Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-07
LIVE BY FAITH ALONE.

"Children of God" Toll Not, but Rely
ON the Almighty for Their Needs.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
Huddled in small building in Hyde
Park are fifty people, who call themselves
Children Of Cod Among them are SER
wants who have forsaken their masters
and refused their wages. In proof of their
sincerity. whole families have deserted
their homes to live in this remarkable
community without labor. dependent on
the bounty of God. Led by a Jew who has
forsaken his own religion, they are giving
a practical demonstration Of this new
faith. The good people Of Hyde Park are
filled with wonder by the conduct Of the
new religionists.
The Children of God" have their Chi
cago heaven" at 54s7 Madison avenue.
Within a stones throw of the changing
cable cars filed with worldly people Is an
inconspicuous two-story building, IN winch
this handful of believers is setting the
world and the devil at defiance in a test of
their faith. The front of the building is
used as a church and the rear as a DWELL
ing. The building has existed for several
years. with various occupants, but not
until last week did it become an object Of
general interest to the curious.
Several proud owners Of horses and car
riages received unexpected notices from
their hired men. There was no question Of
wages, no complaint of dissatisfaction.
The men simply wanted to quit work.
Sc me of the employers offered to give their
men more wages, and were astounded by
fiat refusalS.
I'VE don't need money any more" was
the surprising response. I'VE avoid the
filthy lucre, and you may keep what you
owe u.s.
When wages due were rendered, the de-
parting servants turned away with gran
eloquent sweep of the hand and the re-
markable explanation: I'VE need none of
the sordid goods of this world. The Chill
dren of God are cared for In way that
is a mystery to the unbelieving.
In many kitchen a similar scene was
being enact ted by the mistress of the house
and the cook or the maid of all work, and
Hyde Park was sprinkled with late dinners
and burned dishes When these servants
were pressed for explanations for their I'M
usual conduct, they declared they were
1.-The Children of God" and the knowledge
of that fact had just been impaired to
them in a special revelation.
The basis of this new sect is Church or
ganization that has existed for several
The new development has come within the
last week or two through the leadership of
Jacob Elihu. g Jew A member of the sect
explains that Brother Jacob and a score
of proselyteS came from 1854 West Madi-
son street three weeks ago to join the
church. Mrs. Anna Spafford is said to
have joined about the same time.
Brother Jacob has been preaching the
new doctrine. and for week the members
of the community have abandoned all la
Dor except such as is necessary about their
own building. They have an organization,
a part of which is treasurer, who is ex-
pected to receive funds from some mystic
rious source. No collections are taken.
There are three meetings on Sunday and
two on week days. With this strange COM
pany is quite number Of children, and a
school has been organized for them.
The cardinal faith of the Children Of
Cod is the doctrine that work and money
are not essential to happiness, and that by
putting their trust in God their bodily
wants will be provided for without labor
on their part. 49,,