A NEW SECT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1920, Page 1

A NEW SECT.

“SIGNS AND WONDERS” AT DUNEDIN.

For about a year past there has been in. Dunedin a small but steadily growing body of people professing a faith, some features of which could not fail to attract outside attention. They have lived together quietly and unobtrusively, but rumours of miracles of healing and of hysterical midnight gatherings, in which “demons” were exercised, have gathered about them. It is also true that their influence over certain impressionable and suffering people has roused not a little anger and indignation among the relatives most nearly concerned.

A reporter visited the headquarters, ofe the movement a few days ago. There was at first an unwillingness to make any statement for publication, but on it being pointed out that the movement was. already being much talked about, the leader, Miss Bernard. eventually consented to receive an interviewer.

Miss Burnard said the movement had its origin away hack in the day’s of Pentecost. It 'was spreading all oyer the world. They expected the second coming of Christ very soon, and this was being preceded by special outpourings of the Holy Spirit, similar to the outpouring at Pentecost, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. “Signs and wonders” were following now just as thev followed then. NO NEED FOR DOCTORS. Asked as to their views about physical healing, she said there were two kinds of physical healing. “Numbers of our band have been delivered from sickness again and again. Instead of going to the doctor we pray the prayer of faith.” Miss Burnard frankly admitted that they believed in present-day “demon possession, and stated that quite a number of their band hero have been delivered from demons. A number with failing sight, she said have been 'persuaded to give up their glasses, and some suffering from deafness to

|lmy aside ear trumpets. But with candour she added that the manifestations that they had been waiting for in these cases had not yet come. The trouble of course, was lack of faith on the part of the afflicted ones. Tlib reporter took occasion to put a leading question on the subject ol interferen.ee by the band with domestic relations, and was met with unvarying candour and a. cheerful irresponsibility. Miss Burnard explained that they only did as the Lord led them, and the Lord himself came “to .set a man at variance against liis father, and the daughter against her mother.” THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. Miss Burnard claims the gift of prophecy for members of the baud, and says that many of their prophecies have been fulfilled to the letter. Of others the fulfilment is yet to come. Another gift which she says is possessed by somo of the band is that of “discerning of spirits.” This means that the people so endowed can infallably distinguish between the spirit of good and the spirit of evil, and can always detect Satan when masquerading as an “angel of light.” She also indicated the nature of some of the meet, ings held by the band. On occasions they fast when “led” to do so, and i many (spend a,lf night weeping and j groaning and praying together.