The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-05-13

with himself and the whole world. He
teaches and breaches gentleness and
peacefulness and he impresses his per-
sonality upon all with whom he comes
in contact. lie undoubtedly has Won
derful influence over men, for his fol-
lowers listen to his voice as though it
were the voice OF deity. They eagerly
drink in every word he says and believe
implicitly that he has been sent to lead
the world into the mi1lennial period.
Mary. the coWorker and assistant
leader, is a slender woman with jet
black hair. an aquiIine nose, snappy
black eyes, and aggressive Wide-awal1e
manner. She is a nervous little woman
and bears the weight of her duties cas-
lily. She shares with her husband all the
henors attached to his position and is
his constant helpmate. She wears her
hair down her back, never uses a hairpin
and attires herself in calico except on
Sunday, when she dresses well. There
are many other believers in the faith in
the house on Superior street. There is
one young woman whose red hair hangs
down her back like curtain of fame
and there are several men with hair
hanging about their shoulders. Many
Of the men are both handsome and dis
tinguished in appearance
II the halIor Tabernacle, Benjamin
is a striking figure as he addresses his
followers. On the occasion Of our visit
he wore white flannel suit. with white
canvas shoes to match Jewelry that
made great display, although not es-
peeially valuable adorned his person.
In his shirt front was magnificent
topaz stone, whose saffron CLINT was
dazzling as the speaker swayed and
surged on the pillows of his vehement
oratory, His preaching was ultra-emo-
tional and exceedingly rapid His OBJ
jeet seemed to be to give a birds eye
view of the peculiar cult of which he is
the apostle. -s!zss 49,
In his delivery of the reasons for the
faith that is in him Benjamin touched
upon wide range of topics. His reason
ing was not always the most cogent that
could be desired and it would hardly
satisfy the higher criticism" But il
satisfied his auditors. few Of whom nave
more than the merest rudiments of en-
lfghtened education. They sat there in
awe and wonderment, drinking in the
saving gospel which they believe came
from this man as an Inspiration from the
Almighty They did not notice his
anaehronisms, his poor grammar, his
faulty science and his badly mixed meta
phors-or. If they noticed them. their
faith was not weakened thereby. hpt
made the more strong. perhaps, because
Of the unpublished channel through
which the gospel of salvation was com
lug to them in SO miraculous manner.
Like the waters that cover the seq
our faith will cover the world was
dogma that he reiterated many times.
Believes Other Religions False.
He said that all the other religions
are false religions" and that the great
est of the worlds theologians knew not
whereof they spoke. The central point
in his religious system seemed a re-
viyal of the Buddhistic doctrine of rein
earHatIon. But it was a doctrine that |
had more than a germ of fattery for
himself and his followers E expressed
his belief and promise that himself and
his followers. to the number Of ia 0f1n
were and are simply the .incarnated
angels" who participated in the great /
battle fought between Satan and Mi
chael, the archangeL in Heaven On the
occasion Of the great rebellion in
Heaven.