QUEER HABITS OF “SONS OF DAVID”

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 139, 8 March 1930, Page 29

QUEER HABITS OF “SONS OF DAVID”

Will Englishmen bind themselves never to shave, cut their hair, smoke, or drink? .

That they will, is the hope of an American religious sect known as the “Nazarenes,”..or “Sons of David,” which has just sent an envoy to London with the object of enrolling converts to their unusual beliefs. A „ 4

The missionary is-Mr. Isaac Joshua Brown, a tall young man of 25. His glossy black beard falls in ripples over his, collar, and his hair is long and curly. : , ‘.'There' are ten thousand of .us in America-,” he told a “Sunday Chronicle” representative. “We have Mir.own communities in California and. Michigan, ruled over by our -‘king.’ Schools, hospitals, and churches are .all- under bur control. • . ■ • ■ 4 .

“We are the descendants of the Nazarenes of the Bible. Our jnen-f.olk never shave, cut, their hair, smoke, or drink.

' "We are a pastoral people, and only ask to be allowed to live in peace with our neighbours.” . . ■ In the.meantime there is a split in the ranks of the organisation. “King’’ Benjamin Purnell, the founder of tlie sect, recently died and was buried by Nazarenes in great state at St. Joseph's, Michigan.

Deposited with the body were jewels and money to the value of £250,000. ‘.‘Queen’’ Mary, the widow of ‘‘King’’ Benjamin, is now claiming the treasure on behalf of her followers, while Judge T. D. Dewhurst, a recent convert,, is claiming the treasure on behalf of bis followers. Although it is expressly stipulated in their doctrines that Nazarenes shall never engage in litigation, both sides have claimed the-protectiou of the American courts.