The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-13
The ANGELS now
IN MICHIGAN
BENTON HARBoR AND ITS QUEER
COLONY OF ROLLERS.
Their Ideas Of Race Suicide Are Strik-
ingly Opposite to Those Of the Presi-
dent-A Big Automobile in Which
to Make Descents Upon Chicago
Sinners.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
Benton Harbor, Mich.-This always
lively Michigan town, imbibing its
spirit of strenuous activity from its
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 ar
rived from New York with 'Mary and
Benjamin. the other day. Daily
crowds of Benton Harbor residents and
many visitors to the town go forth to
the outskirts and hang around the home
Of the "Israelite'' band.
But the queer sect conduct them
selves quietly, neither inviting the
presence of strangers nor resenting it.
They simply go on about their as
signed duties in quiet way, answer
ing all questions civilly, but never
growing loquacious about their affairs
orareligion.
The spokesman, or rather the spokes-
woman, Of the colony is Mary-just
Mary, for there is no last name for the
leaders of the colony. If they ever
did before their peculiar faith was
founded, or they became converts-it
was dropped long ago. Mary, who is
sort Of secretary, is sweet-faeed
woman, like many Of the Jealous work
ers in the Salvation Army. She is
about so years old, with flowing white
hair and swapping black eyes, keen and
alert. 1t is her place to greet visiting
strangers-that is, not exactly to greet
quest of information after they have
been duly received at the big taber-
nacle by long haired man in the office.
When he was informed of the mission
of the Tribune representative, who
called a few days ago at the great
frame structure given the name Of tab
ernacle, Alexander courteously invited
the visitor to be seated, and sent for
Mary. The gentle ''angel' of the new
millennium flock appeared promptly in
response to Alexander summons She
wore, a red waist and black skirt, and
her long white hair was flowing, but
there was no attempt at adornment IN
her attire. When the visitor was pre-
sented he asked her:
mltWhat'ss, your name?"
Mary what9'
"Just Mary answered the woman.
In the general conversation which en-
sued Mary talked glibly about the new
arrivals, from Australia, what an ideal
tower of strength the contingent would
be to the colony and it's work; for the
new corners, Mary asserted, were ex-
| tremely Jealous in 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-
planned, until the interviewer felt pity
up. She glorifed 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 it was to
understand what she was driving at.
The books were those written by
"angels' Of the band, some gathered to
their forefathers, despite the claim of
Mary and Benjamin that members of
alive and active in the cause. Alex
ander came to rescue Mary by pro-
ducing copies of the official organ. By
that time number of long haired men
and women had gathered around Mary
and the interviewer.
One and all of the other CANCELS
tried to help out Mary in her elucida.
ton Of the queer creed. A kee8 witted
man would require a long time to an.
alyze all that the brethren tell to under.
stand the intricacies of the ''Israelite
religion. Certainly one explanation
seems only to befog all the others made
to the seeker after light. Amid the
variety of doctrines of the faith of
these "Israelites one thing stands out
more conspicuous than all others, and
that is redemption of the body with.
out DEATH which is wide variance
from the generally accepted theory. and
Christian idea Of the redemption of the
soul only.
Mary explained further that all lusts
of the flesh are forbidden until spiritual
perfection is attained during life..- I'm
til then there must be strict celibacy
no bringing forth Of or rearing Of chill
dren. When perfection is attained
then the 'Israe lites' believe they cal
bring children into the world that will
live forever. They believe they never
bodily perfection, and that is what they
are striving for and for which they are
willing to deny themselves connubia.
, bliss. Benjamin, the chief CANCEL
or "prince," does not adhere strictly
: to the immortal claim put forth BY
, Mary and the other CANCELS HI
: admits that mem bers Of the flock sue
! cumb to the grim reaper-1n, othel
words, debut he says it was because
they failed to attain perfection.
The interviewer questioned Mar.
ABOUT race sSulCluS.
nWe believe all sin came thru Eve
, Man would have been immortal but TO
eating forbidden fruit. Jesus was
celibate.
Alexander and several long-hairet
T women nodded their approval Their
were number Of children playing o.
t the big porch which runs along one sid
( of the tabernacle.
uThere are children here" remarked
: the interviewer.
ooh. yes,'' answered Mary, "bu
;, thew were not born here.
: Today the "Israelites seem to b
: happy and prosperous. Money the
!, seem to have in abundanceH All is O
!. the communistic idea, everything bein
: held in common. They live well and al
9 appear to have hearty appetites. Mea
9 is eschewed, it is never in the big com
;. munity's larder. Of vegetables an
s fruits there are unlimited quantities
n also pies, cakes, cookies, buns, rolls, ct.
l Benton Harbor residents-that is,
!. few privileged ones, who We're presen
d colony home the other day-declaT
IS. that it was delightfully."- interestin
II scene to watch the newcomers expires
h their pleasure at what they saw. The
d went all over the tabernacle and til
e administration building. The shop
7, were likewise interesting to the stranj
d ers; SO was the big automobile, which
e to be used when the evangelizing ban6
IS of HIsraelites' make their promise
IS descent upon Chicago to attempt tt
9 redemption of that wicked city. IT
Fl bakery was the main magnet, for thel
h all callers got as many cookies as the