The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-10

The principles, practices and purpo-
ses of the Christian Catholic church
were last night expounded upon in
Guernsey hall by Rev. Gideon Ham,
mond, of Philadelphia, an elder in
this new belief of which Rev. John
Alexander Dowie, of Chicago is the
head. This is the church to which
belongs Mrs. Boyd, who, with others,
was found responsible for the death
of the late Mrs. G.. +. Newell, of
Throop, by coroner's jury on Tues
day night. Mrs. Boyd was present at
last nights meeting.
In beginning his remarks, Rev. Mr..
Hammond, who is a short, dapper gen
tleman, full of nervous energy and
evidently n sincere believer in the
tenets of this faith, stated that his
main purpose in coming to this city
was to render Mrs. Boyd assistance
in case it should be needed. He said
that the devil might put it into the
heads of certain people to unjustly
prosecute Mrs. Boyd.
If he did, the prosecutors would have
the whole church to encounter, he
said, not only it's numbers but its
financial resources as well. "lf this
woman is arrested" said he, every
dollar at present in the treasury of
the church will be used to fight the
case, if necessary"
For the purpose of showing that the
church has financial resources, he cas-
ually remarked that it had just pur-
chased 5000 acres of land in Chicago,
worth 81 100000
TITLE OF THE CHURCH.
The title of the church. he said, is
"The Christian Catholic Church in
Zion" BY Zion is meant all the chill
dren of God who are preparing for the
coming of Jesus Christ. The church
is, of course, a mere part of Zion,
but destined in time to encompass 1t
all
1.-The principles Of this church," he
said ARE simply the word of Cod
| There are many denominations which
make this claim, but their followers
only pretend that they abide by the
| word OF God Christian Science be-
| levers maintain that that faith is
| built upon the Bible. but it is not
| When the Bible is held up by Mrs.
| Eddy it is merely blind. for Chris
| tan Science and the Bible do not har-
| monize."
The three main principles of the
| church, he explained, are salvation,
| healing and holy living. The divine
| healing feature is the one that brings
| this religion into prominence. he said,
| but it was authorized by the Bible.
! 'The other Christian denominations
| don't believe in a whole Savior" he
| said, they believe in a Savior that
! heals the soul and the spirit. but who
| leaves the healing of the body to
| drugs and medicines. We believe in
! a whole Savior who heals the soul.
| spirit and body
BY holy living. he said is meant
| wholesome living, and that's the kind
| of living the Christian Catholic church
insists that its members shall abide
| by. This whole world" said he,
needs Il general cleaning up in the
matter of getting right with our neigh
bors and of truly repenting of our
sins before God and there's a great
! big scrubbing brush in this church
and the general overseer uses it freely.
| TO lead q truly holy life one must
| live consistently with the teachings
| of the word of God"
| Regarding the practice of the reli-
| siun, he said that the Bible is the
sole guide. There is strict disci-
pline, also, which many Christian
! churches are in need of today. In an
swer TO the question, How did the
establishment Of this church come
| about he said: 4,
WORK NOT BEING DONE.
God saw that there was a work
| not being done in this world that
| there was need of the preaching of
| the gospel of true repentance and of
| divine healing. He accordingly took
| hold of man, Is perfect a one as he
| could find: man who is endowed
with many wonderful gifts and who is
not a great hideOus imposter; who
| isn't rolling in wealth and who isn't
arbitrary, as some people are led to
| believe.
Regarding the Churchs practice of
gathering money he said that the men,
| bers merely pay certain tithes every
| year, though what is done with the
|