QUAINT RELIGIOUS RITES.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 17, 3 May 1895, Page 7

QUAINT RELIGIOUS RITES.

THK "PEOULIAK PEOPLE/ Prom time to time the newspaper readers may come across some mention of the Peculiar People. Some case in rrported in which a man charged for not. having called in medical attendance pleads that he is of the Peculiar People He may be sharply reprimanded or fnid, but t' e maels'rom of the everyday life sucks the occurrence into oblivion, and the Peculiar People are forgotten by a world that deals only with generalities. Amongst the ssctp, however, they are interesting for more than one reason. The Peculiar People are chiefly to be found in the south of Francp, whfre they also first rose. Curiously enough it is to an Established Church clergyman that the sect owes its existence. About 1834 a Manx clergy mm named Atkio, renouncing his parson's gown and all forms and c r>monies, went into the world to preach the doctiine of Holmess — ab olute salvation, and the consequent power to live free from sin. THE FOUNDERS OP THE SECT, William Bridges, a hat-blocker and Wesleyan minister in London, waß one of his earliest converts, and in turn handed on the doctrine to James Ban. yard, a Wesleyan preacher in Eochford, Ees^x. These two may be called the Fathers of the Peculiar People. Banyard *8 new preaching led to his expulsion from the Wesleyans; but nothing daunted he continued to work in Eochford amidst much persecution. About two years after, the iitle band of followers formed themselves into a church, taking a small room to hold 25. A few verbal rales were made as to services ; on Sunday, at dx a.m. and 10 30 a.m., brothers and sisters might give individual testimony j only those who gave proof of new birth were to be admitted to fellowship; preachers were not to burden the church, but to subsist by annual labor. The doctrine of IVth-Healing, which now specially distinguishes them, was adopted a little later; one of the members having died of a carelessly performed operation, this brought the others ff to somewhat dread the doctor, and take themselves to pnyor in prefereuca to physic." FAITH HEALING EXTBAORDINABT. The first to put it into practice was a consumptive man, Perry, of Scotland, who declared to Banyard that be had received as a special message the words of St. James, as to anointing with oil and laying on of hand?. Banyard was reluctant-, but not wishing to i dampen faith he prayed over the sick man in the congregation, >c whereupon the healing power entered Perry, chasing away the consumption and making him a healthy man. From this time forth the doctrine of laying on of hand?, anointing, and the prayer of faith, became the accepted teaching of the Peculiars. In 1852 the congregation feeling that the Church of Christ had fallen away, and that Banyard was the man to rebuild it, ordained four bishops, of whom he was the chief, and a year or two later, recognising the necessity of being known by a distinctive title, chose thab of the Peculiar People, considering it very applicable. The words are used by St. Peter in his letter to the Christians scattered throughout Ada Minor, and the name, therefore, does not apply to any straoge doctrine taught in England. To-day the Peouliar People probably number over 1000 members, and are scattered o*er twenty-one districts. They have ft small meeting-houae in High-street, Poplar, but their headquarters may be said to be Canning Town. In Church street, Barking Road, stands the little grey chapel they have built, and here the congregation gather from far and near. From such distances do many come that ; on Sundays the Peculiars make a day of it. Babieg and dinners are brought, tea is brewed, and between the services, of which there are four in the day, the congregation resolves itself into a family party. THE METHODS OF WORSHIP. At half-past sis in the morning the first little group of worshippers asaem. blea— -the brethren from the more immediate neighborhood. There are very few of them, but Sunday after Sunday, in spite of wind and weather, two or three will gather together in the grey of morning to offer up praise and prayer. The second service commences at 10 30, and now all the women appear, having got through the business of preparing the breakfast and washing the children. There are friendly greetings at the door, the " stranger within their gates " Dot being forgotten. On entering, the men take their seats on one side, the women on the other, the children occupying the four front rows. The three elders sit on a raised platform. Tha meeting openß with a hymn, sung without any accompaniment with extreme heartiness by everyone, a peculiarity beiDg tbafc the last two Hnea are alwajs rtpsated. As one of the speakers afterwards observed, "There ain't anything wrong with the lungs of the Peculiars." The singing concluded, the healing begins. A little boy Buffering from a swollen face goei up to the Oaief Elder. The 'atter lays his hands with a firm yet gentle pressure on the child's head, and in a low quiet voice prays that he may be healed, «• Do, do, Lord," " Lord, Thou Wilt," ejaculates one and another; Then a grey-headed old man goes up, and the act is repeated. After another hymn experiences wore related, the men deal mora in generalities, buc the women tell out all their personal troubles with not a few tears. All faces are turned towards the speaker in deep and sympathetic intfresfc. A middle-aged man gets up and thanks God for the special feeling of gratitude that has filled his heart. A weman tells lof better health, but b<gs tie dear brothers and sisters to pray tor h r s ; ok husband and daughter. In hsr voice her faith and fears seem to be w estling. An old man proc'aims that this day is his spiritual jubilee. It is deeply touching to hear this simple rental of the daily trials of these poor folks so free from all eelf-conecioueness, and

f tHe patient content and grati tide the) Jpx\)Tcbs. "The Lord's been w n'erfully god to rao this week" is the te titnonv of on* and all. A little aft<r mid-day the te'tim ires close. Alter another hymn the elder delivers a short address, punaming up their faith — that tho Loid vtho c.\n Have the soul, oxn and will cure the body. All stand, and with the Benediction tbo " Peculiar " service coucludf 8.