The Indianapolis journal., 1884-01-02
A NEW SUPERSTITION.
A Dead Body Kept Fourteen Days in the Be-
lief that 1t viii Be Resurrected.

NEW YORK, Jan. IA most remarkable case
Of superstition has just come to light in East
New York whore the authorities have discovered
a religious society that has kept the body of its
leader for fourteen days in the expectation that
he will be resulTected again and permitted to re-
assume charge of their affairs. This society is
known the Faith Believers. They came to
this town about five years ago from the West,
and it is supposed by the number of letters they
receive from Chicago that the headquarters are
located in that city. Only seven of the brethren
settled in the town--fve men and two women.
They all occupied one house. on Center street.
IN the Brownsville settlement Of New Lots.
Flleir peculiar mode Of living aroused the
ndlcule OF the people. and although they
deavored to make converts, they utterly failed.
They never performed any work, and when i'll
never allowed doctor to enter thcir house. be
hevnc they were under the especial care of God.
and that he would provide them with food,
clothing and shelter from the storm if they sim
ply had faith How they managed to live is a
mystery. From their appearances they have not
been over-SUpplied with food, for they are all a
gaunt, Unlocking set. whose clothing hangs upon
them like the garments upon bean pole III
corn-ied used in Frightening the depredating
crow. The deceased, whose name was Robert
j. Haynes, was thirtyfv years of age. 1t
was said he was Il prosperous man in the
%},3O0 year He gave this position up, turned
his money into the societys treasury, and, with
his Wife joined the company and settled in New
Lots. Lately Haynes has not been seen. and it
was not until he had been dead two days that
word of it reached the police. Justice Sherlock
then held an inquest. and the jury returned Il
verdict of death from consumption. 1t was
thought he would be Immediately buried, and it
was not known until yesterday that the remains
had not been inferred. Captain French, Of the
New Lots police, then visited the house to inves-
tigate the affair in the interest of the health
board. The body attired in black suit of
Ministerial clothing. the coat buttoned close up to
the chin. and d hat was on his head and shoes on
his feet. He lay stretched out on a narrow cot
Ill the same room that the others slept in. His
eyes were wide OPEN and he stared in i decided
ly disagreeable way.
'iThe man is perfectly dead" said the Captain
mo, he is not. in the usual sense OF the word -"
was the reply. He is only dead for punish
ment, and in IA few days viii be returned to life.
You see; he never wanted TO die and made up
his mind he would not. God, to punish him for
this, caused his death. to show him the weakness
of humanity when placed against the Divine
power but he will restore him to life, to work
more earnestly for his glory. He will surely be
resu1Tected."
Thc Captain endeavored to dissuadc themfrom
the idea. but it was useless. In the house were
three Young babies in care Of the men. The
Captain asked the brethren what had become of
Mrs. Haynes. who. he thought, should have
charge of the babies. He was informed that she
had gone to Chicago the day before in the finn
faith thath her husband would join her there dur
ing the week.