The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-05-23
TIE ADTEyTISTS IN MAINE.
Incidents of the Watch Kept Forty Years
Ago Franks of the Boys.


From the Lewiston (Me) Journal
The accounts of the eccentric per
formances of the Latter Day Millerites
in Eastern Maine have revived a num-
her of anecdotes of the equally curious
performances of the believers in the
immediate coming of the Lords
chariot in days gone by
An old resident of Canaan tells of a
prank he and several other youngmen
perpetrated on band of fanatics who
gathered in that town to await the
blast OF Gabriel's trumpet 80 or 40
years ago. 1t had become noised
through the town that these disciples
We're to assemble in a certain barn
with their ascension gowns on, and
there with solemn ceremonies make
ready to receive the last dread
summons. SO these youngsters, by
dmt of great exertions, secretly raised
heavy log to the ridge-pole OF the
barn. When the Millerites were as
sembled and all was hushed the rOgues
sent the log rolling down the roof of
the barn with a terrific rumble. The
wailing and groaning and shrieking
which came from the barn indicated
that the believers thought the chariot
was really coming, but were not so
ready to get aboard as they pretended
to be
Richmond was one of the towns to
which the excitement spread at this
time. 1t is a well-preserved chapter
OF local history that certain old lady
was made crazy by constant dwelling
on the theme, and had ambition to
fly up short distance and meet Ga
briel before he had blown his horn.
She wished to go early and avoid the
crowd. On the appointed day she
climbed on top of the barnyard fence,
and, tapping her arms, essayed to fly.
She lost her balance, fell down, broke
one of her arms, and Gabriel didn't
come after all; but it was not long be-
fore the world came to an end for her.
There Is a touch of agricultural real
ism In q reminiscenCe OF n Lewiston
ex-mayor, who says: "At the time of
the old Millerite excitement, | was at
work on a farm for a man who became
a thorough believer. On the morning
of the day designated for the end of
the world, he told me to let the cattle
into the moving field, and discharged
me- | did not let the cattle into the
moving field, but hired out with am
other farmer. The next day my old
employer tried to hire me back but
would not 90"
An old citizen OF Topsham says that
in that town the Milerites proposed
to welcome Gabriel with full stomachs,
and made preparations to spend the
night before his coming in feasting. \
wealthy farmer. who had been con.
verted to the belief, dedicated all his
live stock and provisions to thecause,
and held a great barbecue on his
premises. He invited everybody for
miles around to com" and eat part
ing meal with him. The crowd came
Oxen, steers, lambs, and pigs were
roast eel whole. Cider barrels were set
a-runnnc Great pots of beans and
brown bread were baked. They ate
him out OF house and home. TheneXt
day he was alive and the sun was
shining. but his barn and cellar We're
empty. He had less property, but
more sense. The smell OF singed wool
fingered in the neiohborhood for days.
remember having attended a camp
HlttllllS lltlil IA rev tic vi tLlt fiiilti .
ite theory fifteen years ago. The serv-
ices were held in canvas tabernacle
in a grove, and the faithful pitched
their tents around it. In the evening,
when the loud drawl of the Elder
echoed among the trees, often inter
rupted by groans and shouts OF en-
thusiasm from his hearers as he de
picted the significance OF the dragons
and many-horDed monsters that were
drawn on his char, and told OF the
terrors OF the Judgment day, when zoe
excited voices shouted their peculiar
hymns, or two or three deluded men
and women were eXhortlng n as many
different keys at the same tlme-it
! seemed like an uuearthly yconvOcatlOn
! One night several young men intro
! duced a goat into the camp meeting
/ While the services were well under way
/ in the tabernacle and the Elder was
! discoursiuz on the vision OF the mon
/ sters that came mp out 81 the sea, this
{ goat wa~ let under The tent among TIT
crowd OF men and women absorbed II