St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-23
The Peer Of iced, Schwein-
furth and Other Modern
Hypocrites.
How She Became Deeply In
tepested in a Sect Known
as Separatists.
Called Herself "the Universal
! Friend Of Mankind" and
Was to Live Forever.

was the eighth of family of twelve
children, and there seemed to be
no noticeable difference between
her and the others. except
ing in her unconquerable aver
sion to anything like labor, and an UNI
usual cunning in Sinking the tasks as
signed to her. TO avoid doing them
she resorted to every device which her
fertile mind was capable of incenting.
Flattery, persuasion and pretenSes of
sickness were each tried in turn, and
these failing, were succeeded by such
stubbornneSS and obstinacy that it was
easier to do the work themselves than
to attempt to compel her to do it.
When Jemima was eight years old her
mother died, leaving the family in care
of their father, and none needed the
wise counsel and control of mother
more than this hayward daughter.
Quite early in life she displayed a re-
markable fondness for dress and for
visiting among those of her neighbors
with whom she was on friendly terms.
Finding her utterly and hOpeleSSly
useless at home, she was permit
ted. as soon as odd enough +,
to learn the trade Of tailoress, and
with this she was apparently delighted
as long as the novelty lasted. 1t was not
long. however, before the causes that
led her to leave home operated with
equal force to induce her to return. Her
impatience of restraint and intense
aversion to anything like regular en-
ployment prevented her from being
cOntented or useful to her employer.
Religious Enthusiasm.
About this time Jemima became deep
ly interested in the meetings of relig-
ious sect calling themselves SeparatistS,
whose strange beliefs and unusual man.
ner of worship were attracting consid-
cradle attention.. Having DO church
government. they offered strong tempta
lions to ambitious tricksters who might
join their society in order to further
their own schemes, and 1T would seem
as though the peculiar religious atmo-
sphere of that harbor for. the oppressed
of all religious beliefs must have had
its influence in shaping the future
course of Jemima Wilkinson. She was
by no means the first nor has she been
the last who has tried to propagate new
creeds and strange doctrines.
The change in her outward demeanor
seemed TO evince change of heart, but
not being sufficiently enthusiastic and
devoted to suit their requirements. she
was never considered a member. The
society finally went to pieces, but Je-
NINA continued serious and thought
full, while her attention was principally
employed with religious subjects. Her
taste for reading also changed, and
while she read more than ever, 1t was
for instruction rather than amuSement:
For several months she continued to
grow reserved and apparently fond OF
solitude, combining herself mostly to
her own room. Her family supposed
her to be labOring under religious con-
yiction, and INDUCED her III her retire
ment from the world. LII fact, it would
not have been possible 10 prevent her
doing as she pleased and it was as wise
not to make the attempt.
During the summer of 1776 she Sc
cluded herself entirely and complained
of Ill-health, but the physician who WIS.,
tied her regularly failed to discover any
pain or distress, or that her system was
diseased in any way. Continuing In
this way for several weeks, she at
length pretended an increase of sick
ness, and remained all the time III bed,
until nightly watchers were procured.
She now claimed to have visions
and revelations from heaven, and Gu
deavOred to impress upon the minds
of her attendants the reality of her
ridiculous and impious pretenses. She
would describe with the greatest mi
nuteness and Solemnity the mysterious
noises and ghOstly forms she pretended
TO see and hear, and would repeat the
com munications they made to her, as
serting that she was then in direct conf
munication with Christ and His angels.
But her reputation for cunning and hy-
pOcrisy was so we'll established that no
one believed her.
VisitatIOns and Revelations.
One evening in the latter part OF Oc-
tober, TIC, two women of the neighbor-
hood came to act as night watchers.
They were respectable and Intelligent,
besides being truthful and wholly de-
void of that Superstition that character
lied the ignorant class In those times.
Fortunately for the authenticity of this
narrative, they left written documents,
properly signed and atteSted. contain
ing a clear account of everything occur
ring on that night, as we'll as much con-
corning the subsequent acts OF Jemlma
Wilkinson in that section OF Rhode
Island.
No sooner had the family retired than
she began her old story OF angel viSita-
LlOuS, flSlOHo Clllu IOfOloGiOhC' L hO
more incredibly they manifested. the
stronger became her assertions, saying:
1.-The Lord is with me and miniSterlng
unto me. See! His presence causeth
the curtains to shake" The motion of
the curtains was caused by Jemima
herself putting her feet against the
wall at the foot of her bed. Il
am about to be called of the
Lord to perform in His name wonder
full works for the good of all mankind"
There is a great change about to be
wrought in me of the Lord" Il have
talked with the Lord face to face, and
He will heal" There are many more
of these wicked assertions in the docu-
ments, and one may easily couc Jude
that Jemima was growing tired of her
self-inflicted confinement, and had al
ready concocted scheme that would
release her, and aid her in carrying out
her plans for lf-aggrandlZement.
About IL O'Clock she fell into light
slumber. Her features were unchanged,
pulse regular and respiration soft and
easy. As soon as the clock struck the
midnight hour she raised herself up in
bed, and in an audible tone, with voice
much stronger than usual. she demanded
her clothing. Her sister, Mercy Will
kinson, coming into the room. endeav-
ored to induce her to lie down again,
but Jelnima persisted in her demand,
saving: sect thee behind mel will have
none of these" al have been in heaven
and have passed the gates of death" Il
am risen from the dead" Her father,
hearing the clamor, came to the door
and tried to quiet her, but Jemima re.
piled that she lowed obedience only to
higher power" Hereupon she got
out of bed without assistance, procured
her own clothing and dressed herself
unaided. From that time she was III as
good health as before her long confine-
ment, although somewhat paler than
usual.
Jemima did not leave the house until
the following Sabbath. In the mean
time many of the neighbors calling to
congratulate her on her recovery, she
promptly denied that it was Jemima
Wilkinson to whom they were speak
ing. With affected solemnity she in