The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-20
THE DAUGHrER OF GoD.
A Religious Sect Which Worshiped a Woman
as the Third Person of the Trinity.

A Religious Sect Which Worshiped a Woman
as the Third Person of the Trinity.
Philadelphia Times.
A reporter yesterday visited the dwelling on
South Eleventh street, and found the members
OF the sect still in mourning over the death OF
their patroness. After a long parley he was
invited to a second-story back room, which did
not differ much from the ordinary sitting rooms
in dwellings, except that it contained about
a dozen implanted chairs. There was a small
altar in one corner, and a big chest. The latter
was denominated 'the ark of the covenant"
This was filed with pieces of tinsel, tarla-
tan dresses, trinkets of all sorts, and decora-
tons which the leader of the house wore
in the ceremonials attending the services. On
a platform in the center of the room was a rock
ing chair. Directly in front stood a stand con
tanning an open Bible and a hymn-book. A score
of hymn-books and a contribution box lay on
a small table. The worshipers present included
four women past middle age, three elderly men,
Two brlght-looklng young men. The men mann
tanned a discreet silence, while the women poured
into the reporters ear their belief that Miss
Melster, whom they persisted in calling miss
Mira mitta,p was the Holy Ghost" in human
form. The most laxative women told of the
great cures and wonderful things performed by
the dead leader. She told how the members of
the congregation while at prayer addressed the
Trinity as "God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the
Son, Miss Miramitta, the Holy Ghost"
Do you see that tidyf" she said, pointing to
buO IOCkLuBCudir On bu0 pldllOFm, III was
adorned by the article; ~ bought it and put it
there. / prayed several times in one day andin
the evening drank dandelion tea, which all our
members do. l prayed just before going to
bed, and | had a vision. Before me came a
tidy. Icould see the pattern plainly. A voice
spoke to me, saying: Go to Fourth and Arch
streets and buy this tidy for Miss Miramitta.
The next day l went there and saw a tidy of the
same pattern as | saw in my vision
All the members admitted that they had sim
liar visions. and in every case the articles were
contributed. They ranged from carpets and
furniture to jewelry and watches studded with
diamonds.
The members believe that their dead leader is
with them, and in the spirit attends all their
gatherings. From their lips the story of her life
was obtained.
Thirty years ago Miss Anna Meister, an at
tractive and intelligent-iooking woman, married
the son of wealthy parents, who were opposed
to the match. Shortly after the wedding they
succeeded in separating the couple. The woman
was Frustrated with grief, and for a long period
she was melancholy and in depressed spirits.
Finally, she took her maiden name, and worked
at dressmaking for a livelihood. While at this
labor she claimed to have experienced
peculiar sensations. At times her arms
would suddenly straighten out from her
shoulders, and it was only with assistance that
she caused them to resume their normal posi-
ton. Other queer things occurred, and the
woman began to imagine that the phenomenon
was due to supernatural causes. Firm in this
belief, she gathered a few German people about
her, and arranged to hold religious meetings in
q house at Ridge avenue and Wood street. 1t
was here that she impressed a number of per-
sons that she was gifted with supernatural
power. That was twenty-eight years ago, and
several of her followers of that day yet regu-
larry attend the services at the house on South
Eleventh street.
At the meetings on Ridge avenue Miss Meister
assumed leadership. One evening she pressed
her fingers over the closed eyelids of one of the
members, who has since become a backslider,
and placed her in a clairvoyant state. The
woman announced that Miss Meister was called
by the Creator to perform a great mission on
earth. This was looked upon as an important
revelation, which, however, was soon followed
by a much greater one.
The elderly members of the congregation
yesterday declared to the reporter that they
were witnesses to the last great act. As
the little band of worshipers was engaged in
PRAYER there appeared in golden letters in
German text before Miss Meister, the mysterious
words: u Elimar Miramitta, Y which she at once
translated to mean. Holy Spirit, the third per-
son of the Trinity" This character she at once
assumed, and taught her followers that she was
man form to carry out a mission similar to the,
Savior. She dropped her maiden name and took
that of Miss Miramitta. She pretended to neal
the sick and perform miracles. Her following be-
came numerous, and it was decided to call it .The
Congregation of the Lord. More convenient
quarters were secured on Twelfth street, below
Ellsworth, which were occupied for nearly four
years. The property now used was then bought,
the money being contributed by a number of
well-to-do believers. In this house the peculiar
worship has been carried on under the direction
of Miss Meister for twenty-four years. Several
years ago a portion of the congregation became
dissatisfied with the methods of the
Holy Ghost" and she was arrested on
the charge of swindling, but was acquitted.
Up to the hour of her death she presided at the
little gatherings of her devoted followers, mapped
out the course they should pursue in the world,
and designated at what hours they should pray.
They strictly obeyed her, and followed to the
letter her dictations. They are confident no
worldly power can wrest from them the Elev-
eEth-street property. as they solemnly declare
Miss Miramitta, the Holy Ghost, would not
allow it to be done.