Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-09-21

/ CYCLISTS Driven oar by Aioie m
Means-Some of the River Bresh-
rem Alarmed at Their Growth.
Fire. fire. fire. Bless you. brotherr'
was a cry that startled the townspeo-
pie one afternoon q few months ago.
says the Abilene (NanB correspondent
of the Chicago Record. writing under
the date of Sept. Z. \ soberIy dressed
farmer, wearing the plain suit and
long hair of the ouakeUlike sect of
river brethren. met another of the
same appearance and this was their
greeting. AfIeiward came other ex-
perences when a young woman in riv-
er brother Carb came 10 town and, go
ing from store 10 store. declared 10 q
despairing voice:
Beware. Abilene viii be DESTROYED
in 50 days
One day young man. having had
his abundant locks trimmed in a bar
Der shop. arose from the chair AMI
stepping TO the middle Of the floor an
nounced 10 the crowd 10 waiting. II
feel called on 10 say that | have been
baptized by ire and am saved" Then
he put on his coat and went out
These were but manifestations of 4;
new movement that has caused til,
staid river brethren more uHeaSIups:
than anything that has occurred IN a
their religious life. even from the cart
part of the century. when they ~cttlts
on the banks OF the Su~uut.hanua il |
and began to worship il /
their own way without restraint And |
by the way. that was how they acluir
ed their title. for they were river
brethren, as distinguished from other
members of their sect. Brethren OF
Christ, who lived among the hills.
This new form of religious zeal is
he product of somewhat sensational |
preaching by leaders of the so called
Fire Baptized association. or. as they
ire Familiarity known, the Fire
brands" and it is the first schism that
las occurred in the river brethren de
1t has worried the elders
Said one grave faced brother. shaking
lis abundant beard and locks, We
hardly know what to make of it. but
We abide in faith and think it will
ome out all right
The "Firebrands" began with the
oming to central Kansas OF an evan
elist, p. II. Irwin, from Iowa. two
ears ago. He was taken in 10y the
liver brethren, and they accepted his
octrines, which were of the utmost
ERECTION through faith. Finally he
ndertook TO change their form of
ress, and they objected. Then he
-arted meetings of his own and preach
1 the fire doctrine. He held that the
re of inspiration came TO the believ {
5, and his meetings abOunded in +
ances. screaming and other exhibi- t
ons of the power" Long after mid | :
ght. night after night. the little band !,
.ayed and testified. all the time grow Z
& In numbers. Finally Irwin advised c
the members to sell their hogs. as | q
ey were unclean beasts. and he was @
eyed. \ score of farmers took their t
vine to market at a great loss. He | il
so attempted to cure by laying on OF | n
ndS and found some patients who | Il
ought they were helped. One man =
clared he was cured of sort of pal L
but be was as bad as ever the next b.
y. One farmer "believed" and was | Al
Dnounced cured of consumption. but | Ii
died in Il few months. N
irwin returned last fall with q big | a
1t and two assistant preachers and in
ened meetings with greater zeal than 81
fore. The excitement drew people ii
I'm a score of miles distant and on re
nday thousands gathered. The serv in
consisted of sermons. shouting and
hibitions of the power" Commune +
nts jumped up and down for a bali
ur at a time. screaming praises to u
ID. Some went into frances These
win allowed none to touch In his
dress he abused the river brethren -
cir form of dress and customs. point L
: them out in the congregation and
ling them by name. Never in the y
story of this county has there been :"
strange and wild preaching as that :
q the people wondered how il would -
d If the excitement continued to :,
ow. They speedily found out. :.
\ party of young farmers. whose =
rents. friends and sweethearts had -
en- maligned by Irwin and his asso =
ties, SURROUNDED the tent one moon ~
Int night suddenly they cut the
pes and rushed for the preachers :
icy caught two Of them. but Irwin !,
Id the confusion. darkness and Z
ght of the congregation, escaped q
e captives were taken to stocl =
TX near by The windmill. driver =
the prairie breeze. had filled it viii :, :,
ar. cold wafer. -
In with EN-. boys cried a stalwart
nth.
One, two, threer' Splash. splash. =
The evanCelists We're ducked three
les and then allowed to 60 irwin