The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-24
A RELIGIOUS FRENZY.
The Remarkable Demonstrations in Hartford
City, Blackford County.
Letter In Cincinnati Enquirer.

Letter In Cincinnati Enquirer.
have endeavored to give q true and impair
tial account of the very remarkable revival of
religion at the NJ. E. Church in this city, and
am impressed with the magnitude of the under
taking at present more than ever before and
am convinced that it is beyond the ''ken of
tongue or pen" to give an accurate description of
the scenes enacted at each meeting. Scores
have been stricken down at these meetings, and
whatever form the limbs or body CHANGED to as
sumo, in that position, immovable as statue,
they neutrality-suspicious. the hand uplifted far
above the head, the eyes open wide and not a
muscle of the entire body moved; they were as
immovable as in death. Many have gone to
these meeting in a spirit of jest, end were the
first to be under the influence pervading the as
sembly. The people are wonderfully excited
and neighbor asks neighbor what is it. Is it
what Is known as catalepsy, or is it a form of
ecstasy, where the mind absorbs an idea until
every faculty of the soul is under its control,
and the body becomes stlled as though dead
-naught but circulation and the act of respira-
ton remaining to signify life? The features are as
pale as marble, the pulse weak and feeble.
This morning young lady was found in o
trance or ecstasy in bed, and could not be
aroused for hours The eyes were lifted to the
ceiling, and the hand pointed to heaven When
she was restored to consciousness she shouted,
clapped her hands, and sang halleujahs
Tor an hour, and said she was perfectly
obllvious and totally unconscious to all about
her Is it contagious, or infectious: epidemic or
endemic; good, evil9 Many think it is mes
merism others attribute it to the works of Satan,
while the believers tell us it is the work of the
Divine Spirit. We are ioath to give other than
facts in regard to the wonderfully marvellous
influence being brought to bear for bringing
sinners to repentance, but we have observed
that all, without single exception, of those
affected are very lmpressible in their natures,
quite excitable IN their dispositions, and ready
believers IN the wonderful mysterious and super
natural.
The lady evangelist, Mrs. Woodwork, is
lady OF fine physique, comedy and commanding
appearance, and, while not highly cultured and
refined, yet she is an impressive speaker, and
when speaking keeps her hands in constant mo-
ton She was first to become subject of this
form or catalepsy or ecstasy, and soon others
were subjected to the same influences. Each
and all of them tell of wonderful transition from
grief and woe to joy and peace and many of
them assert that while thus unconscious they
are feasting upon heavenly mamma and drinking
from the fountain of life conversing with father,
mother or loved ones in the spirit land
The older and sedate Christians are amazed
and startled at the scenes enacted and transpir
ing before them, and already mutterings of dis
content are being heard. To them it is new
departures something new under the SUM-" At
each and every meeting the entire populace is in
attendance, and other towns and the country
around are helping to swell the great numbers
that flock to see and hear the wonderful and
mysterious scenes.
For the last few evenings a colored barber
named Ananias Frazier has been constant and
devoted worker, and sings with fervor and IN
splration that enlvens and awakens enthusiasm
to its highest tension. His songs are plantation
melodies, and they help to give variation to the
meetings.