The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-12-20
THE DJNGRS.
8 PECULIAR People CHIEFLY
FOUND N eENNsYlykNlA.

The DeseendsDts OF German y en-
gious Befsrees. and Their stranss
Dress buaer Ceremonies and
GIANT Ordnance
Song seess miles from Lancaster by
trrnr,i.s md twenty miles by ran hes
~ - lilac Of Ephrlta. II 4 a very
= -. '.Is.8v-iooking little place, IN
/ - ii de railroad that runs through II,
m 81 i,r surrounding hills and by 8
~ l;ae 81 mountains digni6ed by the
NM d Enhraa Ridge. The houses OF
fae torn struggle along broad road
-slich rr,sses tic railroad neaT the STA
fos dis away nnta it sweeps around
IL cuive Over q bridge, past an old
mn n front Of d bfoad-built red brick
s3use a.d 80 away into the country.
me houses, generaiiy brick-built, in
,nanr csses oid-fashi0ned. are very com
sorsble and hene-iks.
Here one mecn the Bunker per Sc in /
ercrr b4-road aud lane-men with long
benris and flowing hair parted in the
luiddie AT the farm houses are pleasant,
nai1aaly faces. stamped with humility
aad ecfieunss, while an air Of almost
sanity simplicity IS given by the clear-
sts-chea cap. the handkerchief crossed
- the breast The white apron, and the
--lsir e7Iir OF dsab stuff ef the dresses.
TIE styie Of living Of these good peo-
ME sheir aanoe1s and customs are OF
- -ro-t s,sislisiire type Their aim IS 70
sr.,sts ti.e ea-iy Christians in their hab-
IS "a lie IS vel IS their religious tenets.
4here s absolutely no distinction Of caste
susong then
They settled st first near Philadelphia.
sn rpotsrhieh has since been called
cernantou1. from the various German
religious refugees who settled there IN
Tie earI7 part d the last CENTURY. The
SCH : nov chiefly confined 20 central
aud western Pennsylvania, but has spread
80 afhe7 States, principally those OF the
Norhuest THOUGH there are churches es-
tahIishea e western Maryland, West Nlr-
einia snd North Carolina Their dress
IS ~ the siiugiest description, quaint and
oid-iashioued IL rs cut; they offer no re-
sisian1e 70 injuries; they deserve no con
-sszu5tg with the world and is manner
ana q1stens1 they refuse 70 take oath
al courts OF law; IN these and man!
otaer NaEs resembling the Society O
Some q their religious ceremonies ar
exceedingly curious. They celebrate til
Lords supper after the manner Of III
primitive Christiaus
The iessi begins sbout the time Of can
dis-iighfins. The men ara seated upo
GRE side Of the mee-i,ss.house the wo
men upon the other. Tbs 3.e1rr,or
Is that of the washing Of feet, eaell =
performing this duty fGr its OVID. Thos
who are 10 engage IN tue ordinance pre-
emily enter the meeting, carrying tubs
iukeEazm waller, aud each member @
the front benches rtHeves his OF hl
shoes and stockings. A man on the men
slde aud a woman on the women's thu
wash the feet one by one, taking 1herigl
hand Of each individual, as they finn
the Eashing, and giving the kiss Of peac
Amer the one who performs the washiI
fali0ESesnothsr, with long towel girdl
aroaa p waist, who wipes the feet ju
washed St the same tine giving the rig
hand and the KISS Of peace.
one aenehful las the ceremony perGfme
4 gives place to smother. While II
ceremony Is being conducted, the mini
Ter o. teachers make brief speech
read appropriate portions Of Scripture 7
la-ina Is tie subje-t
The next ceremony IS the supper itse
Zach 5hird bench Is 50 arranged that &
back can be turasd upon pivot at ca
end, 80 as - form the top Of 3 long tab
Tins Is covered with d white cloth, al
prcseuil7 brothers and sisters enter, bes
ing large plates or bowls q soup, viii
are placed upon the tables. Three
- 15.r people help themselves out Of 4
sane eish. After this the communion
adsliaistered, and ths whole ceremony
concluded By the singing Of hymns a.
preaching. This the brethren hold
The only true method p administered
TIN 17iiuauoe Of the Last Slgpa an
a.sa hold shat Il IS similar 10 that eas
monv ss oelebEafed II the earliest Chris
tan Church
Another peculiar arqilance amcn,
them IS thas & 'sssia.i13 - sex Wit
oil. 10 a.ior.la1se VIII tie e MA james
= The sicIl one calls upon the ED
- 81 - meeting, and Il settled tim
III ceremony e performed. In consist
q p6urlng oil upon the head Of the sci
rerson. q iayiHg hands upon them an
grgiag over them
Tie ordnance % bautizm IS admins
tered e running water aud by threetoi
inlaersion, tho diicisting minister the
tssiae his hands upon the ree.fle1t, VII
slH kneels iu the water, and prayln
pFeF him or her.
Tie ministers OF teachers, who recel'
zo stipend Whaterer- are elected by Il
vote q he members q the church
zho receives the largest number Of v0t
bang pronounced ciecied These eie
is9ns A. summoned By The elders Of z
church. who preside over chem and r
oeire the votes Of the people, either Ti'
sect, "a whisper, or by closed ballot
~ 50 candidate has 3 majority, or
there are 3 ereater number q blaE
-rqias east than for any on exaaidat
the election IS pronounced void
such IS brief and condensed accom-
q these people, aud IF their reiigiol
customs and ordinances. They arD.fes,
Duukers OF Tnntez. f7p1-fii Sem
1ElleH. winch u1y 81 iuterllltlea ~ W
ar probably - .isop Is q betses eel..
lent VIVA trey hssur1e for tne-iisei
III uaue Brethren on account o. 1
text NattheN, XIII, 8, "one IS 70
49, .--... f1l,-iat and all re !
rthreu.1 They also sometimes e
sse1sseirss Gods Peculiar People
Ear<rs hsqazine-
c.tts.. q Eurrj