Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-05-21

heGohu AuNfhUaNa AHhahEFpAANNAs
The Chicago Tribune has a full account
of a band of believers in the immediate
Advent Of Christ who assembled on Mon
day April 10, in that city, expecting that
before midnight Christ would appear in
person: Elder Thurman, the leader, with
about $50 OF his followers, men, women
and children, assembled in an upper room,
on Monday afternoon. The hall was in the
third story,and was a large, well-lighted
apartment. Long tables were arranged 80
as to inclose square, and on these asub-
stantial supper was spread. At the head OF
the hall, to the east, was a sort OF rustic can
opy, arranged with evergreens and other
sorts OF foliage, which was there when they
secured the hall. Beneath this, and raised
upon a dais so A. to elevate him above tho
rest, sat Elder Thurman. The sexes we're
divided, the men sitting TO the left aud the
women to the right of Elder Thurman. In
the square inclosed by the tables were the
basins, ewers, and towels used in the cere
mony Of feet-washing, which was one of
The first ceremonies performed, and in
which Elder Thurman proceeded TO follow
the example of the Saviour in washing the
disciples feet and wiping them with the
towel with which he was girded. In like
manner the others proceeded to wash one
another's feet, going along in rotation, each
taking the person sitting next, the women
keeping to themselves. There were some
nine or ten basins, so that a number were
washing at the same time, and the cereno-
ny was not protracted. Alter some other
proceedings they partook OF a hearty meal.
thunderstorm occurring in the mean
time, they seemed to regard it as the pre-
cursor of the coming of the Lord. But the
evening passed on aud depression began to
verge upon them all, and especially upon
their leader, who, according TO the report
in the Tribune, said, near midnight;
81 confess that begin 10 feel sad, and
my heart sinks within Inc. l have no
time Fl xed at which expect 10 see the Lord
except midnight. But did expect that
he would appear at Jerusalem when 1t
was four o'clock in the afternoon here, and
then 1 expected the sign of the Son of Man.
l will not despair to the rising of the sun,
but how can extend the prophetic dates
longer than midnight, cannot see. 1t has
been my study for thirty-two years, and,
again and again, and yet again, have ex-
amined all the prophecies to see whether
there could be any mistake, but l could
ind none"
While he was speaking, sUbs and groans
went up continually from the assemblage,
Many Of the women were weeping bitterly.
Most of the little ones wearied with
the protracted vigil, were asleep, ~
ing on the shawls and wrappings thai
had been placed in the corner. The mer
looked wistful and sad, but il was not ys
II O'Clock, and some hope still remained
When the minute hand touched twelve
Thurman said, with a tremulous voice:
Brethren, lean on my arm no longer
My reckoning is all up. leave you in tn,
hands Of God. 1t is as much as can do tC
struggle on for myself 1 will try to do thu
best can. If there is any more light to b.
had, 1 will search for il. bid you fare
we'll"
Then followed pitiful scene. Womer
wrung their hands in bitter anguish
strong men buried their faces and wep
and groaned. The violent descent from
ecstatic joy to terrible disappointment
bruised and crushed their spirits. Thur
man sat still, and murmuring, as if dazet
and Supplied with the greatness of his ca
lamity.