Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-10-16
MATTHIAS THE PROPHET

Nh'N ~O't''i''oN ~ tilai. his speeck
es, says the New York Commerce. !:
reply to the questions ofthe magis,,,,a
bear strong evidence of partial ;ns.-.
ty: although we doubt no, thai rognn. ...
is coupled with the hallucinat'on
Within the last few years, we bsr.
seen individuals, both in and our CT
Insane Hospital, labofinp under ~
same species Of arrangement. Il I.
but just to say, that Matthias did NJ,
commence the religious nania wb;ch
has deluded his followers in this c;,r
The peculiar excitement of which h
here availed himscIfbegan in lso2-
'23, and several individuals. whose
names have not appeared in print, and
we hope will no, were amongst his ear.
Hest subjects.-When Matthias came
to this city from Albany, an unhappy
and unfortunate circle of individuals Of
both sexes one Of whom was the late
Mr. Pierson, and others whose names
are before the public, were ready to
gather round him, and in state Of
mind to believe almost anything
Matthias, however, carried them much
farther onward in their delusion. One
of the female circle died soon after.
wards, and Matthias and her husband
with their followers, undertook to an.
ONT the body of the deceased, and 10
raise her from the dead The deIu.
sion has truly been an awful one and
were it not case of human infirmitv
over which the veil should be drawn
we might give chapter of details-of
strange dreams and visions-of deem
and fearful interest. 1t is ardentlv 70
be hoped, however, that the lesson
may not be without its uses, in pre-
venting those excitements, which. com,
mencing in the purest feeling, and for
the most holy purposes, extend to 9th.
er subjects, and draw many and often
remedlless evils in their train.
EXAMINATION OF MATTHIAS.
Matthias was yesterday examined
at the Upper police, before Justice
Wyman. N. B. Hall, Esq. acted as
the prisoners counsel. The prophet
seemed to be extremely subdued in
spirit, and answered the questions put
to him in a mild low tone of voice.
The following were the questions pu,
to him and his answers.
Question. What is your name. acc
and place of birth
Answer. My name is Matthias
which is the name | inherited from my
father. am forty-six years of age,
and was born at Cambridge in Wash.
lngton county, State of New York.
u. Where is your place ofresdence
and what is your occupation, profess.
ion, or calling?
A. | am traveller. Zion Hill is
my legal home. l am Jewisi, teach.
er-priest of the Most High-preacfl.
ing, saying, and doing all that | do,
under oath, by virtue of my having
subscribed to all the covenants God
has made unto man, from the begin.
ming up to this time chief high priest
ofthe Jews, after the order of Melchis.
edek, being the last chosen of the apos.
ties, and the first of the resurrection,
which is at the end of 1900 years after
the building of the temple by Cyrus,
and 1860 after the birth Of Mahomet,
which terminated in 1S30,-that being
the summit of the power of the false
prophet. am now denouncing
Judgement on the Gentle, and that
judgement is to be executed in this age.
All the blood, from Zacariah till the
death ofthe last witness, is required Of
this generation, and before this genera
ton passeth away, this judgement
shall be executed. am myself The
spirit of truth, and ! declare these
things, and that the hour of Gods
judgement is come.
q. Did you endeavor to impress the
mind of Mr.. Folger with the truth Of
what you have stated in your answer.
A. In my general character Of
preacher, | endeavor to impress all
men with the Importance of what
have stated in my last answer; but not
more in relation to Mr.. Folger than
any other person.
q. Did you ever tell Mr.. Folger
that you possessed the power oflife &
death, the remission of sins and the SAL
walton oisouls; and that if he belle
we'd IN you, he would be saved, but1
ne would not, that he would be dam
ned ?
A. In my character of preacher, ]
say that my person is a trumpet for the
spirit OF truth to speak by, and that tbs
spirit, by this trumpet declares thateg
cry person must believe in this sad
spirit OF truth, and practice obedience,
as did Jesus of Nazareth; and this
obedience will secure eternal life. Ny
general declaration was, that if they
believed in the spirit of truth, they
would be saved, if not, they would Be
damned. To the question at large,
answer no f.; but said to all, that they
must practice obedience in all TIE
branches of the spirit oftruth, as il dc,