like Orientalists, place women low in the scale of moral being, denying to them souls and immortality; hence they refuse them a place in the council-house; intrust them with no secrets of war; admit them to no part of religious rites ;-and if a woman is even suspected of divination, or having to do with invisible agencies, she is immediately put to death as a witch, and her children must seek shelter in a foreign tribe. While, on the other hand, a Medicine-man, as they call an astrologer, or magician, ranks high in the nation; wielding authority even over their chiefs; sitting among their kings; and ruling by his counsel, as the great prophet of the tribe, in all affairs of war and state. Now, had the interpreter announced Jemimah Wilkinson, to the warriors, as a woman having the power of Deity, or as dealing in occult arts, her heart's blood would have been spilled before the chieftains left the spot, and the lambs of her flock been devoured by the savage wolves of the Senecas. The matter of sex, therefore, as the reader now sees, became most important on that occasion. Parrish, who had witnessed barbarous massacres enough, was deeply anxious to prevent the blood of these unarmed enthusiasts being shed; and, knowing the Indian customs aforesaid, put the direct inquiry to Jemimah, whether she were man or woman? "As to that, young man," replied the prophetess, "I am neither; being the effulgence of Divinity, and at the head of a kingdom whose subjects neither marry nor are given

who were her companions, and what was their present object. Her answer, as Parrish afterwards reported it, was as follows:-"I am the Outbeaming of God on earth, in the place of Jesus Christ, until his second coming-I came from the east these are the lambs of my flock-and we seek a pasture in the wilderness." The interpreter, though a youth, was a shrewd lad; he comprehended in a breath, as well from the vehemence and apparent sincerity of the speaker, as from her singular dress, that she was some fanatic; and he conceived the thought, that this could be turned to good account with the savages, whose superstitions in these matters, I will shortly hereafter describe. But the young interpreter was in a sad perplexity to determine to which sex the " Out-beaming" belonged; especially as her dress was so equivocal, that it went to establish, rather than resolve the doubt. And, as I have referred to this habiliment once before, and promised an explanation, I will proceed to describe it, as I saw it myself, many years afterwards; especially, as I was assured, by those who knew, that her dress was never varied in appearance, through her long prophetic life. First, then, she wore neither gown nor petticoat. Her lower limbs were covered with kilts or pantaletts, coming down midway between the knee and ankle-they were composed of very fine woollen cloth, of light drab color. Her hose were of linen thread, of flax color-shoes covered with large yellow buckles. Her tunic was like a bishop's under-dress; show-in marriage; and where they are neither Greek ing a skirt opening in front, coming down midway between the waist and knee. The outward garment, covering the bust and arms, was not unlike a riding habit with rolling collar and wide lapels, turning back upon the breasts. Around her neck was a wide white ribbon, crossed in front, and pinned down upon her breast, not unlike a clergyman's small linen worn in front. The material of her habit and tunic were all of a piece with her kilts, being a very light-colored drab. Her black hair parted in front, and coming down upon her shoulders on each side, rolled up in natural curls. She wore a drab quaker-hat, with a rim not less than eight inches wide.-While my hand is in at description, let me say, as to her person, that nature had not been stingy, either in bulk of material, or symmetrical adjustment. She was considerably above the middle stature, as to height and muscular development. Her eyes were coalblack, large, steady, firm; the tout ensemble, or entire person of Jemimah Wilkinson, taken with her carriage, manners, and address, would impress the beholder with strong intellect, decision of character, deep sincerity, and passionate devotion. Now my reader will understand, from the above, why young Parrish doubted as to which sex she belonged; and her voice furnished no better clue; in aid of nature, she had made it sonorous by her out-pourings to her flock, some of whom were deaf, as before stated. My reader may think me trifling upon this question of sex; for he will ask me, what mattered it to the interpreter, whether the prophetess was man or woman? Be patient, kind reader-don't anticipate. Let me assure you, matter enough depended on this equivocal point. The success of the whole enterprise; ay, the safety of the lambs of the flock; yea more, the life of the prophetess herself rested on this single point. If the reader will indulge me in another digression, I will here satisfy him, on the spot, of the truth of the above statement. Indians,

nor Jew, bond nor free, male nor female, it does not behove me to allow the distinctions of the flesh, where all are one in Christ, whose authority I now wield." This was a poser to the young interpreter. He knew not how to proceed. Jemimah, perceiving his embarrassment, added, "True, I was once known as Jemimah Wilkinson; was then a woman, and so remained, till my mortality put on immortality, and was swallowed up of spiritual life." "God be thanked for that," said Parrish, “keep the old name to yourself; and, if you were not actually changed from woman to man, in the operation, let me say to the Indians that you are a man, or you'll meet with a worse change than ever came over you down east.” A few words served to explain the Indian custom to the quick apprehension of the prophetess, who undoubtedly rejoiced in spirit that on that occasion, at least, she was delivered from the bonds of the flesh. Parrish, as master of ceremonies, and chief mediator in this grave affair, left Jemimah where they had been standing, and hastened to his companions, to report progress. If I were not opposed to the pedantic usage of interlarding English books with scraps of French and Italian, and, moreover, if I supposed my readers understood the language of the Senecas, I should bring out the life-tints of these Indian scenes in their guttural and beautifully figurative dialect; but, having undertaken to write an English account of this woman, I should not redeem my pledge by talking in an unknown tongue. Would that my contemporary writers might think of this matter, and govern themselves accordingly! Well, Parrish declared to the assembled warriors, that the great medicine-man of the pale-faces, whose mysterious power in divination was the admiration of his own nation, being moved with compassion for the wandering tribes, had left the place of the sun's rising, accompanied by his friends, and, after passing their boundless

