The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-10-30
a PECULIAR PEOPLE.
The DunIsers of Pennsy lrania and IheE
OId-Fashioned Religious Life


by turnpike and twenty by rail lies the
little village of Ephrata. 1t is very
secluded, strengthening little place
in spite of the railroad that runs
through it, shut in by surrounding hills
and by a low line o: mountains dignl-
fed by the name of Ephrata Ridge
The houses of the town struggle along
a broad road which crosses the rail-
road near the station, dips away until
it sweeps around in curve over
bridge, past an old mill in front OF
broad built red brick house, and SO
away into the country. The houses,
generally brick-built, in many cases
old-fashioned, are very comfortable
and home-like.
Here one meets the Bunker per Sc In
every by-road and lane-men with long
boards and flowing hair parted In inc
middle. At the farm-houses are pleas
ant, matronly faces, stamped with hn-
mility and gentleness, while an air OF
almost sanity simplicity is given oy
the clear-starched cap, the handker'
chief crossed on the breast, the white
apron, and the plain gray or drab stuff
OF the dresses.
The style of living OF these good
people, their manners and customs,
are of the most primitive type. Their
aim is to initiate the early Christians
in their habits of life as we'll as IN
their religious tenets. There is aoso-
lutely no distinction of caste among
them.
They settled at first near Philadel-
phia, in g spot which has since been
called Germantown, from the various
German religious refugees who settled
there in the early part of the last
century. The sect is now chiefly con-
fined to Central and Western Pennsyl-
vania, but has spread to other States,
principallys those of the Northwest,
though there are churches established
in Western maryland, West Virginia
and North Carolina. Their dress is
of the simplest description, quaint and
old-fashioned in its cut; they offer no
resistance to injuries; they observe no
conformity with the world and Its
manners and CUSTOMS; they refuse to
take oaths in courts Of law; in these
and many other ways resembling the
Society OF Friends.
Some of their religious ceremonies
are exceedingly curious. They cele-
brate the Lords Supper after the man
ner of the primitive Christians.
The feast begins about tie time Of
candle-lighting. The men are seated
upon one side of the Westinghouse
the women upon the other. The frs
ceremony is that of the washing o.
feet, each sex performing this duty fol
its own. Those who are to engage il
the ordinance presently enter thu
meeting, earring tubs OF lukewarn
water, and each member on the from
benches removes his or her shoes ant
stockings. A man on the mems sid'
and a woman on the wOmen's thel
wash the feet one by one, taking thu
right hand of each individual, as the.
finish the washing, and giving the kiss
of peace. After the one who perform
the washing follows another with
long towel girdcd around the waist
who wipes the feet just washed, at tn
same time giving the right hand an
the kiss of peace AS one benchfu
has the ceremony performed, it give
place to another. While the ceremon
is being conducted, the minister O
teachers make brief speech, or rea
appropriate portions of Scripture RI
lating to the subject.
The next ceremony is the supper i
self Each third bench is so arrange
that the back can be turned upon
pivot at each end, SO as to form II
top of u long table. This is covere
with white cloth, and present
brothers and sisters enter, bearir
largo plates or bowls Of soup, whit
are placed upon the tables. Three {
four people help themselves out of Il
same dish. After this the commune
is administered, and the whole Ger
mony is concluded by the singing
hymns and preaching. This IL
brethren hold is the only true mcth'
of administering the ordinances of tt
Last Supper, and also hold that it
similar to that ceremony as celebrate
in the earliest Christian church.
Another peculiar ordinance amo1
them is that OF amounting the sick wi
oil, in accordance with the text
James, v. IA. The sick one calls up
the elders OF the meeting, and at a 81
tied time tho ceremony is performe
IL consists of pouring oil upon t
head of tho sick person. of layi
hands upon them, and praying oy
them.
The ordinance OF baptism is admin
tered in running water and by thrt
fold immersion, the officiating min
tor then laying his hands upon the
cipient, who still kneels in the wat'
and praying over him or her.
The ministers or teachers, who
ceive no stipend whatever, are elect
by tho votes of the members of
church, he who receives the large
number of votes being pronounc
elected. These elections are SUI
moned by the elders of
church, who preside over thu
and receive the votes of the Poop
either Uiua Uoce, in whispers, or