New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-20
EXTRAORDINARY DELUSIOM
swINDLING RELIGIOUS IMPOsToR.

Fvom The Philadelphia North Amerieds.
We noticed few days since, the arrest OF woman
named Anna Master, at house in the northern part
of the city, the charge Of defraudng number Of
persons by representing that she was the sister of
Christ, and would send their souls to heaven the
receipt Of a certain rum of money.
A hearing in the case was hsd before Alderman
Eneu last evening" at the Central Police Station. The
Office was denseiy crowded with bystsnders the most
of whom were Germans and were among the numerou,
victims Of the ibpostor
Mrs Master, the principal In the affair, occupied
seat the witness stand. ste is German woman
possessing very uncommon features Her nose Wa,
long, and bad peculiar tun-up at the end. She Is OF
medium hight. and apparently 80 years OF age. She
was dressed in plain manner, except her bonnet
which somewhat tashy, and possessed a Large
feather. She presented the appearance OF determined
and intrs uiDg woman.
Her assistant. naned Caroline Wenner, who was
aso under arree rat at the ride OF her mistress She
was pain-lookipg young gin, possessing very red
cheeks, m also similar peculiar =" turnup" nose ~
her mistress.
Judge Parsons represented the part Of the victims of
the accused who bad brought suit against hsr, and
questioned the witness. Dntnct-Anorney Cassidy was
also present.
Margaret Mstst, German woman, examined,
and teethed partly through the means OF an inter-
prefer, and partly in broken English. We give as
much of her testimony as we could secure under the
circumstances. presents the important features Of
the case:
reside on Germantown road, above Jefferson street,
rect gnize the accused, Anna Master.
Question. What do you know in regard TO the prs-
oner having represented berrclf being relative OF
the Deity &c Answer She represe ntcd that she was
the sister Of God, Of the Holy Ghost, and Of Jesus
Cbrist Our Savior
O. How did che obtain her di,ciples A. will tell
you how she obtained me ~ dfclple; a woman, who
used to come to Dy house very often on business snd
acquaintance Of other persons living in the
house with me, one day asked me If | heard Of the
great woman who was the sster of God and who was
sayrg 20 many souls | was ashamed Of my ig-
norspce, ard asksd her what tbe meant; che then
manifested s1rprse that knew little and asked
II would lot like 10 be better informed answered
that would, ana promised tO 20 On the next Sunday
if il Was clear weather asked how much the great
woman charged: she replied "Oh, che can take no
oney; il would fall Out Of her hands II che took il;
she could hold it in her hands for moment" well
on the Sunday prepared nyself to co. dressed
myself in very plain clothing thinking thar had 10 90
~ serious place; well, when got 10 the womans
house foUId two or three other sdie. there who
vefe dresstd IL very fEe elytbes wearing silk ffocks
&c, sbd iei asbsmed Of IN, self pretty soon heard
preaching and re0Dg Of verses out Of book, and
they tac INA. the vonisn looking into heaven; 1
wac perpexed and DID not know whs: to make of the
Affair." when got home one of my peghbos sent TOR
NE, and too LIE not 10 10 the house any more, as
che knew that Mrs. Miller the name of the woman
who had fret told of the affair was paid so much
money fer every soul she got vnted the house OF
the great woman sgsn, and lold her just what had
teaId abou, her end Mr.. Miller; she repSed thai pep
pie would ace what was doing was all for good, and
would not be opposed to the doctrines she taught
O. Did ven not suspect there was something wrong
in the matter A. Well. Sir, / was rendered such
machine by the woman that she had the power to do
snything al al with me; the next day nan came 10
py hcl.e aa3 S.ye @s Dsss, when b 80! Ma