The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1917-11-22
Among the Followers Of the
Church of. the Brethren

we're lllOoC uOAASlNAulIy SpGnl Ill TIE
Muddy Creek settlement by the ed.
;tor and family We were accom-
Danied by Mr.. and Mrs. John Wei
orn of Route l, Thomasville, and
Visited their relatives in that sec
ton. While there we attended ser
vices at Fraternity, the worshipping
rIace of the Church of the Brethren
also nicknamed "Dunkards. There
were three services Sunday, morn
in6, afternoon and night. About
o'clock dinner was spread and ev-
eryone invited to partake. 1t was a
fine spread of good things toeat, too
One of the strong principles of the
Brethren is brotherly love and fell
)owship and one cannot help but
feel that their kindness and consid-
eratiOn shown to one and all crmes
from the heart and is sincere. Rare
~ have we ever seen such hospi-
nitaIity and kindness displayed to
STRANGERS, the hearty handshake; the
sparkle Of the eye. the expression
OF the mouth, the whole demeanor
shows that here brotherly love goes
out to humanity and blends itself
into unison of feeling. The inspir-
alton is invigorating.
The Church of the Brethren has
been in existence for years and is
very strong i'll the West and parts
Of the East, South and North. In
this State so far the membership is
comparatively small but iu Virginia
quite strong. It's members are ve1y
RELIGIOUS, stick absolutely to the
teachings of the Bible as they see it
and livl very plain life There is
AN elder over each church who has
the destiny of the church in his
hands, the same as a presiding elder
There are also in many cases sew
eral 0 her ministers under him serV-
,ng tn same church. All the min
listers serve without pay. The men,
bers give them helpIwhen necessary.
With the living to be made on the
farm, sermons TO prepare, the sick
to visit, the dead to bury and other
minislrationS to be performed the
ministers of the church of the Breth-
rem have their hands full.
The present day church Of the
Brethren is not quite so exactlng of
its members as in years past in re-
gard to certain details, but unrOm-
promising in its most fundamental
principles. There are now three
classes, 50 to speak, the old timers,
the conservatives and the progress
ives. The old-timerS wear beard, the
regulation clothes aud hat consisting
of frOck coat with cellar upturned
around a white collar but no tie,
fitting close around the neck and
a wide, straight brim hat with box
crown, resembling the Catholic priest
somew What in dress but far removed
from this church in its belief. He
will not raise tobacco, much less use
it, works in the Masters vineyard
without pay and does not try or
want to lay up much worldly goods.
The women wear extra long split
b0nnets of black aud discard rib
bonS and turheIoWs.
The conservatives among the men
dress plain aad most OF them dis
card ties, will raise, little tobacco
to sell for money crop but few use
it. Few of any of the three classes
drink coffee or dope or the like. Ut
course some of the youngsters Will
wear a pretty tie and dissipate a
little The women and girls dress
little more attractive than their
Grandmothers Chat is speaking OF
he modern fashion sheeO wearing
much shorter and prettier bonne!s
and hats, but in many respects fol-
low the rules laid down as to trlvol-
lty and show
The progressives are not so strict
on the wearing apparel and some OF
the pleasures and indulgences OF
life.
No music of any kind was used
at the services Sunday "a conserva-
tive church, but some of the best
singing we ever heard occurred just
the same. We particularly remem.
Der three songs, Joy Bells Ringing
More Like You" and "A Work For
You" Such music that came from
the throats of those singers-you
could really hear the bells ringing!
Ii was great and the song services
much enjoyed.
The Brethren kiss each other when
they meet, especially after an aD-
sence or making a new acquaintance,
Most Of them we noticed part their
hair in the middle. The prayers IN
yariabIy end up with the LORD S