The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-07-27
RELIGIOUS FRENZY.
The Georgia Negroes Deceived by False
Preachers and Fanatics.

The Savannah (Ga. Times says A lament
able state of affairs exists in that section of
Liberty county where the lnnatic Orth or Bell
preached for month. He is in the sylum
at Milledgeville but the effect of his rawlings
is still felt. Hundreds of the negroes are
totally demoralized through religious frenzy.
They will not make any engagements to work
for fear of missing the exodus which is to take
place August Is. They expect to get out of
that county, and believe that some great
catastrophe is to befall Liberty county on that
day. 0rth, the lunatic, has successor IN a
negro named Edward James, who claims that
the spirit of the Messiah has passed into his
body. Some of his actions and words are
amusing; other acts and language are revolt
ing. He breaches concubinage in the most
disgusting terms and practices it. lie also
tells his listeners to throw their money away
Near his rude pulpit is a box into which the
silver coins are thrown. On morning tram
coming into the city over the Savannah,
Florida and Western was shrewd negro who
is known as Tero. He attended the meeting
Saturday and Sunday. 81 saw heap OF
money lying around the box and IN 1t Satur-
day. The niggers said that if any one took
any of it he would be struck dead 1t was
good money and nobody was claiming IT. 1t
was not doing anybody any good. | saw
some children pick up few coins, and they
did not drop dead, so last night | gathered
up all of it | could find. | had S22.75.
have spent about So, and am not dead yet. l
think | will go out again next Sunday and see
if | can get more of the fool niggers money.
Monday David James. brother of the
preacher, and Carter. friend, went to the
camp ground to try to persuade Edward James
TO give up his calling. The negroes who
were around denied that their acting Lord
was about However, the two men fingered
about and at length discovered Edward James
asleep in a wagon. They woke him up and
began arguing with him. de got mad, and
threatened to strike them dead. That did not
scare them. Carter put his hands on James
shoulder and the pretending Messiah struck
him in the face. Carter grabbed the false
Lord by the throat and choked him until his
tongue stuck out At that the other negroes
mobbed Carter aud beat him terribly with
their fists and clubs.
Bells rawlings are having an echo IN nearly
every quarter Of the state. Ii really seems
AS ii Georgia was about to be afflicted with
an epidemic of false Christs. Down IN Cam
den county, in the extreme southeastern
corner, bordering on the Florida line, white
man appeared about eight weeks ago. lie,
strange to say. called himself Dupont, and IN
appearance is said 10 bear a striking resem-
blance to Dupont Bell. He rarely ever
showed himself to the whites, preierring the
compauiOnship of negroes. Soon after his
arrival he aitende q meeting at one OF the
churches in the neighborhood and requested
the negroes so allow him TO preach. No OBJ
lection vas raised, aud Dupont proceeded to
etify his hearers by telling them that he was
Christ. and that he had come upon the earth
for a reason He proceeded 10 illustrate has
power by reading the minds OF several IN the
audience. and finally 50 worked upon the
faculties of these supersiiuOus beings that
they began 70 shout aud pray and fall down
before the speaker. Il only needed iew
more sermons 10 break up the churches laF
miles around. and now almost every negro IN
that section OF the county is convert Of la
pout nauoat told his followers about a
month ago that be would ascend 10 Heaven
on the i0ih Of July. He would not inform
them, however, ~ 20 the hour ur the place Of
Ascent They kaow one 1hing--he was net
10 b.. found anywhere on the DAY mentioned.
On the morning u the lisa Dupont returned
and brought with him . man whom he intro
daee6 g. the frightened negroes as the Prophet
Ehiah Dupont reported exceedingly
pleasant trip 10 Heaven, aud warned The
people that they mast sell ali their property
and use the money for the support OF himself
aud friend. Since Dupont rrtarned he aud
Elijah have been lAbOuug very scaloasiy to-
zrthes for the complete conversion OF tae
entire coaaty, and ihis they have just about
succeeded ia accomplishing. Only two or
three churches rrmaiu, aud they thJHk these
can a. secured within che course OF lev
weeks When this has been accomplished
Dupont aud Elijah have arranged for a ire
ulendous thanksgiving Offering. after which
they asd their believers wili ascend 70
Heaven. The negroes are making grand
PREPARATION feg the coming event, aud It will
doubtless present quite spectacular appear
ance. As no date has been set, Il Is not
kHown whether the Camden aud Liberty
county uegroes wlu 60 together or not
Jumping over 10 Cherokee county, ~ the
northwestern part Of the state. negro Christ
Z fouad lie has bcea at work spreading his
claims 70 divinity for several weeks. tie
Processes 10 hsyc supernatural powers. Of
coarse. aud has already secured large
foilowinE amlng the ignorant classes
Brunswick however, promises 10 reach the
climax of ahsurdiiies. ln that promising
.ean ginger cake coloTcd woman Is about
10 pfnclaisn herself a. the trBe redeemer Of
mankind. Her name IS Mara Dempsey.
She became possessed Of a preaching fever
two weeks ago, and persuaded members 81
Msthodist church 10 alip1 her the use 81 the
paipis /, was granted, and tbs womaa
preached All enthusiastic sermon. since tneh
she has preached almost every day aud night,
euthusing the negroes by her soul stirring
words Her miracles, II u claimed by the
negroes who have seen them, are wonderful
She PROCESSES to know the secrets Of the
grave, 10 be able to describe infinitely the
appearances Of any dead friend mentioned to
her. 10 sh0w in matcr5aliEed form The spirits
Of the DEPARTED. and. as her believers say,
she actually does So The latter are nearly
ready to acknowledge her Christ or any
thins else she chooses 20 call herself As
thew number bot few. Maria hesitates % reach
the dcnouement for fear Of Az expulsion FROM
the church and the City by the Sea.