The sun., 1890-05-11
WORK AHEAD,
Tho German BnptIst% About to Open q
Campaign Against Vanity.

Campaign Against Vanity.
LANCASTER, May 10.-Shall the Church be
given up to the lust OF the eye and the pride OF
life. or shall 1t return to the simple purity OF
tho fathers2 That was the question considered
and decided according to the latter alternative
by tho Brethren" or German Baptlsts OF
eastern Pennsylvania. at the important Con-
ference held this week at Ephrata this county.
1t Is contrary to the old rules Of the Brethren
for women TO wear any ornaments or fashiona-
BILE attire. and for men to grow full moustaches
without full boards TO match or TO part their
folks Of the Church. however. arc doing qll OF
these prohibited things and this breach OF
discipline has caused such widespread disturb
ance throughout the denomination that II Is
likely to become the burning question OF the
day among tho members OF tho sect. The
General Meeting which is 70 no held at War
rensburgh, Johnson county Mo-. on May 2r.,
A special commission had been appointed by
tho previous Conference TO ascertain whether
the rank and file OF the denomnaion nova
days observe tho ancient rules OF tie }rethron
Turing vanities OF tho world. The, report of
the commission WAS decisive. and left no
doubt as to the almost general disrGGgrd 81 ts
forth that tho members Of a great number OF
the German ns well aS thG hnEIiSIi chutcLeS
In Montgomery. Chester, Berks. aud Lancaster
counties, and in western J., New jersey
tive regulations. Tho women do not wear
white cans except at lovo feast-. and
tben only small ones, moro apologies Tor
caps. but insteHd altoct g9ll ornailohtS, ieW-
elry, and fashionable attire, lhoy nave Ilke-
wise depared from tho ancient customs as TO
the manner oi wearing their LHlr, ana arc even
guilty OF wearing fancy hats and bohnots' with
feathers and ribbons on them, ~ preference 70
plain gray and black ones and brght-colorod
dresses and elaborate gowns instead OF simple
skirts of sober gray or brown. Ihe men were
found to have wandered equally lar from the
old landmarks, IN that they show an alarming
preference for neatly trlmmed nl0ustache5
Without bearls, gay-colored neckties and
clothing oil the late7t cut. >
The Marshall Street Church and The North
ern Church IN Phila O,ph,H were pariicularly
doroict In permitting thc-o i9Iiios to 10 prac-
tised by their congregations. There the women
seoIn 10 my no heed to tho ruos requiring
modest costumes and plain head covering.
The Bethel Church, tho AAlwell Church. and
tho SandhrOuK Church In New Jersey, were
former estate In that tho members disregard
tho rules respecting dress ana have oven gone
SO far Hs 20 ,ntrodGre orE1Ut INTO the churches,
which is considered Il scunGaugs Innovation
Church, chester county, in, hut tn9 invests
eating committee were told that 1t belonged 10
the sunday school and not 10 the church. At
tho GreenATree Church, although the pastor
preached constantly against all pride, only
few Of the sisters use tho praying cover" and
the men dress generally as they please"
On tho whole the Commission thought these
facts showed most dangerous tendency and
that heroic measures must be adopted TO
check 1t. Accordingly the Conference decided
tho NarrnnE Ehurgh Mo-, Convent n with q
strong recommendation ihat tue mis-! lstCrS and
officials OF the churches be TiEdly Inst iucteI
as TO their duty toward the proper discipline OF
younger generation you'd surely return 10 the
beRRaEly elements Of the world