The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-05
JDRusALEM's OLDEST SECT.
Its Members Are All Adventists From
Americ:,.

Seventy-seven Adventists sailed from
Philadelphia recently to join Jerusalem
Queerest colony, the members OF whlcn
believe the ascension to heaven, upon
which their belief is based, will take place
not far from the city's gates. All Advent
lists who adhere to the old idea OF going
to heaven from any place are 10 tnem
WINGED that the spot near Jerusalem
where the colony is located that they are
going TO join is the heaven chosen loca-
ton.
The members of the party that embark
ed at Philadelphia are from the west,
from whence all the converts to TINS pc
culiar Adventist theory have come. They
gathered at Chicago, which has always
been their headquarters in this country,
and from there the pilgrimage that Will
have its final ending in the Holy Land
was begun
especially interesting to people of this
country, because here the plan was con-
ceived, and those still living of its pro-
jectors are American citizens.
Fifteen years ago Mr.. and Mrs. A. K.
Spafford were residents of Chicago Mr..
Spafford was a lawyer, who had amased
a comfortable fortune, and stood we'll at
the bar. Always interested in theology,
Seventh Day Adventists, whose head
quarters in the United States are at Bat
tie Creek, Mich, comparatively short
distance from Chicago. The more Mr.
|
more faith he placed in them, except that
he believed the place of ascension was to
be near Jerusalem.
Finally both he and Mrs. Spafford be-
came so thoroughly imbued with this idea
that they determined to found an Ad-
ventist colony near Jerusalem if it could
be done. So they sold all that they had,
and, with few friends, departed for the
east, and at Jerusalem built three
houses for themselves near the Damascus
gate. So admirable was the conduct of
the founders and those whom they gath
cred about them, that they won general
were and are called, received the respect
of all classes.
The colony waxed apace, until Mr.. Spaf-
ford was seized by an illness that ended
ago. and shortly afterward Mrs. Spafford
returned to the United States, accompani-
ed by William H. Rudy, one of the lead
ing men. OF the colony and practically
Chicago, making that their headquarters,
and from there conducted campaign of
conversion. The result was the party that
! has just sailed from Philadelphia and
! twenty other converts resident in Chi
cago and several Kansas towns. These
latter were unable to leave their homes
just now, but will all go to Jerusalum in
about three months. 40.
| The converts to this belief are confined
to no race or sect. There are no sects in
| heaven, they say, so there really should
be none on earth. The party that is now
on the ocean, for instance, is principally
composed of Scandinavians. a race that
seems peculiarly susceptible to conversion
| to unusual religious beliefs
The Jerusalem colony is purely co-opera-
| tive. 1t is divided into two parts. One is
located within the city, the other on the
summit of high hill On this hill is an
enormous structure, the home of hun
dred Adventists, and it is here the mem
bers busy themselves at the trades in
which they happen to be proficient. All
the products of this hive OF industry not
needed for community use are disposed OF
| for cash. and the proceeds turned over to
Mr.. Rudy, who, with Mrs. Spafford, has
| charge of the finances
| The addition to the colony that is now
! on its way has necessitated the erection
| of four houses for the accommodation OF
| the new members, which, it is expected
| will be completed by the time they are
needed. The belief of these exiles is &C
cording to the original ideas of DR.. Spaf-
ford, the basic principles of the colony's
foundation. They have no rules for gov
eminent, and their manner of living is
| like that of one great family. 1.-THE one
unsectarian and undenominational, said
Mr. Rudy, in discussing the colony. just
before he sailed. I'VE simply pin our
faith upon the bible and its teachings as
we understand them