Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-08
A QUEER RELIGIOUS SECT.
American AdventiStS Gathering il
Jerusalem.
They Have Fixed Upon a Place for
the Ascension to Heaven-Whlle
Waiting They Are Busily at
Work as a COOPERATIVE Colony.

New York, April 7-Seventy-seven
Adventists sailed to-day to join Jerusa-
lem's queerest colony, the members OF
which believe the ascension to heaven
upon which their belief is based, will
take place not far from that city S
gales. All Adventists who adhere to the
old idea of going to heaven from any
place are to them misguided persons.
They are firmly convinced that the spot
near Jerusalem, where is located the
colony they are going to join, is the
heaven-chOsen location.
The members of the party that en-
barked are from the West, whence all
the converts Of this particular Adven-
tist theory have come. They gathered
at Chicago, which has always been their
Headquarters in this country, and from
there the pilgrimage that will have It's
final ending in the Holy Land was be-
gun.
The history Of the far-away colony IS
especially interesting to people or TINS
country. because here the plan was con-
ceived. and those still living of its pro-
jectors are American citizens. Fifteen
years ago Mr.. aid Mrs A. X. Spafford
we're residents of Chicago. Mr.. Spaf-
ford was a lawyer who had amassed a
comfortable fortune and stood well at
the bar. Always interested in theology
he became a student of the beliefs OF
the Seventh Day Adventists, whose
headquarters in the United States is at
Battle Greek, Mich. comparatively
short distance from Chicago. The more
Mr.. Spafford investigated their ideas
the more faith he placed in them, eX-
cept that he believed the place OF as
cension was to be near Jerusalem.
Finally both he and Mrs. Spaftord
became so thoroughly imbued with the
idea that they determined to found an
Adventist colony near Jerusalem if it
could be done SO they sold all that
they had, and, with a few friends, de-
parted 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 gathered about hem. that
they won general regard, and the
Americans" as they were and are call
ed, received the respect Of all classes.
The colony waxed apace, until Mr..
Spafford was seized by an illness that
ended in death. This was about three
years ago and shortly afterward Mrs.
Spaffard returned TO the United States,
ACCOMPANIED by William H. Rudy, one
Of the reading men OF the colony, and
practically MIR. Spafford's successor.
They went to Chicago, making that
their headquarters, and from there
conducted a campaign of conversion.
The result was the party that has just
sailed and twenty other converts resi-
dent in Chicago and several Kansas
towns. These latter were unable to
leave their homes just now, but will
all go to Jerusalem in about three
months.
The converts to this belief are con-
fined to no race or sect. There are no
sects in heaven. they say, so there
should be none on earth. The party
that is now on the ocean, for instance,
is practically composed of Scandina-
vians, a race that seems peculiarly sus-
ceptible to conversion to unusual re-
ligious beliefs.
The Jerusalem colony is purely CO.
operative It is divided into two parts
One is located within the city, and the
other on the summit of a high hill
On this hill is an enormous structure,
the home of hundred Adventists, and
it is here the members busy themselves
at the trades in which they happen to
be proficient. All the products of this
hive of industry not needed for COM
munity 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 accom-
modatiOn of the new members, which
it is expected, will be completed by the
time they are needed.
The belief of these exiles is accord
ing to the original ideas of Mr.. Spaf-
ford, the basic principles of the col
Ony's foundation. They have no rules
OF government, and their manner Of
living is that of one great family "The
one unsectarian and undenOmination-
al" 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"