The Indianapolis journal., 1895-12-31

doors and windows were many persons at
tracte1 BY curiosity and trying 10 obtain ad-
mission. Inside the house men and women
were singing, Shouting and praying. Occa-
sionally one would faint from continual
shouting and the intense heat or the room
kneeling al a chair was a girl OF possibly
ten years seeking sanctiicati0n. Under the
chair was a Bible. the inference being that
II was expected sanctihcation would ascend
from the sacred book Crowded about the
kneei.ng child were men and women sing
In, shouting and praying. Women also
cried and hugged each other. while near
the chair stood a little girl OF possibly five
years of age clapnng her hands
occasionally somc one would command
silence for a few minutes SO that every
wicked thought should disappear from the
room. Then the singing and shouting would
continue. The gfri became "sanctihed' and
there was general rejoicing The Bible VAS
placed on the chair. Men ami women danced
and shouted around IL. each endeavoring 10
place the right hand upon the sacred book,
as though taking oath Shortly after
ward there was another silent period and
each person raised both hands over the new
convert and the meeting was at an end.
The members OF the band believe in ex-
changing husbands and wives. They claim
the Bible allows them from one TO seven
wives, according 10 choice. but no woman
can have more than one husband These
husbands or wives are secured in very Pc
culiar way, and every member of the band
readily agrees TO any exchange that may
be made. Should n woman desire another
husband she seeks some spot where she
can De alone. and tnen begins praying. at
the same time concentrating her thought on
the man she desires as a husband. The
members OF the band say these prayers are
always answered IN a short while. Then
the proposed husband is notified OF the se-
lection. and begins living with the new
woman. Occasionally this man has two or
three other wives, but this makes no ap-
a story is told in connection with seeking
a husband. One Of the "sanctified' women
desired another HUSBAND. and PRAYED Tor q
n WCfn-
an claims her prayer was answered ana
few days later she approached the mar
for her husband" This man was surprised
and enraged. and would probably nave done
the woman injury had not other members
A few days ago one of the band took
unto himself another wife. and when the
wife lawfully married became aware OF this
addition to the family she left her husband
and returned to the home or ner iatner:
One of the women connected with the Danu
has also denounced sanctifcation- She was
instrumental in organizing the band IN
Maryland, and everything Is being done 20
get her to continue her mode OF worship
refuse to attend any other service than
their own, and viii not allow regularly or
dained ministers to administer any rites.
A few days ago a small child whose par
ents were of the sanctified band died The
day of the funeral a Methodist minister
offered his service at the grave. put II wSs
First there was singing. followed by silent
prayer. Then each person made numerous
gestures with the hands, and when the body
was lowered hands and heads were raised
heavenward. Thus they stood for few
minutes, and the service was over.
In addition TO the "sanctified band" COM
posed only Of colored people. there is also q
'.holiness band" of white people These live
mostly in Caroline county, Maryland, but q
few live In this immediate vicinity. Meet
ings are not held regularly during the win
ter but last summer they were he'd fire.
uuently in a large tent near Concord. Nd.
bel of =
same as that OF the ''sanctffied band" but
they do not exchange wives They have no
connection with any church: nor Will they
band has had a weakening effect on a
church in Caroline county. Maryland, and at
one tine IL was thought the church would
have to be closed for lack OF membership.
as so many of the members had joined the
holiness band