The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-19
BAPTIZED BY FIRE.
A Religious Sect. The Fire esptss, Brands lis
Converts With a Moi Wrs

Chambersburg. Pa. Sept.l9-Kansas
missionaries Of the queer sect known as
the Fire Baptized Association keep up
their work in Franklin county, and a
furor i'm religious circles has been
stirred up by them in some districts.
These people do not believe in Bap-
tism by water, but in the later method
by nre-as set forth by st. Paul in
the Acts OF the Apostles. This they re-
gard as personal privilege granted
only to those who join their associa-
tons.
They also believe that one man
should not have more of earthly pos
sessions tnan another, but that all
should share in common. In fact they go
a little further than this and take the
ehirty- second verse OF the fourth chap
ter of the Acts literally, and say that
their possessions are not their own,
but are given to them by "A Divine Be-
ing merely temporarily They are se-
ceders from the River Brethren denom-
ina,ion and during the first few weeks
of their stay here the missionaries con-
centrated their attacks almost entirely
upon that church. Recently. however.
they have turned their guns upon all
religious sects. and declare at their
public meetings that their faith is the
only one which guarantees absolute
safety in the life 10 come.
The Fire Baptized have located IN
Lehmans Grove, about six miles from
this place. They hold two meetings a
day-One in the afternoon and another
in the evening. On account Of the nov
city OF the affair, they attract large au-
diences, but their converts have been
very few. One OF these is Amos Mus
ser. one of the most prominent farmers
in that section Of the county. The evan
gelists have been making their home
with him. There are now about a
dozen here from Kansas
Musser was baptized last Sunday y
red-hot iron being used TO brand him
on the back. so earnest is ne In his be-
lief that while attempting to fly from
loft in his barn he fell to the floor.
sustaining, however but sligh0 injuries
He has also disposed Of a large herd NJ
hogs believing the assertion of the
evangelist that hogs are unclean. A
Few days ago he was wi,led a farm but
he declined to accept il on account OF
neither said any OF them that aught
of that which he possessed was his
own. Musser, however. has not given
an equal share i'm the magnificent farm
upon Whlch he resides TO his brother
evangelists.
The evangellsts profess 10 he abIe IN
cure disease. and tell their hearers trhat
anything can be accomplished by faith
put thls doctrine was given n terrific
shock few evenings ago. when one
or the number. TO demonstrate their
power, prayed that neighbor would
Drlng them supply of buttermilk AZ
once, which did not come. All sorts Of
attempts are made To prove their om-
impotence. but, like the buttermiIk tba
Things asked for have failed 10 mate
riadze. W matt
As the camp is established I'm close
proximity TO the Air Hill River Rretb-
rem Nhufch, their opposition ., tbat
particular denomination is made mors
apparent. The converts so far Oh
lalned are former members NJ IN
RIVER brethren Church Thai tho Ia,
lef Dody Is determined TO present q bos
llio 'front.' u the seceders is sho,,.,,
by me expulsion or n nunber 90 80,
members ~ the mother churcb r,ho
ERECTED the seceders with the boIv L.
There Is tacit understandings ~, -,
OF the old denorninatinn a.,
io nave nothing To do with ~ -
sect. For this offense several ,,,o,,,i'.'.
on Bishop Martin w. Overboi,.,.
church were deprived OF their r,ero
Were not tho River Bretbro, o
re.dlngly lsw-abiding peonio =.
luesti"nable IL the seceders y.o,,,., -
gress Very Tar with their worl shp,,I5
lhey continue their tirada naI,,"s
lther denominations trouble u,,ii ,at.ni..
follow Tor already there IL rail-, -, a.T,.S
ng them from the commupgt,, IA ~, u,'N
hey are located. ]" "hlch |