Charlotte home and Democrat., 1882-04-14
The Religious clerks"

Bishop Falne OF the Methodist T..
Church, South, in "reminiscences of his
early life, gives the following account in
the Nashville Advocate of what is known
as "Jerks,' which prevailed in this State
about the same time:
THE Jerks-It was about this year
1sl9-the phenomenon called the clerks"
disappeared. During twenty years it had
occurred, principally in the w estern coun-
try, and especially in Kentucky and Ten
nessee. 1t sprang up in the midst of the
"great awakening" about the beginning
of the century, and for the first decade
spread and prevailed wonderfully. 1t was
marked by sudden and often very violent
spasms, affecting, like a paralysis, the
whole body, but confined more frequently
to the arms, head, and upper portions of
the body. Many fell, seemingly lifeless,
and would lay silent and insensible long
time, not flinching from pain when expert
ments were made. So violent were the
motions of others that it was necessary to
restrain them forcibly from injuring them
selves. AT the early period, which marked
the origin of the movement resulting in
the organization of the Cumberland Pres
byterian Church, these "ecercises," as
they were called, were various and ex
travagant to surprising degree. They
were not confined 20 any particular Church
nor, indeed, to any classes of citizens
saint or sinner, grave old ministers and
careless workings were attacked. l have
been reliably informed that al famous
great union-meeting, held on the border
Of Kentucky and Tennessee, SO intense and
general was the "exercise," that, among
other wild and strange scenes, was race
at night between noted preacher and
one OF his elders. The preacher could no
longer suppress his feelings, and started
hastily to leave the encampment, lest he
might be overtaken with the Jerks, and
publicly expose himself. His elder fol-
lowed to take care of him. Adown the
| road they went-both did their best, but
the elder grabbed him after half.mile
| chase, and just as he had begun to climb
| tree. At the foot of the tree they
shouted awhile, embraced each other, and
wept tears of holy joy together. Calmly
and quietly, an hour later, they returned !,
| better prepared to instruct and soothe
others. have seen half dozen at the
same time who needed to be controlled.
Usually we would stop preaching when
the Jerks began, and sing, or talk kindly
and softly to them. Those who came to
make sport of it were often its subjects
have seen many fall from their seats in
church as if struck by electricity. The
less cultured were most subject to Its. Of
course there were many exceptions.
Preachers in my time very rarely suffered.
| Do you ask what we thought and did
about them when they happened in our
meetings-the cause and moral effect? In
reply, we must say, We were always sorry
to see them, but did not feel it right to
oppose it directly and unfortunately,
lest, perchance, we might eight against
God" Those who were affected by them
appeared morti6ed-they seemed to try
to suppress their emotions until they
could do so no longer. If such could find
relief in singing, weeping, or shouting, the
struggle ended.
believe they were, by great ma jori-
ty, sincere and good people, although us.
ually of an excitable temperament; yet
some of the gentlest and best Christians
were occasionally of the number. We do
not comprehend the action and reaction
of soul and body, much less of Gods
Spirit upon the human soul and body.
That both good and evil may have at
tended them, | doubt not. lrreligious
spectators were often deeply impressed
and dated their subsequent conversion tc
these strange scenes. They could not ac
count for them without reference to super
natural power. Others were offended
hardened, and hindered. Having never
been very demonstrative in my religious
ieelings-perhaps never sufficiently sol
tried to rely for usefulness upon the faith
iul use of the divinely instituted means
and commit results to God in faith and
prayer. Revivals we must haze, or the
Church becomes spiritual cemetery
but for its extensive and permanent wei
fare its pastors must be teachers and wise
master-builders. These duties require
wisdom, patience, and earnest devotion
lSpasmodic and sensational efforts are moi
enough. 1t matters not what God may
do, or allow to be done, to startle anc
awaken the mbering soul, fits energies
are thenceforth rightfully directed. Moth
ing is more dangerous than Indifference
especially when caused by vicious habit
then the force of moral earthquake j,
needed The giants who figured in thai
"great awakening," belonging g to various
Churches, have disappeared, and the pro
tracted excitement has passed over like
storm-cloud. We hear only the reverbera
tion of the distant thunder, and it is to b.
feared that the calm which has succeeded
is lulling to repose the Church and he
watchmen. Iprefer storm occasionally
to perpetual stupor.
Guiteau'S Book.