Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-09
Strange Visions Of Young Girls.

strange Visions Of Young Girls.
REMARKABLE OUTBREAK OF RELIGIOUS EN-
THUsIAsM IN THE BAHAMAS.
From the London Times
San SALVADOR, BAHAMAS, Nov. "a re-
markabIe outbreak of religious hallucination
occurred on this island this year. About Ian.
| uary last report was out that 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 a few weeks some twenty young girls were
affected. They then organized religious meet.
irgs. and much excitement was caused.
went once to see what took place nj these
meetings. About fifty people sat around in a
room roo singing, clapping hands and stamping
the feet, keeping time TO a kind of monoionic
chant. The girls who saw visions were stand
ing in the center, sometimes walking up and
down. They had u vacant kind Of stare. Grad.
ually the singing quickened, until at last it be-
came fast and furious. Then the girls would
dance, shout and bark ike 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
them still. After the ft was over they wonid
lie exhausted for about one hour; then, WREN
they came to, they gave very detailed accounts
these visions was, of course, nonsense but one
thing was remarkable-they spoke Of people
doing things many miles away from the place.
what they had seen correspondent exactly with
the events.
One most remarkable feature In this outbreak
was that 1t was not confined to one spot, AL
most simultaneously, in every settlement on
the island 0he island is forty-five miles long
and twelve broad in placesl, similar outbreaks
occurred. Girls living at distances of five or
ten miles from the scene OF the shouting meet
tngS," as they were called, would be seized
b ing seized with q kind OF frenzy, they would
run, as II by inspiration, to the spot where the
rest were Died, 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 tie
Madonna, but Of the distinctive predestination
doctrines OF their sect. Very glowing accounts
were given OF the various pnnishments and
they were most liberal in dispensing these pun.
ishments among their friends
Up and down the island about 400 or 500 peo-
pie were seized, and 1t was at first thought it
was . kind OF epidemic Of hysteria. In few
cases girls of highly respectable character were
seized, and. although they did not see visions,
yet for weeks they would have fts daily, and
such WAS their superhuman strength that
have seen young girl OF l6 struggle out OF the
grasp Of four strong men. The outbreak lasted
from January to July, and At one time it was
Quences, for all the people who gave credence
70 the visions neglected work and abandoned
themselves 70 holding meetings day aud night
for singing. shouting, barking and listening to
accounts OF the visions seen.
In the day time, and especially on Sundays
they had professions with banners. This led to
had TO be appealed TO In the interests Of peace.
II was q singular thing that, although they or
ganized themselves into q sect, and all who
believed In the visions were 'heretics." vet
they showed the utmost courtesy and good Will
toward the church, but toward their own par
ticular denomination and the various other
ssSss sney dsi sp ed great animos The ex
p. BARROW MATTHEWS.
heetor, san salvador, Nassau Diocese.