The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-03-16

enlist in the service of their country If drafted they would, If possible, em- | ploy substitute. They cannot con- sistently prosecute a felIow-citizen, and if in turn they are prosecuted in civil court it is their duay to settle
 the case amicably without a trial if an agreement can be made. Their own troubles are settled by arbitration of the Brethren, based on the New Testa- ment
 As law-breakers they are practically unknown in the courts of the country, and one of the cardinal tests of their faith is loyalty to law and rulers. when called either as a witness or a juror in civil court the brethren of this sect are ''non-swearing," and use the simple affirmation based on the yea. yea" and may, nay" of the Scriptures
 These German Baptists claim to be the first temperance society in the country. They teach temperance in all essentials and in the broadest sense of the word.
 The people of this sect are noted for their thrift, and almost every daughter of the fold goes to her husband with at least modest lower. They have society of the brethren which is a kind of mutual insurance, but mem- Der of the sect can insure in any com pany re desires. If a fellow member be poor or unfortunate it is an unwritten law of the sect that he shall be aided morally and financially if worthy. No worthy member ever goes to an aims house. for 'brotherly love" is held as a sacre trust among them. In dress they are distinctive but not nearly so radical as some other sects. The wo- men wear plainback bonnets, often of silk, finished behind with a tiny frill. Under this bonnet they wear the simple cap of white lawn or linen with flowing strings Their gowns are simple in design so as not to attract atten- tion, but they not wear a garb as do the Mennonites. The men wear wide trimmed hats and have coats which button at the top and are left open, disclosing the vest. They base the wearing of their plain clothes upon the words of St. Paul: Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds"
 It is this sect that hold their bap- tisms on the banks nf streams with only the sky as a covering. Recently such concourse of brethren gathered here to baptize two men and six wo- men. The service, which drew a large crowd of sight-seers, is typical of other services all over the country, for all are alike in simplicity. Ttle con- verts gather around the minister, the women in white cotton flannel gowns and white caps. The service begins with a hymn, of which the following is typical
 T am resolved to finger no longer
 Charmed by the worlds delight,
 Things that are higher, things that are
 nobler
 They have allured my sight"
 The hymn is followed by a short prayer, all kneeling, and after this the baptism begins. The minister takes a convert and both wade into the water until it is deep enough so that when the convert kneels the water will reach almost to the armpits Kneeling, the simple declaration of faith is made, and then follows the Triune inner sion, which consists of bending the body forward under water completely submerging it three times After this "burying of the body in baptlsmp the minister offers brief prayer and the convert returns to the shore, wG,ile the members sing softly some of their beautiful hymns.
 The ordeal is great. The, air is cold and the wind, as it strikes the wet body, is piercing in intensity. Yet never has 1t been known for a convert to lack courage. It is steadfastly as- serted that no one, ever becomes i'll from the exposure Boiling Springs, Pa, Special to Philadelphia Record.