Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-21
THE PERFECT" "
MRS. MARTIN DECLARES HER DIVINE
NATURE IN AN INTERVIEW.
She Cannot Die and is Now in Heaven
A Report that She Lay Three Days
in TOmb-Starling Developments
Which Call for Investigation.

cinnati has had for some time. From the
facts thus far developed it seems high time
for the police authorities to take hold OF
the matter. This is the almost universal
opinion. If the sO-called religious ceremo-
MES are permitted to continue. several
Young men, however. will find homes in
Longview Asylum. They are now on the
verge of lunacy, caused by their frenzied
devotion to Mrs. Martin, who masquerades
in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Any
STEP TOWARD BREAKING UP
the band of fanatics will receive warm en-
couragement from the parents and relatives
Of the misguided people, who have tried
every art to turn them from a course so
pernicious to their health and mental and
moral condition. Mrs. Martin is certainly
deranged, and the pitable object OF medi-
cal treatment for mental disorder. The
Sanctilicationists now pose in the guise OF
martyrs and are willing TO give up their
lives for their vagaries. The articles pub
lished about them have, SO they say, not
frightened them in the least nor turned
from their settled purpose. The legitimate
religious community are deeply interested
in the subject. They are deeply scandal
lied bv the insults offered to their churches
and their clergymen. John b. Martin, the
husband of
THE NEW RELIGIOUS PROPHET
is said to be much cast down by the con-
duct of his wife. He is devOut Metho-
dist, but taken no part in the proceedings
of the PerfectiOnists.
Mrs. Martin, in an interview with re-
porter of an evening paper, stated that
every one was welcome to these meetings,
but her statement is directly contradlcted
bv the experiences of those who have tired
to gain an entrance. Even Mrs. Martin
herself qualified her assertion, when inter
viewed by a reporter yesterday afternoon
with the remark that of course no one
would be allowed to participate except
those who were sanctified. This would IN
.yitably exclude all but the thirty w0r-
shippers of the new-t0und Christ. Inc
woman who is the object of aitcctl0nate
vcncration received the newspaper man
with some hesitation, but was not afraid
to talk. She is undoubtedly fluent con-
verSatiOnalist, and has
THE BIBLE At HER TONGUES END.
At the time the call was made Mrs Mar
tin was prepared to go ont for walk
She was attired in deep black, which made
her slight form seem thinner. Her hands
toyed a pair of dark gloves nervously as
she said half interrosatiycly, "Wcll, sir?
Il want to hear your statement III re-
gard to the new religion. =,
II can tell it TO you in a few words,
she replicd, hurriedly. There Is no
mystery about us and we have nothing To
conceal
"But YOU don't admit outsiders
"No. not those who merely come out OF
curiosity. If they want to seek the hght
of truth they are taken in"
''What is the basis of your faith
.We aim to live perfect lives, absolutely
without sin. The churches and preachers
teach that every one must sin.
is it true that you can de-
eyes: | have passed through all the
deaths of this world. am in Heaven now.
1t is right here in this house"
"Do you think Christ is manifested III
yOu?" ,.n.
II believe that he is manifested the
| flesh.n ..,o,
"You are the founder OF the new faith:
'.Ycs, nv sister and myself have been
going through
THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
for many years. We are now perfect
"Your followers worship you rs Jesus
Christi -
81 am not responsible for that. | believe
that God is in me-
why is it that your disciples refuse u
associate with any one aside from your
circle?" m
81 don't know anything about 1t. Ihey
do rs they think best and are not cohtroi
led"
Mira Martin, while the interview was
going on. moved toward the front door and
was in haste to get away. she dld hol
deny that she considers herself God, and
is n fanatic of the most pronounced klnd
AuentIeman related an incident ycstcr
day which shows the gross superstition uh
der which Mrs. Martin and her misguided
odhercnts are unclaimed. He said that Il
was n matter of common report that TIT
would-be Christ had tomb erected Ill hci
house on Beech street, and went througi
the revolving form OF
PRETENDED DEATH AND RESURRECTION
She remained secluded in the temporar!
senulchre for three days, and emerged at
tired in white robe. From this sacri
legious mOckerv comes the doctrine tina
thr INITIATIVE Christ can not die. This va
the worldly death through which sh'
passed. She has impressed he
followers with the notion tina
She alone possesses the elixir of life, tn
ncrrennial youth, which she gives freely t
those who will bow down and worship her
Mrs. Brooke is also an immortal, but llttl
less holy than her sister. The ardor o
the group of fanatics, and particularly thei
ideas on sickness and death, was somewEl
cooled Yesterday by the illness OF MIS-
Brooke, who is very much indispOSed, AM
has been ailing for two or three days. For
tnnately the sect has n physician amon
them, Miss Julia Carpenter, and 1t Is prOu
able her services will prove valuable IN tn
present emergency. \ prominent Metho
dist divine. who occupies the most intiu
ential pulpit in the city, Is
GREATLY sCANDALIZED
over the deplOrable discovery on Walnu
Hills. Several of the Perfectionists wer
, formerly members of this church, and thei
withdrawal caused much gossip and specu
lation as to the controlling motive whlc
= induced such n course. The Methods
) ministers had the matter before them
their meetings quite frequently, and a,
/ tempts were made to bring the wanderin
flock back into the shelter
the fold. The recalcitrants wei
Iabored with, but all to no purpos'
2 They not only remained obdurate, bat eI
5 deavored to convince the clergymen th1
: the churches were the work of the devi
and the reverend gentlemen incOmpeteI
to teach the truth. After repeated tria
the efforts TO reclaim the deluded peop
3 were abandoned. The same minister con
4 mented on the case in emphatic term
g 'sThese unfortunate cranks are objects
y pity, but they ought to be und