Evening star., 1897-06-07

Philadelphia. From this nucleus the church
spread southwark and. westward. and
fourishing congregations are now found in
most of the states. They are, however,
most numerous in Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois. Iowa, Missouri, Ne
braska and Kansas At the annual confer
ence, held in Ottawa, Kan, last year,
twenty-three states and four foreign coun-
tries, Denmark, Sweden, Asia Minor and
India, were represented.
The Brethren are in every respect evan
ge!ical in their faith. They believe in the
Trinity, in the divinity of Christ and of
the Holy Spirit, and punishments. Faith,
repentance and baptism are held to be con-
ditions of salvation, and upon them rests
the promise of the forgiveness of sins and
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1.-The Brethren have a republican form
of church government. Each congregation
is Independent in the management of its
local affairs, such as the election of dea-
cons, ministers, elders or bishops, and in
matters of local church discipline, but is
subject to the entire brotherhood, through
district and general conferences. A num-
Der of congregations, usually in the same
state conveniently located, are formed into
a district. and these hold annual confer
ences. to which each congregation sends
two delegates, either lay members, deacons
or ministers. Questions, local to the dis
tr1ct, are discussed and settled by the dis
trict conference, but those of a general
character are sent to general conference.
General Conference Rules.
1.-The decisions of the general conference
are to be adhered to by all the members of
the church. The tendency of the confer
ence and the annual reunions is to unity
the Brethren in all their church work.
and it is fact that there is rarely found
so large a body Of religious people so close
ly united on the doctrines and principles to
which they hold.
Elders. ministers and deacons are elect
ed by the church from among its members,
and those chosen are such as are deemed
best qualified for the important work to
which they are called. Zach member, with
out reference to sex, has a right to cast a
vote. No salaries are paid, but poor min
listers and those who are sent out as mis-
sionaries are properly supported.
THE Brethren claim 10 be and are in
many respects a peculiar people. Plain
dressing is taught and required and a
general uniformity is observed, but this
is regarded as means to an end. They
believe that the New Testament teaches
plainness in attire, and that by a general
uniformity of habit, marked enough to
distinguish the church from the world.
The members are not allowed to go to
law with any of their own number, nor
with others without first asking the coun-
sci of the church, ard it is indeed for
a brother to be engaged in lawsuit.
Amorg themselves differences are adjusted
personally or by the church. in accordance
with the Christian law of trespass given by
the Master.
mo brother can become a member of any
secret o roath-bound society, the Brethren
holding that the gospel of Jesus Christ is
fully sufficient for all the wants of hui
manity. All the converts who are identi-
fled with sLch orders are required to sever
their relations with them before they can
be adopted into the family of the brother
hood.
Divorces and Rcmarriascs.
1.-The Brethren hold that the marriage
bond can only be dissolved by death. Di-
vorce and remarrage are practically I'M
known among the membership.
'"The church keeps its own poor, each
congregation looking after it's own who
may became needy. If a single congrega-
tion becomes burdened, it may call for as
sistaEce upon its sister congregation, and
in this way the needed help is obtained.
AS members of one common family all are
held by the fraternity as brethren and SIS
ters entitled to support, both moral and
physical, In time of need.
''On the question of temperance ard pro-
ttition the Brethren have for more than
century given no uncertain testimony
They form one of the Oldest temperance
organizations in the United States. More
than 100 year ago a decision was passed,
forbidding any of the members to engage
In the manufacture or sale of intoxicants.
They forbid the use of all alcoholic or mall
liquors as d beverage in public or private.
They discourage the use of tobacco, and
the rule is that no brother be installed
in office who uses tobacco without making
a promise to quit it.
The fraternity is largely engaged in
agricultural pursuits, but men and women
in other departments of human endeavor
may be found enrolled among its members.
Colleges and Schools.
Seven schools or colleges are in success
full operation, over which the church has
supervising control. The schools are To-
Gated at Huntingdon, Pa; Mt. Morris, ILL.,;
Bridgewater, Va; Mcpherson, Kan; Lords
burg, CAL; North Manchester, Ind, and
Frutdale, Ala. The church has well
ganized missionary and tract society.
1.-The brethren are we'll known as a quiet,
peaceable and unassuming people. Habits
of strict economy prevail among them, and
living they are, as a rule, well-todo and
are able to meet their obligations. They
enjoy enviable reputation for honesty
in the communities in which they live.
They manifest a strong devotion to the
Bible, and constantly laboring to live
out the principles and the spirit of the
Man of Sorrows.
1.-The church in general has not, as yet,
felt the whitening influence of worldliness
within it's borders. Caste distinctions and
differences, born of human pride, have not
entered its doors. Rich and poor, high and
low meet alike as one common family in
Christ, and the fraternal sentiment is
largely developed in its membership