forests, had arrived in the heart of the Senecas, to teach them more fully of the Great Spirit, to heal their diseases, defend them from evil ones, and, controlling the elements of nature, to bring fruitful seasons, good fishing and hunting, and general prosperity. This announcement was received by the savages with mingled feelings of surprise, joy, and doubt. They desired to approach nearer to this mysterious being, that they might better satisfy themselves, by scrutiny, as to the reality of her pretensions.

Jemimah, who was an adept in reading men's thoughts, whether savage or civilized, perceived at once that she had nothing to fear from the approach of these awe-stricken Pagans. She knew by their very movement that a favorable impression had already been made upon them; so that she was perfectly self-possessed, and prepared to deepen the veneration with which they approached her. As they formed a semi-circle around her, she solemnly raised her hands toward heaven, threw back her head, closed her eyes, moved her lips as if in holy communion with the Highest; while her countenance, lighted up with celestial ardor, betrayed unearthly emotion, such as man might not look upon and remain unaffected. When the interest of the warriors was thus wrought up to the highest pitch of intensity, her eyes gently opened, her arms waved downwards in concentric circles as if in the act of pouring blessings on their heads, while her lips pronounced these solemn words:"May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob pour his blessing upon you! Receive my blessing in the name of the Lord." This being interpreted to the Indians, they bowed themselves toward the prophetess, in token of reverence, and silently retired. As these foresters never despatch any grave matter in haste, they chose not to commit themselves further in this affair, until their course of procedure should be settled in general council, when their own prophet, orators, and sage men, should all be present, to act as might be required. Accordingly, runners were despatched to the Genesee reservations, to assemble a full delegation of the wise men of the tribes, at a council-fire, to be held near to Jerusalem.

pervaded the assembly for ten minutes, when the Indian prophet above described arose and delivered himself as follows:-" Medicine-man of the Yangees, listen! I am an old man-my eyes can no more look on the sun--my tongue can speak but few words. Soon I sleep-who then shall teach my people? They say you come from the sun'srising, where the shining ones talk with you. Now, we don't know. May be you be good, may be not. I, ancient prophet-seen much. Great Spirit talk to me from the cloud. I inquire after him in my dreams. Sometimes he answer in the sunshine, sometimes in the rain. Sometimes I don't know. If pale-face know more, then me listen. I have done."t

This address being duly interpreted by Parrish, Jemimah felt herself called on to respond. I must not detain the reader by her entire speech. She spake of her supernatural being and divine mission; of the success which had attended her preaching; of the love she bore to a fallen world, and especially the deep interest she felt in the welfare of the Senecas, for whom she travailed in birth, until their redemption should be brought in. Indians rarely take a vote, or resolve as to anything, immediately after listening to a speech. They will not place an important matter on the issue of excited passions. They have a maxim, which, when rendered into English, reads thus:Grave things are to be weighed in a cool balance." Hence, on the close of Jemimah's speech, they adjourned the sitting, to deliberate on what they had heard. After due consideration, they sent a messenger, with their interpreter, to the prophetess, notifying to her that it was one thing to speak the great word, but another thing to do the great wizard-work; and that, unless the medicine-man of the pale-faces could show them a sign, they would not believe on him.

66

Jemimah's wits were put to the test by this requirement. However great she might fancy her power in the invisible and spiritual world, she felt it was rather difficult to bring out a notable and visible miracle, to the conviction of savages, from the gross materials of nature which surrounded her. She had but short time to consider; so she despatched the messenger with answer that she When the day arrived, Blue-Sky, Corn-Tassel, would soon be with them in council. While walkRed-Jacket, the most illustrious orators of the ing her room, in some perplexity how next to nation, together with some hundreds of chiefs and proceed, dame Nature came up in aid of her divinwarriors, clad in all their gew-gaw splendor, ex-ity. Her eyes fell on a large magnet lying beside hibiting the grotesque insignia of their respective tribes, appeared in the council-house, ready to hear the prophet of the pale-faces. But there was one accompanied them, requiring a more particular description. His form was venerable, though emaciated. Time, and mental cares, had ploughed deep furrows in his cheeks, and marked his forehead into ridges. Of his once raven locks, what remained from the bleaching of an hundred snows, was hoary as the feathers of the swan. His form was stooping, his limbs tremulous with age, and his eyes sealed up with blindness.

