Tunkers

Tunkers (Ger., 'Dippers'), by corruption Dunkards (but by themselves called 'the Brethren'), a religious sect found chiefly in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. Altogether they number nearly 100,000, and are almost confined to the United States, although small bodies exist in Denmark and Sweden. Yet the sect had its birth in Germany, being indeed a child of the Pietist movement of the 17th century; but between 1719 and 1729 all the members, harassed and persecuted at home, had, on Penn's old invitation, removed to Pennsylvania, and settled about Germantown and Philadelphia, from whence they gradually spread southward and westward. In their creed the Brethren are thoroughly evangelical. Baptism they administer by trine immersion (hence their name), and only to adults. Love-feasts are held in each congregation twice a year, preceded by washing of feet, and followed by the giving of the right hand of fellowship and the kiss of charity (women with women, and men with men), and then by the communion. Each congregation is independent, and elects its own deacons, ministers, and elders or bishops; the latter, who preside over the congregations, are chosen (generally by seniority) from among the ministers (who are authorised to baptise, marry, and preach). Ministers are supported by the church if they are poor or are sent out as missionaries, but as a rule no salaries are paid. There are district and general conferences for the settlement of questions not entirely local. Other customs of the sect that deserve notice are their plain and generally uniform dress, their avoidance of litigation, of war, and of any active share in politics; they take no oaths, and so may not join (or if converts remain members of) any secret society. Divorce and re-marriage are unknown among them, but the stories of their celibacy or discouragement of marriage are without foundation. They anoint the sick with oil; and they are total abstainers, and discourage the use of tobacco. Most of the Brethren are engaged in farming. They possess four schools or colleges, at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Mount Morris, Illinois, Bridgewater, Virginia, and McPherson, Kansas; the publishing headquarters are at Mount Morris.