A STRANGE SECT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14344, 24 October 1910, Page 4

A STRANGE SECT.

AVRECKED ON A MUD BANK. Despatches from Halifax, Nova Scotia, report that the Rev. Frank Sandford’s flagship, called Kingdom Gone, is ashore on Mud Island, off Yarmouth, and that 30 Holy G hosiers, passengers, besides 20 of tho crow, are awaiting rescue. Air. Sandford is a fanatic, who claims, like Dowie, to govern Ins spiritual flock by Divine right, and this flock, which is conspicuous for very strange teachings and weird practices, is known throughout tho country as “The Sect of the Holy Ghost.” Mr. Sandford purchased the Kingdom Gone, which was formerly a barquentinc named the Alary Jane, built at Boston in 1873, several years ago. The vessel made two trips to Palestine and elsewhere, to plant the banner of Air. Sandford’s organisation, and on July 9 she sailed from Freeport, Maine, for a destination unknown.

Tho vessel stood off Casco Bay while the members of the colony at Shiloh were rowed out to her in small boats. Air. Sandford did not come ashore.

Frequent migration appears to have been the cardinal principle of Air. Sandford’s teaching, and it was generally favoured by the people with whom Ins followers temporarily resided. He had spoken pretentiously of establishing a “squadron of tho Holy Ghost,” of which the ancient craft now cast away on a mud bank was designated flagship. Little hope is_ entertained of saving Die ship, and in the meantime the Holy Ghostors and the crew occupy a desolate tract, dependent for assistance on provisions salvaged from tho wreck.