Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-02-06
From The keokuk Register.
Progress Of the Spiritual KnoCkings-Arrest of
Rev. Michael Hummer-His Trial and the
Rcsult-Tremc ndouS Indi gnation Meeting

From The heokuk Register.
Progress Of the Spiritual Knockings-Arrest of
Rev. Michael Hummer-IIis Trial and the
Rcsult-Tremcn douS Indig nation Meeting
Resolutions. Se.
The Rev. Miachel Hummer, on account Of whose
trial for assault and battery upon his wife, is gwen
in another column, is a character somewhat no.
torous in our State.
Several years since he went East to procure
funds for the erection completion OF church
at Iowa City, being at the time Pastor Of the Old
school Presbyterian body at that place. Soon al.
ter his return, difficulties arose partly in Coase-
quencc of impressions amongst his people, that he
had not honestly accounted for the funds collected
by him, while he on the contrary, contenhed that
he had not only paid over but had advanced several
hundred dollars of his own money.--The quarrel
finally ran so high that Hummer was forced to
leave the place, and he pretenGs under the gui-
dance Of spiritual revelations, conveyed to him by
means of Mary Margrave, he removed to this place,
some three years since.
Some months ago, he suspended by the
Fresbytery. but presisted in preaching and detain
ed large portion Of his Congregation till within a
couple of months past. At that time the spiritual
revelations began to assume such character a. to
alarm and disgust all those who had any reputation
for common sense and common decency, and his
congregation ceased their attendance on his preach
ing.
This Mary. who may possibly be demoniac
descendant OF her who was possessed of seven
devils,' is a kind Of vulgarized Agnes SOrrell,
shrewd, but ignorant and vindicive and with
most polluted ina giDation. For long time past.
this creature ana Hummer have been INSOFAR able.
Indeed he has repre- sen;ed that all his movements
were guided by direct angelic counsel, communI-
Gated through Mary who according to the Hum
merte faith equally familiar with the spirit, and
the visible world. She has lived in his house and
lorded over his wife, whose complaints and
monstrancrs have been treated with brutal indIf-
ference Of insulting outrage.
Last fall, Hummer took the Margrave sisters TO
Presbytery, leaving his wife at home, and upon her
rcmonstrance, he entirely withdrew his favor, and
has since occupied bed room separate from his
wife, and on the same floor with Mary, his wife
being locked below.
The other day Mrs. Hummer appealed to her
Lord and Master for protection against the rerso
nal abuse and violence of his shc prophet, which
exaspcrated him, and led TO a violent assault which
in the frenzy Of his ungoveratle rage might have
resulted in the murder of his wife, but for the
interference OF his neighbors.
He may not have intended, and We think he did
not intend to do more than chastise his wife and
break down the remaining, spirit of resistance,
which all his cruelty has not entirely crushed.
But whatever may have been his intention. we are
perfectly satisfied that there is no such disease OF
mind in hisease as should relieve him from entire
responsibility, morally andlegally for his acts.
II appears that the Patent Doctor Margrave has
from time to time volunteered his services IN the
correction Of Mr. Hummer's wife and that the Mar.
grave party generally, have been aiding and abet-
ting in many disgraceful proceedings, which have
characterized the swindling humbuggery attending
the progress Of this Hummerite regeneration or the
world.