The Washington herald., 1907-03-17
American Religious Cults
that Are MOney-makers.
CAREERS OF TWO ELIJAHs
Fantastic Theories That Have
Gained a Following in This Coun-
try, in spite of Our Supposed
Shrewdness, Flying Rollers, Holy
Jumpers, and Golden Rulers.


don Natl
The rise and downfall of John Dowie IS
case In point With no wealth of his
own he accumulated FRONT gifts at least
f5Oo0.O0O The self-styled Elijah" was d
kind of grotesque high priest, who dissi-
pated the vast fortune poured out by his
too credulous flock His last appearance
before two hundred of his congregation
was the tragedy's closing scene. Surely
a remarkable personality, that played a
marvellous role in a life entirely unique,
Fifteen years ago he founded Zion City,
q an Industrial town OF over 1900 people.
Its factories and stores were humming
hives of industry, but now his wealth is
gone and the community's debt stands at
e1.SO0,000.
The downfall of Dowie and Dowieism
dates from Elijah ITS" pilgrimage to
New York three years ago TO convert
what he was pleased to call the worlds
wickedest city. Alas! the pilgrimage only
resulted in rldicule and the loss of e100.-
600 But 1t was only a few weeks before
last Christmas that the end came. On
that day it was announced that Zion
City would be abandoned On that day.
too. Dowie made his last appeal TO the
faithful few remaining. But even 10 them
he was a poor imbecile, raving incohe-
rently in warlike figures Of speech that
marked the ringing down of the curtain
on a tragi-comedy that was over.
Elijah" Sanndford's Career.
And then there is that other Elijah,
Sandford. who built his huge temple at
a cost of e2O,0O0 on the sandhills near
Durham, in the State OF Maine. Sand
ford came near rivaling Dowie as a
prophet, and began to build the founda-
tlons Of the temple with his own hands
in 1898 AS showing the credulity Of the
Americans, it may be mentioned that at
this time the mans sole possessions were
a wheelbarrow and a shovel. As he la
bored he was jeered at by the farmers;
yet one after another Of them fell under
his influence and adopted his strange
tenets.
Indeed. many of them sold their rich
farms and gave all they had in the world
10 the new Elijah He sent missionaries
into foreign lands and immigrants for
the new faith colony began to arrive al
Ellis Island. the famous immigration sta
prophet imposed fasts of incredible dura-
ton; he himself claimed 20 raise the dead
TO life; and his faith cures" We're her
aided far and wide.
Physicians and the orthodox churches
Of the State tried 10 combat the new
craze, but in vain. Like many another.
Sandford thrOve on persecution. said he
was the representative Of God and ruled
even his richest and most powerful ad-
herents with an iron rod. But the end
soon came The vast pile Of wood. brick.
and stone on Bsulah Hill began 10 look
deserted: rats infested the prayer-rooms
in the minarets. None remained but
few half-starved dupes in the stronghold,
where the inpudent charIatan claimed to
have talked with the Almighty.
Accumulated Wealth.
The governor Of Maine ordered an inves-
tigation of life behind the bars of the
New Zion and Sandford's assistant
Moses Holland. was hailed forth. with
number of half-insane creatures, VINO
were handed back TO their own people
more dead than alive. Sandford's wealth
is still believed to be great for he de-
pcsited large sums. given by believers. in
various banks throughout the United
States. His assistant. Moses, and other
Heutenants would pray with uplifted
arms day and night for weeks at time.
Without q moments break the petitions
ascended; food was brought to the pray
ing men and women when they we're
about to faint from exhaustion-and
money flowed in a steady stream TO the
temple builded on the sand.
Fantastic as these things are, they are
excelled by what is to come Stanford
bought "A "heet'-an old barkentine and
two yachts. With Elijah" Sanford and
Moses" Holland as admirals they put
20 sea with seventy of the flock The
holy Fleets destination was kept Sc
cret, but IL leaked out later that the pill
grims were at Beirut. in Syria. Their
leader had acquired land near Joppa. and
there some. at least. Of the Holy Ghost
ers' may remain. At present, however,
the State authorities in Maine are trying
TO wind UP the affairs of this disastrous
sect.
Away out in Seattle, in the far North
western State of Washington, the Holy
Rollers are in full swing, and already
they have caused blood 10 flow. George
Mitchell a despairing young man, who
claimed that the lives of his two sisters
had been ruined by Frank E. Canfeld,
the sO-called Joshua of the sect, shot
the leader dead
Holy Rollers Brief Career.
And the affair had a terrible sequel. One
Of the Misses Mitchell followed her
brother to court in Seattle. and in the
midst OF the hearing produced 6 revolver
and shot him dead AS a result the Holy
Rollers on the Pacific Coast had to fly
for their lives. for the murder of young
Mitchell aroused Nild frenzy against
them.
This sect was organized six years ago
by the shores Of Canandaigua Lake in
Western New York. Belief in hell is their
chief tenet, and conversion Is by fear
The penitent lies on the floor at the end
Of a great hall and rolls over and over
like a hypnotized Hindu st d big ''mela'
until the authorities are satisfied the devil
is rolled out of him. This fantastic cere-
monv has lasted as long as five hours,
and as the unhappy penitent rolls the sins
Of a lifetime are elected from him by
confession.
There are also the Flying Rollers, with
headquarters at Benton Harbor. Mich.
These claim converts even from Australia.
where they have had missionaries at
work At their publication meetings a
great fire is built, and the converts
el4ioN tnelE treasures lhto tie names 70
show they forsake all things for the
faith.
Comedy I'm This Sect.
All this is tragic enough, but there is
comedy in the 'Sanetihed Church of
Adam and Eve" It's founder was ar
rested while preaching on the main street
Of RathdrUm. Idaho. and was hailed off
20 the police station arrayed in n horse
blanket This man., Rev. John 4