Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-14

A PECULIAR PEoPLE.-As an item of news
and of interest TO our readers We chronicle the
somewhat recent appearance 10 our communi-
ty, of religious body whose faith and practice
make them peculiar people, A meeting has
been rect ntly held by them and series of lee
lures been delivered in this place by one of
their speakers, Mr.. A. B. Magruder, of Balti.
more, which attracted the attention of our citi-
zeDs, who evinced their interest in the novel
and strange doctrines they advance.
They accept no name other than one of Bi
Bile coinage, calling themselves individually dis
clples saints, Christians, believers, brethren,
&C., and collectively the Church of God or
Church OF Christ refusing to accept or acknowl-
edge any name not Inscribed 10 the Bible. They
declare their adherence to the Bible alone as
their guide 10 religion, but they leject altogeth-
err, as untaught in the scriptures, the doctrine
of the Immortality Of the soul, the translation
to heaven or hell at death, or at any time. of
the dead, and the eternal torment of the wick.
ed in hell or elsewhere They maintain that
there is no Immortality for man out of Christ
that the wicked, who are those that sin against
light aud knowledge, will not live forever, but
will be utterly destroyed after enduring pre-
vious punishment according to their deeds:
that the earth will never be destroyed, but be
come the everlasting abode of the righteous
that on this earth the righteous will be reward.
ed and the sinner judged and punished that
the resurrection is the ouly hope of future lite
that two deaths and two resurrections are
taught in the Bible that Christ will return to
this world, put down and subdue all existing
kingdoms aud governments over man, and on
their ruins erect His divine kingdom, and reign
with his lmmortal!zed saints, visibly, aud 10
great power over all its inhabitants that all
the Datlons now or 10 the past who have lived
IN times OF ignorance, and consequently having
no opportunity, have 90 responsibility and vii!
never rise from The dead that all meus re-
sponsibilites before God are 10 be measured by
their opportunities; that God will punish the
wicked less than they deserve and reward the
righteous far above their just deserts; that the
twelve tribes of Israel will be restored to their
land and become the immediate subjects of
Christ's reign, 10 Jerusalem, 90 David throne
reconstructed whilst his empire, as King of
kings will extend over the whole earth, which
will then be Paradise restored.
They have 90 clerical order among them,
and do not preach nor teach for money or on
salaries. They hold that every male member
Is at liberty to teach and preach the faith once
delivered to the saints, as time and opportuul-
ty is afforded. They do not call on any, out
side of their own brotherhood, to give money
to help their cause but maintain that on the
people Of Good devolve the duty and privilege
Of supporting and maintaining the Church Of
God which they recognize as the pillar and
ground Of the truth. They refuse to swear or
to bear arms, and whilst carefully obcying all
laws enacted BY the State, they do not vote nor
take any active part in public affairs, awaiting
tie time to come 10 Gods providence and at
his pleasure, when he will supsrsede the pres
ent government of the world aud establish his
kingdom down 90 earth and rule over men 10
the person of his Son and the saints associated
with him.
They are Congregatioualists. each separate
church or body taking the Bible as the guide
and meeting together every first day OF the
week, to break bread and keep the ordinances
Of the Lords house, to preach the Gospel of the
kingdom ADD encourage and exhort Que anoth-
er to continue in the faith uoto the end. =
Winchester NeaoS.