The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-01-21
THE JERKS.
a "REMINISCENCES OF TIE oLpES TINES.


much about it before. 1t took subjects from
all denominations and all classes of society,
even the wicked, but it prevailed chiefly
among Preshyterians. l will give some
instances:
a Mr.. Duke, Presbyterian clergyman,
Of high standing, having charge of con-
gregation at Joncsboro, was the first man
ot cmlncnce i'll this region that came under
Its Influence. Often it would seize him i'm
the pulpit will, so much severity that a
spectator might fear it would dsIocato his
neck and joints. lie would laugh, halIoo
to the top of his voice, and finally leap
from the pulpit, and run to the woods,
screaming like Il mailman. When the ex.
crcise was over, he would return to the
church, calm and rational as ever. Some.
times, at hotels, this anlictio" would visit
persons, causing them, for example, in the
very act Of raising the glass to their lips,
to jerk and throw the li1uor to the ceiling.
much to the mcrrimcnt of some, and the
alarm Of others. have often seen ladies
take it at the breakfast table, as they were
pouring out tea or coffee, and they would
throw the contents towards the ceiling, and
sometimes break the cup or saucer. Then
has,cnng from the table, their long suits
OF braided hair, hanging down their backs,
would crack like whip. For time, the
Jerks were the main topic Of conversation
public and private--both in the church
and out. Various opinions were expressed
concerning it-some ascribng it to the
devil, others to an opposite source some
striving against it. others counting it as the
power of God unto salvation. In many
cases IFS consequences were disastrous
some, fatal.
A preacher, who in early life, was a dan
cling master, joined the conference, and
when the jerks were at their height, was
stationed Oh this circuit lie declared that
it was the devil, and that he would preach
it out Of the Methodist Church. lie com
menccd the work with great zeal and high
expectations but before lie had got round
he took the jerks himscIf-or rather they
took him. When the fit began, he would
say, "Ah, yes! O, on At every jerk, he
used his hand and arms, as if he was play
ing the violin. One morning, being seized
rs he was going to his appointment, he let
go the bridlc, and the horse ran of till he
was stopped by a gate. The rider having
d'smounted in order 10 steady himself, laid
hold OF the pailings Of tho fence, which,
unfortunately gave way; but the lady Of
the house, coming to the door to see what
was the matter, heightened his mortfica-
ton.
Attempting TO hide himself by running
into the orchard, his strange movement, as
he ran fiddling, and the tail of his long
gown flying in the wind, attracted the
attention of the hounds, the whole pack
of which pursued him with hidcous
yclls. Icing afraid Of dogs, he turned,
and, running up stairs, he jumped into a
bed, where lie lay till tho fit was over. His
proud heart would not submit, and the dis
ease-as he termed it-growing worse, he
gave up the circuit and withdrew into re.
tirement, where his sun went down under
Il cloud. Poor man! loved him.
Usually the subjects Of this strange affec-
ton were happy when they had it, and hap
py when it passed Oft, and it did them no
harm. The wise ones of the day, such as
William Mckendree and Thomas Wilker.
son, said little about it, but preached, ex-
horted and prayed, as if it wero not in the
country.
AT the close Of the year I attended
camp meeting at Carriers station, where
about ten thousand people assembled.-
Here controversy had been going on be-.
tween Presbyterians and Methodists-the
former saying, among other bitter things,
the latter were hypocrites and could refrain
from shouting if they would. They were
the aristocracy1ye tho poor. Monday
morning preached, preceded by the ven
erable, Venpelt, who left the congregation
calmly and silently weeping. Iarose-like
most men who know nothing = fearing
nothing, and undertook to account for the
Jerks. The preachers looked frightened,
and the audience astonished. / viewed it
as judgment Of God. Taking compen.
dous view of the nations, showed that
God was just, as well as merciful, and his
judgmests, though long delayed, sure to
come. 1 adverted to the wickedness of the
people, enarging on their intolerance and
digotry, charging that Middle Tennessee
had gone as far as any part of the United,
States in those particulars. I glanced at
the rise of Metliodism, and at the .persecu.
tons it had endured, and quoted the taunt.
ing language Of its enemies :-ss g Ye, are.l
IL