The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-05-06
wILLERIrE ExCIrEMEHE
A"Prsphet" Who u M0kt"g
Mesv Cemves'ts IN Pessoo-
scot C0WsstN.

Many CemUes'ts N kessoo-
eeot County.
During the last two or three
there has been a revival OF
The Milierite excitement in Corinna'
Newport, Orrington and other towns.
A prophet, named John Nickerson'
has been labOring here, and has
made many converts to his eccentric
theories, Nickerson and his discl'
ples make the vision related in the
seventh chapter of Daniel the basis
Of their belief. They declare that
all the things which Daniel saw in
his dream have come to pass, except
that described in the thirteenth
verse, the ''coming of the Son OF
Man, He, they solemnly aver, Is
dine to morrow, and they are making
preparations accordingly.
I went to one Of their meetings
last night. It was q weird scene.
There were, about 100 people pres.
emf in Q small room lighted by two
kerosene lamps. On the wall where
ali could see it was a large chart, on
which the allegory Of Daniel Was IL
Illustrated and explained with reaiis'
tic pictures and mathematical dem.
onstrations. The dragons, horned
beasts and impossible monsters, fro
licking over this great map IN red,
yellow and green colors, looked part
" ferocious and partly fantastic III
the dim light. There was the lion
with eagles wings, and the bear
muuching his own ribs, and the
other monstrosities prancing IN
bright paint before the Ancient OF
DAYS with his throne of flame and
chariot of FIRE. 1t was spectacle
we'll calculated to appeal to credull-
ty and superstition and the applica-
ton of these pictures to the tragic
events in the career OF the world,
By the prophet who was speaking
was ingenious, but his addition, sub
traction, multiplication and division,
by which he made the world end on
the 10Th OF April. 1885, was tedious,
and not very lucid.
Some of the leading disciples, as
we'll as the prophet, took part IN the
meeting and one OF two brethren
who agree in the substance OF the
doctrine, but differ slightly from the
chief priest in their arithmetic, also
lifted up their voices. These men
are called by the others "opposers."
They argue that the judgment day
should be postponed till 1889. A
debate was kept up for an hour be-
tween the two sects, with serious
ness and good temper. The 1885
people seemed to get the better OF it.
At any rate, they ale SO firmly con-
vinced that their solution of the
problem is correct, that they are
making ready to meet the Lord on
Wednesday. The farmers who have
been drawn into the craze, did not
get any wood last winter, and have
done no plowing this spring Some
Of them havs sold their cattle
Whether the proceeds will be any
more available than the stock, attel
next wednesday, they do not say
The female members Of the congre.
cation have been busy at making as
Censiop robes, for several days.
One and the same kind Of robe
will be put on by all the men, women
and children tomorrow morning. II
is flowing garment of bleeched cot
ton cloth, which looks something like
priests surplice. something like a
butchers ftock, and most like a
nightg0wn. There are no buttons
on it, but it is gathered at the neck
with q tape. The only decoration is
q narrow white sash, which will be
loosely gathered about the waist.
The believers will not sleep to-
night, but will pass the hours in
fasting and contemplation at their
homes. Tomorrow morning at A
O'Clock they will assemble at their
tabernacle, put on their white robes
and sashes, and in unbr0ken and
solemn silence await the Ancient of
Days.
aWill the sun rise tomorrow !" l
asked one of them.
ut may" said he, "and 1t may
set. The end may come before sun.
rise, or in the evening, or at noon ;
we cannot tell the hour, but it will
surely come at sometime tomorrow"
The proceedings OH the pro-
gramme for tonight and tomorrow
morning are no stranger than others
which have been of frequent occur
renee here and atother places during
the winter.
It is remarkable, but true, that all
of the baptized are alive, and have
had their ascension gowns made. 1t
has not been an unusual spectacle to
zee the disciples kneel and pray on
the street corners in loud voices.
Sometimes they have gathered
groups Of people around them in the
open air. Their fav0rite mode OF
self.discipline has been to crawl
through the streets on their knees in
the mud and slush. One woman
crept half . mile in this way, sing
ing and groaning alternately. Stran-
gast Of III, one Of the believers de-
Glazed last week that nothing would
mortify his pride but to sink him in
the ground like q fence post with
nothing but his head out. He in
duced two Of his brethren to dig a
circular hole in .he ground and he
jumped in and prayed while they
shoveled the dirt around him up to
his neck. He remained in this posi-
ton several hours.-Cor;espondent
Bost0x Record.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABovE WE GIVE