The Green Forest tribune., 1894-09-20
Inc "S@nctiiied Band.

SNOW HILL, Md, Sept. 1.-THE re-
cent mysterious killing of Thomas
Boden of Chincoteayue Island va
anu Tue frequent mention made in the
stories OF that affair to the "Sanctifed
hahd' religious body of the island
na' aroused considerable interest in
'hat sect. The "Sanctified Band"
which had its origin on Chincoteapue
Island, Va, about seven years 400
was started by "Jeo" Lynch, who was
converted ar protracted meeting held
III the N. +. Church of that place, and
became IN a short time 'sanctifled"
IN the sense set forth in the HOLY
Scriptures and the Methodist Dici
pine.
Being unable to contain his iov
when he found his soul set free from
the turmoils of sin,' as he expressed
IT, he went to extremes. He distorted
the holy Writ to suit his own purpo-
ses and gathered around him a num.
, Der OF llilterate men and women. whom
he lmbued with his own ideas. The
conduct of Lynch and his tliciples soon
became SO outrageous as to lead to their
expulsion from the Methodist conqre-
gatlon, but nothing daunted, they at
once went to work and built place of
worship, in which they conducted their
services, or rather performances, which
SAVIOR more Of an Indian sun dance
than any thing else. They work them.
selves into such frenzes of excitement
that they may faint from sheer ex-
haustion. 1tit is said that Lynch
obtained permission from the authori-
ties of Acconac county to perform
marriage and other ceremonies usually
pretainins to minister of the GOSPEL.
and in short time he promulgated
series of doctrines that have led to
much trouble
One of these doctrines-and the one
productive Of the most trouble-is that
each member of the band is to select a
Watchman" the man to choose a
woman and visa versa. The couples
meet alone together to study Scripture
and mediate" AS these "medita-
tions" frequently last nearly all night,
and the "twos" seldom being man and
wife, there is considerable objection to
the "meditating, especially when a
"sanctifed wife of an "unsanctifed"
man meditates until or 3 a. m. with
one OF the brethren. Nor do the un-
sanctitied wives feel sufficient conf
dence in their "sanctified" husbands
to sit contentedly at home knowing
that they are meditating and talking
Scripture with another women who is
perhaps younger and prettier. Lynch
has given it out that all persons who
are not married according to the legal
form or by an "unsanctfed" minister
are, in the eyes of God, guilty of break
ing the seventh commandment, and |
that the children of such unions are
These are few of the
teachings of this fanatic-all Of them
being on a par with the instances
given,
The lamentable feature of the case is
that Lynch's followers believe him,
and are energetic in making prose
ytes. A branch church" has started
1t Williamsville, Del, and quite a
lumber have embraced the "sanctfed"
dea. A few believers also live at
Box Iron, in this county, small ham
ct near the Sinepuxeft Bay, and near
An astonishing feature
about these people is the readiness
With which they quote scripture, and
)oint out how sinful every one except
The 'sanctified" are. To do this they
display much skill in taking scraps
If the truth and severlng them from
he context to excuse the excesses com
nitted by themselves. The citizens
If Chincoteague have got white
elephant on their hands that they
would like very much to get rid Of. and
his desire has only been strenthen ed |
~ the killing of Boden.
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.