Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-30
rCincinnati Enquirer

rious asst is sacri.egious, has selzed
upon thirty Of the most prominent
people Of this city. The facts OF
the case will startle the religious
and secular world, as it seems al
most incredible that such rank
superstition could exist in such an
intelligent community. About two
years ago, at the Loveland Camp
Grounds. strange religions services
were held in the tent Of Mrs. John
b. Martin, the wife of the restau-
rant man who used TO run an es-
tablishment at Fifth and Walnut
streets. The peculiar actions OF
the half-dozen people who frequent
ed the tent caused considerable
comment, on account of the secrecy
with which they were held, and the
fact that none but the favored few
were admitted. 1t soon became
noised about that Mrs. Martin was
worshipped as Christ manifest IN
the flesh, and her followers took no
trouble to deny the charge. The
good people of the camp who dld
not sympathisc with the movement
we're much scandaliSed, because
the Martintes had nothing to do
with the general services, bnt clung
to the tent of their oracle with re-
markable zeal. At the LOveland
camp grounds last year the same
scene was repeated, with an IN
crease in the number Of disciples.
During the past year numerous
meetings Of n mysterious character
have been held at the residences OF
Mrs. Martin and Mrs. J. +. Brooke,
n sister of Mrs. Martin, on Walnut
Hill. All sorts of queer stories
were circulated by the gosslps,
who insisted that the services were
of a decidedly sacrilegious nature.
The number of attendants on the
meeting reached thirty, among the
group being many heretofore promi-
nent in church work. Through the
efforts of an Enquirer reporter,
aided by others, the truth has been
brought to light, and the ugly
rumors sent broadcast have been
confirmed.
Mrs. Martin is worshiped as
Jesus Christ, and Mrs. Brooke, her
sister, is venerAted as the Holy
Ghost by little band of misgnid-
ed people. \ day or two ago John
Cook, employed in the Auditors
Office of the Adams Express Com
pany, reported for duty after sew
cral davs' absence. He was an ex-
emplary young man, and no thought
that he had been on a spree catered
the mind of his employer.
"Whcre have you been Cook I"
was kindly asked.
81 had a call Of duty
"What ?"
"God had work for me TO per
form and couldn't neg.et it,
"GIow do you expect to get a
living ?"
at will be provided just as the
| spiritual food from Heaven
Cook declared that he lived in
another sphere from the rest OF the
world. There was nothing here
good enough for him, and he felt
perfectly happy. The deluded
young man received his wages and
departed. His brother, who works
for the same company, is very
much troubled about the NATTER
lie told the reporter that both his
brother and sister had become fol
lowers of Mrs. Martin, and that it
was impossible to convince them ol
the folly of their conduct. Their
parents are at loss what to do,
and have almost given up in de-
spair.
Another case of a similar charac
ter is that Of Edward 5. jerome
head book. keeper of the brancl
house of d. Appleton X Co. OF
Elm street. He abandoned his
|
place some time since at the dicta.
ton. 1t is claimed by his friends, o
Mrs. Martin, who has marvellous
and absolute power over her sub
iects. Jerome was receiving 2
salary of Sl,S00 per annum, anc
vas entirely correct in his accounts
The man is about twenty-eighl
years of age, intelligent, and OF
pleasing address. Last night, Al
has been the case every night 10
several weeks, a meeting OF The
faithful was held at the residence
of the Mrs. J. +. Brooke, on PARK
avenue, Walnut Hill. The beautl
fnl residence is situated on al
eminence, and is approached by
snacious lawn. Seated on tn
front porch, which was lighted onl'
by the pale moon, where mum
ber of ladies and gentlemen en-
gagged in quiet conversation. with
il the front rooms were dark, on
q in the rear Two rooms were Orll
liantly lighted, on opposite sides o
the hall. People moved CONSTANT.
, PROM ONE ROOM TO THE OTHER
and there was an air OF myster'
3 about the surroundings which I'M
| pressed the Enquirer man as h
stepped upon the pOTtico aud ask
cd for Mr.. jerome, whom, however
4 he did not know. 1t was a delicat
| mission. "The "Periect," rs the
: called themselves, allow no out
siders to witness their proceeding