The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-20
A FEMALE SAVIOR.
A Sanctified Woman Sets Herself Up as
Jesus Christ.

A Sanctified Woman Sets Herself Up as
Jesus Christ.
CINCINNATI, O., July 19.-The strangest
of all the strange religious sects this world
has known since religion had place in it
had its birth and growth here. Unlike most
such religious fungi, there has yet been no
taint of immortality about the new organi-
zation, at least in grosser sense. Its head
and founder is Mrs. John B. Martin. wife
of a well-known business man and herself
for years pillar of Methodism. In the
latter years of her connection with that de-
nomination she became an enthusiasm on
the doctrine of sanctifcation, or perfect
holiness, and this was probably the foun-
dation for vagaries which later. rs most
people believe, grew into the most shocking
blasphemy.
Mrs. Martin was quietly dropped from
the church rolls and soon separated from
her husband. She was not heard of for
some time when the astounding announce
ment was made that she had set herself up
as Jesus Christ and had gathered about her
set of believers who worshiped her as
such. The most astonishing mart OF this
was the information that Mrs. Martins fol-
lowers were not cheap, ill-informed. oasily-
influenced. superstitious people, but per-
sons of wealth, refinement and culture,
families whose names are known and hon
ored in the best social and business circles
OF the city. SO devoted were some of her
followers that they became manlacS in her
defense, ready to kill, if necessary. 1t was
almost impossible to secure access to the
meetings or to learn what occurred in them,
but it was learned that Mrs. Martin was
obeyed b)indly; that it was believed she was
Christ come to earth again never to die and
that these, her first converts, were to be
rulers in the new kingdom.
A sister of Mrs Martin nosas an the Holv
Ghost and the community call themselves
Perfectionists. They hold as little commu-
nication with the outside world as possible
and are to certain degree. communists in
their belief.
1t is announced that great religious
movement is about to take place on Walnut
hills. Mrs. Martin, the self-styled Christ,
is going to Europe. Whether she goes for
inspiration or pleasure is not known, but
certain it is she will be accompanied by be-
loved disciples. At least one pair of lovers
will be of the party, Herbert G. Shepard
The Others who will accompany her are as
follows: Mrs. Thomas Foulds, Mrs. Katie
Shepard, John Koch and his sister Rose,
DIR. Julia Carpenter. Miss Lille Carpenter,
Miss Millie DomhoH, Miss Cora Watts, Ed
Gerome.
During Mrs. Martins vacation last sum-
mer seven of the faithful dropped away
from the fold and two others almost left
but were cajoled back again. In order not
to risk anything one of these, who has
money. will accompany her abroad, while
the other, a poor working girl, will 90 as
far as New York. where she will be left with
her parents until the party returns.
Mrs. Martin has taken every possible oc.
casion to condemn in unmeasured terms
all preachers who go off on a vacation. She
is considerate to take with her all her flock
for whom she has any regard, and the
thirty odd who remain must suffer because
they have not the gold.