The Sun.
London, England, 1830-11-18 00:00:00

RYE.

Extract of a letter from our Correspondent a
Rye, dated Nov. 17

You are pretty well aware of the extraordinary trans.
actions of last week, in this place. Our Rev. Borough.
monger himself is becoming alarmed for the Way of him.
self and property. • I suppose he is conscious that there
is a screw loose, and is therefore on his guard, being
seldom seen, except at night once or twice. A troop
of Dragoons, the very same which came here about the
Sluice business, is arrived, chiefly, of course, for the pro.
tection of the borough ascendancy. Will a new Ministry
permit this? But as fur this man's property, it is nut, I
am convinced, in the slightest danger !"

PROPHETS IN YORKSHIRE.

(FROM OUR SIIRFFIELD CORRESTONMMT.)

During the last fortnight excitement and curiosity have
pre ailed in Sheffield, in consequence of the arrival and
exhibition of two individuals, under the cognomen of
Shiloh and Elias. Their first appearance was on Sunday
week, in the Riding Establishment in Eyre-street. The
place was crowded to excess, although, from the motley
appearanee of the audience, it was evident that the majo-
rity were drawn together from mere curiosity. Shiloh
commenced by reading his authority for appearing before
the assembly—namely. a licence from the Archbishop of
York to frorship God in that place; and those who offered
any disturbance or violence were liable to be punished. In
this "new order" there is no singing or prayer at the
commencement. The Bible was opened, a chapter se-
lected (the e
x 2 which the two alternately pre-
p3odutoldf.haiEt, who seems to be Shiloh's bull-
dog, stated that it was probable some of them had seen a
ptragraph in the Papers. saying their objeet was more of
a political than a rtliyious character, and dennlncing
them as spies and incendiaries ; but they were not—they
were the especial inspired servants qf God ! His friend
on his right was " the Christ," who alone could explain
the Scriptures. Popes, Bishops, Priests, and 111inivacts
of every denomination, were thieves, nacre, murderers,
sod adulterers. During this disgusting harangue frequent
interruptions took place, when Elias, with the most con •
ruminate coolness and impudence, exclaimed, " Take no-
tice, toy friends, and you will observe that those who are
most loud in their opposition are either professors of reli-
gion or some of the black-coated gentry themselves. They
are afraid of their trade, as the time is coming ( the latter
day) when ptiestcraft will be abolished for ever." Elias
continued, amidst the most vehement shouts—" This
place is licensed ; we will not be interrupted ; and if there
is a constable present who will seize the disturbers, we will
stand between him and the law." They were allowed to
go on a little while longer, when they concluded by say-
ing, that any person wishing to ask them questions would
have an opportunity, at their lodgings, Carver-street, but
in Mat place they would not.
The assemblage in the afternoon was more numerous, a
great proportion of wham were boys and young men, who
had provided themselves with crackers, &e., evidently
with the intent of creating a row, which continued the
whole of the time, although Shiloh and Elias exhibited the
most determined confidence, repeatedly emleaVOuting to
proceed.

Oa Sunday last the drama was resumed in the presence
of a still more crowded audience, and, if any thing, still
more disgraceful. One person, who interrupted Shiloh's
ravings, was quickly shouldered out into the street, where
a regular " Bet-to" took place between the oonstattilos and
the people, to tLe total overthrow of the former, and the
alarm of the neighbourhood. After quietness had been re-
stored, Elias, with the utmost gravity, assured the people
that " Shiloh was the anointed of God, and had Iteen
sent to reign Kin over all men." There was no hell but
is there own consciences ; and if there were a place in the
skies to go to after death, the balloon gentry would have
found it out long ago. It was, however, too absurd to
give credence to ; and to show that we are not alone of this
opinion, we will adduce the fact, that those who can
it, deposit their relatives in soldered lead erns, from
whence it 1* imposeible to escapa therefore the folly and
absurdity of hiaat as " resurrection" and
<, regions 9,1 Was." " Aye," says an old fool behind us,
ways th'ought so," It appeared from what Elias said to-ziak
that many had availed themselvee of the inv;tailoa to meet
awl question them, o much so that he considerably qua-
lified the term,. 1' It was," he said, "of no use ignorant
or illiterate persons troubling them ;
for the future !hese
seeking suchan interview. must be profeseed:VaCheri of
the Dible-!-;thrWtinghly acquainted with its contents." A
WWI, here cried out, "1 Will stud, an one do ?" " No,"
ftliol " he is only a fit companion for a gibbet." In
the afternoon the 'woe was one continued uproar, during
which the churchwardens came in, and ordete4

, . .
" ProOhets" down. Elias, who seems to be Shiloh's bottle-
liolder, gave them a look of nowt Sovereign contempt.
,%thlrem-ing one, he ['aid, " Sir,---If 3ott do not know your
duty, it is high time you did. Co and tell your master,
I ant your master's master." The noise continuing they
were forced to give in, and soon after retired. We have
made some inquiry in to the character and history cl
Shiloh and Elias : they were formerly shoemakers, and
are now living upon the credulity of the public. 'I his is
the fifth year of Shiloh's reign ; but where he has been all
that time we could not learn. They are neat and genteeley
fretmed, seeming neither to want food nor clothes. How
or by what means these are procured is a mystery, as
there is no money taken at the door; and, from the ap-
pearance of their followers, we should think them very.
unable to keep the " Prophets" in idleness. At one time
Shiloh had something to du to maintain his gravity : we
fancied we saw the laugh ready to burst front his lips
when Elias was agsuring the gaping crowd, that that was
" the Christ" before them, who alone understood the
Scriptures !