Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-19

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 did not
sympathize with the movement were
much scandalized, because the Martin
ties had nothing to do with the general
services, but clung to the tent of their
oracle with remarkable zeal. At the
Loveland camp grounds last year the same
scene was repeated, with an increase In the
number of disciples. During the past
year numerous meetings OF myS-
terious character have been held at
the residence of Mrs. Martin and
Mrs. J. +. Brooke, sister of Mrs. Martin,
on Walnut Hills. All sorts OF queer
stories were circulated by the gOSslps, who
insisted that the services were OF 4 declu-
edly sacriligiOus nature. The number OF
attendants on the meetings reached thirty,
among the group being many heretofore
prominent in church work. Through the
efforts of a reporter, aided by Others, the
truth has been brought to light, and the
ugly rumOrS sent broadcast have been CON
tiTmed.
MRS. MARTIN Is wORSHIPED AS JESUS
CHRIST,
and Mrs. Brooke, her sister, is venerated
as the Holy Ghost, by little band of mis-
guided people. They call themselves The
Perfect" Last night, rs has been the case
every night for several weeks, meetlngot
! the faithful was held at the residence OF
Mrs. j. +. Brooke, on Park avenue, Wal
nut Hills. The beautiful residence
is situated on an emlnencc, ana
is approached by 4 spacious lawn. Seated
on the front porch, which was lighted only
bv the pale moon, were number of ladies
and gentlemen engaged in quiet converse
ton. Within the front rooms were dark,
but in the rear two rooms were brilliantly
lighted, on opposite sides of the hall. Poo
pie moved constantly
FROM ONE ROOM TO THE OTHER,
and thors was an air of mystery about tho
surroundings which impressed the reporter
rs he stepped upon the portico and asked
for Mr.. Jerome, whom, however, he did
not know. Ii was delicate mission.
The Perfect" aS they called
! themselves, allow no outsiders
to witness their proceedings
under any circumstances short of real
conviction of the truth The secrets of the
society are as we'll guarded aS those of the
MaSOns or OddfellOwS, and no one except
members of the "Pcrtect' knows what
goes ON within the portals of the house
| where they assemble.
After infinite trouble a conversation was
had with Mr.. Jerome, OF which the follow
ing is part:
What is Your new faith?' Mr.. jerome
began To grow little uneasy and proposed
going after some one, but was persuaded
| to sit still. He queried rs he sat down:
what is God?'' ''Hc is the Supreme
ruler. the first great cause HE is a
spirit manifested in the flesh" declared
| the enthusiast. ''ls that sO?' 'GcS and
SAW HIM FACE To FACE
not fifteen minutes ago" This was Il
startling revelation, and confirmed beyond
peradventure the rumOrs that Mrs. Martin
is regarded as the pcrSOnitication OF God.
What must do to join yOu?' Are you
willing to die, if neceSsary-l don't mean
that literally; but are you willing to give
up, Edwards, and defy the world? am
the happiest man in the world. v
THE MARTINITES.
1t was discovered from those who know
that the followers of Mrs. Martin now num-
Der at least thirty-One, and among the
most prominent are the following who
are well known in society: Mr.. and Mrs.
H. F. Brooke, Walnut Hills; DIR. Julia
Carpenter, Walnut Hills; Miss Lille Car
penter. Walnut Hills: Miss Emma Black,
! Walnut Hills; Mrs. Judge William
Wortbington, Walnut Hills; Mr..
and Mrs. Reuben Sherwood, Walnut
Hills; Mrs Flora Miller, Walnut Hills;
Miss Maize Andres, Walnut Hills; Mrs.
Thomas II. Foulds, Seventh and Elm
streets, city; Miss Hewitt, city; Mrs
Crocker, city; +. 5. jerome, city; Mr.
John Cook, city; Miss Cook, city; Miss
Sheppard, Walnut Hills.
These people, all of whom belong TO
good families, are entirely carried away by
the inexplicable power of Mrs. Martin.
ONE OF THE GREATEST ENTHUSIASTS
is Miss Maize Andres, the beautiful and
ACCOMPLISHED daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. 5.
] Address. of Walnut Hills She was one
| of Mrs. Martins first converts, and has
becore entirely absorbed in the
| fanaticism. Her mother is almost
overwhelmed with sorrow at her
douChter's conduct. She has used
every art to turn her from her purpose
Mrs, Address has, in her anxiety often
been OH the point of hiring detective TO
investigate the dOings in the mysterious
meetings, but the law will not permit a
private dwelling to be invaded unless
some crime has been committed, and no
such charge has ever been laid at the door
of the Martinites
THE CENTRAL FIGURE OF ALL
is Mrs. John B. Martin, who is described
as medium-sized woman, of an active,
nervous temperament. She Is tervent to
such an extent that her religious views
are carried into the most ordinary affairs
of life. Her personal appearance is rather
prepOsseSsing, and she is de-
voted wife and mother. Her hus-
hand, it is reported, takes no stock in the
so-called dedication of his wife. He Is a
strict Methodist and well-known adherent
of the Prohibition party, having been Their
candidate for Congress in the First Dis
trict 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
proportions that it became necessary to
find larger rooms, and Mrs Brooke
rendered her house, which for several
weeks has been the regular meeting
place. 1t is not asserted that Mrs. Martin
proclaims herself to be Christ in the
spirit, but that her followers are grounded
Il firmly in that belief is a fixed fact. The
neighbors of the Martins relate strange tales
of them. One Of these Is that when one Of
the children was very sick Mr. Martin