Thursday, October 24, 1844
Millerism
No Authorcode
The Newburyport Courier states that on Saturday last, the following notice was posted on the door of one of the dry goods stores in that town:DAAR October 1844, page 1.14
“Believing as I most sincerely do, that the Lord Jesus Christ will, in a few days, come in the clouds of heaven, I retire from this shop; as I am determined, God being my helper, that my works shall correspond with my faith.”DAAR October 1844, page 1.15
Saturday afternoon, October 12 1844DAAR October 1844, page 1.16
Quite an excitement was created by such a public notice of practical belief in the world’s speedy dissolution, and a crowd was seen for some time about the door. On Monday morning, a little later than usual, the store was again opened, and business going on as usual, under the personal direction of the same proprietor who had so recently closed it.DAAR October 1844, page 1.17
In Boston, on Monday, a warrant was granted on application, by the Municipal Court, to convey Mrs. Abigail Shephard, a young married woman, to the Worcester Insane Hospital. It appeared that she had been listening to the Miller doctrines, and had become perfectly demented.DAAR October 1844, page 1.18
The Millerites report that a woman named Matthweson, in South Coventry, Connecticut, has returned from the grave having been ‘told by her Saviour to come back to the earth,’ and warn the people that ‘the time is short,’ which she does daily, and during the night holds conversations with angels whose celestial forms encompass her bed.DAAR October 1844, page 1.19
The Millerites Last SabbathDAAR October 1844, page 1.20
The New York Morning News thus records the doings of the Millerites on Sunday.DAAR October 1844, page 1.21
They assembled for worship in the old Franklin Theater in the afternoon, surrounded by thousands who amused themselves with the frightful contortions and frantic exclamations of the worshippers. Some apprehensions of a breach of the peace were felt by some of our citizens, under circumstances so well calculated to excite all the passions of the human heart, and Mayor Harper, assisted by some of the Police Justices and Police Officers, interfered and caused the churches of the Millerites to be closed.DAAR October 1844, page 1.22
In the afternoon the Mayor resorted to a ruse to draw the crowd from the Franklin Theater. The crowd was dense in front of the theater, but as the Millerites retired the multitude opened that they might run the gauntlet of the ‘wicked’ and receive their farewell benedictions, which were given with scorn or laughter, according to the sex of the departing disciple. Some murmurs, however were heard, which betokened an uncharitable feeling towards those who by many are looked upon as the crafty leaders in the delusion of Millerism, but the Mayor’s invention was equal to the emergency and he avoided the commission of any outrage by a ‘pious fraud.’DAAR October 1844, page 1.23
Rushing into the theater with an expression of countenance which gave assurance of the enforcement of rigid justice, the crowd deemed themselves surely avenged; but when the Mayor returned with a ‘prisoner’ on his arm, who was closely muffled in a capacious cloak, that Old Miller himself was his prisoner none doubted, and with respect to the ministers of justice, they first gave way for an unobstructed passage to the Police office, and then followed, to the number of seven thousands, to see the prophet securely entombed.DAAR October 1844, page 1.24
The mayor safely arrived with his charge, and every eye was strained, and every face of humanity of those untold thousands was elongated to an unnatural extension, to get a glimpse of the author of so much commotion - the cloak was unclasped - its ample folds were outspread, and to the gaze of those o’erstrained eyes was presented - Mr. Justice Drinker! - Some stared with astonishment, others recovering from their surprise, laughed;DAAR October 1844, page 1.25
“Capitally done, Mr.Mayor,” exclaimed others, and the whole was terminated by the crowd giving nine hearty cheers for the mayor who had thus dispersed them in good humor.DAAR October 1844, page 1.26
In the evening, the Franklin Theater, and the church at the junction of Christy and Delaney Streets, were surrounded for several hours in the expectation of their being opened, but that expectation was disappointed.DAAR October 1844, page 1.27
The “Midnight Cry” relates the following remarkable humbug:DAAR October 1844, page 1.28
‘In the town of Plymouth, Conn., at the hose of Brother Atwater, in a social meeting, a brother lost his strength - lay prostrate on the floor before the fire. The fire was not burning up, but there was a good bed of coals. The tops of the andirons were so hot, no one could bear their hands on them. As he lay directly before the fire, without moving his body, he seemed drawn by an unseen power directly into the fire. His head and shoulders were planted directly in this bed of coals. His head went back to the back of the chimney; he lay in this situation for about half an hour. While there, one or two came up and examined him, and found that God was taking the matter into His won hands, and did not interfere. While the coals presented the appearance of being blown on by bellows - sparks flying around his head - the andiron, against which his cheek lay, was hot enough to hiss. After lying there for the specified time, he was drawn out in the same manner as he was drawn in. Many examine him, and not even a hair of his head was singed, or even the smell of fire upon him. As this is so strange a work. I deem it necessary to be established by two or three eye witnesses.DAAR October 1844, page 1.29