prepared by his wife are to him more satisfactory than are the dainties of Delmonico’s to the fashionable New Yorker, and they certainly give him better health a and finer physique. Musical instruments are a device not tolerated about the Amish home, a religious principle, perhaps, of some merit. A few of the less conservative have some improved farming implements, but this progress is not general. Top buggies are particularly under the ban of the church. The nearest approach to the modern buggy allowed to these people by their “Church ” is a low, four wheeled vehicle with a springless box, usually painted yellow. Possibly no form of Amish life is more peculiar than their form of worship. The Sabbath services are held at the home of one of the members, and they begin as early as the people can conveniently assemble. The preacher for the day is a member selected by lot at a previous meeting. After singing and prayer he reads from the Scriptures and talks. This is followed by more singing and prayer until noon, when a regulation repast of coffee, “turn-over,” pies and bean soup is served, after which the meeting is continued for several hours with services similar to those of the forenoon. The entire services are conducted in the German language. The singing is done very slowly, and the tunes are characterized by numerous slurs and holds. The pieces are sung in unison, as the singing of parts is forbidden and would scarcely be possible with these tunes. hove affairs among the Amish are usually quickly adjusted. When the young Amishman reaches the proper age for matri mony he selects from among the neighbor’s daughters one whom he likes, and usually after calling on her for several evenings in succession he announces to the old folks that they are ready to marry. As soon as convenient the marriage is solemnized by the church, and the young couple are started in housekeeping and farming with the assistance of parents and friends. Until recently all education was under the ban of the church; but now there are several schools supported by the Amishmen, where their children are taught a slight knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic. They are discharged from the school early, and after that their higher education consists in a study of the Bible and the almanac. THE DIGNITY OF TABOR. * ‘ The dignity of Tabor. ’ ’ At the suggestion of these words there rises, probably, in your mind the question, wherein lies the The Free Lance. C. B. Alexander, ’97. [April,
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