Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-16

I'OSloii, July IO.-I he POST says.
Without sufficient food for more than
| week. and 50 poorly clad that inter-
ested persons have made complaint.
the SandfOrditeS domiciled at the House
of Elm, at 545 Massachusetts avenue,
| the Boston headquarters of the HCly
Ghost and Us Society, last night enter
cd upon 4 long fast at the command
of the Rev. Frank w. Sanford of Shi-
| lOh, Ne, the Self-styled Elijah, tie
| living Cod
For more than a week past the Sand
| fOrditeS, under the leadership of Eli
jah," on Beulah Hill at Shiloh, Nc,
have been observing Il fasting and
prayer, praying for $1,000, which sum
is needed for repairing the Holy Ghost
yacht COronct, which was damaged by
running ashore at Freeport, Me, Il
short time ago.
In spite of the fact that the Maine
disciples have been praying unccaSing-
~ for days their prayers have not pro-
duced the cash, and hence the spread
ing of the fast to the followers in this
city.
Believing that more fasting and more
praying would produce the cash, Sand
ford yesterday sent the necessary order
to the House of Elm. and in accordance
with this order the fast has been de-
clarcd.
According to those who hove been
in close touch with the Boston head
quarters for some time past, il would
seem that the inmates Of Elm have
been on more or less Of an enforced
fast for many days, caused, it is de-
clarcd because Of the lack of sufficient
food, and in consequence the absolute
fast on which they entered last night
will not prove as much of Il hardship
as it might have had they been living
| on liberal rations for the past two
weeks.
With the exception of some of tho
leading male disciples Of Elm. Sand
| ford followers in Boston are said to
show the want Of proper food and
clothing.
Several women, who were seen To on
| ter and leave the house yesterday,
were poorly clad. and their drawn and
pjnched faces seemed to show the lack
| of proper nouriShment.
At the present time there arc about :"
| followers ut Film with Disciple Fender
son at their head. rromuIgatinS the laws
| as laid down by Frank w. Sanford from
his Headquarters ut Shiloh.
| Yesterday forenoon almost Il score OF
the disciples from the Boston h"adduar-
tiers started out upon thdr daily round
| of duties cndcavorinE to bring sinners
| to tho fold.
About / O'Clock in the afternoon they
| came Struggling back to their temple.
and as each entered the portals. which
| are jcalousy guarded by Il gray-haired,
venerable looking disciple, he or she was
| told of the fast.
| With solemn faces and bowed heads
| they passed directly mp the stairs to their
! various rooms, and for the remainder
Of the day they were in communion. pre-
pairing for the big meeting last evening
which marked the official commencement
| of the fast.
| The singing and praying of the inmates
| who occupied front rooms attracted
great deal of attention during the latter
| part of the afternoon, and from the park
| opposite the house they could be seen
pacing their rooms, wrnging their
hands. praying. singing and occasionally
| they sat by a window to read for a short
| time from their Bibles.
From the inception of his queer creed.
| more than 10 years ago it has been Sand
ford's policy, after he had created de-
sire for any movement, to set his f.
lowers to praying until the wherewithal
for carrying out the idea was forthcom-
ing.
Following out this idea, Sanford ar
rived in Boston six years ago. accom-
panied by handful of followers and but
little money.
Holding meetings wherever he could Sc
cure an audience, it was but a short time
before he was presented with the house
at 5i5 Massachusetts avenue, which was
promptly christened Film, the House Of
the Living God"
There, without a curtain, corpet or even
an article OF furniture, he held forth. the
burden of his supplcation being entrea-
ties for sufficient funds with which to
furnish the building.
Within a short time his persistence was
rewarded. and gradually funds were Sc
cured and the building furnished
Two years ago his work in this city
had grown to such proportions that an
! other building was necessary, and he