TALENT NEWS.
| VOL. I. |
OCTOBER 1, 1892. |
NO. 17. |
||
|
|
||||
| The TALENT NEWS is published
the 1st. and 15th. of each month. Terms: 25 cents a year. EDWARD ROBISON, Editor. Entered at the Talent Post Office as second class mail matter. LETTER FROM GROVER. Ed. News: Yours Truly, Andrew Wilcox returned last Sunday, after a visit of several month's in Iowa. Who says it is unhealthy to sleep in feathers? Look at the old rooster an I ese how tough he is. A recipe for lemon pie vaguely adds: "Then sit on a stove and stir constantly." Just as if anybody could sit on a stove without stirring constantly. Mart Pellet returned from Spokane Falls a short time since and is now living on his farm near Talent. John L. is not in it and Corbett is king. About the guiltiest-looking people in the world is a man accused of a crime of which he is in- nocent, and a newly-married couple trying to pass for veterans. |
THE DUNKARDS. The late protracted meeting of the Dunkards, or Brethren, at Talent, has led to many inquir- ies as to the origin and general belief of this sect. Much, however, relating to their faith and practice has been explained and exemplified at these meetings. We have endeavored to look up data regarding these "peculiar people," but find much that is conflicting. The name Dunkard is from the German dun- ken, to dip, in allusion to their manner of bap- tizing. The sect originated in Germany in about 1708. Being persecuted there, they fled to Hol- land and finally to America, 1719-1730. Their first community located in Pennsylvania, from which they gradually spread to New England and other states. One authority states that in the early history of the sect the sexes dwelt apart and marriage, though not strictly forbidden, was discouraged. The Brethren, however, deny this. Originally, they partially established a commonwealth, or community of goods, but as private holdings of property was not fully pro- hibited, this feature soon disappeared. Their system of church government does not differ materially from that of other religious sects. In faith and practise the Dunkards hold the bible to be the infallible word of God and accept the New Testament as their only moral guide. They endeavor to obey its plain teachings as they interpret them and take but little interest in subtle theological theories and speculations. Sufficient to them to follow the teachings and example of Christ. Their ministers receive no regular salary and are never found begging from the public. One can attend a Dunkard church without witnessing the "religious cerimony" of passing the hat. They cheerfully pay their own expenses and cordially invite the public to at- tend their services. The Brethren never go to law with one another and seldom with others. All serious disputes--and these are rare--are settled by the church. Were all the people Dunkards, there would be little use for lawyers. They hold that Christ is the Prince of Peace., therefore they are opposed to war. They take little part in politics and will not swear in court, but affirm without raising the hand. No mem- ber of this sect can belong to any secret society. With Dunkards, marriage is for life, therefor divorces are unknown. They practice annoint- ing the sick with oil and to a great extend be- lieve in the faith-cure system. They maintain their own poor; no indigent Dunkard was ever turned over to the tender mercies of the county. Temperance is an essential part of their re- ligion and the "filthy weed" is abhorred. Their most distinguishing cerimonials are "feet wash- ing" and the "kiss of love," the brothers, as well as the sisters kissing each other. The Love feast, or the Lord's supper, followed by the "communion of the bread and wine," is anoth- er interesting cerimonial which with them is always held at night. The brothers dress plain- ly and with such uniformity that, in general, no Dunkard may be known by his dress. The sis- ters are plainly but neatly dressed and, during church service, wear pretty caps with long de- pendant ribbons. In a word, the Dunkards are an honest, law-abiding people, tolerant, non-ag- ressive, sincere and intensely in earnest. They not only believe in clean feet, but clean hands, clean mouths and clean hearts. |
|||
|
|
||||
|
