The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-01
BLACK ELIJAH CAME
 UP FROM A COOK Exacts Biblical Tithe from His
 Negro Followers HE ALWAYS WANTS MONEY Prophet crowdy Rides Around In His Carriage and Feasts on Fricasseed
 chicken-coTored Gentle
 man on Easy Street.
HE ALWAYS WANTS MONEY
Special to the New York World.

Special to the New York World.
 washIngton.-t"Th Black Elijah" is the title given by his converts to William S.. Crowdy, apostle, bishop prophet and founder of the Church of God, and Saints of Christ, new sect formed here which is rapidly spreading.
 The prophet was found al his home eating frcassed chicken off a roll-top desk. He could talk but little himself be- cause of a swollen tongue, which inter fered with articulation, but not with the devouring of the chicken. Through his wife and sister and sister of the church the prophet explained the tenets of his faith and gave sketch of his life.
 Prophet Crowdy now rides around In a carriage bought for him by his fol- lowers His house Is the only one in the block equipped with awnings, and In front of it is vis-a-vis swing; but ten years ago the prophet was just plaih cook, working for the Santa Fe Railway company. Between orders of ham and and fapjacks he pondered deeply on re-
  ton. He gave up his job as cook and. taking the .seveo fundamentals" which he says the revelation revealed to him, started out to drag mankind from the error of it's way.
 One-Tenth to Church.
 The prophet first evangelized the west. He landed here four years ago and be- gan the organization of his sect His fol! Inxrr nt3- o Fourth street and New York avenue, northwest. besides the prophets carriage and horses.
 The founder does not give much per sonal attention to the services of his church, but contents himself with being the keeper of the tithes. The church work is left mainly to the elders and the evangelists. One of the articles or faith is that the Bible must oe inter- preted and obeyed literally. Because of this each follower must give to the church one-tenth of all he possesses. It is up to Prophet Crowdy to see that all the followers pay.
 In addition to a weekly newspaper called the Weekly Prophet, price five cents, the church conducts cafe, gen eral store a cash grocery, shaving par Tor and a woodward in Philadelphia. Bos- ton has a woodward, a general store anQ
 
 given the title of saint.
 The Weekly Prophet Is filled with edi- torial advice regarding the collection or tithes from those who own, rent or lease lands, and those who own fruit grain, poultry of all kinds, and live stock. such as hogs cattle, etc. the tenth part or which belongs to God" and of which l Prophet Crowdy Is receive ver-general.
 Swearing off a Vain Device. l Swearing off the tithes won't go with 1 the prophet, for he is believed to be en- dowed with power to detect any attempt at evasion. One notice in the Weekly Prophet reads
 special notice touching storehouses and clerks: If the clerk lets anything out from the store without the managers consent he must pay for 1t; and if they can't pay in one week they can't get nothing You must work while you are playing so much, do not let nothing go from any of the employments.
 "BISHOP WILLIAM s. CROWDY."
 The prophet. bishop, apostle and founder is short. fat negro about 65 years old. His hair is white. His house is well fur nshed and in a bookless study, where chicken fricassee is served on a roll-top desk, there are huge leather chairs and a big leather Davenport, upon which the prophet may rest himself when weary.
 The new sect observes Saturday as it's day of worship, and because of their cer- emonies they have become known as Foot Washers" Branch churches are sit uated at Cumberland, Md: Providence, Atlanta, Charlotte Gainesville Pa; Ports- mouth South Omaha. Danyille, Camden, Newark Chicago, Kansas City, Clover, Va, Wilmington. Pittsburg Lynchburg, New York City. Baltimore, Belleville, Va, and Newburg. N. Y