The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-10-29
RELIGIOUS FANATICS.
The Spread Of Absurd Beliefs In
This Country.
Qaesr Sects and Doctrines sprfnginr
Cp In Almost Every STATE
Sons Of the Leading
Spirits.
A wave of religious fana.icism seems

A wave of religious fanaticism seems
| TO be sweeping over the country
Nearly every day brings to light the
existence of some new, odd band oi
worshipers with form of devotion
as strange a. il is senseless- While the
rural communities seem to offer the
most fertile fields for absurd religious
sects. the large cities of the country
have not escaped. Already it is rumored
that . branch organization Of the
devil worshipers of Paris has been
formed in New York. II this be true
the police of the metropolis win doubt
less be called upon to squelch the
growth of this shocking form of fanati-
cism before it reaches the proportions
it has now attained Ia Paris
Texas is in possession of queer sect.
which. II its beliefs were adopted gen.
orally, would soon bring the end of the
world IN sight This sect is made up OF
thirty-odd women who call themselves
'Sanctifcationists" The little town OF
Bolton, in the Lone Star state, can
claim the glory of sheltering this
worthy band.
Mrs. McWhirter explained the doc
trines of the sect in this way: 1T is
based upon Christian principles We
believe in Christ and that He promul-
gated celibacy, and taught that a COM
mon property interest was right On
this cooperative system a band of wom-
en- fifteen years ago pooled their assets
and started fund with which TO in
augurate an independent and self
supporting movement among women
We have thirty-two members now and
all OF US live in the hotel, which has
been recently completed We share
alike our labors and profits We do
not gain recruits rapidly, for people
do not understand our views Women
who join us pledge themselves to lead
life of cslibacy, to put their earnings
into q common fund. to work and to
obey the rules of the order"
The sect is conducted on sound busi-
ness principles 1t now owns one hun
dred thousand dollars worth of prop
erty and Ii largely interested in the
commercial affairs of Belton- Some OF
the women who joined were penniless.
but they were cared for by the Others.
Many left husbands and families when
they became members In few in
stances the deserted husbands contrib.
uted to the support of their wives
The latter are permitted To be on
friendly terms with their husbands. but
nothing more. II there have been any
backsliders the facts have been kept
secret All the members are ardent
suffrngists and believe that women
will eventually govern the country.
An Alsstian named Francois Schlader
is rapidly building up = great follow
ing in New Mexico. This man is en-
tirely different from all Of his kind.
He makes no claims. seeks neither
money nor fame. and apparently has
but one desire-that Of healing atfiict-
ed humanity. He is certainly in pos
session Of some rare power. Some
have attributed il to animal magnet
ism, the more enthusiastic TO direct
gift from Heaven
When he first appeared in and about
the town of Albuquerque the educated
people declared him 70 be q sharper
and impostor. or lunatic. and he was
threatened with bodily harm Cures
of the miraculous kind are credited 20
him. BE is but thirty nine years old.
stands about SIX feet in height and
weighs in the neighborhood of one
hundred and seventy pounds He
wears neither hat nor shoes, no matter
how hot the sun or inciement the
N-lN L
and he wears full golden ,
brown beard His strange rssen blance /
10 the picture Of Christ. his quiet man
ner Of living and his power as a healer |
have had strong effect upon all who /
have met him
He is called The Healer" j: Is as
serted by people who kay they wit
messed the miracle that he held the 1
hands Of blind nan for Eve minutes
and sight was restored; thai be gently
rubbed the hands Of an old woman
who had been parslyzed for years aao
Lhe left few minutes later a. strong
ls she VIA IN her youth Hundreds Of
>z.es Of the kind are cited The i
healer takes 40 money or gifts Cor h-s
work
Cincinnati has . curious sect IL =
band calling Themselves Perfection
s.A" Hrs Hannah L Martin tke
eader of the Psriec.ioais.&, died las;
I2ring. and since Nav 2s her grave IL
he Cincinnati censtery has been 4
By Disciples. WHO eIpee: %
~ftness her resurrect.on sad eight 70
aezven IN . chariot Of FIRE