Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-02-11
AOUEER RELIGIOUS SECT.
IRREGULARITIES AND VIRTUES OF
THE SHERMANITES.
Their Origin UnknOwn.--0ther sects
Heather.

ply store in Birmingham, Ala, anC
stated to the proprietor that he wanted
to purchase 800 worth of goods oil
credit. The man wore his hair long
like a woman, and his beard reached
almost to his waist. His clothes were
all made at home; they were ill-fitting
and of the cheapest material, and alto
gether he was a strange specimen OF
humanity.
''What is your namel" asked the
merchant, when the man stated his bust
uess.
"John Smith, q" answered the country.
man.
"When can you pay for the goods?''
"1'll pay you in November, when ]
sell my cotton crop"
Gan right, Mr.. Smith; you can have
the goods"
The goods were soon loaded on
Smiths wagon, and he drove away
without giving the merchant q note OF
any kind of security.
"Do you know the mani" l asked
"Never saw him before"
"Wil he pay you for those goodsp'
"Certainly."
"Because he is Shermanite. He is
member of a remarkable religious
society, and If he failed to pay debt
he would be expelled from his church
and driven from the community in
which he lives, in disgrace. 1 may
not see or hear of him again until next
November, but if he is living he will
come and pay me every cent he owes
me. The Shermanites all wear their
hair long like this one, and they are
easily recognised anywhere"
In Leeds valley, in the northwestern
part of this county, there is colony
Of Shermanites.
There are about 100 families, and
happier, more contented people can
not be found in the world. Thsir rel
igious rites and ceremonies are peculiar
Who founded the society none Of them
seems to know, but it is very old, as
the fathers and grandfathers of the
present generation were Shermanites.
They claim to fellow the teachings of
the New Testament in spirit and letter
and they believe that only Shermanites-
will enter the kingdom of heaven.
They have churches and preachers,
and worship in a manner similar to
many other religious sects. Ono of
their peculiar rites is the washing of
feet. A footwashing service is held
once every month, at which the pre-
acher washes the feet of every MEM
Der of the church. The members then
in turn wash the feet of the preacher
and Of each other. The service usually
lasts all day, being interspersed with
singing and praying.
Members of all other religions de.
nominations they regard as heather,
and send missionaries among them in
stead of sending them to foreign lands.
Shermanites never cut their hair or
beard, claiming that Christ never pat
ronized barber shops. In every home
may be found ancient wood cuts re-
presenting Christ and His Apostles as
wearing long hair and beard.A Sher
mantle who falls from grace is lost for |
ever, and he must always live up to |
certain moral and business rules, which |
are very rigid. To pay all debts is a
part of their religion. No man can
be saved, they say, who does not pay
his neighbor what he owes him. They
never charge one another interest on a
loan, and no written acknowledgment
of debt is ever given. The word of
q Shermanite is his bond, and it be-
comes a sacred duty for him to fulfil
every promise made. They are an in
dustrious people; industry is a part
Of their creed.
The Shermanites are all small far.
ners, but most of them own their farm
and some stock. Many of them are
to purchase a few supplies
IN this city every summer, for which
hey are unable to pay cash. Where
their peculiar religion is known they
have no ADuble in obtaining all the
credit they want. They give no notes
or security of any kind, but merchants
who have done business with them for
years have never lost a dollar due
nom Shermanite customer. Their
preachers accept no pay for preaching
h, Gospel, working on their farms
during the week as hard as any MEM
Der of the church. Divorce is some
hing unknown among these people,
md the women are all virtuous.
is another vice unknown
Imong these people, as they follow to
he letter the advice of the Apostle, !
Who said, "Be temperate in all things"
Their homes are models of nestuess and ,
omfort, and the stranger Is always :
Welcome within their gates. 1t would ,,
10 almost an insult TO tender them ,
'ayment for food, lodging, or any j
ther favor shown a stranger. The
hermanites make few converts to
heir peculiar religion, but they lose no
nembers, and seem happy and conten- !
ed by holding their own. S
One remarkable thing about them is |
hat they will have nothing TO do with '
ourts and lawyers. A lawsuit in c
rhich Shermanite was plaintiff can
OF be found on the court records of :
lis country. They never seek legal