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We herewith present a picture of one of the old landmarks of Jack son township, known as the Conser vative Dunker church. Some of the members of this church, whose legal name is German Baptist Brethren, began settling , along Deer Creek in 1828, so far as_ we have knowledge, Peter Eyman and Peter Replogle ministers, and Samuel Wise deacon, were the first settlers. Others followed during the next few years and in 188 an organization was effected. They however had no house of worship but held their meetings in their homes and barns until 1852 when this house was built. Some of the common names at that time were: Replogle, Wise Musselman, Cripe, Metzger, Ulery, Kingery and Snoeberger. These pious people who were characterized by’ their simple life’ and peculiar dress, which had been adopted by the early church as an ‘means of distiction from the world, by their industry and peacful life, won the confidence and esteem of their neighbors. The church made a steady but substantial growth, but suffered, two church divisions—one in 1848 under the leadership of Peter Ey man whose followers were known as ‘“‘Imanites” and later as ‘The Church of God’”’ and the other in 1881 when the ‘‘Old Order Brethren’’ with drew. For some time after this last divi sion the growth was slow, but of re cent years new life has been impart ed to it and its activities are notice able. Their house of worship was re modeled a few years ago and good comfortable seats provided so they have a neat and comfortable place of worship. On account of the nearness of this house to Flora and because many of their members are located in Camden the question of building a church house in Camden is being agitated. The membership now numbers more than one hundred and main tains an evergreen Sunday school and regular preaching services and is active in the Missionary work. ‘The congregation at present is in charge of Eld. Gilbert Stinebaugh as Pastor and Rev. James Kennedy as assitant. These ministers like others of their denomination serve without salary being assisted, if nec essary by their congregation, but they believe a salaried ministry det rimental to the best interest of the church. They also belief in and practice the literal observance of the ordi nance of feet washing and The Lord’s Supper as a full meal in con nection with the communion as taught by John Thirteen. They also teach that secret oath bound societies, the wearing of gold and other articles of superfluity and costly array are unscriptural and that the special prayer veil of I Cor. XI. 10 is yet necessary. It was because of this belief that the bonnet Wyas adopted by the early church as the headdress of the women instead of the popular head dress of the fashionable women. This denomination was organized in Germany in 1 708 during the sk«for mation, and,because of persecution, began emigrating to America in 1719 settling first at Germantown, Pennsylvania, from where they are now represented in almost every state of men as well as in India, Europe, Carigyzia and Cuba. At their general Conference to be held in DeMoines Iowa, in June an interesting‘historical program is to men have served as officials in a local congregation: MINISTERS’ DEACONS Peter Replogle John Musselman George Patgon John Ulery Henry Metzger David Replogle James Gish Reuben Young Christley King: ‘ry Allan Etter John D Musgelman John Snoeberger George Dilling | Akai Snoeberger John Lesh ———dDavid__Blickenstaff James Kennedy, Thos. Duddleston Benjamin Wea Martin Hoff | Gilbert Stinebaugh Chas. Link : John Webster Wm. Angle, Moses Wagoner |
Newspaper Details
Camden Expositor
Camden, Indiana, US
Thu, Mar 12, 1908
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Bruce Q.
