Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-30

e cern; but in the end, it became q nervous af-
lection, which was alphabetically conmuni-
. Gated from one TO another A Presbyterian
= minister heard that a congregation Of his
b brethren. which he highly esteemed, had got
: to jerking. He went TO persuade them out Of
: the frantic exercise, but in conversing with
them he got the jerks himself. On his return
4 home bis people assembled to hear the result
of his visit. While he was describing how peo-
pie appeared with the jerks, he was suddenly
taken with them, and the whole assembly soon
caught the d~istempor.
Wicked men were often taken with these
strange exercises, and many would curse the
jerks, while they wore under their singular OPP
Grafton. Some were taken at tho tavern with
a glass of liquor in their hands, which they
would suddenly toss over their heads, or to a
distant part Of the room. Others were taken
with them at tho card-table, and at other
places of dissipation, and would, by a violent
and unaffected jerk, throw q handful Of cards
all over the room.
These accounts were taken from people Of
unquestionabie veracity, and no doubt can be
entertained Of thoir correctness. Those jerk
ing exercises were rather a curse than a bless
ing. Mono were benefited by them. They
left sinners without reformation, and christians
without advantage. some had periodical fits
of them seven or eight years after they were
FIRST taken; and we know not that they have got
over jerking yet.
There was among these enthusia stic people
one more exercise Of a most degrading nature,
called tho Jarks, which frequently a%ccompani-
ed the jerks. Many persons Of considerable
distinction, in spite Of all the efforts of nature, |
DIS it was said, wero forced 10 personate that
animal, whose name, appropriated to a human
creature, is accounted the most vulgar stigma.
These people would take tho position Of a ca
nine beast, move about on a~ll-fours, growl,
snap the teeth, and bark in go pcrsonating a
manner, as to set the eyes and ears of tho spec
ta,ors a, variance. Some might BIO forced 10
these degrading exercises, but it is certain that
many turned dogs in a voluntary manner. A
minister in the lower part Of kentucky inform
W 'Sb "a - wa iiHhS w bS"h PSoPto
barking like a flock Of spaniels on their way to
meeting. There thoy would start up suddenly |
in a fit Of barking. rush out, roam around, and
in a short time come barking and foaming back.
But enough has been said Of these frantic
scenes. The above accounts are not fabulous
tales, but they are real and melancholy facts.
In The upper counties in Kentucky, where the
revival was the greatest among the Baptists,
they were not at all affected with these dcliri-
Gus exercises. In tho Green River country and
in East ennessee, they prevailed considerably
amongst them. With the Methodis,s they pre-
vailed generally. The Presbyterians were d.
vidcd respecting them; some opposed, while
others encouraged them. -omc of these ex-
ercises seemed really forced upon the subjects
of them by some invisible power, whether good
or'bad, the reader must Judge for himself; but
dancing. barking, rolling, shouting, and go on,
were undoubtedly, for the most part, works Of
choice and imitation. which were hypocriiically
played of by q set Of deluded mistaken people.
Where these fantastic exercises were opposed,
they were the least prevalent. Those minis
tiers who encouraged them, had enough ofthcm
to attend to.
We arc not certain, that tho "revivals,"
mentioned in the paragraph, which we have
copied from the Western Luninary, is confined
TO the odd conceits and absurdities, which sig
nalized those which occurred in the years sss9,
and $40, though it is not improbable that they
are, since there is said to be " an awful shaking
among the dry bones" But be this as it may,
it is certain, that the extravaganza and mad
zeal, displayed by the jerkers, howlers, Rom
kinitcs, ard New-LiRlts, has at moro recent
dates. infested tho good people Of Kentucky.
As late as the year 1914, these symptoms Of
religious fanaticism and offensive devotion
were manifested by the populace;-but as the
lights Of education and intelligence have dawn
cd more conspieiously among them, such
shameful pervcrsions Of ~decency and real re-
ligion have disappeared, and are now almost
concealed blythe nantes of forgetfalness.
The history Of this description Of religious
fanaticism, furnishes q painful commentary on
the weaknesses of poor human nature. and
informs in a language not to be misunderstood.
that there is no greater curse, than that
afforded by religious fanaticism, enthusiasm,
5 and prosiituted crcdulity.
The Universalist Society in Ia, village Of
Pawtuckct, have made arrangements :. erect a
house Of worship at Centrn, Falls.
,