THE LATEST SPIRITUALISTIC DEVELOPMENT.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2279, 26 August 1870, Page 2

THE LATEST SPIRITUALISTIC DEVELOPMENT.

A correspondent of the jVeio York World gives a carious account of a new religious sect which, under the name of “ Jehovah’s Band,” has lately arisen at Mocopiu. a village in New .jersey. The founder was one Nathaniel Merrill, who, according to the World'* correspondent one day ip harvest time, “finding the sun overppweyingly hot, retired to a neighboring wood, and sat down beside a tree jto refresh himself with some apple-jack, apd fake

he was seized with an irresistible desire to fly, and climbing the tree, ho spread out his arms, and threw himself forward, but instantly fell to the ground. At this moment his bottle or “apple-jack” was brought to his lips by some invisible agency, and Mr Merrill,

taking “a horn,” started towards tho meadow where he had been engaged haymaking, and in the short space of twelve minutes accomplished the building of nearly fifty haycocks, aided by some unseen power. Then the desire to fly came upon him again ; hut, as before, the attempt ended in a failure. After which he began a series of summersaults, which he kept up for an hour, feeling more refreshed when leaving off than when commencing. Going home, Merrill announced that he had been vouchsafed a new revelation, and “ the spirit ” entering him again, he danced, he puffed, he snorted, ho laughed, finishing by jumpiug on a table, and breaking it down by the vigor with which he performed upon it. Next day he called together a number of his friends to consult with them as to tho

course which ought to he pursued to found a new religion. While the friends were in council, a young man rushed in, and began the same performances which Merrill himself ha I indulged in the previous day, claiming that he also was moved by “ the spirit.” The infection seized all present, and soon they began shoutiug and puffing and dancing and whirling round. On the following Sunday, at the Methodist Church, just as the clergyman was about to begin to preach, Merrill jumped up, and, as on the former occasions, commenced puffing and dancing. He invited the congregation to join him, saying that he was full of “the spirit.” and that if they would follow his example

“the spirit” would enter them also, About twenty persons, most of them women, accordingly sprang up, and, joining Mei* rill, broke up the congregation. ' Merrill, it appears, has since succeeded in mak» ing many proselytes, among the rest two men of property aud influence. The rep gular meetings of the sect are held on Sunday, on which day not even cooking is air lowed, and children are warned that if they laugh or play they will be punished by “the spirit.” A mid-week meeting is held on Thursday evenings. Children are not allowed to attend this meeting, nor are young peQple permitted to jo : h the athletic ances ; and if anyone profanely laughs, the culprit is at once arraigned and severely reprimanded. Converts are baptised in a large pond near the village. The members of “ Jehovah’s Band,” it appears, believe in the Bible, but they also believe that what they do while under the control of “ the spirit ” is according to law. They have already, we are tpld, expelled a number of false brethren. Oue yqupg man that he could (Ifpifle on eppg apd sapeefg without breaking them. Cups apd saucers were accordingly brought, ahd,'tipon their being broken, the young man laughed what was thought a worldly laugh. He was immediately expo’led.