The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-01-19

but he was as bad as ever the mex
day. One farmer believed" and wa
pronounced cured of consumption, bu
he died in a few months,
Irwin returned last fall with bis
tent and two assistant preachers, ant
opened meetings with greater zeal thar
before. The excitement drew people
from a score of miles distant, and or
Sunday thousands gathered. The ser
vices consisted of sermons, shouting
and exhibitions of the power" Com
municants jumped up and down for
half an hour at atime, screaming to
God Some went into frances. These
Irwin allowed none to touch. In his
address he abused the river brethren,
their form of dress and customs, point
ing them out in the congregation and
calling them by name. Never in the
history of their country has there been
so strange and wild preaching as that,
and the people wondered how it would
end If the excitement continued to
grow. They speedily found out
| A party Of young farmers. whose par
ents, friends and sweethearts had been
maigned by irwin and his associates,
surrounded the tent one moonlight
night Suddenly they cut the ropes and
rushed for the preachers. They caught
two Of them but Irwin, amid the con-
fusion, darkness and fright of the con-
gregation, escaped. The captives were
taken to a stock tank near by The
Windmill, driven by the prairie breeze,
had filled it with clear, cold water.
"In with EN-, boys" cried stalwart
youth.
"One-two--three!" Splash, splash.
The evangelists were ducked three
times and then allowed to go. Irwin
had already secured a horse and was
far away. The others followed and no
more camp meetings were hold IN that
town. Irwin went to Colorado. and no
more has been heard of him. The 9TH
ers went to Pennsylvania, and attack
ed in a series Of addresses the river
brethren near Chambersburg, Pa. until
they were driven out Of that section
One youth, Harry Solonberger went to
Philadelphia and started an orphanage
wherein healing was to be by faith
and laying on of hands alone. One or
two children died, and he was arrested.
A girl, Martha Zooll entered the home
of an uncle in Illinois, also healer of
this faith, and died of diphtheria in
spite of the efforts of the brethren
through prayer.
Two weeks ago another company OF
evangelists came back to this county
and began series of meetings in the
old place. Their preaching waxed loud
er and louder, and one night number
of young men gathered with eggs and
FOR an attack. They were ar
rested and brought here to jail, but
released later. Then others in the
were aroused and they
served notice on the "Firebrands" to
quit, and they did,
1t is q popularity of the sect that it's
believe that they are incapable
of any sin, and hence are absolutely re-
moved from all the temptations of the
world Many wear Scripture texts on
their hatbands, and they make pretence
of following the established rules of the
old river brethren sect as to dress.
One Of the notable converts is Mrs.
Annie Brechfill, wealthy woman, who
has given her property and strength to
The cause. She believes in the new |
faith implicitly, and claims that she has
be necured of consumption by means
Of faith and laying on of hands She is !
prosperous as a farmer and gives liber-
illy to spreading the new gospel
Some of the river brethren are alarm |
ed at the growth Of the "Firebrands,"
Is they think the more sensational doc
rine will win the young people and will
weaken the church. They look on the
'adical element with much disfavor
md have formally renowned all con-
iection Herewith as matter of church
lolicy. The persecution, however, does
lot dishearten the local enthusiasts.
md they hold their meetings in the pri~
ate resdences--the comfortable river
brethren houses built when the adher
nts were firm in the old falkland will
doubtless continue to do so. Their out
DOR meetings are sometimes held in the
treets, and on Saturday afternoons on
he street in this city little group of
raging and singing men and women
tempt to hold the attention of the
usy farmers who are In on shopping
Expeditions. They get small audiences
hen however, but are not discouraged.
nd Keep up their efforts regardless Of
he unfavorable surroundings.-Abile
kan) correspondent of the Chicago
lecord.
a