The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-19
Reception of Southern Delegates at the
Presbyterian General Assembly--rhe
Reformed Presbyterian Synod.
Rev. DIR. Randolph Nominated for
Assistant Bishop of Virginia-
The Tennessee Diocese TO Be Divided
Lutheran Synod Proceedings--The tn
ternatiOnal Y. NJ. c. Association.
THE DUNKARDs.
The Yearly Meeting at Flora, linda Sketch
of Their Customs.


of Their Customs.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
FLORA, Ind, May 18.-The national yearly
meeting of Dunkards for 1888, which was
held here, was brought to a close yesterday,
after very prosperous and gratifying session.
Doubtless the strange manner and odd attire
Of this peculiar people have attracted much
attention and prompted many an inquiry
during the past two weeks as they have
thronged our State thoroughfares in their
journey to and from this their annual con-
ference. This particular session had some
CHARACTERISTIC features which, perhaps, may
be better understood by historical glance at
the sect
About the year 17Os, III schwartzenau,
Germany, Alexander Mack. with seven fol-
lowers, rejected the belief in infant bap.
tism, To distinguish these from other scots
they were forthwith nic!snamed Dunkers,
or Thinkers (from the German tunken, to
dip) They were also known by the name of
Tumblers, from the peculiar form of their
baptismal ceremony. At present they thems
selves take the name of Brethren, from Matt.
xiii, S-"All ye are brethren"-or German
Baptists by reason of their German descent
and Baptist principles, while they are col
loluially known as "Dunkardsn The
original eight, after having received some ae-
cessions, were driven by persecution to Gre
field and Holland. Thence moving to Fries
land, they finally, about 1925, emigrated to
America, where the denomination has since
been confined. They are now scattered
throughout the Union, but are perhaps most
numerous in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio,
Indiana and Kansas As near as can be
learned for something like century these
Yearly Meetings have been held, and,
for significant reasons about the time
OF Whtsuntide hence in the months of May
and June. Carroll county, being strong
hold of this denomination, has been honored
at least three times by their annual conven-
tions
Nearly all orders of society," by whatsoever
bonds united, have at some period of their
existence been subject to disaffection, and
the Dunkards are no exception to the rule.
Their membership consists very largely of
the descendants of the parent stock; how
ever, their members are; occasionally aug
mented from beyond the lineal pales. These
latter together with those of the former
class, who are possessed of more liberal
views have for some time antagonized the
old order of things. They desired to discard
the old-fashioned style of dress, to nave or
gans in the churches, and, in short, to advance
beyond the characteristic confines of the
forefathers. The contest was long and
stubborn, and open disruption was the
final result the first division in congrega-
ton occurring in Ohio about three years ago.
Those adhering to the time-h onored precepts
took to themselves the name of Old German
Baptsts, the off-shoot calling themselves
Conserva tives. True to'their teachings, to
avoid further trouble the old Dunkards, in
most instances, quietly( withdrew, leaving
the church property in the hands of the
Conservatives, and built anew for themselves
other temples of worship. The division has
now become universal, and recently there
has been yet another off-shoot from the Con-
servatives, denominating themselves the Pro-
gressives, but it is thought that these latter
two will ultimately unite. The Conserva-
tiyes are at present holding a lysMeeting
in Kansas, and there is little prospect that
they will ever return to the parent fold.
THE PRESENT MEETING.
And now to return to the meet
ing which has just closed
at Flora. This meeting was distinctively of
the Old German Baptist branch, and was,
perhaps, the first since the division has be-
come marked and general. There was much
to do in the way of organizing forces, esti-
mating strength and preparing plans for re-
newed efforts under the old regulations. This
seemed to attract hither an unusual number
of the steadfast in the faith, hence this event
was one of more than passing interest. Ex-
tensive preparations han been made. In addi-
ton to the church building, a tent extending
over nearly an acre OF territory, served as
tabernacle.
Throughout the session excursion trains
were in constant and active operation. All
the inland towns and country within radius
OF fifteen miles turned out en- masse, SWELL
ing the concourse to unusual proper
tons. But amid all this every
thing was orderly. Proper officers
were in attendance, and peace and
quiet prevailed. While all who attend are
treated courteously, no effort is made to at
tract crowd of outsiders. No flaming bills
are scattered throughout the country, no at
fractions heralded, no Enclosure, no admit.
lance fee-the great wonder being that even
the membership know when and where to
assemble, All that is known of them is de-
yeloped by inquiry; hence, any ipaccuracy
in these statements will be charged to an in
ability to obtain the exact facts, rather than
a disposition to purposely misrepresent.
Every brother is allowed TO stand up and ex-
hort When, after this custom, one devel4
opes an aptness to teach he is chosen as a
minister, and ordained by the laying ON OF
hands, attended with insting and prayer and
given the right hand of fellowship. They
have deacons, and the elder women for deT
conesses; and from among thoit
ministers they choose bishops, and
before five of these latter their most
impoi tant cases was tried They are abb
plain in dress and language, and,
like the society of Friends, they neither take
oaths nor fight They will not go to law,
and. until recently, took no interest in
money They celebrate the Lords Supper,