The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-21
New Phase of o'Gorman Riots.
Novel Fanaticism in New Jersey.
The Burlingame obsequies.
Hidden Treasures in Delaware
NEW RELIGIOUS INSANITY.
BaptizIng Converts at Midnight In n Mill Pond
"A FanntIcism Eclipslnk LOrenzo Dow's.


Lorenzo Dow's jumping and ranting Metho-
dists are thrown into the shade by strange
fanaticism which has broken out in New Jersey.
1t first appeared in the Methodist congregation
of the church at Macopin, about twelve miles
above Paterson, two years ago, and has spread
until the church is destroyed, and the new
religion of "Jehovah's Band" has supplanted
congregation which, less than three years ago,
was favorite station of the Newark Oonfe-
renee. The Methodists sent their best preach
ers to combat the heresy but they are repudi-
ated, and each in turn is forced to leave.
The peculiar form of worship develops itself
ing, wrestling, falling to the floor and rolling
over and kicking. Both women and men
engage In the exercises. Baptism is by
immersion in the village mill pond, in the
dead hour of the night. On Sunday they hold
continuous service, and lake recess for meals
only, refusing to read newspaper or even to
receive letter on that day. Every Thursday
evening they hold their meetings in the school
house, until difficulty with the trustees about
the candles used, led them to leave il; and now
they meet at any housel in the neighborhood
where the spirit manifests itself.
John Rhinesmith, wealthy and weIl-to-do
farmer of the neighborhood is the chief man of
the band, and recently had his house rebuilt
room resting on strong beams to stand the
jumping; but about month ago an ardent
member, in paroxyism of fanaticism, declared
that when filed with the Holy Ghost he felt as
a looking glass, they would not so much as
bruse it with a scratch; whereupon he began
to leap, and jumped upon the stove hearth, and
broke it off, aud then leaping on the top broke
in the frail covers, and finally smashed big
rocking chair before he subsidized.
AS ridiculous as appears the newly perfected
religion, it 10 certainly making headway,
although the Rev. Messrs. Cole and Phelps. of
clergymen have endeavored to explode it.. The
Band has broken up the Sunday school, and
declares that common religion is an invention of
the Devil. ...t......
work in his barn when he "got the spirit" and
that he ran one mile, over bitches and fences,
before the spirit left him, and all this time he
was so elated that he thought he was flying.
When jumping, in the estacy of the Holy Ghost,
they say their 'spirits" rise far above their
bodies. sLT ~Er.s..
They permit no persons excepting those be-
longing to the Band TO join with them in sing
ing or jumping, or any other OF their exercises,
although no objection is made to the attendance
AS it is a quiet, rural neighborhood, the band
have had no disturbance at their meetings, but
their leaders have leaped up and shouted in the
attempt of the Methodists to hold meetings II
the old church, and have broken up ordinary
worship, declaring that they are the true Metho
dists. The Rev. Mr.. Cole attempted to preach
when Mr.. Rhinesmith jumped up and declared
the preachers religion only corn-cob house
and then the Band began to puff" and Mr.
Cole gave 1t up.
At the meetings of the Band a dozen will be OF
the floor at once, pounding and kicking, and th
whole crowd seemed worked up to a fearful stat
of excitement, some jumping until they fall, tn
women shrieking in the widest manner, ant
others praying, whistling, or putting as for
wager. They permit no levity on the part o
the young folks during their proceedings. Mr.
Cobb, one of the Band, is thought to be growin
insane under the excitement of this religion
frenzy and there is no doubt that the member
of the Band are sincere enthusiasts.