The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-08-27
HIGH PRIEST Of
HOLY K|1SERS IS
FOUND GUILTY
Charge by Young White Girl
Against Negro Is Sus-
tanned.
THE REV. JOHN HECKERSON
CONVICTED OF ASSAULT
Father of the Complainant Took
Part of the Accused
Preacher.

JuuSe DdVIS ueCldeu IillS AFTERNOON
that under the evidence "Rev." John
Heckerson, of "Holy Kiss" fame, was
guilty and he was remanded for sem
tence
"Soul kissing" such as Is practised In
the Church of the Holy Kissers,"
which has its headquarters at 400 Null
berry street, and is a sort of a cross
between the Holy Rollers" the "Angel
Dancers" and other freak religious de-
nominations, was dwelt upon in the
Court of Special Sessions today before
Judge Davis, where Laura Hughes, the
16-year-old white girl who had the
REV" John Heckerson, a negro, ar
rested some time ago on a charge Of
ant.
The "Rev." Mr.. Heckerson, although
charged with having kissed the girl as
part of the ceremony, was strenuous in
his declaration that it was she that
kissed him and not he that kissed her.
The "Rev." Mr.. Heckerson was very
positive that he had done no wrong,
and insisted also that the girl bao
ssurrendered" to him. that she was
subject to Spells but since her father
had Joined his church she was free of
these spells.
Heckerson had George A. Douglas
for his counsel and he asked the girl:
Were you not informed that 1t was
necessary to salute with the holy kiss?'
II did not hear anything about this
until n nftar ba WAS arrested ~
"Peace eB with YOU"
"Were you not informed that your
father saluted him with kiss?" she
was asked next.
No, sir"
Didn't he say, Peace be with you?' !"
mo, sir"
weren't all the members saluted
with kss?"
mo, sir" was the emphatic answer
II told him not to kiss me-"
She added that the rules Of the church
were never read to her and she never
saw anybody get kissed. She did not
understand that kissing was part of
it's creed, she also testified.
When Heckerson himself was called
he said that he had been a minister
of the gospel for seventeen years, hav-
ing been ordained in the Christian
Church" in Baltimore. He had been
preaching In Arlington and Mulberry
streets for years, he said. He called the
church at 406 Mulberry street the Cen
trail Christian Church.
"Surrender to God,
"Our rules" he explained, ARE that
when one comes in he must surrender
everything to God, because every MEM
ber becomes one in the Christian or
ganization. Our second rule is TO
salute one another with holy kiss,
and our third rule Is to lay hands on
each other so as to receive more
power"
Heckerson went on to say that his
authority for the kissing was found In
Romans xvi. 15, (which says" he said,
"'salute each other with a kiss"
"We have no word except that Of
the Bible on. the subject" he said
earnestly.
when / convinced Hughes of the
word of God he broke down In tears
and he brought his daughter to be
kissed" Heckerson added. He saluted
me in the church, which we call the
Kingdom of God. and his children sa-
luted me. The girl looked around the
room. l didn't kiss her. she kissed me.
1t took place in the presence of all
the family
Father Sides with Preacher.
When Attorney Frederick r. Lehl-
bach asked whether Mrs. Brooks, who
got into trouble over the Colored
Orphans Home in Arlington street, was
not a member of the church. he ad-
mitted that was so.
Did Hughes surrender everything to
God as the rules of the church de-
mand?" asked Mr.. Lehlbach.
Yes, sir
did God get it? You sold his furni-
ture. did your
Yes. sir: we received 81, and that
went into the treasury of the church.
What did you call the members?"
Saints was the prompt response.
In answer to question by the court,
William Smith, one of the members.
admitted it was a "sure thing that he
went around and kissed the others.
I'VE would salute and kiss each
other" he said
William ]. Hughes, the father of
Laura, was sure that he saw the right
way" and told his children to do as he
did.
THE rules of our church are true,
and no one can deny them" he added.
"hTe chief rule is to greet one an
other with the holy kiss, the same rule
that all the other churches in Newarl;
1eI