The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-04-30
THE GREAT REVIVAL.
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val, embracing all the churches, is in full pro-
gress both to the North and West of us, and
that it has already extended to Virginia. In
Boston and New York, the edifces usually
devoted to religious purposes, have been
found entirely unequal to the accommodation
of the immense crowds, who have been
brought to sense of their sins. New ones
have been opened in all directions, and in
some instances, even the theatres have been
appropriated. Among others, Burton's Thea
ire, in Chambers street, New York, has been
converted into chapel, and it has even been
said that the proprietor himself, one of the
most famous comic actors in the world, and
the author of numerous popular dramatic
pieces, has been brought to think very seri
ously on the subject Of religion. What seems
to be better confirmed is that Edwin Forest,
the great American Tragedlan, and George
Law, have both been brought to serious
frame of mind; some accounts say that they
both profess conversion. Orvili Gardner
popularity called "Awiul Gardner"-a pugiist
of great celebrity, and trainer for the Ring,
has, beyond question, so il is said, become a
converted man, and united himself to one of
the churches The excitement is continued
from day to day, and night to night. The
distinction of days seems TO have been en-
tirely lost. Every day is Sunday, and the
churches, chapels, and places of worship are
all opened at all times. The system adopt
ed, is, we suppose, unique-at least we never
heard of it before. At Burton's Theatre, and
we suppose elsewhere, sermons seem to have
been voted obsolete. Prayer is what they
say they want, and every body is called on
to pray just as the spirit moves him, without
further invitation. But no one man is allow
ed to engross the whole attention of the au-
dlence. They are limited to three minutes,
and timed by the watch. The secular press
seems TO have caught the contagion--or the
spirit, to speak more reverently-and assists
in keeping up the excitement by crowding its
columns with reports of the preceding
Placards and hand.bills are stuck up in all
directions, inviting people TO come in, and
partake. While such has been the course of
the excitement in all the Northern cities, as
the storm has rolled on to the West, it has
become even more intense and wide spread.
In Illinois, the phenomenon known in Vir-
ginia, North Carolina, Tennessee ard Ken
lucky, about sixty years ago, as the "Jerks"
has made its appearance. 1t first appeared
at protracted meeting among tho Method
lists at Indian Grove, and afterwards at Avoca,
the contagion having been spread by I've or
six Jerkers, whom the ministers had brought
along with them fiom the former place
From the account given Of the matter by the
Illinois Baptist, the scene at the latter place
must have been grotesque enough. From
fifty to hundred we're jerking at the same
| time. Their hands, feet, and shoulders were
violently contorted into apparently the most
painful shapes and positions. The womon's
bonnets would fly off their heads, as if they
had exploded, and their hair becoming re-
eased from the restraint of comb or band
would crack like coach whips. Even unbe-
levers were attacked, and men who tried to
resist the impulse by folding their arms and
wrapping them tightly around their bodies,
would loose all control over their muscles
and fall to jerking like the rest. A cores
pondent of the New York Tribune, who
witnessed this strange exhibition, attributes
the phenomenon to the influence of animal
magnetism, and from his description, we have
no doubt that he ascribes it to The proper
cause. 1t presents all the symptoms of that
strange affection. The persons most affected,
are in general below medium capacity, and
under twenty years old. 1t has been ascer-
tanned that the will has entire control over it,
for if person afflicted wishes to take drink
of water, or do any thing else, he can stop
long enough to accomplish his purpose. As
soon as the will is directed to the object, it
obtains mastery over the muscles. Some
persons of strong will, having made up their
minds to quit it, succeeded by violent exer
ton, and at length got complete control over
the muscles, though when in company with
other "jerkers" they felt strong disposition
to relapse. The case of whole school af-
fccted in this way is alluded to. The masters
ordered the scholars TO disperse, and separate,
and the charm of sympathy having been de.
stroyed, the cure was immediate. The same
correspondent says that the affection is dying
away, and that now, there are few cases.
One of the persons who was first attacked at
Indian Grove, n female, is in n dangerous
situation, having become subject to spells, in
which she loses the power of motion, and is
unable to utter word, or do any thing but
breathe, for twenty four hours at a time.
We know not what to think of this "revi-
val" as it is called. Undoubtedly If 1t be
pouring forth Of the "Dlvine Spirit" it is not
only good but will be irresistible. But there
are some things about II, in the Northern
States. that should make us little cautious.
The abolitionists have already seized upon it,
with the intention of converting il to their
own purposes, ms they have hever failed to do
avery excitement of wide range and strong
character.
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