The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-02
RELIGIOUS HYsTERIA.
Remarkable Demonstrations in a
Hamilton County XilIage.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
NOBLESVILLE, Ind, Feb. IA religious
revival after the most approved and mod
ern style is now in progress in q Wesleyan
church in a village not far from this city,
where all kinds and degrees of religious
hysteria are on exhibition, and where the
visitor if he is so fortunate as to gain adj
mission, may witness such a display of
gymnastics as would do credit to a profess
sional contortionist. To the psychologist,
this revival affords splendid opportunity
for observation; to the physician, it gives
opportunity for witnessing the various
forms of nervous excitement; to the
thoughtful mind these exhibitions given by
human beings when under strong excite
ment are pathetic, while to the thoughtless,
many of whom come long distances to wit
ness them they are very amusing.
The exercises usually begin by singing
and prayer or perhaps a sermon in which
the fire and birthstone doctrine is strong
ly advocated. This is followed by an invi-
tation to sinners to come to the altar Of
penitcnce and to flee from the wrath 10
come" There are plenty TO answer the call,
and once there an amazing performance be-
gins. The anxious, be it man, woman or
child, who is usually under strong excite
ment, is instructed to assume kneeling
posture, whilst two of the workers" kneel
beside him, holding his hands upward and
outward gently swaying the body back
ward and forward, in perfect time and
rhythm, singing and praying the while, and
third person, kneejing in front, gently
passes his hands to and fro before the eyes
of the subject after the manner of mes
meristS Prayers anG songs, pleadingS,
means, groans, exhortahons and threats
assail the ears on every side. A yawning
hell awaiting to swallow up the victim is
wildly pictured, and he is urged to make
his escape from it's fortunes. He is repre-
Cfn inc an I1p ado Of a fer
preclpice, at the bottom OF which await
ten thousand demons ready to assist in the
damned, from which nothing can save him
but divine regeneration, and this regenera-
tion or lnterposition of the Deity can only
be obtained through agonizing supplcation.
He is exhorted to pray, to call upon God
for rescue, which he is terrified into doing.
weeping, Wailing, means, groans and ago
nizing ShriekS fill the room, for not only
must the seeker endure this agony of
soul, but there are others burdened for him
who must endure all torture until this ira
vail of spirit is over. Those who surround
him tmplore a revengeful God to let the
poor sinner off just this time. The victim is
entreated to lift up his own voice, and the
hubbub increaseS-more prayers, more ling
ing, more pictures of eternal flames waiting
to receive the sinner, who, at last, loses all
sself-control, becomes hysterical and, ming
ling his lamentations with the dfscordant
sounds about him, he Is soon reduced to
state bordering on insanity, which increases
until the moment of conversion comes. Ut
terly exhausted at last, he is told that his
soul is saved, his sins forgiven, and well
for his distorted brain that he believes it.
Then a change comes over the scene.
Shouts of victory fill the air, mingled with
clapping of hands stamping OF feet, jump
ing, embracing and a general ratification,
which only needs the drum and tin horn to
reproduce former political demonstrations.
But this is only the beginning. Mere con-
version is not satisfying, and sanctihcation
must follow. To obtain this the same agony
of spirit must be endured-the same pray
ers, the same pleadings-beforc this mani
festation is given. Not unfrequently the
subject fails into trance, sometimes re-
manning for hours unconscious, SEEM
ingly so. Then, after the agonizing plead
ings of the "burdened," God consents to
bestow this blessing, and another jollifica-
ton follows. They shout, they jump, they
they waltz, they dance a quickstep to the
tune of Jesus, Lover of Ny SouP'-in fact,
act like emented beings which, for the
time being, they are.
Most strange it is that little, innocent
children must undergo the same agony of
soul before they can be saved They too,
are converted, sing, shout, and testify to
sanctification, whatever that may mean.
This performance is repeated every win
ter in this village, situated in the midst of
a quiet orderly, intelligent community
What if there be back-slidngs! The back
slider, passing through the same process,
gets renewed year by year. reminding one
OF the man who quarreled with his wife for
the delight of making uD.