The "Holiness" Meeting at Fort Albert.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4961, 3 December 1884, Page 2

The "Holiness" Meeting at Fort Albert.

EELIGIOUS OEGIES. The revival services being held at Port Albert have already been referred to ia these columns, but such excesses of excite* ment and frenzy have been indulged in as to make them worthy of even a passing notice. Mr Thomas, the American evangelist, who, it will be remembered, was on the Thames with Messrs Phelps and Dorman, is the ruling spirit; he has for some months past been holding services, but the great " holiness " meeting was only commenced last Thursday, a large tent being pitched in a "blue-gum" grove, the settlers camping round about. It is hardly credible that such doings as are recounted in the following by the Auckland Star's correspondent, could be allowed in tb« name of religion in the nineteenth century:—On Thursday morning, at a quarter before six, bells were set ringing', and the camp was alive. Hallelujah I Hallelujah ! and a score of persons com* menced to shout, and the work was started in earnest. Clang, clang/like the ringing of the watch on board ship at sea, at 6, 8, and noon, and again at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m , and it was midnight before rest was observed in the camp. At six o'clock on Sunday morning, when the camp was aroused for the days worship, it was painfully evident that human nature and the Holy Spirit were striving for the maitery. Eight woman (three Auckland citizens of the number were on the ground at fall length, shouting and yejling, the evangelists' yells mingling with frantic women (to young girls 18 years old,) Timid women, aye, and strong.men could not stand it. One Auckland women was found to be a lunatic. The climax was reached on Saturday night when it was thought five or six were suffering under religious frenzy, bordering on madness. A conflict occurred between two evangelists—one Mr Kxley, belonging to the Christian Brethren, and the Holy Evangelist, Mr Thomas. Amidst much confusion a large number of persons left the tent amazed or grieved. The women were frantic, running about the tent. At ten p.m. one Ponsonby lady rushed out screaming, and, suddenly stopping near where 1 was standing, declared ahe saw " Jesus up m a blue»gum tree." Another woman was challenging anyone to "Touch her anointed one," meaning Mr Thomas At eleven p.m. another rash, and I was pushed against a blue-gum tree. A woman shouted "a holy circle! a holy circle 1" and two women, three men, and a young ad commeßced running around some half dozen young men, who were like my. self standing outside, a few yards from the t en*s; ", Seven tiQ»es round the walls of Jericho! cried a woman, and around they went. Mr Thomas yelled " Amen i amen! The young men who were sunposed to form the ill-fated city mentioned seemed to enjoy the fnn. I appealed to the husband of one of the women, who was a lunatic I feel sure, to hare pity on bis wife. He replied it was the " Holy Ghdat, working with her." " Bow the walls wffi soon fall, a woman exclaimed, and at a running pace they re-entered the tent ' I retired at midnight. I spoke to a youne girl, 18 years old, who stood two hours on one spot, in one position, leaning, against a ree saying "I'm holy! I'm holy!" On Sunday the most indescribable mtfetine took place. Four times one woman in a frenaywas placed in her tent; but she rushed back" to the main tent twice and yelled, "'Come to Jesus, come to Jesus." 1 wo medical men who were present offered adrice, but the husband said it was "The Holy Spirit; nothing more." One person entered the tent with a number of men to forciblytake a relative out, but he requested to be allowed to sing a hymn first, and he would retire, which he did, to tbe great pleasure of his wife and family. Now a wild scene took place, several persons talking at the same time, the holiness convertssmging and praying also. The aforementioned crazy woman rushed again outside her tent, and commenced to wrestle wl th the Tauhoa school-teacher, calling upon the Almighty to help her. Then a movement was made, and the horses were caught and saddled, and the people rode off in all directions, astounded and perplexed.