Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-17

long hair gave them tone like the material of
the acknowledgements and wild. 1t is part
OF their faith never to remove any of the adOrn-
ments nature may bestow, hence the long hair
ana boards. The women, many OF them quite
pretty, were dressed in perfectly plain black or
gray skirts and bodies with little capes around
their shoulders, and neat little muslin caps
Taking both sexes together. a healthier or more
robust set of people can nowhere be found.
There were about 125 OF them present and
this was only about Ons-half the Congregation
the other portion refusing to be present on ac-
count OF split in the church in regard to the
question of the education Of the children.
Much excitement prevailed, as every one was
discussing the subject, and upon the morrow
the subject was to be discOursed on by learned
brother from Ohio, so the breach was either to
be healed or made wider.
IN THE MEETING HOUSE.
The lamps and candles were lighted as the
day faded. The church was divided down the
center by long table about two and half feet
wide, covered with white cloth. This table
was divided, however, in the center to allow
passage between. At one end all the men sat
on benches ranged along the table, and facing
them. The other end or division of the table
was in like manner occupied by the women
strip OF plank with pegs in it was over the
mems table, and was hung full of their Immense
hats. A staircase in one corner went up into
the loft above, where all the congregation who
have to come any distance sleep On the floor
and in hunks. They bring their bedding with
them, and as they do not insist upon the sepa-
ration Of the sexes great many can be accom-
mOdated in this garrett People acquainted
with their habits said that they slept in sack
cloth and ashes while here for several nights
A door at the foot of the stairs led into the
kitchen, in which tremendous fire cracked
under great iron pot. hanging on crane in a
spacious chimney that would easily burn a cord
Of wood uncut. From this pot savory steam
escaped and made its way through the open
door, pervading the atmosphere with a most
appetizing odor of beef Soon there were
prayers from first one and then another Of the
men, alterDated with exceedingly brief and
crude addresses. Hymns were also lined out
and sung to very monotOnous tunes. During
all the time the men and women at their respec-
tive tables were embracing and kissing each
other. 1t looked rather strange to see two men
with Esau-Hke boards kissing each other.
There were several negroes at the tables, who
were embraced and kissed just the same as the
other members, and bestowed their kisses
equally as freely.
THE CEREMONY OF FEET WASHING.
After these addresses, prayers and hymns
had gone on for an hour or more some of the
men and women brought little wooden tubs
and towels. Then one man or one woman, as the
case might be, washed the feet of another after
their boots or shoes and wooden stockings were
IL.
Another, with his coat removed Gf mani, and
towel about the waist, wiped the feet after be-
slowing the kiss of brotherly love- as it is Called
then gave up the towel and tub to some one
else, who performed the same Office for them in
turn. This custom, as one of the preachers eX-
planned, was to show their humilityand brother
ly love" and also to FOLLOW Christ at the last
supper After this Office had been concluded
praying, singing and speaking went on as be-
fore. man now entered bearing great bas-
bot Of nf nla
long. five wide, and of an indefinite thickness,
was laid in front of each person; next spoon
was put at each place; then dishes of soup with
square bits of bread broken in it were placed SO
that there was one for every four persons; then
appeared huge pieces of boiled beef Every thing
being thus prepared one of the preachers ex-
planned that according to their reading of the
Scriptures the communion did not mean simply
the taking Of the elements OF bread and wine,
but that
THE LAST SUPPER
of Christ was feast, and their aim was to imi-
tate him exactly. After a blessing had been
asked in the ordinary way, with all standing
around, they began to eat in the most hearty
manner. Your hungry correspondent. through
the mediation of friend, was admitted to the
kitchen, where great generous slices of bread
and Joint of beef fished from the kettle were
placed at his disposal. He was soon informed
that he must get outside as the women wanted
to clean the kitchen. So taking his joint by the
bone and a pair of slices of bread he issued forth
from the Kitchen into the open air, where he
found as many people assembled as there were
inside the meeting house. couple of men
were mounted in wagon, with lanterns and
fiambeau dispensing cider, ginger cakes and
homemade cheese to the crowd and gathering
plentiful store OF nickels from them. A fight
had just taken place and several more were i'm
minent.
THE BREAD AND WINE.
When your correspondent returned to the in
terror OF the church the Dunkards had finished
their feast. Without waiting to clear up the
table they proceeded to complete their COM
munion by taking the latter part of the feast.
This consisted Of what appeared to be unleav-
ened bread, made into long, thin strips eight
inches long, an inch wide and about the thick
ness of a newspaper when folded. An explana-
ton of the ceremony was made by minister,
and q sort of informal blessing of the elements
was pronounced. The slices of bread were lying
In napkin, while the wine was in two patent
medicine bottles labelled Liver Corrector."
The bread was distributed, one person taking
a strip with two Of his companions and break
Ing 1t into three pieces thus again following out
their idea OF preservation Of the Trinity, as
they do on every possible occasion. The wine,
or Liver COrrectOr," was next poured into tin
cups and likewise distributed, both among
women and men, as the bread had been. Dur
ing and after the ceremony there was much
kissing and embracing, and after the commun-
ion singing, prayiRg and speaking were again
resumed and kept up till about 10 O'Clock, when
the meeting adjourned till next day.
THE SCENE ON SUNDAY.
Sunday morning breaking bright and clear
brought crowds fthe curious by every road from
far and near. Such motley assemblage it is
hard to imagine, and impossible to describe
Most Of them came in two horse farm wagons,
though occasionally an antediluvian buggy or
chaIse. . still more forgotten and forlorn
vehicle, appeared In the caravan. Troops came
on horseback; many dashing young bucks rode
up with their girls behind them and occa-
sionally family man" with his wife behind
him, baby In her arms, four year old on the
saddle pummel, and one of larger growth yet
riding behind the mother and holding on to her
waist. Many came miles on foot. bringing the
whole family, the mother and father In most
cases each bearing q baby In their arms and
followed by a flock Of children, as numerous as
and very much resembling, drove of turkeys
The costumes were as astonishing as their
wearers, being homespun in most cases OF the
most peculiar patterns; gingham was fire.
quentiy seen. and festive calicos were also very
common. These dresses were made after many