New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-17
OLIPH4NT And HIS PROPHET"
SOME NOTES on BOTH.
l.. J. Jennings in Macmillan's Magazine.


L. J. Jennings in Macmillan's Magazine.
In the year 1867, received letter from Mr..
Delane the great editor Of The Tines which journal
! then had the honor of representing in the United
states, asking if could ascertain the whereabouts
Of Laurence Oliphant. who had once more mysteiousy
disappeared from the view OF all his friends. had
known Olphant two years previously. and was
acquainted with some OF his pecularltes. and it at
once occurred to me that If he desired 10 remain I'M
discovered he would not thank Inc for leading an OK
ploTng party in search of him: But being further
urged, l think in the name Of his mother, who had
become exceedingly anxious about him, made
cautious inquiries and gradually felt my way
ana nearer to him. first through friend who had
delightful house the Hudson River. where Oliphdnt
had been taken care of during an attack of some Ill
The Shakers honest and Industrious folk having
their chief settlement at village called New Lebanon,
ii tile state Of New York. ! never heard word said
against them by those who held In utter dctesa
ton ali the rest of the Commustc societies established
in the United states. The fruits OF the industry the
shakers, in the Shape OF chairs and other articles Of
their special design and manufacture, may be met with
in pretty nearly all parts of the Union. Oipinnt
would have come 10 no harm If he had gone TO these
worthy people, but soon ascertalned that lie
he came to New-Yorl to see me- '''''
Ion found that he had already fallen into the
hands Of Harris whose influence over his subsequent
life produced events more startling and Incredible
than Mrs. Olpant would venture to reproduce IN the
pages OF a novel. Who was Harris Sweden
says Mrs. Oliphant But he was not SwcdcnbOrgian
the time to which am now referring oiiphant was
very chary Of speaking about Harris but he told me
and his very serious and subdued. In
after years, when he became more communicative on
the subject he always led me to believe that he sought
out Harris, and that Harris did not seek him. In
whatever way the connection between the two
began the power of Harris Olphant soon became
absolute and supreme. Harris Is now well advanced
in years, but he retains the same sort OF power over
all who brought into immediate association with
him. lie docs Apt seek TO make proseyt-s it was
partly In order 10 avoid nOtoriey and keep his
munty" within narrow bounds that he emil grated from
New-York TO California. That Laurence OH hant,
his mother his wife made all their property
TO the Brocton community Is undeniabe: yct have
always understood that Harris did Droit by it,
and this impression is supported by statements from
Harriss followers which have appeared since
the publication Of Mrs. oliphants book.
ris's "entire worldly possessions consist of a
house and the portion OF ground on which It stands
s6ape IN e Vine VI Ty ee ere 2 o
Of getting rid Of much money within the community it.
for their own use, and money is not often needed
II IL be true as some one has stated that 0lphant
ye one %p OF e be SeS or ohep Ms
only have been IN accordance with the laws Of the
society which ordered that all things should be held
common The Jewels were at any rate, not sold 10
produce money for Harrs's personal advantage. And
II perfectly clear that he could have retained
his marvellous hold upon all who gathered him
II he had been discovered in any fraudulent dis
honest act IT is true that Leurenee Qhphant was
Obliged 10 make threat Of legal proceedings In order
TO recover possession Of his property but that property
had not been dssipated; 1t was preserved almost in
tact snA ana c 70 the a hest OF my belief 3phe
whom he once looked upon as the bearer Of special
message from Heaven.
The truth is that olphsut had predlspositlon to
succumb to the Influence Of like Thomas Harris
The old religious paths which have led myFads TO a
that Christianity, Judged by the lives Of many who
professed IT. was failure 1t WIS in fact no longer
10 expound II and to spread II abroad better
than false prophets The DEVILS stronghod,' he
wrote 10 q friend. Is now ii when Christ came
not among the publicans and harlos. but among the
ss seemed better aBsd i enios t. Is g catered Il Cd