The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-17
THE MEETING OF DUNKARDS.
A Big Day at Pittsburg, 0.-Accurate State
ment of Dunkard Beliefs and Practices.

correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal
PITTsBURG, O., June 15-Nothing had been
overlooked on the part of the committee to make
the big day of the Dunkard meeting grand
success Fresh beef, fresh Bread fresh butter,
and last, but not least of all, fresh air awaited
the vast crowd. Tanks, that had been empty on
account of no wind to furnish motive power for
the pumps. were well filed by means of sta
tionary engine, brought into service as last re-
Sort and we're SO full that it was feared the scat
folds holding them would give way under the
sudden and immense weight put upon them.
Seats in the tabernacle. that were broken on
Sunday, by the overcrowded audience
seeking shelter during the heavy rainfall,
had been replaced and made stronger, and
another large oven had been added to the kitch
en- department. This was found necessary in or
der to accommodate the visitors without delay.
The committee on arrangements have finished
their work, and have done it well. They have
hoped and endeavored to make these conventions
self-supportine, and if the receipts continue in
the same proportion as since the meeting began
they will realize considerable from the under
taking; but this depends largely on their ability
to dispose of the lumber, dishes, etc, when all is
over AS these meetings are never held twice in
the same place such a sale is necessary The
next meeting will probably be held in Kansas.
During the early part of the day clouds gath
cred fast and thick and at IL o'clock there was
perfect deluge lasting until 1880, when the
clouds broke and clear weather once more pre-
vailed, with delightful breeze. Fully 10000
people have been on the ground to-day, and the
same number is expected tomorrow.
The meetings will continue until Friday. as
there is much business to be disposed of, which,
in such large body, requires time.
In reply to questions by your correspondent.
the following information was CLEANED concern
ing the Dunkards
They accept the New Testament as their in
fallible guide in belief and instruction in right
eousness. They believe that the unmerited, I'M
solicited grace of God is the of all bis ss
GUS works of Christ are the foundation of Chris
tian strength and integrity; that faith in God
the Father the Lurd Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Spirit is essential to a change of affection: that
repentance toward God Is required to
change the conduct, and immersion into
the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost is a condition
of pardon on the part Of a penltent believer. In
baptism, the subject kneels in the water, and the
administrator. while repeating the words of
Matt. xviii 19, dips the candidate gently for
ward, aided by the genufection which naturally
comes to one in a kneeling posture, once into the
name of the Father, and again into the name of
the Son and thirdly into the name of the Holy
ately lays his hand upon the baptized and prays.
After returning to the shore of the stream, the
baptized person is received with joyfulness the
right hand of fellowship being given accompanied
by the kiss of charity. He is now regarded as
member in full fellowship and entitled to all
the rights and privileges of Christian insttu-
TONS They regard the feet-washing as church
ordinance, and found their belief of this upon
the principles enumerated in the thirteenth chap
ter of St. John. The sexes do not intermingle
in the practice of this ordinance
Upon the subject of the holy communicable
bread and wine, enblematic of the sufferings and
death of Christ-they in accord with the
other evangelical societies. They do not
supper, but believe the latter to
be an ordinance itself to be observed in con-
nection with feet-washing and the communion
These ordinances are never observed during the
day. but in the evening or close of the day. in
harmony with the example of Christ. On the
question of personal adornment, or on the sub
iect of Dress they are firm believers in simplici-
ty, regarding plainness of dress the only
scrptural liberty extended to Christian believ-
ers. and to maintain tins they accept uniformity
as q means to keep out ungodly, costly and
changeable fashions. Members taught not
TO attach themselves to secret societies, believ-
ing that all the good found in any secret
organization emanated from the divine Scrip
lures, and as these are the Christians guide
he can find in the church all the affection. and
beneyolence, and goodness that his soul may re-
auire. And as the bond of union should be
complete, their members not permitted to
60 TO law one with another, but difficulties
should be settled before the church when they
cannot be adjusted by the parties themselves
Oaths OF confirmation before civil or military
courts avoided, the ground that the Cos
pei demands that they swear not at all, but
their members are permitted TO simply affirm,
their yea being yea and their nay, nay. On
the subject of war they take the ground
that members shall return good for evil, that
he who uses the sword shall perish by the sword
hence in the reception of members into the
body, they are taught to abstain from and
retaliation and to their influence for peace,
and fraternal union, and happiness. Those who
are sick have th1privilrge TO call upon the elders
of the church, and be anonted with oil In the
name of the Lord, the elders also praying ear
nestly for the afflicted. This practice Is founded
upon James v. l4. L.
Another distinctive feature of this people 10
the heAd-dresa Of the female portion,