Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-05-29

Especial contracts will be made with yearly ad-
vertisers.
Tho Tunkers.
Preparations upon large scale arc being
made in the vicinity of Broadway, Rockingham
county. Va, for the meeting and entertsioment
of the National Conference of German Baptist
Brethren, or Dunkers which takes place there,
beginning on Monday, June 81, and continuing
| four days.
The German Baptist Brethren, commonly
called Dunkers or Tunkers, we're founded in
1TOS at Schwarzepsu, Germany, BY Aexar-
der Mack and seven others, who, without any
knowledge of the existence of other Baptists.
were led, by reading the Bible. to the rel cotton
of Paedo Baptism. The name bunker, or
runker from the Gcrman tuoker, to dip, was
originally given them as nickname to dlstln'
puish them from the Mennonites They seldom
call themselves Tunkers, bat prefer the title of
Brethren. In Germany they established two
| societies, which we're driven by persecution to
Crefeld and Holland, while the original congre'
CATION removed vo'uotarily to Fries and.
IAbou. one hundred and fifty years ago they
emigrsted TO America aud the demon ination is
now copfned to this 'uutry. They aro most
numerous 10 Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vlrplois,
Ohio and Iudisua. Their church goVerDm mt
is similar to that of the other Baptist churches,
except that every brother is allowed to exhort,
aod they are opposed to paid ministry. When
thew find one apt to teach they choose him tor
their minister and ordsin him by the laying on
of hands, prayer and the right hand OF fellow.
ship. They have deac Jus aud deac,uesses. and
from among the most distinguished preachers
they ohoos, bishops who are simply chief pas
tors or teachers Their annual meetings 10
May, called conferences, are attended by the
bishop, teachers and representatives. chosen by
the congregations. According to recent stats
tics they have about 500 churches, and nearly
1000 commune sots.
Iu their dress and manners they are exceed
iuely plain. and 10 this respect resemble some
what the Friends They wear their hair very
long, often & wing to the shoulders, and neV.r
cut their boards except the portion on the up.
per liz, which is shaven of. Their coats are
cut after what is called the 'shad belly pat.
terp, and their clothing is nearly always made
| of the plainest home spun. with no buttons ex
cant for actual use Their hats are usually of
| the low crowned, broad briumed pattern, and
are always worn we'll Oh the head They are
&c upulously opposed to all appearance OF fash.
| ion. either 10 dress or manners. The women
wear old fashioned, boat shaped bonnets, with.
out ornameutatiou, aud even the youngest OF
them wear muslin caps on their heads. All OF
their attire is of the painest material and make
and largely the production Of their own looms
and spinning wheels.
| Pride is regarded as disgrace, and is
greater crime even 10 woman than SINS
which among others would bs considered much
more serious. A single misstep 10 Iifs is over.
looked among them. A young woman who
| will appear at church gaudily dressed 10 foery,
with ribbons. 'welry and h,wers. would be
| less thought Of than one OF plalner attire who
, had traospressed some cardinal law OF Ordinary
society. They are opposed pictures aod Pic
| ture making Many of their preachers teach
| that it is species OF idolatry to have the pho
tographs of friends 10 their houses
| The Duukers of Maryland. Virginia and
PENNSYLVANIA are noted for their foe farms aod
splendid barns, but above all their foe horses.
| A farmer among them who has poor horse
could not get credit from bis nelghbors. Their
horses are of immeose siz', and always as tat
as thew can roll. Almost the entire product OF
their farms is profit. The women are expected
to make enough from the dairy, the loom, spin.
ming wheel and ben house to support the family.
A Daukar farmer lays up som athing every year
and always has money at interest. Unri few
Years ,go they we're opposed to taking interest
IN monev. and before the war they had dread
n rpcsiyinp paper q oney. They would always
make concession 10 their bargains when the
copside.a q o. was to be specie. Ite' were
espccislly fond of silver, and this they hoarded
| in their great German chests at home to DC
used 10 the purchase Of land, tor the acquisition
| which they have great passion
| In the sections where they live farm ls sell
| g, nat hor1oht no them. "a
father will buy for his sons, and ne l1 seldom at
a Iosq for the purchase money. The ru!e
| omonp them is to help each other. and this Is
nore faithfully carried out than among almost
| anv other denomination Of Christians.
THAR form of worship, like their dress and
bsb;ts ID exceedingly simple. The women and
men ait apart, and both sexes often remove Gil
covering from the head. singing prayer,
nyeschin9 and exhortstion comprise the ofdi-
parv form of worship. They have but one SER
vice day at any one place, but this lS generally
HE Dunkers have little reigious regard for
the Sabbath. They abstain ron a. uhheees % 81
aanersl visiting. They are seldom found at
49,. IN Sunday, except they have visitors
tbemseves Sunday is day of rest and recrea-
ION more than for religious Observance
Church is held IN the morning. and from Wor-
they 60 visiting Ihey y otber more
ppuost;onsble means Of enjoyment among their
people such as kissing psyi n snd D,vs "fsp sbpt
Are lust as exciting and more objectionable lnan
resi M dancing. They havss gres. horror OF hir'
tstjons among the young people
If young man visits one young l.ay ay.t a. Ios
Hvida his attentions when he is especially at
tentivs to any one among his ssqusIntsncsss;;
many ess and ssaa9. in hs5 4as Tne
Iy 'bs sg snd sse Children sre kept in sueor
nation I to OF their parents until they are Of age;
When they are q they are paid regular I've wages
for their labor. Each son is given morse ht OF
the money to buy one and when he msFsss sa;s M NJ
either rents or buys farm st once anr 10 Se ~ aae oe
himself When the diugStsss ~ a1Sa, sms srs Hs ao
snpNssa entitled to
SS 'iD5 IL S ss as7:s III
ii oesln to their sons and personal property Il