The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-01
Strange Visions OF Young Girls.

A remarkable outbreak OF religious
hAllucination occurred on this island
this year. About january last report
was out that II young girl had seen
visions and was under some influence
not belonging to this world. Her OK
citcment soon communicated itself to
others, and in the course Of n few weeks
some twenty young girls were affected.
They then organized religious meetings
and much excitement was caused.
l went Mt once to sec what took place
at these meetings About fifty people
sat round in room singing, clapping
hands and stamping the feet, keeping
time to q kind Of monotone chant. The
girls who saw visions were standing in
the center, sometimes walking up and
down. They had Il vacant kind of stare.
Gradually the singing quickencd, until
at last it became fast and furious. Then
the girls would dance, shout, and bark
like dogs.
After twenty minutes of this they
would fall down with shrek. Their
struggles, cries, and foamings at the
mouth were dreadful to Sec and in many
cases it took four or five men TO hold
them still. After the fit was over they
would lie exhausted for about one hour;
then, when they came to, they gave very
detailed accounts of the visions they had
seen. A great deal Of these visions was,
of course nonsense, but one thing was
remarkablc--thcy spoke Of people doing
things many miles from the place. Up
on inquiry it was found in some cases
that what they had seen corrcspondcd
exactly with the events.
One most remarkable feature in this
outbreak was that it was not confined to
one spot. Almost simultaneously in
every settlement on the island (thc
island is forty-live miles long and twelve
broad in placcs) similar outbreaks oc-
CURED. Girls living ut distance of
five or ten miles from the scene of the
shouting meetings. as they were call
ed, would be seized. Being seized with
kind of frenzy, they would run, as if
by inspiration, to the spot where
the rest were assembled, no matter how
far.
Most Of those attacked with the fits
were people who belonged to the baptist
society. Consequently their visions were
not of the Madonna, but OF the distinc-
tive prcdeStination doctrines of their
sect. Very glowing accounts were
given of the various punishmcnts and
torturcs reserved for the wicked in hell,
and they were most liberal in dispcns-
ing these punishmcnts among their
friends.
Up and down the island about 400 or
900 people were seized, and it was at
first thought it was kind epidemic of
hystcria. In Il few cases girls of highly
respectable character were seized, and,
! although they did not see visions, vet
for weeks they would have fits daily, and
such was their supcrhuman strength
that L have seen n young girl of l6
struggle out OF the grasp of four strong
men. The outbreak lasted from Janu-
ary to July, and at one time it was fear
cd it would lead to serious consequences,
for all the people who gave crcdence to
the visitors neglected work and aban-
domd themselves to holding meetings
day and night for singing. shouting,
barking, and listening to accounts of the
visions seen.
In the daytime, and especially on
Sundays, they had professions with BAN
ncrs. This led to somo bad feeling, and
in few cases the law had to be appeal
ell to in the interests OF peace. 1t was Il
singular thing that although they organ
lzed themselves into q sect, and all who
disbclicved in the visions were "hcre-
tics" yet they. showed the utmost court
esy and goodwill toward the church,
but toward their own particular de-
nomination and the various other scctS
they displayed great animoSity The
excitement has died out now, and they
have ceased to exist as q scct.-Sun
SdtUdd0r Letter IN London Times.
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