New-York tribune., 1905-04-09
MICHIGAN ANGELS"
Home Of Queer FOm Who Passed
Through Ne5c-YOrk Recently.

Benton Herbor Mich. April S.-This always
lively Michigan town, imbibing its spirit OF
strenuous activity from its proximity 10 Chi
cago, is stin in state OF almost hilarious frenzy
over the commotion in full force and effect at
the home OF the modern 'Israelite'' colony just
out Of town. which began when the Australian
contingent arrived from New-York with Mary
and Benjamin" the other day Daily crowds OF
BENTON Harbor residents and many visitors 20
the town go forth 10 the outskirts and hang
around the home Of the ''Israelite' band.
But the queer sect conduct themselves quietly.
neither inviting the presence of strangers nor re-
senting it, They simply so about their as
signed duties in a quiet way, answering all ques-
tions civilly. but never growing loquacious about
their affairs or religion.
The spokesman. or rather the spokeswoman,
OF the colony is Mary-just Mary. for there is
no last name for the leaders of the colony II
they ever had any other-and it is probable they
did before their peculiar faith was founded, or
they became oonverts-it was dropped long ago.
Mary, who is a sort Of secretary, is sweet
faced woman like many OF tho jealous workers
IN the Salvation Army. She is about fifty years
old. with flowing white hair and swapping black
eyes keen and alert. II IS her place TO greet
visiting strangers-that is. not exactly 70 greet
them, but 10 speak with visitors IN quest OF in
formation after they have been duly received
at the big tabernacle by long haired man in
the Office. When he was informed Of the mis-
sion Of The Tribune representative, who called
e feE days ago at the great frame structure
given the name Of tabernacle, Alexander cour-
teously invited the visitor 10 be seated and sent
for Mary. The gentle 'angel" Of the millen-
mum flock appeared promptly in response 10
Alexanders summons. She wore a red waist
and black skirt. and her long. white hair was
flowing. but there was no attempt at adorn-
nent in her attire. When the visitor was pre-
scented he asked her:
What's your name?"
Mary
Mary what?"
Just Mary answered the woman.
In the general conversation which ensued
Mary talked glibly about the new arrivals from
Australia what an added tower OF strength the
contingent would be 10 the colony and its work;
for the new coners. Mary asserted, were ex-
trelnely jealous 3n the cause Then the talk
drifted on the doctrines Of the queer sect, and
Mary was voluble until the subjects OF children
and race suicide were touched upon Then Mary
became embarrassed. She explained and ex-
plained until this interviewer felt pity for her
for she got painfully tangPd up. She glorihed
man, and put all the blame for original sin on
woman She didn't spare Mother Eve From
books a mass Of them. she quoted but the more
she quoted the harder 1t was TO understand
what she was driving at Tho books were
those written by angels" OF the band. some
gathered 70 their forefathers. despite the claim
OF Mary end Benjamin that members OF their
band DO not Gle. and others SIN alive and &C.
tive "a the cause Alexander came 70 rescue
Mary by producing copies OF the official organ.
By that time q number of long haired men and
women ha6 gaxheTed around Mary and the IN
1crV1eWOg.
one and an of tho other ~sngslsS tEssd % hslp