Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-06
J Of The Evening Star.

Correspondents OF The Evening Star
HAoERsrowS, june 5, 1891.
Yesterday witnessed the close of the most
remarkable gathering of Q religious assem-
blage ever held in western Maryland, that Of
the German Baptist Brethren, an organization
strikingly peculiar in many particulars. The
Brethren, or as they are more commonly
called, "Dunkards," are q body OF Christians
with membership not far from hundred
thousand, whose faith and practices are not
generally known outside of their Immediate
localities. The errors in the books that at
tempt to describe the Brethren, as they call
themselves, are larnentable failures. The state
ment that the Brethren are celebrates, that they
discourage marriage, that they do not marry
outside Of their own fraternity, that they
keep the seventh day Sabbath and live in
communities separate and alone are errors and
without the slightest foundation The Brethren
hold the Bible to be the inspired and infallible
word OF God, and accept the New Testament as
their rule of faith and practice. They follow
very closely the practices Of the apostolic
church and admit none into fellowship until
they have been baptized. The 'Agape. or
Feast of Love" is adhered to by the Brethren.
A full meal is prepared and placed upon the
tables used for that purpose in the church and
all members partake OF the supper to the salts
flying of hunger. Before eating supper. how
ever, the religious rite of washing feet is OBJ
served. Their authority for this practice lie
found in John xii:I-17; and il was just here
where thousands who attended through curl
osity the meeting just closed were sadly dis
appointed in not witnessing the feet wash
ing" This is only done at what is known az
love feasts, and which occur about quarterly
in the localities in which churches are located.
kissing" by the male members as means Of
salutaiion and recognition is = feature that
generally attracts attention, but it is adhered
to by the Brethren and was faithfully OBJ
served during the assemblage at this place. A
lady with a male companion who had occasion
to introduce her friend to another gentleman
was compelled to stand completely aside while
the brethren INDUCED in a movement
which would doubtless have proved more ac-
ceptabie had the participants been of opposite
sexes.
The mode Of baptism which is strictly adj
hered to by the Brethren is peculiar and is
called trine immersion. At the water side they
all kueel down and the administrator offers a
prayer. After this the person to be baptized is
conducted into the water, Questioned as to his
faith, aud then immersed-dipped three times
in the name OF the Father. Son and Holy Spirit.
Baptism makes the recipient q member OF the
church and IL never repeated for the same in
dividual. RECOMMENDATION does not impair
the validity OF the baptism, SO that they can be
received again on proper repentance and refor-
nation without the decentralization of the
ordinance.
| On the 2sth of Nav members of the church
began to arrive here. and religious services
were Immediately begun and held in a taber-
nacle erected especially for the occasion, ami
which had seating capacity OF about 5000
| persons. These services were held three times
day until Tuesday, June 2. when the general
conference convened and the business sessions
| opened. At each service the tabernacle Was
filled to its utmost capacity. people coming
from far and near to attend the same, At
times from 10000 to 10000 people were in and
around the tabernacle, and, strange to say
| that among that vast assemblage not a single
affair occurred requiring the Interference of
the police which had been greatly augmented
for the occasion. This Is a striking coIsmenI-
airy in favor OF the Brethren, who conceded
10 be the most industrious, frugal and law
abiding citizens OF the country.
On tuesday the assemblage converged itself
into general conference and disposed OF
numerous important matters brought before it.
The matter Of divorces was warmly discussed,
and after a protracted debate it was decided
that no person can remsrry while the FIRST
partner is living"
query regarding the use Of tobacco Was up
before the meeting during two sessions and was
regarded as the most difncult one the church
had 10 handle. Its use is now strictly prohib-
| tied ana no one who uses tobacco can be a
| local delegate to the annual meetings or a
| member OF the standing committees. Against
TINS one or the churches protested and asked
| Tor change Of the rule, which was denied.
The question of feet washing also came up
| for action. Feet washing is practiced in the
Brethren churches in two ways-one called the
double form, the other the single. By the dou-
bic form one person washes and the other dries
them. BY the single form one person both
washes and dries. There was petition to re-
peal all rules heretofore passed on this matter
and to allow local churches to wash feet accord
ing TO the wish Of the majority. The petition
was not granted and the request sent back TO
the church from which it came. The wearing
OF gold spectacles was discussed and it was de-
clded that the spectacles, If of gold, must go,
as well ~ other adornments Of the person with
jewelry.
Tine effort to change the name of the church
from German Baptist Brethren to simply that
! OF Brethren was ho,ly contested, but finally re-
suited In the retention of the old name.
women gained a victory AZ this conference.
heretofore they were denied participation as
delegates. Mrs. keedy was sent here to rep
resent Kansas. A vote on her admission was
favorable and hereafter women delegates will be
on the same footing Us the men.
Among other matters adopted were: Advising
brethren not to hold political Offices; prohibit
ing brethren from renting their houses of wor-
snip to other denominations; preventing men,
Der going to law with unbeiieyers; permitting
marriages with unbelievers. but ao vising
against II, and providing for the holding Of the
next annual meeting in the central district Of
Iowa. B.
College Boys and Their Liquor.