Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-28
COMMUNICATED
Our Dunkard Neighbors.

The members of the Fairfax German
Baptist Brethren Church, held their tall
love feast on Saturday tie 10th inst, in
their commodiOus new church-house
dedicated April 10th, 1904, at Oakton,
Fairfax county, the number of commu-
nicants present being 81.
They met for examination or prepara-
tory service at $50 in The afternoon, the
tables already having been set and cover
ed with the neat white covers. The
tables are not served, however, until
time for the evening services.
The love feast of communion services,
always held in the evening, embrace feet
washing, the Lord Supper, the holy kiss,
and the communion of the bread and
cup. In feet washing, each washes and
wipes the feet of the next one, and so on
around. Next the supper is eaten; this
is simple meal and consists OF beei or
mutton, soup made of the meat, broth,
bread, butter and water. Though sim
pie, this is a full meal, taken in antici-
patton of the marriage supper OF the
Lamb. when He shall come forth to serve
us. Following the supper is the kiss OF
charity Qove), or holy kiss making an
unbroken chain and renewal OF the ties
of fellowship. The concluding ordinance
of the evening is the communion OF the
bread and cup of the New Iestl-
ment. the brethren breaking the bread,
when started by the officiating elder, each
one to the next, and the sisters being
supplied by the Bishop officiating
When supplied they all eat at the same
time. The cup is passed from each
brother to the next, the sisters being
served, as in the case of the bread, by
the elder officiating. All are on COM
mon level; the hifed girl or hired man
may sit by the side of an employer and
have the humble service OF feet wash
ing performed by them, or vice versa.
The love feast was observed by the
early Christian church until in the fourth
century, when the Laodicean council
issued a decree abolishing it, because
some were made to sin thereby. This
and several similar DEGREES, however, did
not secure the entire abolition in all the
churches until late in the seventh cen
tury.
This congregation was organized Feb
ruary Z, 1903, from part of the territory
of the Manassas congregation, and con-
sists of Alexandria city, and Alexan-
dria. Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
There were 80 charter members, the
membership now numbering ll3. OF
the increase, sc have been received by
baptism, the remainder by letter.
The ministerial force, which serves
without salary, consists of Elder Samuel
A. Sanger, elder or bishop in charge;
Elder Albert Hollinger, and Isaac NJ.
Neff and John NJ. Kline, ministers in
the second degree. Ministers are elected
from the deacons and laity, to the FIRST
degree. On proving faithful to the
duties of the Office they are advanced to
the second degree, and later, if qualified,
they may be advance to the full minis
try; that is, the Office of elder or bishop.
There are ten deacons whose duty il
is to visit the sick, see after the poor,
paw the annual visit to the members,
prepare for the love ieasts and assist the
ministry generally in the church work
as may be required. Deacons are elected
from the laity.
This congregation has Sunday schoo
at 10. preaching at II and Christian
Workers Meeting in the evening eacf
Sunday. They also have MissiOnar!
Reading Circle with bi-weekly meetings
and Sisters Aid Society, with meeting
each month.