St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-23
"THE WORST OF MADMEY rs 4 SAINT
RUN MAD"


suddenly some member quietly sitting in his
pew would be seized with singular nervous
affection, over which he would have no con-
troll. First the head would begin TO jerk, then
the body, and presently the lower limbs, aud
in moment the individual would present
the ridiculous appearance Of a supple jac k
on string with hoy holding the end of the
string and jerking it vigorously. Neighbors
sitting in adjacent pews would be inclined to
smile at the ludicrous spectacle, but in
trice their laughter would be changed into
mourning. The Jerks were contagious, and
would rapidly spread throughout the cOngrr-
CATION, making no discrimination between
saint and sinner, and the whole church
would present the appearance of congre-
CATION of boys and girls engaged in the old
time game of ''Shaking Quaker" 1t was
understood to be the result of some peculiar
nervous conditions, but satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION of the causes of the phenomenon
never has been given By the scientific world.
There seems to have been a recent return
Of this remarkable accompaniment of a
religious revival, only in more aggravated
pc of Kentucky forty years ago. Toe scene
OF is temperance is in the Ohio valley, and
the most violent outbreak is reported near
the town OF Darlington, situated on the west
bank Of the Ohio river between Benwood
and Marietta. For two months a wonderful
revival has been in progress at the Wallis
Bottom church, and nearly every person
&C
been converted. There dwet in this neigh
b1rhOod German named CHRIS DoNGEL.
who was a noted sinner and an outspokeu
iufdel. According 10 the most authentic
local acco UNITS, D0NGEL was tough one.
He had sinDed so long and so persistently
with a high hand and an Outstretched arm
that the ministers and elders and class-lead-
ers had all given him over as a veritable
son Of BELIAL, who had crossed that line
which marks the destiny OF men, and was
hopelessly on the downward road that leads
TO everlasting despair. IL short CHRIS DoN-
GEL was regarded as past PRAYING for. But
the meeting had progressed until everybody
in the immediate vicinity was converted
except the VIGOROUSLY wicked DoNGEL.
Through curiosity the atheistic German had
gone to the church on q certain evening.
His presence inspired the congregated saints
with the patient, hopeful, trusting and de-
terrnined faith OF the patriarch at Bethel, and
with one accord they began to wrestie in
prayer with the angelic hosts for the CONVEX
sion of the ancient sinner OF the township,
and with JACOBS periinacity would nut relax
their efforts until the morning broke or the
blessing came. Just as the village clock
struck the hour Of midnight, with bound
DoNGEL raised to his feet in the rear of the
church and pressed his way forward to tie
mUurner's bench.
At first it was thought he was creating a
disturbance. but as soon as it was known that
he really was under religious conviction
scene of the widest excitement followed.
Room was made for him At the altar. The
church seemed to be flied with a religious
blaze. Several women became tranced and
one brother climbed TO the top of the pulpit,
where in an ecstasy Of JOY he danced Red
sea hornpipe. Ladies rolled on the floor,
children screamed, and, as the local report
runs, the panic spread to the horses out
side. Exactly how It affected the
horses is not stated, but it requires
very little Imagination to see the glory
infected horses breaking their halter straps,
with neigEs of thanksgiving bounding Off
down the road while the silver notes of jiug-
ling sleigh bells mingled the melody of their
hallelujah chorus with tie music of the
spheres.
The minister exhortcd DoNGEL, and at
about the third Growing Of the cock, with
cry that could be heard a mile away, DoSGEL
leapcd 10 his feet shouting 'Hosannah."
The scene that followed the conversion of
the notorious iufdcl exceeded in its wild ex-
element that which had marked his convc-
ton. In his sudden bound from the altar
DoNGEL knocked the preacher down, his head
crashing against projection of the pulpit
aud cutting a deep cash. The congregation
gave no heed 10 the PROSTATE form Of the
bleeding shepherd, but continued to nh the
air with their shouts Of triumph until the
break Of day, when the meeting broke up.
The sequel Is not surprising. That day
DoNCEL lost his mind aud imagined that he
WAS sent as a special agent 20 care for the
preacher. With this idea in view be went to
tine house OF JACOB MEisEG. German neigh
Dor, and deceived MEisER into the cellar,
where he locked him up. Going
into the house DoNGEL, under threat
OF death, compelled Mrs. MErsER 10
show where the money was kept
lie took It, together with all he
could carry 10 the clergyman MEIsER beirg
released. followed him 70 recover bis money
and goods, but being attacked by DoNGEL.
was nearly killed. That night at the usual
church service DJNGEL drove the preacher
out OF the pulpit aud took his place there,
announcing that he was Christ come 10
Judge the world, and undertook TO separate
the sheep from .he goats. a terrible scene
ensued, but after prolonged struggle the
maniac DoNGEL was finally secured and IS
now in confinement Que lady who fell into
"A trance at the time OF DoNGEL's conversion
is reported to DC silll in that condition. She
Is apparently only asleep, but cannot be
aroused. Her breathing is short aud quick,
but almost impcrcepuble
An explanation Of the causes which pro-
duce these pecullarities In religious lite
would make interesting work for both sci
entists and theologians. The case Of DoNG~t.
presents varied features for discussion in the
Minneapolis gathering OF ministers this
week, when they have under consideration
the subject Of Faith Cure.
No LESS distinguished an authority than