Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-19
PERFEC'TIONISTS.
New York Men and Women Who Say
They Lead Lives Of Holiness.
From the Boston Herald.


NEW YORK, June Is, 18S3.-The comparatively
few people who believe the doctrine of holiness,
in the sense that it ispossible to 80 perfect ones
self as to neither sin nor have any desire TO- are
going to make themselves more conspicuous
than usual this summer. Their program in
cludes number of separate camp meetings, and
they will also figure in the regular Methodist
gatherings in the woods, holding holiness SER
vices in their own tents. Their headquarters in
this city Is in the house of Dr. w. C. Palmer, in
east Goth street. They crowd a big, old fashioned
double parlOr and the adjoining spacious hall
way every Tuesday. l attended the last of
these meetings. There was brief exposition
Of scripture and number of prayers, but the
characteristic feature of the exercises was the
doctrine of holiness expressed in the numerous
declarations Of personal experience. Nearly
every speaker protested a life of utter freedom
from sin, and from so much as lingering desire
to do anything vicious; and the exceptional wOr-
shippers were, according to their reports, well
advanced toward a like victory over wOrldliness.
During almost 40 years, these weekly meetings
have been held in the same house. Phoebe Pal
mer, OF revered memory, was the originator of
the movement, which is now vigorous enough
to hold many camp meetings every summer
among the MethOdists, though discOuntenanced
by majority of the bishops of that denomina-
not committed the slightest sin of thought
or deed In eleven years, and a woman
said as positively that her carnal mind was
wholly destroyed. But nothing that was mar
rated struck me as more curious than the story
told by acity missionary, to illustrate the folly
OF deferring repentance. "In my round of the
hospitals" he said, ~ came across man who
had taken poison for the purpose of suicide
He was dying. The doctors could not save
him. and only an hour or so of life remained
in his tortured body. l asked him ii he was
prepared to die. and he replied that he wasn't,
but desired to be. l assured him that he could
get salvation by simply accepting it. That de,
lighted him; he prayed tervently for forgiveness,
and he passed away. | believe in the assurance
that all was we'll with him for eternity. Well.
his case puzzles me, because of what learned
afterward. 1t seems that bad luck made him
wish to die, but he was firm believer in the
Bible, and was aware of it's mandate against
self-murder. Moreover, he had heard it preached
that death-bed repentance was sufficient to
insure salvation. He made careful study of
this doctrine, consulted several clergymen
Though without disclosing to them what he
had In contemplation, and at length settled
it in his own mind, the sinner who repent
ed at the last moment was as sure of
heaven as any one Of you who have lived
sanctified for years. Having settled that point
to his own satisfaction, he sought means OF
suicide which, while certain to kill, would leave
him conscious long enough to make his peace
with heaven. So he swallowed deadly poison
and was taken to the hospital to die. There he
repented, as have told you. and he gave every
indication that his cOntritiOn was sincere. Now,
what are we to believe concerning such q de-
parted soul as that? He relied on the promise
He was to certain extent trickster-a reli-
giOus confidence man. What does Bro. Palmer
think about this case?" 'That we're not called
upon to settle it" was the reply
In corner was pile of curious little boxes
like chlldrens safes. They were for the collec-
ton of fund, memorial to Phoebe Palmer, and
to be expended in promoting the cause of hOli-
ness. They are sent far and wide, in the hope
that they will come back filed with coin.