Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-15


These two individuals, have of late flourished
in the eastern section Of these United States,
and it is difficult to say, which of the two is
the greatest fanatic and vagabond. II appears
from the Saco Palladium that Hull Barton has
visited Jacob Cochran, and has furnished The
world with a brief sketch Of that distinguished
parsonage. The sketch we proceed TO copy,
in the same words and figures made use Of by
its author and thus We have it. without ~altcra.
ton, obliteration or amendment:
JACoB CocHRAN.-Tbis strange man, who
a few years since, threw n part Of New-Eng-
land in commotion With fanalicism and who,
in his supernatural power and light, found Il
check TO his holy zeal, as he called il, by a few
years contemplation in the State Prison at
Charlestown, is still a wonder in The land Of
the living, with a few fanatics at his heels.
The subscriber, q few days since, paid a Wis
il to his Ark as they call it, in Hollis, Me.
and by the appearance of some of the family
and the number Of small children that I saw,
| should suppose they do have all things in
common. as they profess 10, to a greater cx-
tent than the shakers do; for their popu-
lation increases without begging children from
others; and l could not ascertain that any
Of the company were married save Jacob and
his wife, and he has a spiritual companion in
addition 10 his natural one, who has added Il
was informed) one, if not more, natural child
10 the family since their spiritual union; and |
fancy that this is about the only way that their
family will increase in future, as they are not
so fortunate with respect to worldly possess
ions as the shakers are; therefore food and
hou'cs will not at present tempt many to join
them.
Two Of the fraternity are State Prison con-
victs, and are la.ely from New-York, with a
wife, as it is supposed she is.
| should suppose he family consisted Of six
pr seven men with their spiritual wives, besides
Jacob and his spiritual and natural wives.
: ] entered the building and enquircd for 'Ja-
cob - he soon made his appearance, with three
or four aids-de-camp, or talking disciples-the
women took their seats in a back room to lis
ten 10 our conversation.
Al length, as | would not admit Jacob TO be
! infalliblc, and the great apostle Of God, TO
whom all his enemies must soon submit with n
vengeance, he, with a loud voice. pronounced
me to be a poor, dcluded servant Of the Devil.
At that moment his female disciples exclaimed
aloud-Glory 10 God-Glory 10 God, &c to
that degree that the whole house echoed. ia
cob than attempted to convince me that all
| pIolCSsOTs, bd'C iIIisc uuu COnVuuy WCIC
hypocritcs and dcccivers, and said that they
had all combined 10 bar the love of God out of
his soul; but glory to God, they cannot do it,
for |, now feel the love of God in my very fin
gers-strctching out his hands. observed
that he was mistaken, for l was a professor
and | knew that l had not combined to bar the
love of God out OF his soul - for ] desired that
he and all mankind might enjoy it, and / knew
| that | enjoyed il mysclf-upon which he pro-
nounced me a liar, in saying that | enjoyed the
love Of God. ! then told him my opinion Of
him, viz. that he was a poor deceived creature,
il not a great impostcr, and that he must re-
pent Of his abomination, or never know the
true love Of God shed abroad in his heart; up
on which he pronounced in pontifical style;
and his cchoing women again said amen, with
a loud reclamation Of Glory TO God, &c.-or
rather broke out in hooking God and dis
gra cling themselves.
He then told me he had got through with me
and wished me to leave his house as soon as
! convenient.
He then said to his disciples, Come, let us
90 to our work; and they all left the room in
a moment, and followed this monster in human
shape, as he appeared to me; and soon left
the building, with a new proof, that there is a
wav that secmeth good to man, but the end
thereof is death; and that ambitious, sinful
men, are deceitful above all things, and des-
~pcratcly wicked, when under tho Influence Of
strong sclf-will and false zeal, which is fanat.
I icism indeed-a and with a new stimulus to watch
and pray lest I enter into temptation.
HULL BARTON.
To most Of our readers, the name Of Jacob
Cochran, is probably familiar, and many Of
them undoubtedly remember the excitement
produced by him about four years since, in
the states of and Massa chusetts. Being
as he said, divinely inspired, he did not hest
tate to set the laws Of the land at defiance,
and for his many and violent aggressions, he
was contintd in the Massachusetts, States Pris-
on, from whence he has recently merged, and
has again commenced his unhallowed opera
tons. Tho religion, he endcavours 10 pro-
mulgate,. admits of plurality Of wives, and in
TINA cics, which are abhorrent TO our nature.
Ills society hold property in common, and be-
licve that true picty consists in wrctchodness,
ard a tan:c submission to all the evils the
world can afford.
This miserable fanatic has already made
some prosclytes, as vile us his dogmas GER
tainly are;-and it is hoped for the honor of
the world, ho will soon be put in a SITUATION,
where he cannot commit further mischief.
A writer in tho Journal, very justly complains
Of the encroachments which are daily made
- -