The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-29

children born into the colony are taught
to believe that Teed is their father.
The latter claims to be a healer and
says he can perform any of the Biblical
miracles. The economic features of the
island are we'll conducted, and a manu-
featuring plant and two newspapers,
the Flaming Sword and the Pruning
Shears. are carried on. Teed is soon TO
ascend to heaven, and is even now said
TO be preparing for his trip to the
New Jerusalem" from whence he will
conduct the affairs of his colony at
long range. Meantime, his followers,
man, woman and child, work in the
field, whether fitted for the occupation
or not, and groan and hope for the de-
liverance which they are told is very
near.
on the other hand, the Lords
Farm" which contains the congrega-
ton of the church of the Living God"
presents the question of an existing
Messiah from al entirely different
point OF view. It has been subjected
to any amount of newspaper and indi-
vidual abuse, yet it thrives and grad
ually acquires new adherents. It is sit
Uated near WOodcliff, n. J., and is pre-
sided over by the Man Christ" whose
name has been successfully Mason T
HuntSman, HuntSman Muason and p.
B. Muason. The present spelling of
the name, particularly the initials ''P
b., Is said TO have a biblical or at
least NEUROLOGICAL significance. This
sect practices no ceremonial observ-
ances- Not even is Sunday recognized
Every day is supposed to be a Sabbath
The sect now owns the farm which
once belonged TO one Herman Storms.
He is now a nonentity in the sect and
has had all of his prOteStations against
the doin%s of the members overruled.
He is very old. His family believe i'm
plicitly in MuaSon. One of the sons is
a Rutgers college graduate and a civil
engineer By profession. The colony
numbers 10 men and women. ''Unceas-
ing submission to God" and the con
tinual casting out of the deviT' are the
principal tenets of the faith At times.
however, this becomes troublesome, in
asmuch as the devil may get into the
food, which must be DESTROYED or into
the room. from which he must be
driven, the latter Office being performed
by means of a sheet of which the mem
bers catch hold and stretch across the
room as they walk toward the door.
This, of course, is only a new form of
exorcism adapted TO fit the ideas of
these modern adopts Muason also
claims to be able to heal by the laying
on of hands. but regards it as a sub
ordinate office seldom worthy of prac-
tlce- He IS man of striking appear
ance, of great magnetic power and
Jealous in the performance of his queer
religious duties, yet by his own word
he once belonged to 4 certain class of
criminals operating in New York City.
Alexander Bedward. the negro who
blessed the waters of Hope river in
the West Indies and had thousands of
followers. was once the inmate of an
insane ASYLUM He was also eeutancad
to two years in prison for using highly
seditious language" He escan ned. how
ever, on a technicality, and is rapidly
growing rich on the proceeds of his
scheme. Being the prophet of the
most high" he claimed to make the
waters of the river healing through the
efficacy of prayer. Thousands of
negroes bathed in the stream. The
sick. the well, the halt and the blind. |
all fought for a place to battle, and it /
is said that the general mixing up has |
caused the propagation of much dis |
ease. The water, however only re- |
manned blessed while Bedward stood 1
by. When he went away its healing
power went with him. This plan en- |
abled him to collect a new fee every |
time he came.
These are typical of the prophets and /
healers contained within the second |
group. The third group is as picturesque |
in its way. The claims of its members I
are more modest. Ferdinand Stutzke |
Of New York, leader of the Apostolic
Christians, is undoubtedly sincere. but !
MS recent prophecies concerning the /
end of the world were little off. in |
asmuch as we are still awaiting for the
1nal call. He explains the slip. how
ever by saying his calculations may be |