Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-25


Their faith apparently undampened by
the torrental rain which fell inter
mittently during the night the 300 AMI
| more members of the Latter Reign OF
the Apostolic Church, or Triune I'M
inersionists, as they prefer to be call
ed, awaited with prayer and song, and
with arms outstretched and eyes scan-
ming the sky for a sign, the destruc-
ton and publication of the world by
fire, which, they believed, would come
at 10 O'Clock this forenoon
The little, white wooden chapel at
Ashdod, on the main turnpike between
Boston and Plymouth. was crowded
! throughout the night by the faithful
but the services were strangely calm
compared with those that have been in
progress for the past few days In the
early hours today the believers en-
gagged in quiet prayer and awaited with
undminished faith the expected cata-
clysm. According to their belief, based
entirely upon prophesies in the Old
Testament and partly on Divine reveal
tions which some OF them claim to
have received, the top crust of the
earth was to be peeled off in a great
flame, the sinful burned i'm everlasting
fire while the faithful will be purified
and dwell on the earth ctcrnally.
Those participating in the meeting
from every section of New England,
the Rhode Island cities. Springfield.
Mass. and Watervillc, Me. being es-
pecially well represented, while other,
have journeyed from as far as Virginia
to be at Ashdod when the final trumpet
shall sound.
Throughout the meetings almost I'M
prccedented enthusiasm and fevor
have been manifested and some among
the number have been so overcome by
their emotions as to lapse into a cata-
leptic state while the believers sur
round the person thus affected ami
with prayer and exhortation call upon
the evil spirits to cease tormenting the
afflicted soul.
Although the rain came down in tor
rents during the night, the Triune I'M
mersonists managed to keep pretty
dry. Most of them spent the night at
the chapel, but some, wearied by tn"
intensity of the services during the
past few days. slept under the protec-
ton of canvas tents and a few neigh
boring houses.
The majority of the denomination
expressed confidence that the end
would come at the appointed hour, 10
o'clock. while others said that if tn"
publication did not occur at that eX
act time it would not be delayed more
than q day or two. Despite the fact
that everything would be changed after
| the cataclysm and material things
would be of no values in the hereafter,
the contribution box was passed fra
ouently at the services and the believ
ers contributed literally.
During the forenoon the chapel was
closed and the faithful moved across
the road to The Bethel, large frame
structure belonging to the society
Hero they awaited the end. The
preaching services were ended and the
| Bible was closed, while the pulpit was
| showed into a corner. 1t was an
nourced that the time for argument
| controversy and preaching had passed
and that repentance was a thing OF INC
past. At The Bethel all the sinners
as those outside of the denominatlolt
are known by the believers were eX-
cluded. the doors were closed and the
curtains on the windows lowered S"
that the sinners might not pene-
trate the sacred mysteries being en-
acted within.
| One of the leaders of the denonina-
ton was overheard to say today, that
| if the publication did not occur before
I6 p NJ. tomorrow, it would. in his
opinion. be postponed for 80 years. Few
of the believers shared his belief.
it is understood here that most Of
the persons who are confidently await
ling the millennium have disposed of all
their worldly goods. One man from
providence disposed of an ice cream
business before coming here. Others
are said to have sold all their posses
sions. The contributions that have
heen made are said to have been sur
prisingly large and the statement was
1 made today that at last nights ser
vices one man made donation of at
least $1,000
During the night a little child, over
come by the excitement and religious
enthusiasm, began to talk incoherent-
Nv and make unintelligible noises.
Among those who crowded about her
was one who claimed to have the gift
of Tongues and who translated the
child's mutterings. which were to the
effect that the end was at hand
Then reference was made to the
Scriptual passage "a little child shai
lead them Shortly after this inc
"sinncrs" were ousted from the service
Throughout the forenoon a great
crowd of SINNERS" remained IN tins
vicinity of the chapel and The Bethei
A long line of carriages and automo
biles was strung along the ROAD
while many others came on loot &c
witness the fiery destruction. Among
the SINNERS" present was one prom
inert Brooklyn clergyman While o'h