New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
A CURIOUS KANSAS SECT.
BRETHREN IN CHRIST WHO CLAIM
BAPTISM BY FIRE.

BAPTISM BY FIRE.
Abilene eGsorS &kano correspondence of The Chicago
Fire! Fire! Fire! Bless you, brother!" was cry
that startled the townspeople one afternoon a few
months ago \ sOberly dressed farmer, wearing the
plain suit and long hair of the Quakerlike sect of
ance, and TINS was their greeting. Afterward came
other experiences when young woman in river
brother garb came TO town. ana going from store
to store declared in "a despairing voice:
days"
One day a young man, having had his abundant
chair, and stepping to the middle Of the Moor an
nounced no to to the crowd in waiting I feel called on
saysd. Ts Then Then he put on his coat and went out.
ment that has caused the said river brethren more
uneaSiness than anything that has occurred In all
century when they settled % on the ne banks Of the the
bS m anna in and began to wVr,
the way that was how they acquired their title for
other members of their sect, Brethren in Christ,
who lived among the hills.
KNOWN AS FIREBRANDs.
omewhS Tas f9r of is the product
o orr as heg Sf Ps as
familiaT!y known the "Firebrands." and il is the
1t has worried the s@i eders ssd one
sT@'e nd tased STobher sh2kns his abundant beard
but we abide in faith. and think 1t will come all
The "Firebrands'' began with the coming to CEN
tLaI Kansas OF an evangelist. B. II. Irwin, from
river brethren and they accepted his doctrines
which were Of the utmost perfection through faith
Finally he undertook to change their form OF
dress and they objected. Then he started meetings
held that the fire Of inspiration came to the be-
hevers,. ana his meetings ahounded in frances,
Long after midnight night after nishS. the little
band prayed and testified all the time growing in
numbers Finally Irwin advised all the members
to sell their hogs; as they were unclean beasts,
swine to market at great loss He also attempted
TO cure by laying on OF hands. and found some
declared he cured of Of palsy, but he
was as bad as ever the next day, One farmer
tion. but he died in a few months.
RARE EXHIBITIONS OF TOWER"
Irwin returned last fall with big tent and two
assistant preachers and opened meetings with
people from a score Of miles distant, and on Sun:
sermons, shouting and exhibitions OF the power"
Communicates jumped up and down for a half hour
into frances. These Irwin allowed none TO
touch In his address ne abused the river
brethren. thcr form of dress and customs, point
ing them out in the congregation and calling them
there been so strange and wild preaching as that
and the people wondered how II would end If the
out
party Of young farmers whose parents. friends
night. Suddenly they cut the ropes and rushed Tor
Irwin, amid the confusion, darkness and fright of
TO a stock tank near by. The windmill driven
by the prairie breeze had filled it with clear, cold
with EN- boys sasss Srsa stswSr youth
The evangests were ducked three times and
then allowed to so. Irwin had already secured
no more camp meetings were held in that town.
Irwin went to Colorado and no more has been heard
OF him The others went to Pennsylvania and at
tackled in a series Of addresses the river brethren
near 81 ph' ney %epe aTyen
went to Philadelphia and started an orphanage,
of hands alone. One or two children died, and ne
CLAIM TO HEAL.
girl Martha Zook. entered the home of an
uncle in Illinois. also healer OF this faith, and
died Of dphtheEia in spite of the efforts Of the
Two weeks ago another company of evangellsts
meeting in the old place Their preaching s,axed
louder and louder, and one night number OF young
tack They were arrested and brought here % tai,
hood were aroused, and they served notice on the
"Firebrands' TO quit and they did
believe that hey are incapable Of any sin. and
hence are absolutely removed FROM al the tempta-
their and they make & pTe5enGe & nee OF follow
sect as to dress.
THEY GAIN MANY CONVERTS
One of the notable converts is Mrs. Annie Rrech-
fill, we1ithy woman who has given her property
and strength to the cause, She believes in the new
faith Implicitly, and claims that she has been
cured Of corsumption by means OF faith and laying
gives literally to spreading the gospel.
some or the river brethren are alarmed at the
growth of the 'Firebrands," they think the
more sensational doctrine win win the young peo-
Pile and win weaken the Church; They look on the
radical element with much disfavor and have
formally renounced all connection herewith a
matter of Church policy. The persecution. however
does not dishearten the local enthusiasts and they
hold their meetings in the private residences-the
comfortable river brethren houses built when the
adherents firm in the old faith-and will doubt
less continue to do so; Their outdoor meetings are
sometimes held in the streets, and on Saturday
afternoons the street in this city little group
OF praying and singing men and women attempts to
hold the attention of the busy farmers who in
on shopping expeditions. They get small audiences
then, however. but not discouraged, and keep
their efforts regardless of the unfavorable
roundings.