The New York herald., 1870-11-23
STARTLING RELIGIOUS FAHlTICISM.
A New Jerusalem Established
in South Africa.
Extraordinary Revelations Concerning q New
Religious Sect Called the Chill
dren Of Jesus Hlasphemy Run
xad-Mormoaism 0utdons.

4 From the Cape Town (South Africa Standard and
| Mail. August 1871
The existence OF y religious scot al wellington
| commonly styled the Anabaptists, but named by
themselves Children Of Jesus 10 not altogether un.
| known to our English readers. The case against
Groenewoud, heard In the Supreme Court about a
year ago, hsted the curtain which had hidden from
public knowledge tho proceedings OF these fanatics.
Public morality and pubic decency were shocked
by the revelations which then took place but since
tnen the dolngs OF these people have been more
prominently shown up by the publication, by one
who had been member OF this sect, OF wnat taxes
place among them under the cloak OF religion Pub.
lie journalists have sometimes duties to perform
painful TO themselves. but which IN tho cause
OF society and proprety must be performed. II is
with no pandering TO sensaionallsn that we refer
TO the proceedings Of these wellington fanatics,
but simply with the hope that by the publication of
wnat takes place many who would otherwise fall
victims to The seductive prospectus scattered
through the world 10 lure converts 10 the "Cty Of
Cod, South Africa" Will be placed on their guard.
The history OF this sect can be very briefly stated
Some four or i've years ago one Groenewoui, "a
man VINO came OUT from Holland a. O pedler;
married the daughter Of Dutch editor, sixteen
years his senior; became missionary OF the Dutch
Reformed Church; became dissatisfied, seeded,
together with Van der Rjst, and became apostle TO
the heather; separated from Van der Rijst and had
himself and wiie rebaptized; ana at last
became sectfounder, revelator and prophet
enjoying direct communion with God;' left
tins colony for Europe. Consequent upon his
arrival there "tracts'' were sent rom the press
painting In glowing pictures the new creed OF
which he was the high prophet. His efforts were
crowned with the greatest success. In Switzer.
land two merchants whose philanthropy and piety
were known throughout the land, embraced the
| fan. They were possessed Of wealth, and IN de-
| voting that to the new creed taey established
foundation not difficult 10 build up almost any fabric
on. 1t was their wealth which was to achieve this
great revolution IN the Christian world and u was
| but lair tlat they should become prophets. THAT
/ they wnc were unacquainted with the cape colony
should have selected Wellington for the New Jeru.
| salem cannot be conceived, but we trace in that
guiding spirit This '.chuich' has arisen. where
have been found tnan Welllngtonf glorious
| climate, beyond the busy hmm or men, but with
perfect line OF steam communication with the world.
| With steamers bi-monthly, railway TO the
spot, the people OF the country unobrusve and not
for the purpose or the .'prophet chef With those
among whom these seductive tracts circulated who
turn 70 account the climate, ino scenery anS the
rich country IL which that village is situated. This
thrown out That the Lord Jesus viii gather his
people IN Wellington ns the country or Goa is for
those who are born Of COD and therefore hear s
people Israel throughout the wilderness to the
mountain Of God SINAI Israel, AFTER the nesh, is
miniature likeness OF the incoufparaby mora gi0ri-
Gus Israel IN the Spirit. On the mountain Of God
the glory Of Lord Was seen N visible appearances
l,ghlnlngs ana thick cloud upon inc
ceeding loud; so that all the people that
was In the camp tremoled.. And the Lord gave to
Israel the law, which the schoolmaster to bring
them to Christ. But IN the city or Cod which Jeh9-
yah has chosel before the foundation Of the world
there appeared the rejection Of Ais glory nameyn
Jesus, VINO spirit and the fulller OF the law.S
productions, anu We cast them away from us with
loathlng:- blessed are they now, and IL goes wen
Of the world they gather no more eartniy treasures
Ike the hcatnen; they trouble themselves more
we eats What snall We drink and wnereWs sna sla
we be clothedY They do not any longer work ln
their fields with sorrow all the days OF their lives;
their wives, who have become as fruitful vines by
the side OF their houses, have no pains when they
are with child and they are delivered without sor-
rows They are also no more servants OF their hus-
Eve still rested upon them.''
And you dear beloved brethren, children OF
Abraham aud Of The promise. ye Nessed OF the
Lord VINO sill smart under the bondage OK Egypt,
groaning IN the letters OF civilization in the fac.
tories the confined rooms, the garres, In work
places, under the yoke OF men and Of sin; and who
long for the lie with God IN truth; free from the
bands OF SIN; free from the putrld breath Of hypoc-
risy; free from the heavy chains OF tho precepts OF
not GO ont oi Babel, hastenl that ye be not par
takers Of her sins and That ys receive nor OF her
which is the gift OF the Holy Ghost, after your old
man, with lis affections and lusts, has been barred
ye have nolAing to lear. Como gather yourselves
| with us around our exalted King sitting Oh the
Throne Of David at Zion, ard enjoy with us his
| glory, glory as OF me only begOt;en Son Of the
| Father, fail Of grace aud truth.
''The Church OF Jesus,
''Ihe Colony OF God, Cape o. Good Hope, South
Africa Sth August, l56y.N
| Throughout the pamphlets are quotations from
| .'prophel'so argument. It would not nave been
astonishing TO Iind that among the uneducated ana
ignorant these plausible reasonings should have OBJ
tanned converts but s surprising TO learn that the
wealthy, the educated and the titled are the leading
members OF ihis Jolly. They profess happiness in
be reasoned ont by The c0Isde alton OF the old pro-
! verb, wh,ch shows that having once placed loot
lonyed TO such sect once Is to belong 10 1t for
! ever; Tor To 50 into tho world to stand the
6rnnt u It's reproaches requires greater courage
| than many can bear, ana to enter society is
| impossible. One Of the conditions TOO, OF member
ship Is that all converts must give up every worldly
thing tney possess and hand It to the prophets.
To rc.enter th world again would have TO be In the
greatest poverty, without any prospect Of getting
work where they are known, or without receiving
helping hand from any one. Under these circnm-
stances how would man with Ms family. having
! Wellington. IN all probability, therefore, II he left,
| he would perhaps 1--we few weeks III abject pov-
erty cndeavoring to struggle on, but at last give ln
which he deserted. lt Is this helplessness which Is
! the prophets security aud strength. And we have
| q case directly before IA.
A year aUia naf ago Mr.. Augustus schunkc, al
lnred by the tempting descriptions given,
lett his employment in Switzerland, ana
with his wife ahd daughter Joined the fanatics,
/ ttat Is 10 say, he Joined them, but never took
| part In ts1ee "reyeations.u few months III the
! colony, and he could remain no longer In their
/ society. He lett them, and for whole year mas
been struggling on, dependent for his living ON tne
sewing work done for the blacks for the white pe0-
pie Will not assist them, they afraid TO ask l0r
assistance because they are ALWAYS held UP 10 scorn
and sc0fing as they pass through the streets ~ ID
10 Mr. Schlke That The exposition OF the goings on
I OF these sellelecied saints Is OWING.
| He tells us that whcu ne arrived III the colony
he found tile members OF the Society IN drca9lul
plight, and instead Of The Paradise which ne had SO
ondiy anticipated nothing but q large snoslanllai
bnilt house, with couple or acres OF Rarten grounu
| attached. The food given to the inmates varied
according to The fancies OF the prophets " pro,