The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-11
The MennOnites.

The Baltimore american OF the LIST has the
following notice of the religious ceremonies
in that city of the Mennonites. As there are
a number OF these God fearing people and sin
cere christians in the Valley, we trans fer the
article to our columns tor their especial peru
sal:
A denomination of Christians, but little
known here on account of their limited numb
ers, and called Anabaptists about four CEN
turtles ago, but now known as Mennonites, be-
cause they were reorganized and more fully
indoctrinated by Memo Symons, celebrated
the Lords Supper yesterday in one of the halls
over the Old Town Bank There were about
thirty five persons of this denomination pres
ent yesterday The ladies, presenting neat
and transformations appearance in their white
hoods, a dress OF the most simple style and
subdued shade, sat on one side of the loom,
while the men, dressed just as plainly, sat on
the opposite side. The rest of the congrega-
ton was made up chiefly of children Of the
Mennonites and a few outsiders. John Kohr,
ST., of Lancaster, Pa, a bishop, preached
sermons in the English and German languages.
The sermons, although delivered in pleasant
and familiar manner, were full of expression
and power. He urged his hearers to be con-
verified and follow in the steps of the Lord,
and spoke of the advantage of doing this. He
also strengthened his sermon by verbal illus
GrdLlOuS. Aib6T UlT. hOuI Udu uulSUeu, Levi
Echenhen read and explained several chapters
of the Scriptures relating to Christ. Mr.. Kohr
then took round loaf Of bread and cut it up
into slices. He took one OF the slices, and
breaking off small pieces, gave them first to
each of the men, and afterwards to the ladies.
He next filled plain cup with wine and pass
ed it around, each one drinking few drops
He pronounced appropriate passages of Scrip
ture before each ceremony. He then referred
to the ceremony OF the washing of feet, and
that ordinance was also performed. Mr..
Schenken put of his coat and gilded himself
with an apron. He then took large basin
filled with water, and the men in turn taking
off their shoes and stockings, he washed their
apron, used as towel AS each one had his
feet washed and dried he and the cleanser
would ARISE, and, joyfully shaking hands, would
kiss each other in an afectionate way. A
similar ceremony was performed by the ladies,
the washing being done by a lady Several
hymns were then sung, and the congregation
separated. The Mennonites date from the
year 1925, when they were organized in Zurich,
Switzerland. They spread about many counr
tries of Europe In their early days they en-
duIed numberless prosecutions. They reject
infant baptism and baptise adult persons only
on profession OF faith, and practice non-re-
olotduCV anu dOooiuCuCOIiOn OdtuS. ne IlfSL
church of the Mennonites was organized in
the United States in 1858 at Germantown.
being established by Mennonites who had emil
grated from Europe. In the beginning of the
nineteenth century they began to spread from
Pennsylvania and Maryland to the Western
States and Canada. In their general doctrines
the Mennonites agree with the great body of
evangelical Christians. They have bishops,
preachers and deacons, but the only difference
between the bishop and preacher is that the
former is ordained, the latter only licensed to
preach. They consider industry, honesty and
plainness of dress prominent Christian duties.
They never 60 to law nor take any part in
politics, not even voting