Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-07-30
A HOrmou Paralsl Three centuri,s AGO.


Strange religious fansticisms are not COFFIN
ed to any country nor limited to any era Of the
worlds history. The Anti Christian world
witnessed as strong decisions Is have sprung
up since the advent Of the Redeemer. A writer
in the Providenee Post recalls some Interesting
particulars concerning a strange sect, which
about the year 1880 arose in Germany, and from
their foul practices and the pretenses Of their
leaders to special revelations, bear a striking
resemblance to the Mormons I; the name also by
which they ultimately became known and are
known at the present day, Mennonites, is not
very dissimilar TO that Of their successors in de-
praVity, the Mormonites. They were called
Anabsptists, for the reason that they condemn
ed the baptism Of infants, and r~e-baptized all
whom they admitted into their society. To this
peculiar notion concerning baptism, they added
other principles Of a most enthusiastic as well
as dangerous nature, among which was this,
which the MornOns OF TIE present day hold in
common with them That as neither the laws
Of nature nsr the precepts OF The New Tesla
ment had imposed any restraints upon men.
with regard 10 the number Of wives which they
might marry, they should use that liberty which
God hinsslf had granted to lac Patriarehs.
Two Of their prophets, Jon. Matthias, a baker
Of Harlem, and John Boceold, & journeymsn
tailor OF Leyden, fixed their residence at Nun
sier. Not wanting in talent or resolution, aud
affecting the appearance Of sanetity, bold pre-
tensions to Inspiration, and a cOahdenl and
plausible manner Of dissoursing, they soon
gained many converts, among which were some
Of influence aud emineace. Embroidered by
success, they surprise AID took possession Of
the city Of Munsser, and set about modelling
the government according TO their own wild
ideas. Their proceedings were all directed by
Matthias, who, in the style and with the au-
thority Of a prophet, uttered his commands,
which 1t was instant death to disobey their
enthusiastic passions were kept from subsiting
BY a perpetual succession of exhortatiOls, rev
Citations and prophecies. Upon the death Of
Matthias, John Bocc0ld succeeded TO the So
preme rule be appointed twelve judges, accor-
ding to the number Of tribes in Israel, to pre-
side in all affairs. He at length took upon
himself the title Of King Of Sion, assumed TIE
pOmp Of royalty, wearing a crown of gold and
clad in the richest and most sumptuous gar
ments.
Having now attained the hight Of power,
BOccold began to discover passions which be
had hitherto restrained. AS the excuses Of
enthusiasm have been observed in every age 10
lead to sensual qualifications, the same consti-
tuition that Is susceptible of the former being
remarkably prone TO The latter, be instructed
the prophets and eachers TO haTaGgue the
people concerning the lawfulness, and even ne
nessity, Of Uking more wives than one, which
they asserted to be one Of the privileges granted
to the saints. He set them an example Of
using what be called their Christian liberty,
BY marrying at once three wives. As he was
allured By beauty o. love Of variety, be gTadu-
ally added to the number Of his wives until
they amounted TO fourteen. AfteFths example
Of their prophet the multitude gave them
selves up to the most licentious and uncoa-
trolled eradication Of their desires. No man
remained satisfied with a single wife. Te-
gether with polygsmy, freedom OF divorce, its
.inseparable attendant, was Introduced.
Every excess was committed 10 which The
passisns Of men are capable when restrained
neither by the authority OF laws nor the sense
of decency yoluptuousness was engrsfted on
religion, and dissolute riot accompanied The
austerities Of fansticsl devotion. About If
teen months after the Ansbaptists had eslab-
lished their dominion in Munster, they were
overcome and the city Te-eonquered oy an
army in the service OF the Bishop of Munster.
BoccOld. the King, was taken prisoner, loaded
with chains and carried from city TO city as a
to crafty the curiosity Of the peO-
pie. After this be was brought back TO
Munster and put to death. With its monarch,
the kingdom OF the Ansbaptists came to an
end. Their principles having taken deep root
in the Low Countries, the party still subsists
there, under the name Of Mennonites but by a
very singular revolution, this sect, 80 mutinOls
and sanguinGry al its hrst origin, has become
altogether innocent and pacific. A small num-
Der Of this sect, which is settled in Eng
and, retain its peculiar tensts concerning bRp-
bit without any dangerous mixture Of