Page 22 - History of UB Church by A. Funkhouser Ver 1
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known. Yet it did adopt a comprehensive Confession of Faith and Rules of Discipline. Doubtless this
little group of men realized that the hour had not quite arrived for the precise details of a
thoroughgoing organization. The church they were founding was a growth, an evolution. It was not
a thing made to order.
The final clause of the Confession of Faith then adopted is significant of the concessions made
by the two leading elements which combined to form the United Brethren. In tradition and
tendency the German Reformed and Mennonite churches were far apart. The former baptized
infants, while the latter did not. The latter made the washing of feet a sacrament, while the former
regarded it merely as an example. Neither party could be expected to come at once and
unreservedly to the viewpoint of the other side. But each party could be charitable with regard to a
difference of opinion, and this is what took place. The clause in question is a compromise and is
tolerant and broad. In the United Brethren Church, three modes of baptism are recognized, and it
is the privilege of the candidate to choose between sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. The
washing of feet is not held to be an ordinance.
The second conference was held in 1791 at the home of John Spangler, eight miles from the
city of York. Nine members were present and thirteen were absent. But the large number of
absentees does not indicate indifference. At that time the highways were abominable. There were
no railroads, automobiles, or telephones. The mails were slow, and letter postage was high. And as
there was not yet an organized itinerancy, it was not the business of the conference to decide
where the several preachers were to work. This was a matter they decided for themselves.
Chapter V 22 Evangelical Movement Among German
Immigrants
little group of men realized that the hour had not quite arrived for the precise details of a
thoroughgoing organization. The church they were founding was a growth, an evolution. It was not
a thing made to order.
The final clause of the Confession of Faith then adopted is significant of the concessions made
by the two leading elements which combined to form the United Brethren. In tradition and
tendency the German Reformed and Mennonite churches were far apart. The former baptized
infants, while the latter did not. The latter made the washing of feet a sacrament, while the former
regarded it merely as an example. Neither party could be expected to come at once and
unreservedly to the viewpoint of the other side. But each party could be charitable with regard to a
difference of opinion, and this is what took place. The clause in question is a compromise and is
tolerant and broad. In the United Brethren Church, three modes of baptism are recognized, and it
is the privilege of the candidate to choose between sprinkling, pouring, and immersion. The
washing of feet is not held to be an ordinance.
The second conference was held in 1791 at the home of John Spangler, eight miles from the
city of York. Nine members were present and thirteen were absent. But the large number of
absentees does not indicate indifference. At that time the highways were abominable. There were
no railroads, automobiles, or telephones. The mails were slow, and letter postage was high. And as
there was not yet an organized itinerancy, it was not the business of the conference to decide
where the several preachers were to work. This was a matter they decided for themselves.
Chapter V 22 Evangelical Movement Among German
Immigrants
