The sun., 1870-04-20
NEW RELIGIOUS INSANITY.
BAPTIzINa THE CONVERTS At MID
NfGHT IN A MILL POND.

A Fannticism Ecifpsing Lorenzo Dow's-
PufBnR, WbtstiinK, Jumping, aud Rolling
over the Church or-Maiiuu Troubio
for the Parsaic Methodists.
Lorenzo Dow's jumping and ranting Methodists
are thrown into the shade by a strange fanatcism
which has broken out in New Jersey. It first sp-
peared in the Methodist congregation Of the church
at Macopin about twelve miles above Paterson, two
years ago, and has spread until the church Is de-
stroyod, and tile new religion Of Jehovuh's Band"
has supplanted a congregation which less than
three years ago was favorte station Of the Newark
conference. The Mothodists sent their best preach
ors to combat the heresy; but they are repudiated
and each in turn is forced to leave.
The peculiar form OF worship develops itself 10
puflng, blowing, whistlne, Shouting, jumping,
wrestling, falling to the floor and rolling over and
kicking. Both women and men engage in the oxer
cises. Baptism is by immersion in the village min
pond in the dead hour OF the night On Sunday they
hold continuous service, and take for meals
only refusing TO READ n newspaper, or even to re-
ceve letter on that day. Every Thursday evening
they held their meetings in the school house. until
dicuity with the trustees abou, the candles used,
led them TO leave u 4; and now they meet at any
house in the neghborhood, where the spirit mani.
tests ITSELF
John Rhinesmitb, a wealthy and well.to-do far.
mor Of tho neighborhood, is the chief man Of the
Band, and recently had his house rebuilt especially
| to accommodate the brethren one room resting on
strong beams to stand the jumping; but about q
month ago ardent member in paroxyism Of fsna-
ticism, declared that when filed will, the Holy
Ghost he felt as light air, and even though they
jumped upon a looking glass, they would not so
| much as bruise II with scratch; whereupon he
| began to leap and jumped upon the stove hearth,
and broke II or and then leaping on the top broke
in the frail covers and finally smashed big rocking
| chair before he subsded
Recently Rhinesmith baptized Mr.. Gilbert II.
| Speaker. man OF family. and a convert to the new
faith, the baptism taking place in Minosmths mill
| pond before the members OF the band, and amid
ing Fire r. TO the alarm OF others in the neiglvkr
hood, 1t being then after midnight
| Cobb OF Newfoundland, Passaic county; Mr.. Van
orden, OF Bcomngdale, in the same county, with
their wives. And as ridiculous as appears the newly
perfected religion, II is certainly making headway,
although the Rev. Messrs. Cole and Phelps, OF the
men have endeavored to explode It, The band has
broken the Sunday school, and declares that com
| mon religion is an invention OF the devil.
| The fanatics, as we have said, will not read a
| newspaper or receive letter on tho Lords day.
S To s% a, Ssc'JsS
HAND told the sun reporter that he was at work In
G %s wsSn ,. BE- ns s SsSrs sS 1 S. he
left him, and all this time he was so edted that he
thought he Was VAS ayios ; When iO%pmt, 1.,,i a The
| rise far above their bodies
They permit no persons excepting those belonging
TO the Band TO join with them In singing or jump
ing, any other OF their exercises. although OBJ
| jcction is made TO the attendance OF outsiders.
| As Il In q quiet rural neighborhood, the Band
have had no disturbance at their meetings, but
their leaders have eaped up and shouted in the at
| tempt OF the Mothodists TO hold meetings In the
| old church, and have broken up ordinary worship,
/ declaring that they the true Methodists. The
| Rev. Mr.. Cole attempted to preach. when Mr.
Rlinesmith jumped up and declared the preacher $
| religion only corn cob house. and then the Band
began to PUT" and Mr.. Coft gave It up.
| AT the meetings OF the Band dozen will be on
| the noor at once, pounding and kicking, and the
| excitement, some jumping until they fall, the
women slirieking In the widest manner and others
| praying, whistlng or punng as Tor wager. They
permit levity the part OF the young folks dur
| Ing their proceedings. Mr.. Cobb, OF the Band,
IL thought to be growing insane under the excite
| mept OF this religious frenzy, and there is no
doubt that the members OF the Band sincere en-
| thusiasts.