Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1879-08-09

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T doctrine of tho Trinity-that thcr
are three persons in one Godhead-
they maintain that there should b
three acts in one baptism. In &C
cordance with this belief the candi
date is immersed three times, in
variably by a forward melton of tn
body, backward immersion being
they say, a human invention. II
addition to the ordinances already
named the sect practice the laying
on Of hands and amounting the sicl
with oil. 1t is, however, doue only
at the request of the sick person
and always by an elder when one
can DO had. TO the effectual cele
bration of the ceremony two per
sons are always required. Theil
mode of worship does not differ es,
sentially from thut uf-Utnsf seCts
save in the use of the Lords Pray
er, which they repeat at the end o
each petition.
MINISTER'S. ELDERS AND DEACoNs.
Ministers are selected by . vot.
of the whole congregation, breth-
rem and sisters, regardless OF age
In this way the church, they say
labors to secure a minister of prop.
er acceptance to preach the word,
| After he has labored sufficiently
long to give proof of his ministry,
he is advanced to what is called the
second degree, and is permitted to
make and fill appointments, bap-
tie, solemnize marriages, etc.
Their elders, who hold the highest
Office among them, are chosen from
ministers of the second degree, and
are set apart by the laying on OF
hands. In addition to ministers
| and elders there are deacons, whose
duty it is to wait at table during
communion, visit the sick, and as
sist in the general supervision OF
the church. No salaries, as a gen.
eral rule, are paid ministers or ell
ders, though they consider it the
duty of the church to assist them
in times of need, as it does other
members. None are required to
give up lawful business pursuits IN
order to carry on the ministry. Each
church usually has several minis.
ters, but the elder is always the pre-
siding officer of the congregation to
which he belongs.
SOME PECULIARITIRs OF THE SECT.
Outside of their own limits the
doctrines and practices of the Dunk
ards are generally misunderstood.
In all essential principles they are
one with Protestant Christendom.
Their simplicity in dress, industry,
frugality and hospitality are found
ed upon true piety and sterling
common sense. And yet they have
many peculiar beliefs to which they
tenaciously adhere. Indeed, it is
to some extent their intention to he
a peculiar people, believing it both
a privilege and a duty. They are
non-resistants, and will not bear
arms in any circumstances. They
believe in implicit obedience to the
government but do not generally
take a very active part in politics.
They do not approve ofgoing to law
against persons not members OF
their own church, and will not al
low one member to 60 to law with
another on any pretext whatever.
All disputes between them, of what.
ever kind, must be settled in church
councils. They have no peculiari-
ties of speech, use no title, and
avoid by.words. The terms "broth-
er" and ''sister" are very general
among them. They have as pecu-
liar views concerning marriage, and
do not restrict their members to
their own denomination. They are
strongly opposed to secret societies
of every grade and order, and make
membership in them a cause for ex-
communication. They will not pur-
chase life insurance, believing it to
indicate lack of trust in Gods pro-
tecting providence. They regard
swearing, or taking an oath of affir-
nation, as contrary to the Script
ures, and hold that nOncOnformity
to the world in dress, customs, ETC.,
is essential to true holiness and
Christian piety. They make am
pie provision for the support OF
their own poor, and never permit
them to receive aid from town or
county, where the congregation is
able to maintain them. On the
subject of temperance they are the
strongest teetotalers, and they
claim to be the oldest temperance
society in the United States. They
promptly excommunicate any mem
Der who uses alcoholic liquors as a
beverage, and even go so far as to
forbid the sale of grain to any per-
son who will use it for purposes of
distillation. HENRI.
"Love is an eternal transport ~
exclaimed an enthusiastic mont