States, until to-day they number
4,07S churches and li4.O0o members, all sprnging
from that little, old fashioned, turreted church
on Conway str ct, in 1t this city They have 100
las in Kansas, lat in Nebraska l6 in California. 81
in Dakota Territory, ll5 in Michigan, 100 in Mis-
souri,, and, indeed, have penetrated every section
of the Western country. They have even found
ed churches in Germany and have houri hing
missions i'll far Off Africa Pennsylvania, hOwev
er, is their stronghold
During 1875 they collected nearly 800 900 for
church work, and their records OF all the States
show at the present time mem bership of IA 600
$1,000 Sunday school children and teachers, and
9 900 minister's whose average salary is less than
two hundred dollars yearly, which is owing o the
fact that many of them are located in small Nes-
tern towns, and q large percentage of the minis
try are engaged in other occupations. Andrew
Merker, the thrifty Iron founder, who died not
long ago, in this city, was regularly licensed
preacher OF this denomination. There are three
Bishops OF the Church, two of whom-Rev. John
Dickson, OF Decatur, ILL.,, and Rev. il. Glossbren-
ner. OF Augusta county, Ta.-are the presiding
officers of the Conf erence now in session. Bishop
Edwards, of Ohio, 1T will be remembered. died
while on visit to Baltimore few months ago,
They have large Biblical Seminary Mt Dayton,
Ohio. and eight classical colleges and academies;
In which latter they We're the first to introduce
the co education OF the sexes.
REPUBLICAN FEATURES.
1t is the pride of the United Brethren that their
system of Church government is essentially
this country. They are like the Presbyterians In
some respects. and in some doctrinal featur
they resemble Methodists, and the itinerancy sys-
tenn Is one OF their most important features
Differing from the Methodists, however, their
Bishops have Incorporating power, and are elect
ed every four years by General Conference. com
posed OF three delegates from each district, chos
en- by the laity. The minister has no voice in the
of elders and stewards. At every Con-
ference the conduct OF ministers ID elders for
the year is carefully scrutinized and the most
trivial charge OF layman investigated BY COM
mittee, so as to insure the unblemished reputa-
ton of all church officers.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
The confession Of faith Of the United Brethren
declares their belief in the Trinity, the lncarna-
ion, the power of grace, the New Testament the
ordinance OF Baptism. and the commemoration OF
The Savior's suffering and death. The practice of
eet washing as religious rite IS not obligatory,
but left to the judgment of the individual. Chari-
ty and the avoidance OF scandal essential
Superiuity OF personal adornment, particularly
he wearing OF iewelry and costly apparel of wo-
men, is discouraged. Any connection with Sc
,ret society is followed ny dismissal from the
owed to hold any one in bondage Engaging in |
warfare is discountenanced, except for national |
lefence or to repei invasion OF belligerent force
Affirmation instead of an OATH is held Solmenly |
binding on every member. The distillng, vend- |
ng or nse OF Intoxicating drinks secures the ex- |
,uiSion of the offending member. The introduce |
ion of choirs and instrumental music in Church |
service is disapproved of. In conclusion, truth |
honest dealing and defence.of each others char |
acter in everything consistent with truth. are de-
,lared absolute necessities.