Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-07-06
MOSES In DIXIE.
A NEGRO PROPHET WHO IS TO
LEAD HIS RACE BACK TO
ETHIOPIA.
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
EVANSVILLE, IND, June D.
The reported prophecies of the
modern black Mahomet near
Rochester, KY, whose weird ac.
tioDs are just now creating much
excitement throughout that section,
are the subject OF much specula-
tiOn To thJS. VnO have been 20 see
him. y correspondent from TINS
city has viSilel the prophet at
his humble hOme aud brings back
a graphic report Of his interview.
Rev. Giles Moss, or the "black
El Mahdi," as he is designated
here, WAS formerly slave in Roam
county, and in his early days was
noted for his wonderful influence
over his associates and all who
came in contact with him. When
he became minister of the gospel
his power became supreme among
the simple-hearted people of the
backwOods section.
He Is now siXty.two years old,
and has spent the past quarter OF
a century ministering to the spirit
ual wants of the blacks through.
out the Green River valley. Here
he has been the king of his race,
consulted on all worldly and spir-
itual affairs and enjoying the re-
spect and confidence of the whites
as we'll as of the blacks.
It was but a step from the ped
estal he occupied to the assumption
of supernatural powers, and this
step he has at last taken, having
announced to the world tnat he has
received a divine command from
God to prepare himself for lead
ing the negro race into the wilds
of the dark continent. The
interest and excitement which
this announcement has produc-
ed have been unparalleled. They
have been heightened by the im-
plicit confidence the blacks place
IN him as well as by the credit he
enjoys of having prophesied eman-
cipation many years before the
breaking out of the war.
The H0-ad correspondent visit b.
ed Moss at his home yesterday
"El Mahdir received him gracious
ly, exhibiting perfect readiness
to impart information concerning
his divine powers and the possible
hegira of his race to Africa.
Moss declared that the world
was full of impOstOrs who played
upon the credulity of the people
with their incantations and legerde-
main, but that he did not seek to
impress his powers upon any one
save through the influence of
Heaven, whence he received daily
inspiration. He acted upon instruc
tions from the angel Gabriel, who
came to him each night with
tidings from on high.
"During last Augus.," said he,
81 received my first visit upon this
subject, and was then told by the
angel that great things would soon
be impaired to me, as should be
made a Moses, who would lead my
people back to Ethiopia where
they we're TO ChristianiZe the saw
ages and prepare them for the
coming millennium. | was dun
founded and bewildered, but could
not dispute with my senses, and
resigned myself to whatever provl-
dence held in store for me. | was
enjoined to keep my secret of the
angels visit until such time when
/ should be released from the bond
and commanded to announce it to
the world. Regularly the angel
came back each night with mes
sages, unUil last Sunday night |
was commanded to announce my
self as the leader who would soon
take my people back to Africa.
cat what time the pilgrimage
should begin was not allowed to
say, but ! believe the day is close
at hand, and that every black man
in this country who is not too much
contaminated with sin will join the
vast army which will set its face
toward the land of their ances-
tOrs.p
The negroes face frightened
with the radiance of happiness as
he recOuated these details in a
clear, intelligent manner. If any
deception OF sinister motive lnrked
behind what he was saying it was
not apparent. His voice was low,
cheerful and distinct, and he ex-
hibited no concern as to the credu-
lity or incredulity of his hearer.-
In answer to queries he said that
the Lord would not only ap-
point the time, but the manner In
which his black children would be
conveyed back to the ancient
home of Ham. They would pos
sibly spread over the entire CONT
nent in missionary bands and
would find no trouble in convert
ing their brethren to the true God.
lie was ready with an intelligent
reply to every question, and when
"Voodoism' was suggested he de-
nounced it as the machinatiOn OF
the devil and a relic of the
superstition of the barbar ic
Arabs. who still practlc it under