RITES OF A NEW RELIGIOUS SECT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1520, 19 February 1886, Page 3

RITES OF A NEW RELIGIOUS SECT.

A writer in the Chatham a d Rochester Observer, England, decc-ib-ing the secret rites of" the J» zeolite*," or the members of " the New ami Latter House of Israel" —a stranje, religious sect which has gathered 1.1 New Brompton, Kent —says that among the ceremonies carried on with closed doors, and to which only the initiated are admitted, is that of " washing the feet of the saints '' —a duty which is performed by the women A sword and a bunch of keys representing Peter's keys, are introduced into the service as mystic symbols, the Scriptures are interpreted in the light of the " Flying Boll," and hymns nre sung of a lewd character. The terms of membership are based on strictly commercial principles A candidate for admission into the faith must undergo a probationary course of six months. At the expiration of this peroid he is required to write a full account of his or her past life, omitting nothing. Thus having pass< d the " second sword," the tenth part of his wordly income is to be given to the " Common fund," and should he possess a pension or property the same is to be yielded to "the church." Insubordiiation on the part of the members is a punishable offence. The adult members are chas'ened in various ways. In one instance an aged couple, for a month or more, were placed upon a diet consisting of biscuit and unleavened brt a 1 (i»ix ounces for two) and water for breakfast; boiled f.eas or beans or dough dumpling and maize for dinner, no milk, sa't or pepper being allowed Another and perhaps milder punishment is being denied the privilege of eating at the same table with "the Messenger of the Lord," or Queen Esther. Thejuvenile offenders are attired in red coats, with the letter P written on their backs as a symbol of punishment.