The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-01-04
IT'S AN ODD SOCIETY.
Unique Celebration of Schwenk
folders Of Pennsylvania.
An Observance, That for Quaintness
Has Never Been EQualed-His-
toric Particulars of the
Singular Sect.

A unique celebration, whose observ-
ance cannot be duplicated in the
world, took place recently in the little
Schwenkfelder meeting house at
Kraussdale, near where Berks, LIE
high and Montgomery counties join.
The occasion, says a Reading (Pa.)
special to the New York Tribune, was
the one hundred and siXty-sixth ami
versary of the landing of the fore
fathers of the Schwenkfelder in Phil
adelphia. The festival was quaint and
interesting. All the members of the
society were present. In the forenoon
there were religious services, and a
portion of the history of the society
was read. At IL o'clock all were in
vited to partake of luncheon, con-
sisting of fresh rye bread, sweet and
handsomely printed butter and the
choicest apple butter Nothing be-
yond these articles were offered; but
these were of the best, and there was
enough for all. 1t is said that the
simplicity of the food is intended to
call to mind the privation- of the fore
fathers. In the afternoon there were
further religious services; then the
brethren shook hands and departed.
They are almost exclusively a rural
people.
The speedy dissolution of the
Schwenkfelder society has frequent
ly been prophesied, but it continues
to live on. Though too small to en-
gage extensively in philanthropic
work, it has frequently sent hand
some contributions to the missionaries
of other denominations.
The Schwenkfelders are a little
company, but are not on that account
unworthy of attention. Though of
European origin six little congrega-
lions in Pennsylvania are their only
settlements in all the world. With
a history of more than 800 years, they
have hardly more than 400 members.
Their natural increase hardly COM
penSates for inevitable losses. and the
admission of member from the out
side world is an event of extreme rar-
ity. In this happy community finan-
cial distress is almost unknown, for if
by some mischance brother becomes
Impoverished there is an ancient
fund from which his wants are sup
piled, and if he is found worthy the
opportunity is given him for another
start in life.
10 those who regard rapid progress
as the only criterion of success such a
state OF affairs can hardly be intel
igible. Here is religious com
munity, wealthy and liberal, which
has never desired to become large and
powerful. Rich enough to erect fine
churches, it's members assemble in
plain meeting houses, such as their
fathers loved. Closely attached to
their ancient observances, they rarely,
if ever, indulge in controversy with
outsiders. Though many of their young
people have connected themselves with
larger denominations, the elders con-
tlnue to treat them kindly. In former
days they wore religious garb closely
resembling that of the Ouakers. but
this has gradually disappeared.
The history of this little sect goes
back to the days of the protestant
reformation. It's founder. CASPER
Schwenkfeld Won Ossing, was born in
1490, and was therefore seven wears
younger than Martin Luther. AS a
Silesian nobleman he received in his
youth the training which was supposed
to be suitable to his station. but in
some way he became physically dis
aoled, and afterward devoted his atten-
ton to theology.
He was. deprived of his estates. be-
came fugitive ard died at Ulm. De-
cember 10, 1861, where he is said to
have been secretly buried in cellar.
his followers were mostly Silesians,
dwelling in villages on the slopes of the
mountains. Ordinarily they were farm
ers OF the better class, but among them
were always few men of higher intel
ngence, who secretly conducted their
congregational worship. Aided by
friendly Hollanders, 40 families at last
set sail for America, where they ar
rived on September %, 1874. Two days
after their arrival in Philadelphia they
instituted festival of thanksgiving,
which has ever since been annually Gel
ebrated.
The earliest leaders of the Schwenk-
fielder society in America were George
Weiss and Balthasar Hoffman. They
were good men, but in no way remark
able. Christopher Schultz was called
to the pastorate in 1850, and became
the actual founder and organizer of the
American society. He was man of
extraordinary natural ability. For
more than so years the chief pastorate
was in the hands of members of the
Schultz family. who were men of great
moral excelleDce and force Of charac-
ter.
Water Piled In Ridges.