The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-03-13

fathers, and not readily adopting in
~novations of any kind. With the
breaking out of the Revolutionary war,
there were forty-two meeting. houses
i'll Pennsylvania. Congregations are
now located in at least twenty-five
States, and in the Canadian provinces.
All Mcnnonltcs recognize the Con-
fession OF Faith, consisting of eighteen
articles, which was framed and adopt
ed April 81, 1852, at the City of Dort,
in Holland. In addition to the princi-
pies set forth III Baptism and the sacra.
ment of bread and wine, this confcs-
sion also c~ni0ins the ordinance of
Foot Washing, enjoiDs marriage only
between members of the same faith,
prohibits membership in secret organi-
cations, forbids the taking Of oaths,
and imprcsscs upon M%cnnonitcs the
doctrine OF nou-resistancc.
The communion is observed twice a
year. Every intending participant is
carefully examined separately concern
ing his spiritual standing, before the
day appointed for taking the sacra-
ment. Immediately after the COM
munion OF bread and wine, comes the
ceremony OF foot washing. The menu
bers OF the sexes perform the Office
among themselves, each in turn wash
ing and wiping the feet of his brother
or her sister, and giving ut the same
time the hand of fellowship and the
kiss OF peace. Those who perform the
duties of the ministry are chosen from
the congregation to he served. Should
mora Than n,,A Nn,,1 Ia, ,lnnA1 -,
nomination by the congregation, a day
is appointed TO choose by lot onc from
among the persons nominated. l)ea-
cons are chosen in the same manner,
+ and are ordained to care for the poor
| and the sick, to adjust matters, and in
! the absence Of the minister to conduct
, the service with oXhortation and
| prayer. bishops are chosen from
I among the ministers, and ale ordained
to administer the rights of baptism
S and the communion, TO celebrate the
: rite OF matrimony, and TO have the
a pastoral charge OF Il district in which
8 there are a number of ministers and
deacons, all under his direction"
g The ministry, except for travelling
Il evangclists, is u%nsalaricd, preachers
k dcacons and bishops, supporting them
Il selves, as Il rule, at their ordinary oc
IS equations.
y Their first college in this country
C Elkart Institute, Elkart, lnd,a tn,
Il only one i'll existence among the cias}
d OF which Bishop llcatwOlc writes, wa
e incorporated in 1895. Among tn,
y growing Institutions IN the M%ennonit,
church, probably there is zone whicl
IS has such possibilities for usefulness
ii The school own its own buildings ant
oil grounds, and has n wcll-,quipped lab
&c oratory, IL library, and modern iacili
a ties and methods of instructions. Th,
2r principal, Prof. n. E. Bycrs. is Il grad
j. uatc of Northwestern University. |
ID $ The earnest desire of the manage
SC mcnt to raise the endowment fund o
w $4,000 to so, 200 as soon as possible
IL Eleven States and Canada are repre-
ID scented in the enrolment. The religion
k. influences surrounding The studci
are very good, and the sisters of tn
he church who are attending the schoc
Is wear the "player h~ead-Covcrng q
| the chapel exercises and at all LevC
er tional meetings. The group consis,
IN of Il number of students, some c
W whom will graduate at the next CON
n mcnCement.
n The recent Doukobor cmigation frol
I'd Russia to America, will recall our Mel
W monte influx from that country, whic
st attracted much attention in lS7l.l
"a when Utmost an entire rcmnant of
e. great company which had fled thithC
Il hundred years before from Austri
~ rather than submit TO military impress
nj menl, came over TO us, driven by tn
ls same SCad, and settled in Allnncsot;
'p Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota. 1t
n. their doctlinc Of nOn-resistancc whic
r has brought upon them their mo,
s. persistent troubles. During the day
n that followed the Reformation the
in came under condemnation of Pro
IS estant and Roman Catholic lulcl
lr alike, fer take up arms they would nc
lc ut any command. No sect, it is saiC
lie according to numbers, has suffered 5
much from persecution or given s
$. many martyrs for its faith. 1t wa
is tins licrcc persecution and wholcsal
" slaughter that quench ed the missionar
he spirit which early history shows the
IN exhibited in exceptional degree.