The Portland daily press., 1893-12-27
THE TRUTH SEEKERS.
A Curious Religious Scot in Portland,
Oregon.


Oregon.
Portland, tore.) Despatch to Washington
Star.]
One of the most interesting characters
ofathe West, and, indeed, one of the most
remark bic women of the century, is Mrs.
George H. Williams, who is now a resi-
dent of this city. Less than twenty
years since this woman was recognized
leader in society in Washington, and was
a familiar figure at all state occasions in
the national capital. Her husbands
political attachments gave her position.
Ten years ago, suffering from a great
political disappointment Judge Williams
sought to find solace in exile to this
pleasant Western city. Since then the
tables have been turned. Judge Williams
came to Portland seeking oblivion, but
in stead he is gaining much snotoriety by
reason of his wife's erratic religious be-
liefs and rash assumptions. Already Mrs.
Williams has built up new religion,
and is the leader Of a band of 500 or more
ignorant fanatics, who believe that upon
her shoulders has fallen the sacred man
tie OF the Prophet Elijah: that she is
able. to heal the sick, cure the cripple,
cause the. blindssto see and raise the dead,
even as Jesus did when on earth. She
claims to he the New Messiah" For
five years this woman has been studious-
~ building up her new religion and
within the past two years her efforts
have been phenominally successful.
The name Of Geoge II. Williams will
call up many interesting "reminiscences
to the minds of men who sat as members
of the Senate during Pesident Grants add
m1nlstratiOn and to many others resident
in Washington at the time. These will
rennem Der Judge Williams as man of
rare sagacity and unquestioned political
influe nee; they will renem Der him as
ex-senator from Oregon, ex-judge of the
Supreme Court, ex-United States A ttor-
ney General and member of the COM
mission which secured with England the
Treaty of Washington" esta blishing
the northwestern United States boun-
dairy through the Canal de Haro. 1t
was Judge Williams greatest desire to
become chief justice of the Supreme
Court. He secured the Endorsement of
President Grant, but the Senate declined
to confirm the nomination and the coveted
plum fell into the grasp of the late la
mented Morrison r. Waite.
Removal to Portland.
Neither the Judge nor his beautiful
wife cared to remain long in Washington
after their legal and social aspirations
were so completely crushed out. They
soon removed to Portland, where the
judge sought to forget, exist and die
He still retains his wealth, but his
political sun has set. His wife, deter
mined to shine in some role, has for the
past few years. exiled herself from So
ciety and has devoted her entire energies
to building up the religious order of
Truth Seekers" of which she is the ac-
knowledged head.
Now the palatial family home of the
Williamses on what is known as mob
Hill" has been turned into a meeting
place for the Truth Seekers"
and every afternoon and evening, rain
or shine, a stream OF solemn-faced men
and women may be seen entering the
residence to hear the words of truth"
spoken by their prophet Situated on
slight elevation the Truth Seekers
Tabernacle as the devotees call Mrs.
Williams's house, commands a charming
view Of the entire city. Stretching to
UuG ChSu anu NCSu Ou OlOuCI olSC OI UlG
placid Willamette river is a network of
residences, brick buildings, towers,
shade, trees bridges and moving steam
ers.
Every morning at 10 o'clock Mrs. Will
Jams receives all visitors who wish relig-
ious consolation or seek advice concern
ing their souls. A few days ago 1 called
on Mrs. Williams during her "visitors,
hour" My ring at the door bell was
answered by Mrs. Williams in person. |
gave her my card and was immediately
admitted. Down the richly frescoed
hall to the right were folding doors,
which opened into spacious drawing
room. Arranged in rows were chairs
and in one end of the room was gor.
geous pulpit. This was the meeting
room.
YOU'RE welcome" said Mrs. Williams
cordially, but l don't Gale to talk to
newspaper men. The Lord would be dis
pleased, for it is not His way of work
He labors in quiet way and does not
allow the result of his labors to be her.
aided in the press"
Those who relnem bered Mrs Williams
fifteen years ago would no doubt recog-
nize her now, for the years have dealt
gently with her, and though her hair
is white and there are faint traces of
crows feet" about the eyes, it would be
q difficult matter to- guess her age.
DIG Is Sbill d ududSUI1E jWOulHu-IdrGS,
slightly inclined to be portly. shapely
head well set ON graceful shoulders and
an easy, pleasing walk. l hardly had
time to make reply to her remarks when
she added encouragingly:
A Talk With Mrs. Williams.
"if you wish to talk as Truth Seek
er,' l will talk with you. Many news
paper men have called upon me within
the. past five years but have refrained
from talking to them. I have no fear,
however, that anything will ever be
written concerning me, for the Lord has
said that it shall never be. I can state
instances where articles have been writ
ten about me and my work, but Christ,
who is invisible, but everywhere, per-
formed miracles. and the articles were
never published. MY name, in connec-
tion with this, my life's work, has never
been mentioned in print, and never will
be-" Mrs. Williams surveyed me keenly
for a moment, as if to read my thoughts,
and then added firmly:
Il feel at liberty to talk with You,
however, for I know that should you
ever attempt to write a line concerning
what have said today your hand would