The National tribune., 1889-05-16
THE NEW CHRIST.

BeF. SehWeinfurfh Claims to be The Son Of God.
Just outside of the city Of Rockford. H.. a
community has been formed by the Rev. George
J. Schweinfurth. who is 4 handsome young
man and who had been a Methodist parson OF
considerable merit. The sect has been In ex-
istence for Is years, but SchweiHfurih was not
revealed 10 them as their Master until six
years ago. The community was started By
hrs. Dora Beekman. who was the wife of a
Congregational Minister. She preached that
in her Own person were the attributes of the
risen Lord. The band Of believers grew slowly.
They located their central church at the little
hamlet OF Byron, south Of Rockford, and by
oint Of besieging the meetings OF all the other
churches, and, jumping up, declaring their doc
trines at ali seasons, kept the poor clergymen
and their faithful ilOeks in continual hot water.
Her husband did not believe the new faith,
and as a result he is now in the insane asylum.
Rev. George J. Schweinfurth was at that
time a Methodist Minister, a young man Of
progressing appearance He had auburn
beard, white brow, with veins plainly indi-
eating refinement, and a very sharp eye.
Schweinfgrth renounced Ietnodism and
Joined the community, and was the right bower
Of Mrs. Beekman. But The latter died and be-
came cold clay like ordinary mortals. Her
body was kept by Der followers for over week,
they expecting her to arise as she had promised
and prOpkesied. Her body was placed on a
raised platform, and they 8orshiped about it
hourly. expecting that life would return and
they would witaess the resurrection. The re-
mains were never left alone, but the corruption
Of the body grew so great that at the end of a
week the public authorities ordered its inter-
nent.
At this iHneture came forward TO the CON-
fortress littIe baud the shrewd Schweinfurth.
lie deelared 70 them that just as she was dying
he saw glimpse Of heaven through the win
rFi er1zfH la
words: You are Christ the holy one. My
spirit passes into thine, and by this act trans
forms thy whole being. Go forth pure and
sinless, the oDy son Of God. Thou shalt bring
all nstiops to worship thee, and put TO rout the
evil one and all the hosts Of darkness" The
creduloHs community believed and reioced in
the Savior which had been brought to them as
from the dead.
The community has spacious mansion, with
barns and outh0uses; they raise blooded stock.
There are usually about 30 women and 20 men
living in the mansion or tabernacle all the
time. SchNeinfnrih possesses IN his own name
property which has been given him to the
amount Of S5o0000.
An attractive female detective was emploved
70 20 to the community aud profess willing
ness 20 become a member in order TO find out
the relationship between the so-called Christ
and bis flock. She endeavored by all the arts
known 10 woman to lure him, but found him
cold as ice. This woman has also become a
convert 10 The faith.
The religious part Of that section of Illinois
Is up IN arms against the sect, saying they are
proselytiug their congregations. The wife Of
DR.. J. 5. Nilkin. Presbyterian Minister, join
ed the community and broke up his family
and many other prominent people have pro
fessed to believe in the new Christ. 1t is ere
ating wonderful sensation in that part of th,
country, aud like all other religions secure
numbers Of followers