A portion of the services was in English.  Dr. ——­, a practitioner of medicine and a bishop in this Church, spoke extemporaneously in our language.  He gave a long account of the ordinances of the Jewish Church, and then of those which the “Lord Jesus instituted in the place of these—­the baptism that was celebrated a week ago, and this Lord’s Supper, this feet-washing, this kiss of peace, this manner of visiting offenders;” the last phrase being an allusion to the severe rule which forbids the New or Reformed Mennists to eat, etc. with those excommunicated by the society.

The Mennists, as I understand, hold in general those doctrines that are considered evangelical.  The services were much prolonged, and the congregation became restless.  But at length, while a younger brother was speaking in “Dutch” or German, there came in another bearing a parcel wrapped in a white cloth.  He was followed by one carrying something tied in a blue-and-white cloth, which being opened disclosed a demijohn.  The white parcel was received by the preacher upon the desk, and when opened showed a great loaf of our beautiful Lancaster county bread divided into slices.  After prayer several preachers took slices, and passing around among the congregation broke off bits which they gave to the communicants.  The wine in the demijohn was then poured into small, bright tin cups, like milkmen’s measures, and was distributed among the members.  A hymn in the German language was sung, two lines at a time, while the wine was handed round.

After these services were concluded feet-washing began by reading the passage from the 13th chapter of John on the subject, and this was followed by many remarks.  I observed that one elderly brother, speaking in a mournful tone and in our Dutch manner, quoted, “Nimmermehr soll du mein Fees wasche” ("Thou shalt never wash my feet").  These discourses were followed by the announcement, “Next Sunday there will be bread-breaking at Landisville.”

Now arose a confusion from carrying out benches, from arranging others in two long rows facing each other, etc.  The two principal preachers were seen disencumbered of their coats, much animated conversation began, and feet-washing did not seem to be observed with so much seriousness as the Supper.  I took a seat near the end of two long benches which were arranged to face each other, and on which sat some of the brethren whose feet were to be washed by one of the preachers.  Common unpainted tubs containing water were brought in by two men.  Dr. ——­, the bishop already mentioned, had a great piece of white linen tied around his waist.  He passed along between the two rows of men as they sat facing each other, bearing his tub alternately from a brother in one row to one in the other, so that both rows were finished at about the same time.  Quietly the men took off their shoes and stockings.  They did not put their feet forward much.  As Dr. ——­ came to each participant he set his tub down before him, washed his feet a little, wiped them on the long white apron or towel, then shook hands with him and kissed him.  He thus ministered to thirty persons, a somewhat laborious undertaking, but his powerful frame was suited to the exertion.  The same water and the same towel served for all.