The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-31

| The eighteenth century Mack and several
others formed habit OF meeting together for
the study Of the New Testament. They were
convinced thatits doctrines and principles Of
| church order were not being faithfully fol-
| lowed. either by the Lutheran or the Reformed
Church. They therefore resolved TO form a
society Of their own. and Alexander Mack was
chosen as their pastor. Being presently sub
| jeoted to persecution, most Of them. In 17i9.
came 10 the United States, settling In Pennsyl-
vania, where their FIRST church was organized
about four years later Like the Mennonites.
they chose for their place OF residence Ger
mantown. where Christian Saur one OF tholr
number edited and printed the first German
Bible In America. the unbound sheets OF which
were used by the British soldiers to lit
ter their horses after the battle OF German
town in the Revolutionary war. Later num-
Der Of these sheets were gathered up and sew
eral volumes were made Of them. some OF
which are still in existence. The Dunkards
we're an earnest and devous people. who en-
deavored to shane their lives according to the
teachings OF the New Testament. and they in
creased rapidly. drawing their converts from
the German element Of the population. One
Of their most important principles Is nom
conformity to the world. They have striven.
while living in the midst OF the world to pre-
serve q simple unostentatious life. ignoring
the fashions and the customs of society in
dress. In household furnishing. and in general
behavior. In process OF time. however inno-
vations crept in among them. forbidden ar
ticles NJ luxury found their way into
use the cut and character of their gar
ments were changed. their discipline became
insensiby relaxed and the differences between
them and their nsghbors OF other deuomina-
tions wore less striking. The result was hat
the more conservative. rallyinR against these
innovations. found themselves opposed by a
moro progressive element. and a division oc-
CURED about ten years ago. As the outcome
Of this division there are now three branches
Of the Dunkards. known as the Conservative.
the Progressive. and the Old Order Brethren.
There Is. besides. n fourth branch called the
Seventh Day Baptists. German. duo to seces-
sion from the Dunkards led by Conrad Beissel
in 1728 Beissel and his disciples observed
the seventh day OF the week as the Sabbath,
and adopted communal life.
The Dunkards interpret the Scriptures liter
ally. and hold that unQuestionlnR obedience
should be given to both letter and spirit. They
agree with the Baptists in maintaining that
immersion Is the only proper form OF baptism.
and that believers are the only proper subjects
OF the ordinance. Consequently. they do not
praitise infant baptism. The ordinance is ad-
ministered to candidates in a knee,ing posi-
stead OF backward. contrary to the usual GUS
tom OF immersion. Endeavoring to follow all
the customs as well 40 the commandme nts OF
the New Testament. the Dunkards hold COM
munion in the evening. 1t Is preceded by the
love feast. or agapo OF the Greeks. After par
taking CT n full meal. which Is served at table.
the bread and wine Of the sacrament are ad-
ministered. In connection with this
they extend the riCht hand OF fellow
ship to one another. and exchange
the kiss OF charity. This par. OF
tho service. however. is observed separately
By the sexes Before tho supper is eaten tho
ceremony Of washing one another's feet is per-
formed. the brethren observing It among
themselves. and the sisters doing likewise.
We should add that the Dunkards hold not
only to the principle OF nonconformity but also |
to that OF non-resistance. and earnestly pro- |
test against secret societies Their polty Is
partly Congregational and partly Pres byterinn. |
Their chief ecclesiastical body is the annual
meeting or conference. whose decisions are
considered binding upon district conferences
and churches Tho ministry consists Of
bishops or elders. ministers, and deacons, all |
OF whom are elected by the congregation. In |
most cases they receive nothing for their SER |
vices tho ministers. in fact. are not trained |
theologians. but pursue their ordinary bust |
ness svocations during the week, preaching
on Sundays and other occasions as required.
The Conservatives. who constitute tho largest
branch OF the Dunkards. arc scattered
through twenty-eight States and two |
Territories. being strongest in Pennsylvania,
Indiana and Ohio. Thoy have S54 church ed |
nces and $50 halls. with an aggregate seating
capacity OF nearly 10000 The number OF |
Is 81. 10l. The Progressive |
Dunkards are to be found in Is States but |
hoy have only 90 church edinces and 81 halls,
md the number OF their communicates is but |
$685. Tho Old Order Brethren are still less
than the Conservative. They are
adverse to Sunday schools. missionary en-
ieayor. and high schools or colleges. They
ire opposed to the numbering Of the people
or Scriptural reasons. and the census author
ties had much difficulty In getting returns
rom them. The Old Order has representa-
Ives In 10 Slater. owns SO church buildings,
md occupies 81 halls. and has 4.41l communi-
ANTS. The Seventh Day Dunkards are now
'ery few In number. There are only 1914
who are TO be found In Bed
ord. franklin. Lancashire. and Somerset
counties. Pa