The Washington herald., 1908-08-17

Pacing up and down the narrow con
fines OF the two-by-four platform in the
little church Of the now famous band Of
fanatic religionists known as Foot
washers or Holy Rollers, al Fourth
street and New York avenue northwest,
last night. Brother Dawson. said 10 be
q member Of the flock. newly imported
from foreign parts. ragged and stormcd.
with the text. ''Yo' amt got no cloak 70
70 siEs-T
Since the recent nOtOriety which the
sect has gained through che publicity
given some Of its beliefs and practices. as
vel as the more recent death Of Bishop"
Crowdy. founder OF the faith. the public,
especially in the neighborhood. has taken
a lively interest in the doings OF the
Rollers
Last night during the services crowd
was gathered at every possible point Of
vantage from which a view Of the in
terror Of the chapel could be obtained
It was far 100 hot 20 shut out the pryjug
eyes Everybody got q Iook-in-
Inside the packed building those who
were apparently members Of the faith
were seated about the foot OF the plat
form. the men artired in linen suits and
the women all IN white. White shoes was
the rule Immediately in front of the
pulpit was a female choir. led by a
vigorous woman with a chair-rUng baton.
After the prelininaries. which included
several numbers by the stroug-voiced
choir, Brother Dawson arose and Just
Iii into them" He had rapid-fre. man
ner OF speaking that at times almost de-
fed the efforts OF the sharpest ear and
the quickest brain
sUP-and-at-'En1" style
HIS plan Of sermonizing was decidedly
the ''up-and-at--em'' sort and he soon
got warmed Up 20 the text The congre-
cation seemed TO be a little dismayed al
6rst with the rapidly Of the talk and
must have missed uumberless good points
Of the sermon by laughing ar some parts
which they caught before
Yes. brethsren- yo' amt got no cloak
TO yo' sins" ne declared Then he pro-
ceeded 10 prove 10 them that what he
said was true He also proved beyond
the shadow of a doubt that such great
ministers and evangeIists as Moody and
TalDage gave only their interpret tation
OF the Bible. while Bishop" Crowdy
gave. as a true prophet, Gods own mean
ing
An yo' got 10 Quit that shootin' crap.
If yo- want 10 be saved. Numbered
'Brotle-~ Dawson ''But. then. the black
man amt 'sponsible. nohow- Who made
dem dice2 Who put de numbers on
en-. so that dey come seben up2 Who
I asks y0u-1 De white man. he done il
Den de white man he makes de vile
-5cUCr. de government stands by and
agrees 10 Il. de white man sells il, and
den dey fines yo' If yo' drink IL OATS
what dey do
Washing Of Feet.
As he simuered down toward the close
Of the rowing sermon. Brother Dawson
told OF the beliefs Of the Rollers" the
origin OF the ceremony. Of the Holy Kiss
. and the Washing Of Feet An invitation
was extended for converts 10 come for
ward and have their feet washed. but the
nearest anybody got 70 the table where
the ceremony was 20 be performed was
behind the craned necls OF those who re-
fused 10 miss anything
The Holy Rollers" have expected a
vision in the sky since the death Of
CrOwdy. whom they believe 70 be not
dead, but only sleeping, as he once be
fore slept for three days, and then re-
turned 10 life But up 10 last night the
long expected and rolled for had not
happened