The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-06

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 ara of the plainest de-
scription, and they prefer to have them
in the country, many of the brethren
having q kind of fear of the cities
There arc no regular preachers but
men of the neighborhood who seem
worthy are ordained to preach and step
from the pillow to the pulpit on Sundays
and expound the doctrines of the church
The household is given to family devo-
ton daily, and the ceremony of feet
washing, in which the men lneel hum
bly, and bathe their neighbors' feet, Is O
part of their annual love feast service
Woman's place among them is less
assertive than among other denomina-
tions. She waits until the men have
finished the meal on formal occasions
and from the time Of joining the church
wears white muslin cap continually,
except when sleeping.
Tho church rules prohibit any mem
Der having his photograph taken, hav-
ing his life insured or putting lightning
rods on his buildings. Insurance of
buildings is carried OH mutually, and
when fire occurs tho church takes O
collection and pays the bill. So when Il
brother is unable to pay his debts the
church argues and cxhorts with him. If
he does not or cannot meet the account,
the church does 1t for him. Hence their
credit is always gilt edged, and such a
thing as u 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 time with
their friends among the hills The first
time they did iJ 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 cast
except to stay; but ono morning the
River Brethren began to drive i'll, and
family after family deposited big lunch
baskets on the depot steps The leaders
entered the Office, and laying down Sd, :
600 asked for 100 round trips tickets to
Ciiioy ifhulL Liz iSc1C nearly IulnC6Q.
They are used to it now, and every year
from So, 600 to 81, 900 Is spent for tickets
back cast by the Brethren of this county
The church i'll which tho general con-
ference is being held and where 800
delegates from Pennsylvania and Cana
da and Ohio have gathered stands out
Oh the prairie. 1t has dormitories above,
and huge tents will be put up to accom-
modate all who como From daylight
until dark for week the services and
visiting and discussions of church mat
tiers are going OH. The church govern
ment is q nearly pure democracy All
| have voice
Tho River Brethren have demonstrate
| cd, as have the Mcnnonites, that sue
cess in agriculture on tho prairies de-
ponds entirely OH how one goes ct 1t.
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 mako up the
deficiency. They ask little Of tho out
side world and give little to It, but
their bank account wakes fat, and their
serenity of mind is unrufilcd by passing
| disturbances. They are worth much ia
a community and have built up some
of the best farms of the plains from the
raw prairie. q. nj. HARGER