Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-03-20
Quaint Mennontes are Attracting Attention.

Few religious sects have appeared
SO little in public print as the Men
nonites, although they have been a
unique, distinct force in the worlds
spiritual life since the days OF
Luther, Of whom Memo. Simon, the
leader of the sect, was contempo-
rary. They have been in this
country since 1858, and there are
now some 10000 of them here, and
over 10000 in Canada. The fac,
that they are branching out in
foreign missionary work Ga field in
which they have been comparatively
inoperativc) and their recent activity
in India relicf-they sent many car
loads of corn and much money last
summer to India through the Chris
tian Herald-has awakened interest
in many people who seem to have
heard little or nothing of them.
Through the courtesy of DR.. Dewitt
r. Good, of Dale Enterprise, Va, The
Christian Herald presents the fol-
lowing facts, compiled for this paper
by Bishop l.. j. Heatwole, of the
middle district Virginia conference:
"Mennonites, previous to the year
1890, had never made public any
statement of their work, at which
time reports as to their numbers,
doctrines and tenets of faith were
rendered for use by the United
States census officials. The custom,
from time immcmorial, has prevailed
among them to go about things in a
quiet way, and they have never fol
lowed the custom of publishing an
account of their work or the number
of their communicates. With them
the evangelical life is reduced to a
principle that requires not only scpa-
ration, but also distinction from the
world. With respect to this out
ward distinctive form-such as the
"prayer head covering" for women
and the peculiar regulation dress
for men, these people have main
tanned throughout all their genera
tions the attitude of sober singu-
larity before the world.
''Thc first authentic account of
any settlement of Mennonites in
America is that Of a body of some
twenty five members who located at
Germantown, Pa, October 9th, 1868,
coming thither from IIolstcin on the
invitation Of William Penn. The
colony increased rapidly through
subsequent immigration, and it's
members came under the notice of
the neighbors rs being very simple
in their habits and mode of life; as
adhering, like the Quakrrs them.
selves, to plain, modest apparel; as
being slow 4. abandon the customs
of their forcfathcrs, and not readily
adopting innovations of any kind.
With the breaking out of the Rcvo-
lutionary war, there were forty-two
meeting houses in Pcnnsylvania.
Congregations arc now located in at
least twenty i've States and in the
Canadian provinces.
"All Mcnnonitcs recognize the
confession of faith, consisting of
eighteen articles, which was framed
and adopted April 2lst, 1852, at the
city.of bort, in Holland. In addi-
tion to the principles set forth in
baptism and sacrament of brca' and
wine, this confession also cnjoins the
ordinance Of foot washing, cnicins
marriage only between members of
the same faith, prohibits member
ship in secret organizations, forbids
the taking of oaths, and imprcsscs
upon Mennonitcs the doctrine Of
resistance.
"Thc communion is observed
twice year. Every intending par
ticipant is carefully examined scpa-
ratcly concerning his spiritual stand.
ing before the day appointed for
taking the sacrament. Immediately
after the communion Of bread and
wine comes the ceremony Of foot
washing. The members of the sexes
perform the Office among themselves,
each in turn washing and wiping the
feet Of his brother or her sister, and
giving at 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 be served. Should
more than one person be placed in
nomination Wv the cOnorcpatiOn n