While it is true that the first sizable influx of Germans were Mennonites, these so-called "Sect People" were a minority. The large majority, as many as 90 percent, of the Germans that came to the New World were known as the "Church People," members of the Lutheran and Reformed Church. So it was with the citizens of Sharpsburg and the surrounding countryside. Thus, while some noted area families such as the Mummas were Dunkers, most of the other farm families were not. Dunkers practiced modesty in their dress and general lifestyle. The Dunker belief in pacifism has set the church apart throughout its history. It has led to persecution and ridicule, imprisonment or worse through every conflict and war our nation has faced. It has led to condemnation and violent attack by neighbors and even personal friends. It has brought arguments and splintering within Dunker families, as youth faced by peer pressures of the community in the hysteria of war fever, decided against their own family's faith.

Many of these separations have never been reconciled. This belief was instrumental in the movement of the Four Mile Dunker families down the Valley of Virginia previous to our Revolution. It has faced the Brethren on the Four Mile, when there was Indian threat during the War of 1812 and local militia were formed, and again as the cries arose against slavery and the slave holder and the nation girded itself to fight its own countrymen. The Brethren have faced violence for obeying Scripture and showing love to the enemy, as well as the friend. For this they are not understood. They do not condone evil, but attempt to resolve the problem behind the conflict, which the use of force has never managed to do. This follows the teachings of Christ, it is called Peace Making.

The Brethren were a church-centered community. The individual and family daily life started and ended with Scripture and prayer. The week began at Church on Sunday, and ended the week with Church on Sunday. The "Sabbath" was holy and no work was done on it (except the tending of livestock to keep them from suffering). It was set aside for worship which meant going to church if at all possible. If the local church did not hold services, and one could not attend one of the more distant services, then Scripture and prayer were practiced in the home. It was not a day of rest and recreation. The women folk had done all food preparation the day before, and had only to set it out for eating. Commonly, if there were local services, the several kin families would gather together to share their meal, and fellowship together. Sometimes this would be in one or another s home. Sometimes it would be the whole church together. rideProvider€