The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-03-10


the extraordinary dongs that perhaps agta-
ted religious people, brought down upon nation
the notice Of the assembled beings Of the sky from their
azure mansions above wehave heard of the Mormons
of the disciples of Matthias-of the various sects
that of late years have sprung up in the vineyards of
the EARTH to asonish humble enrapture or make mad
the men and women ofths world. 1t was in the year
1922 that in the columns of the Courier Enquirer
we first brought to the notice of the world the singular
iaiaginations and religious fancies Of the Mormons
who thsn had risen 10 notice in Ontario county,
in this State We have now greater than Joe Smith
among us here in New York.
The Rev. Jedediah Burchard, who is now holding
forth, night after night in Chatham street Chapel,
originally acquired his present powers Of religious eo-
quence by preaching to the mountains of Vermont
From that interesting and romantic region where the
girls are always rosy and the men always honest and
the hills always green, Jededah preceded by route
southwesterly and westerly, till he reached the rich
valleys of Dutchess cosnty, in New York. Here was
heather and-litte relgon--no piety-but plenty
Of butter, cheese and fat poultry Jedednh had plenty
Of the former aricle-but was deficient in the latter
He called himself an " Evangelist" and claimed an
original power in creating REVEALS His name spread
throughout Dutchess county like the Asatic cholera.
The Rev. Olonza Welton, the pastor of small con-
gregaton of Presbyterans, in Poushkeepse, heard of
the spiritual gifts Of Jededah. He invited him to his
pulpit took him to his tabe-shook him by the hand
and told him to go to work for the glory of God and
salvation Of souls. He did So He of with his cont
rolled up his shirt sleeves, and for period of forty
days Jedediah labsred at the work Of revival in
Poughkeepsie like Hercules killing the Larnean n.y.
dra.
From very curious pamphlet which has been sent
u.s. have made the following extracts, showing the
system which is now in the full tide of successful ex.
pertinent in Chatham street Chapel:
His process is substantially as follows: "Col.
Jones, lone Of his imaginary John Does) amt you a
sinner 2" "Weil, suppose So" swell, If you hare
ne objection . be prayed for, take this seat IL
would rather be excused SIR" "Oh 90, 10 plcose me
II you have no objection; It wont commit you" III
don't object to the prayer, but see no virtue in tie
seat" swell, try IL; have the hardest bargain, for
have TO do a the praying and you only sit there"
COL Jones takes the seat and looks round to see who
else is coming After sufficient number is gathered
in, the preacher kneels in 'front.' and in a wild and
hurricans prayer (f it can be 80 called in which the
Deity referred to the chapter and verse of some pro-
mise, &c. he rises and requests all who "gire up their
hsarts, and are willing TO become Christians, "to
rlse!-up! up!! up! !-all!-every one!!' COL
Jones rises IS paraded to another seat hack again
and after few more evolutions and counsrmarches,
il declared concerted!
Mr.. 3. asserts "that he wants only two minutes to
convert sinner" and many of his dscomses are
wholly composed of coarse rdicule upon what he
terms the "old mode of sailing" in contrast with his
" steamboat and rail road operations"
But that TO which we mean more specially to ad.
vert il his system Of requests" made by any and
every person, for any and every object and thing
within the range of human imagina ton, from the
silk stock, and screw factories" of this village, 10
the "converslon of the Pope Of Rome" Every sub
ect sacred and prolane appeared have its share in
the benefits OF these suppications young lady
requested prayers that the Lord would answer her
prayers another requested prayers that lady,
who can be named, might return to her family in
neghbonng village, which she had abandoned about
six weeks since to attend these meetings" This
lady, as we shall show hereafter needed the yscian
much more than the priest. The fncal the udicrous
and the groesque, all figured largely this grand
theatre OF requests.
And in order 10 stimulate the dsvoui, stories were
related of incredible benefits having succeeded upon
like efforts in other places The venue of these mar
wells usually laid in Vermont, and some one
would start up from beneath the desk to confirm the
relation, and add something st more marvellous 10
be swallowed by the gaping throng. "Arequest had
been offered by pious sister, and her brother, one
thousand miles away, was instantly converted" 81
mlar and even more wonderful results attended the
request Of a wife for husband a thousand such
wonderments were related 10 excite requests" The
object of this part of the machinery TO wake up
the SpHlto HuSucusfl, ana give the maTNei-
lous Judgment in the mind We regret TO say, how
ever that this engine was made 10 subscrvc u two
fold purpose. First to get up feeling; and second 10
censure in left handed way the person for whom
prayers were ostensbly requested. Ii was requested
for men who conscicntIously disapproved the whole
thing, "that they might see the errors in opposing
God" and fall in with his work THAT the different
pastors of the churches might up to the help of
the Lord, "and no longer stand in the way Of the
chariot wheels OF the Of salvation and have the
blsod OF souls IN their skirts with many other grand
eloquent and edifying requests; and sundry hints
were given that all such as opposed this work might
commit the "sin unto death"
He claims the possession OF divine a6laius so po-
tent and perceptble TO external cognizance and pal
pable examination, as TO enable him TO work his
wizard spells by It's assistance and agency AT one
time after preaching" said Mr. X, 81 was so filled
with the Holy Ghost, that in passing down the aisle
breathed IL out upon The people and they oil melted
down IN a moment!!!'
AT another time tried to pray, and soon felt as If
thousand red-ho arrorspcrc sticking in my breasfl
II was all in vain. called on Mrs. u. to pray, and
she fsH just so! This was unaccountable until boy
cried out from the end of the church, here Mr.. r.,
are two swearing all the while and this explain
ed the mystery"
We shall now notice some of his " machinery"
apart from the "requests," &c.
He operate, by commitfai, sympathy end fascina-
fion.
In obtaining this committa any means are rcsorted
10 for success. stake this scat to peasc me" says
Mr. u. and his coadJutors This "pleasc me-" and
q accommodate me-" are words in common USE
"Tako tho seat, says Mr. B., III trM NOT commit