The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-04
REvEE BRETHREN BETHEL.

and are stored with all those good things
in surplus products and modern nipple
ments that the adjoining settler wishes
were his own
Religion takes up much of their time
Their churches are of the plainest de-
scription, and they prefer to have them
in the country, many of the brethren
having Il kind Of fear of the cities
There are no regular preachers, but
men of tho neighborhood who seem
worthy are ordained to preach and step
from the plow to the pulpit on Sundays
and cxpound the doctrines Of the church
The household is given to family devo-
ton daily, and the ceremony Of feet
washing, in which the men kneel h
bly, and battle their neighbOrs' feet,
part OF their annual love feast service
Woman's place among them is less
assertive than among other denOmina-
lions. She waits until the men have
finished the meal on formal occasions
and from the time of joining the church
wears a white muslin cap continually,
except when sleeping
The church rules prohibit any mem
Der having his photograph taken, hav-
ing his life insured or putting lightning
rods OH his buildings Insurance Of
buildings is carried on mutually, and
when a fire occurs the church takes a
collection and pays the hill. So when a
brother is unable to pay his debts the
church argues and exhorts with him If
he does not or cannot meet the account,
the church does it for him. Hence their
credit is always gilt edged. and such a
thing as a River Brethren in the poor
house is unknown
The River Brethren enjoy visiting one
another. Nearly every year portion OF
the western members go back to the
Keystone State and spend a time with
their friends among the hills. The first
time they did IL the station agent at the
county seat was taken unawares. The
wind had blown up from the south for
days and days; the crops were nearly
ruined, and no one thought Of going east
except to stay; but one morning the
River Brethren began to drive IN, and
family after family deposited big lunch
baskets on the depot steps The leaders
entered the Office. and laying down "a, =
600 asked for 100 round trips tickets to
Pennsylvania The agent nearly tainted.
They are used to it now, and every year
from s., 600 to 81, coo is spent for tickets
back east by the Brethren Of this county.
The church IL which the general con
ference is being held and where 300
delegates from Pennsylvania and Cana
da and Ohio have gathered stands out
on the prairie It has d0rmitories above,
and huge tents viii be put up to accom-
mOdate all who come From daylight
until dark for week the services and
visiting and discussions of church mat
tiers are going on. The church govern
ment is a nearly pure democracy All
have q voice
The River Brethren have demonstrate
ed, as have the Mennonites, that sue
cess IN agriculture on the prairies de-
ponds entirely on how one goes at it.
When the season has been dry, they
have simply plowed little deeper, and
when the wheat failed they always
have some corn or cattle to make up the
deficiency They ask little of the out
side world and give little to it. but
their bank account wakes fat, and their
serenity Of mind is unruff1ed by passing
disturbances They are worth much to
a community and have built up some
Of the best farms of the plains from the
raw prairie. c. NJ HARGER-