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Archiver > BRETHREN > 2007-08 > 1186169418


From: Merle C Rummel <>
Subject: Re: [BRE] Early architecture, and visions--Oldaker article
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:30:18 -0400
References: <3deab0c90708031047l42515625uba060c68d44d9915@mail.gmail.com><005e01c7d5fd$1aab13d0$466e8a93@D81CL361>
In-Reply-To: <005e01c7d5fd$1aab13d0$466e8a93@D81CL361>


You have my support -

I've stated here before - that Elder Abraham Houser, of the Jessamine
Creek Church, Jessamine County Kentucky (and later of the Bullskin
Church, Clermont County OH) had a mill, and ran a still. People gave
grain to a "Poor Fund", which he made into whiskey, which he sold, and
put the money into the Poor Fund. Also, Gabriel Kerns, deacon at the
Obannon Church, Clermont Co OH (where I preach at the Stonelick
Meetinghouse), had a mill on Obannon Creek, and a still, where he ground
grain, and made whiskey. Gabriel was son of the Minister Conrad Kern,
of the Crane Creek Church, Salisbury NC - during the Revolution.

Merle C Rummel

> In the late 1700s, Brethren frequent ran stills, even
> some who were ministers in western Pa, and Virginia, but their behavior was
> kept under close watch by strict Brethren, and later they were disciplined
> for having stills.
> Remember that in Europe and Germany, use of beer and alcohol was quite
> common, and since there was no movement of prohibition there, undoubtedly
> most early Brethren immigrants used it, but with restraint. I guess many
> contemporary Brethren would be disappointed at learning this, but it is
> undoubtedly true, although there is a lack of proof and documentation, other
> than Annual Conference minutes of later actions against it. I hope I don't
> lose too many friends over this post. Emmert Bittinger
>

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