American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-04
+, ON IA. pai,ad.,paia Bul,.tin.
from the PhilddeiPhid Bulletin.
TIE Anna Meister DelusiOn-A Fe.
malo lmpOStOr-Cu Rites Of
Worship.

- Worship
The jury in the case of Anna Meis-
ter, Caroline Mueller, and Caroline
Warner, tried for conspiracy to defraud
various persons, came into court at
Philadelphia, on Tuesday, after having
been out two days, ard rendered ver-
dict OF "not guilty." but the defend
ants pay the costs. This is virtual
conviction of criminal practices, tho
the particular offence of conspiracy
was not proven. At the time of the
first arrest of Anna Meister, we gave
an account of her extraordinary prac-
tees, and the proceedings of the trial
have been reported from day to day in
our columns. But the case is such an
extraordinary one, that, now as she is
again discharged and at liberty to re-
sumo her former course, it deserves to
be again presented to the public. 3.
Anna Meister is a young German
woman, who has lived in Philadelphia
for several years. A year or two ago
she represented herself to be inspired,
gathered followers of both sexes around
her, and began to preach to them. She
declared herself, ut several times, to be
the daughter of God, the sister of Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Ghost. She sue
cceded in getting quite a number Of
persons to believe in her, and she prea-
ched to them the end of the world was
at hand. They believed that it was
the Almighty that spoke through her,
and when she told them that they must
give her money, jewelry, plate finery,
and other valuables, they did not hest
tate to comply with her demands. She
wanted blue satin dress to ascend in,
when the end of the world should ar
rive, and the money to get it was con.
tributed. ... : n ..' a .....
In the course Of the trial it was as
certained that one woman had given
her about three hundred dollars in
money and presents, and another over
one hundred; one ring worth $3.50,
another n gold watch, another q silver
pitcher, another dresses, and indeed
every within of this remarkable impos-
tor was instantly and cheerfully graf
flied by her deludued followers. She
wanted silver crown set with jewels,
and promised that those who contribu-
ted to it should be the first to 60 to
heaven; the money was given and the
crown procured. She wanted a gold
watch and chain, and those who con-
tributed should be carried up by the
chain to heaven; the watch and chain
were purchased. She did not, in her
quasi divine character, scorn such little
gifts as ribbons, collars, undersleevcs,
silk stockings, baskets, and other tri-
fes, all of which were generously sup.
piled to her. She always disavowed
accepting or using these things fos her
own pleasure, but said it was in COM
pliance with the command of God.
The woman, clever as she was in OBJ
tanning proselytes, and in getting mon
ey and valuables from them, does not
appear to have presented any particu,
lar doctrine or well-defined creed. Be-
yond declaring that she was the sister
of the Saviour, and that she was sent
to warn and prepare the people for the
end of the world, there is no appear
ance of any pretension to distinctive
theology. The various witnesses do
not all agree on minor points, and it is
quite possible that, having no very
clear notions of doctrine herself, she
contradicted herself at times. Occa-
sionally she pretended to have mirac-
ulous power, and attempted to cure
diseases; but again she would say that
she had not this power, but would have
it shortly. At one time she would say
that she was the sister of the Saviour,
and another the Holy Ghost, and she
frequently declared that it was the
Holy Ghost that spoke through her.
At one time she declared that it was
Adam and not Eve that brought sin
into this world. TO one person she
gave string of commandments, and
mingled grotesquely among those of
religious character, was one forbidding
the use of coffee, tobacco, and onions.
On one occasion she baptized child
after death, saying it was necessary
for its salvation. On another occasion
she made four young girls kneel down
and swear before her to serve God for.
ever, and then she gave each of them
three swallows of lemonade, which they
drank in the name Of the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost. She gener.
ally said that the destruction of the
world would begin in Philadelphia, and
that only those would be saved who at
tached themselves to her.
These are few illustrations Of this
marvellous imposturo, which, strange
to say, created great excitement in
portion Of our German population; for
the victims of the delusion, were, we