TALENT NEWS. PIONEER CHURCHES OF ROGUE BY WELBORN BEESON But few of the many attendants at the many churches that now raise their steeple towards the clouds in this beautiful valley have any knowledge of how the first church was formed and and edifice built to hold meetings in. In October, 1853, a train of immigrants, con- sisting mostly of preachers and church mem- bers, of which Father William Royal appeared to be the leader, arrived in Rogue River Valley. Mr. Royal had been a noted itinerant meth- odist preacher in Illinois, often holding confer- ences in company with the great Peter Cart- wright. When the Royal train, as it was known, ar- rived, Father Royal wishes to hold a meeting. A messenger was sent around among the set- tlers far and near that a meeting would be held on the following Sunday at what was then known as the Walton cabin, the remains of which now stand in J. E. Foss' orchard. It was something new in the history of Rogue River valley and every body came, mostly on horse- back, a few with ox teams. The men came with their spurs clanging and pistols and knives belted to their waists. The cabin was not large enough to hold the crowd, so they adjourned to the shade of a wide spreading oak that has now like the people there assembled, disappeared forever from view. Father Royal then deliver- ed a sermon and dedicated this land to the church of christ and Him crucified. It was probably the first sermon that the sturdy pio- neers had heard since they left their far away home in the east, and although many of them had had hard experiences and were rough in exterior appearance, when the good old man, (for if there ever was an honest, sincere Metho- dist, Father Royal was one) called for assistance to build a church edifice somewhere in the val- ley, the "boys" chipped in twenty-dollar gold pieces faster than dimes are put in at the pres- ent time in Talent. Father Royal met with such good success that he and his son, Fletcher, went to Jacksonville and preached in the saloons, and the gamblers would quietly listen to the sermon while still bucking at the games, and when the hat was passed around, would drop in their winnings let it be much or little. Early in the spring of 1854, Father Wilbur, the presiding elder, and Father Miller came to Rogue River and it was decided to erect a church edifice at Jacksonville, which by the help of gambler, horse racers, infidels and all classes, was soon built and still stands, a land-mark of the past generation. Whether there has ever been much good to mankind accomplished within its walls, is a question, but there has been earnest effort made by some true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Among the first Methodist clergymen to come to Rogue River were Stephen Taylor, whose relict, "Grand-ma" Taylor, still surviv- es; also numerous grandchildren; and Father Gray, five of whose sons are yet members of the church. Father John Stearns was the first Baptist minister to arrive, and also preached his first sermon in the Walton cabin, a few sabbaths later than Father Royal. Numerous descend- ants of John Stearns are scattered through Ore- gon. His remains lie burried in the Talent cemetery, he having lived to the ripe old age of |
a century. I have often heard him relate how when a small boy, his mother carried him to a place of safety, during the Revolutionary war. Four sons and two daughters came with him to Rogue River. Two of the sons, Miran and Samuel, were Baptist preachers. Avery P. was the first probate judge of the county and David E. lived on and improved a farm on Wagner Creek. They have now all passed to the other side. His two daughters, Mr. B. J. Pendgra and Mrs. I. Williams are living in Lane county. Grand-children great grand-children and great-great-grand-children, to numerous to men- tion are with us yet, but few of them are mem- bers of the church that Father John Stearns spent his life in trying to establish. The Revs. Fletcher and James B. Royal are sons of the above mentioned Father Wm. Royal and reside in the Willamette valley. Prof. Miller Royal, recently of the Ashland normal school was a grand son. Chas. Sherman return ed from Beswick Cal., on the 23rd ult, to remain several days visiting friends and relatives here. J. W. Briner is over from his mine on Hun- gry Creek. A new American citizen arrived on Anderson Creek on the 22nd ult. He will make his home for an indifinite time with Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Robison. Mrs. Alice McCumber arrived on the 24th ult, to remain for the winter. Jas. Briner, Al. Helms and Geo Wolgam- ott are back from Klamath county. Picking apples in full blast, the codlin moths are unusully large and in fine condition for market. John Crosby of Phoenix has rented Ad. Helms' farm near Talent. Everybody appreciating the lovely weather since the rain--no dust, no smoke, temperature just right. Who would'nt rejoice? Reno Goddard, while returning home from the People's Party meeting last Fri- day evening, unconsciously, in the intense darkness, approached to near a horse and received a kick on the left side of the face, which made him look as if he had been discussing politics with Corbett. It was a very narrow escape. M. H. Coleman moved to Wagner Creek this week. Sam'l Carlile moved into Jas. Helm's house near S. Sherman's yesterday. Our reporter who took in the fair found the pavilion exhibit much better than last year. The races, however, and the live stock fell short. We are asked: What is the most valu- able metalic substance in the World? Why, Brass of course, for by the aid of a few grains of this precious metal a 10th rate politician can humbug the people and feast on the fat of the land. |
|||