Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-06-17


Settlement at MOundsvf1Ie, Their
Done by Them.
About the year 1880, D. S. Warner,
of Bucyrus, o., was led to believe
that the different religious bodies of
the world were not living in strict ae-
cordince with the rules Of holy writ.
So forcibly was he impressed with this
belief that he decided to publish his
views in a small paper which he is
sued at Bucyrus. In a few years he
removed to Williamstown, Mich,
where five persons did all the work
connected with the paper. In 1886 the
business was removed to Grand juno
ton, Mich, where they remained until
1898, when it was removed to Mounds
vile. When the company went to
Grand Junction the whole outfit of
presses, type, household goods and the
people connected with it were conveyed
in n car. Twelve years later, nine
freight cars, two coaches and one bag
gage al was required to bring them
to Moundsville. From one person who
stood alone in the faith in 1880, the
number of believers has increased to
many thousands, but as no roll or rec
ord is kept, the number can only be
estimated. The Gospel Trumpet Pub
fishing Company, which is the recog-
nized head of the organization, is an
incorporated company with an author
lied capital stock of 500, 000. OF this
amount, they nov have about $50, 900.
This represents the value of their pub
fishing house, Assembly Hall, and their
home, a large brick building containing
over one hundred rooms, presses, type.
books in stock, etc. The stock is is
sued in shares of one dollar each,
which runs fifty years without divi-
dends or interest. At the end of fifty
years the stock may be withdrawn at
its market value. All donations, and
they are considerable, are used as a
sinking fund with which to continue
the business after the present charter
has expired.
Besides paying all running expenses
during the six months, they eliminated
a debt of $4,000. When running
night and day their expenses for
material used in books, papers and
tracts is about $500 per week. The
workmen employed are not paid a reg
ular salary, but work for their board
and clothing. Since last October they
have distributed over $4,000 worth of
free literature, including n thousand
dollars worth which they gave to the
penitentiary library here. They think
that they do the greatest good through
their free literature. They also have
given nearly $1,700 to the famine sur
ferers in India.
There are missionaries representing
these people in nearly every State and
county on the globe. All persons OF
this faith live very economically.
They drink nothing but water or milk,
do not use sugar or spices and dress
very plainly, wearing no neckties or
jewelry.
At their publishing house they pub
lish the Gospel Trumpet and the Shin
ing Light, both of which are publish
ed in English and German. They also
issue many different books and tracts
in nearly every language.
Their Belief.
They believe that the Christian
churches will eventually be united in
one body. They think that the Cath
olics and Protestants have only &C
complished a part of the work neces-
sary for the redemption Of the world.
They believe in sanctification and in
divine healing. At the present camp
meeting a number have been healed.
They do not desire to be able to heal
all who desire it. but only those who
have sufficient faith. At the publish
ing house there is a room known as
the praying room. Every day there
are Geographic messages requesting
prayers for the sick. When such a
message comes the workmen all re-
pair to the room and engage in prayer
for the afflicted.
Their Home.
The entire community with the ex-
ception of one or two families, resides
at the Home, a handsome brick build
ing of 104 rooms. At the present time
there are about so persons quartered
in the Home. The single people each
have a room and the families have
suites of rooms. There is but one
kitchen and one large dining room.
The building is heated by steam and
there is gas. water and electric lights.
They take no interest in politics or
outside affairs of any kind, but live
quiet, peaceful lives and have the re-
spect of all who know them.
They practice ~foot-washing baptism
by immersion. and greet each other
! with a kiss. the men kissing the men
and the women kissing the women.
When not engaged at their work they
! spend the time in Bible reading. pray