The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-21

4th the Perfect had picnic at Eden
Park, for which Miss Andres bak ed
gixty-two cakes. The others contrib
uted their share OF the eatables. Every
one of the converts has severed his or
her connection with church. A ma
jority Of this sect were formerly Meth
odisIs, but few, notably the Carpen-
ters, were Congregationslis.s. The
antipsthy OF the Martinites to the
other elgious denominations hes
doubtless provoked MANY of the TN
pleasant stories told about them.
MR. AND MRS. j. T. BROOKE
The exact relation which Mrs. B.
sustains 10 the strange religion can
not be exactly determined. 1t is GER
tsin that che nolds place second only
10 her sister, Mrs. Martin. From in
formation cleaned it is reasonable to
suppose that she is little short OF a
deity. Outsiders declare that the
Holy Ghost is made manifest through
Mrs. Brooke, but this statement lacks
confirmation. Mrs. Address and
others, however, declare that she is a
perfect woman, sanctified and beyond
possibility OF sin. Mr.. Brooke follows
his wife in the enterprise. He is q
man OF intelligence and influence, and
was claes leader and trustee in the
Walnut Hills Methodist Episcopal
Church. A member OF that congrega-
ton, who ought to know, stated that
Mr.. Brooke was deprived Of his office
because OF his failure TO attend church,
presumably on account of his infatua-
ton with the tenets of the "Per-
feet" and elect under the Leadership
of his sister in-law and wife Mrs. John
b. Martin, who is described as me-
dunn sized woman, of an active, ner.
vous temperament. She is fervent to
such an extent that her religious views
are carried into the most ordinary af-
fairs of life. Her personal appearance
is rather prepossessing, and she is "a
devoted wife and mother,
HER HUsBANDI
it Is reported, takes no stock in the 70
called dedication OF his wife. He is a
stlict Methodist and well known ad-
herent OF the Prohibition party,
having been candidate for Congress
in the First District two years ago. 1t
was customary in the early days OF the
movement to hold the services at the
different homes of the faithful, but
principally at Mrs. Martins residence.
The little band grew to such propor-
tons that il became necessary TO find
larger rooms, and Mrs. Brooke ten
dered her hou!e, which for several
weeks has been the regular meeting
place. II is not asserted that Mrs. Mar
tin proclaims herself to be Christ in the
spirit, but that her followers are
grounded firmly in that belief Is a
fixed fact. The neighbors of the Mar
tins relate strange tales about them.
One OF these is that when one of the
children was very sick Mr.. Martin
wanted to send for doctor, but his
wife demonstrated. The little one W as
in Gods hands and he would take
care OF it. She predicted that II ply
stefan came in the house the child
would die, but Mr.. Martin, uncon-
WINGED, sent for q doctor, and the
prophecy Of Mrs. Martin came to pass,
for the infant died. This incident was
used by the elect as conclusive proof
OF her divine character. Whatever
the world outside of the coterie OF IA
natics may think of Mrs. Martin, she
surely exercises an irresistible power
over her disciples, who would obey
her every wish without murmur. II
she directs them, Christ's Spirit acting
through her, they ioyfully do the
bidding. aaaSsaa .....s ::ss 90