St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-14
sTRANGEvIsIONs OF GIRLS.
Remarkable Outbreak OF Religious
Enthusias m i'm the Bahamas.

San Salvador Letter in London Times.
A remarkable outbreak of religious hallu-
cinatiOn occurred ON this island this year.
About January last report was out that
a young girl had seen visions and was
under some influence not belonging to this
world. Her excitement soon communicated
itself to others, and in the course of few
weeks some twenty young girls were af-
fected. They then organized religious meet
ings and much excitement was caused.
/ went at once to see what took place at
these meetings. About fifty people sat
ronnd in room singing, clapping hands
and stamping the feet, keeping time to a
kind of monotone chant. The girls who
saw visions were standing in the center,
sometimes walking up and down. They
had a vacant kind of stare. Gradually the
singing quickened, 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 foaming at the mouth were
dreadful to see, and in many cases it took
four or five men to hold them still. After
the tit 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 remarkable-they spoke of
people doing things many miles from the
place. Upon inquiry it was found in some
cases that what they had seen correspondent
exactly with the events.
One most remarkable feature of this out
break was that il was not confined to one
spot. Almost simultaneously in every
settlement on the island 1.-THE island is forty
five miles long and twelve broad in places
similar outbreaks occurred. Girls living at
distance of five or ten miles from the
scene of the shouting meetings." as they
were called, 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 distinctive predestina-
ton doctrines OF their sect Very glowing
accounts were given OF the various punish
ments and fortunes reserved for the wicked
in hell. and they were most liberal in dis
pensing these puniShmentS among their
friends.
Up and down the island about 400 or 500
people were seized, and it was at first
thought it was kind of epidemic of hys-
terra. In few cases girls of highly re-
spectacle character were seized, and, al
though they did not See visions, yet for
weeks they would have fits daily. and such
was their superhuman strength that have
seen a young girl of 16 struggle out Of the
grasp of four strong men, The outbreak
lasted from January to July, and at one
time it was feared that it would lead to
serious consequences, for all the people who
gave credence TO the visitors neglected work
and abandoned themselves to holding meet
ings day and night for singing, shouting.
barking and listening to the accounts of
the visions seen.
In the daytime, and especially on Sum
days, they had professions with banners.
This led to some bad feeling, and in few
cases the law had to be appealed to in the
interests of peace. 1t was singular thing
that although they organized themselves
into sect, and all who disbelieved in the
visions were ''heretIcs," yet they showed
the utmost courtesy and good will toward
the church. but toward their own particular
denomination and the various other sects
they displayed great luminosity. The ex-
element has died out now, and they have
ceased to exist a sect