Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-03-28
TEMPLE OF TRUTH.
Ex-Laundryman, of Brattleboro, After
Variety of Experiences in Several
Cities Has Established an Institute
In NaAAI Xnrk

Francis Truth, divine healer better
known in Brattleboro as Bemis. the laun-
dryman, after strange experiences in AL
bany Hartford, Boston, Jacksonville,
Denver and other cities. has now estab-
lished himself at the head of a Temple
of Truth" in New York city The New
York Herald of Friday contained por-
traits of Bemis and his wife and also of
the trophy room in their former healing
institute in Boston. The Herald also con-
tanned the following
Francis Truth, the rival of Mrs. Mary
b. G. Eddy, who, like the high priestess
of Christian Science, processes the ability
to cure by divine inspiration, has opened
in the Tuxedo Building, at Madison ave-
nue. and Fifty-ninth street. a Temple of
Truth" wherein his disciples may worship
and receive spiritual refreshment verbally
and from publications which are to issue
from this headquarters of the cult.
1.-The Temple will be dedicated on Sun
day. Mr.. Truth said. 1T is the first of
a series of Temples of Truth which will
be established in the leading cities, as the
movement spreads. Divine healing will
be taught here and the healers, when
qualified will be sent forth to labor
among the people-to teach them how to
live righteous lives and to heal the sick
by prayer and the laying on of hands"
In the Temple of Truth" which occu-
pies a corner on the third floor, there are
three rooms. One of these has been fitted
up as a publication office and another is
used by the founder of the movement as
a private study The largest room of the
suite has been furnished as a church. Up
on the walls are placards containing quo
tatons from the Scriptures relating to
divine healing and precepts of Mr.. Truth,
to guide his followers in their moral con-
duct. There is also an organ, over which.
it is understood, Mrs. Truth will preside
during the Sunday services.
Two years ago Mr.. Truth conducted an
institute" in Boston, which yielded. ac-
cording to the police a revenue of $50, 600 a
week. The actual receipts however,
friends of Mr.. Truth said, did not exceed
$500 a week, and of this amount about
$500 was spent in advertising. Instead,
therefore, of quitting Boston with $780, 900
in his possession, as alleged, the Divine
Healer" had only few thousands.
His Trouble in Boston.
In the spring of 1899 Mr.. Truth engaged
rooms in one of the old Colonial houses
facing Bowdoin Square. His partner in
this enterprise was said to be a New
| York advertising agent.
| The business grew rapidly, and ii was
not long before the institute became the
Mecca of men and women afflicted with
disease who sought a cure at the hands
| of the healer. Hundreds of sufferers were
sent away rejoicing. and so many crutch-
| es, opium pipes and other tokens of afflic-
| ton were left behind that n trophy
| room" was created, in which these things
were placed.
About January /, 1900, Mr.. Truth began
| to advertise what he called absent treat
| ment." To each patient who paid s. a
month there was sent, in addition TO
| pamphlets, a handkerchief. This the pa
| tent was instructed to wear on his chest,
nnyf hn ell han Ia1 nh,
| another one might be obtained on pay
| ment of a second fee of S.
Persons wishing to become proficient in
| divine healing" were instructed and to
| each was given, upon payment of 500 a
| diploma. Scores of ambitious converts
! availed themselves of this offer. So sue
cessful did the business become that
twenty-five girls were employed to assist
| Mrs. Truth, who had charge of the mail
| order department.
Sent $4,000 Back.
In April, 1900, Mr.. Truth was arrested
| and indicted for fraud, and, pleading
| guilty, was fined $500. Fraud orders were
issued againt him by the postoffice de-
partment, and sacks of mail, containing
$4,000 in currency, were seized by inspect
| ors. This money was returned to the
| senders.
II went to Denver" Mr.. Truth said yes
| terday. -Four months ago l came to
New York with my family and ever
since have been preparing to open the
| Temple of Truth. My trouble in Boston
was due to an error of the head rather
| than of the heart. / shall not again at
tempt to heal by mail. My mission here
| Is to give direction to the true movement.
| Divine healing as l understand it, is not
Christian Science. The Christian Scien-
fist denies the existence of disease, while
we admit its existence and combat it
with medicine, If the patient believes that
to be most efficacious-but primarily with
prayer and the healing which comes of the
| laying on of hands and right living. /
possess this power of healing and shall
| exercise it,"
Mr.. Truth is about thirty-five years old
and of ministerial appearance. Mrs. Truth
is apparently several years his junior.