This was Skós-kajenau, the great prophet of the Senecas, before whom the chieftains bowed down, and the young men hid themselves. Into this grave assembly, Jemimah Wilkinson, clad as I have already described her, made her entrance. A wicker seat had been raised for the two prophets; while the warriors sat upon the ground below and before them. A deep silence, such as I have often witnessed in the Indian council-house, *Snows, with the Indians, signify winters.

her compass, which articles she had brought with her from the sea-board, to aid her surveys of the new country; for, be it known to my readers, that even the supernal power of Jemimah Wilkinson did not extend to the making of straight lines and observing due courses, in that extended forest, without the aid of earthly science. Well, with the magnet concealed in her pocket, the "outbeaming" once more paraded through the sitting ranks of the chieftains to her wicker-chair, beside the ancient prophet. Another silence pervaded the council-house; all eyes were fixed on the divinity. Jemimah arose in that solemn and imposing manner peculiar to herself, and said—“Oh, slow of heart to believe! I might denounce ye as that wicked and adulterous generation who seek a sign,' and might add, that no sign shall be given ye, but the sign of Jonas the prophet:' *"Yangees," means white men. Yankee was derived from it.

I am indebted to Captain Parrish for the substance of this speech.

broke up; the natives retired in profound reverence of the medicine-man of the Yangees; and from that hour to the day of her death, Jemimah Wilkinson exercised a controlling influence over all the Seneca nation, who regarded her as a being having power over nature and divine agency in the invisible world. This homage was not limited to profession merely, it was manifested in offerings and propitiatory presents of furs, venison, and other acceptable things, at every full moon, for many years thereafter. And, in justice to Jemimah be it recorded, that no undue advantage of that influence was ever taken by her; but, on the contrary, she proved herself the Indian's friend, through good report and evil report. Her doors were ever open to these houseless wanderers; and her board spread for their wants. That thousands of them did not become her constant disciples was owing, not to a want of kindness on her part, or veneration on theirs, but to that fugitive, vagabond habit, instinctive in all the Indian race, which renders all efforts at civilization among them unavailing and abortive.

but, that I may make full proof of this more merciful dispensation; and that ye may believe that I have power over nature, I propose to shake the foundation of the house where we are sitting, and level its timbers to the ground." This being interpreted, a thrill of horror and apprehension shook every warrior's nerves. They begged, through the interpreter, that a less tremendous display be made, and they would believe. Jemimah saw that this was her time; the savages were in alarm, and hence disposed to the marvellous. She extended her hand towards the nearest chieftain, and, in an authoritative tone, demanded his bright scalping knife, which gleamed from beneath his belt. The knife was handed to her. Then, standing up, she waved her right hand, with the magnet in it, like an enchanter's wand, over the heads of the warriors, till, bringing the knife and loadstone in contact, the cohesion of attraction was never better illustrated. The knife, attached by its point to the loadstone, made sudden evolutions in concentric circles, as it glistened and trembled in its whirling, and yet adhered to the point of attraction. "Hugh!" (their exclamation of surprise,) burst from every savage bosom. In a inoment, they were all upon their feet, leaning forward, in breathless silence and amazed wonder, at the phenomenon before them. The blind pro-wave, to obtain a footing in the Genesee country, phet had only heard the exclamation. He inquired the cause, which being explained to him by one of the orators, he rose up, bending his sightless eye-balls toward the magic exhibition.

When the "divinity" had made ample exhibition of her sorcery, to the satisfaction of herself and amazement of her beholders, she gracefully drew in her arm, disposing of the magnet in her pocket, still holding the knife in her hand, and delivered herself as follows: "As you have seen the scalping-knife arrested by invisible power, and suspended on nothing, it is to admonish you, that the Great Spirit wills the suspension of that bloody instrument, together with the tomahawk and rifle, in the destruction of human life; that you are to hang them up in your wigwams; and no more employ them against your white neighbors. I have come among you as the Great-Blessing; see that you refuse not him that speaketh from

heaven!"

This interpreted, the aged prophet closed the council as follows: "Wizard of the Yangees, we bow to your supremacy. Red men have become mice; we crawl under your feet. Once we were the wild buffalo-our heart was big-our legs long, and our horn strong. Now our heart is soft, we have become women. The Yangees of the east have slain the Pequot warriors-made the Delawares mad with fire-water: the last of the Mobigans sleeps. The Senecas go next. The Great Spirit talks no more with our prophets;our warriors are cowards; and our wise men are confounded in their talk. By-and-by we have no deer the tree that shades us will be dry; Yangees will burn up our wigwams, and dig up our graves. We think you a great witch.* Pale faces will hear you. When you see poor Indian fainting, will you give him bread?-when the snow and frost are on his blanket, may he come to your fire? Now we go home: we hang up the scalping-knife at your great word: we fight no more: we be good friends good-bye.” At these words the council

*Not that the Indians suspected Jemimah to be a wo"Witch" is a generic term for sorcerer, without

man.

distinction of sex.

The settlement of Jemimah at Jerusalem was immediately succeeded by a vast influx of emigrants from New England, pouring in, year after year, and month after month, like wave succeeding

which was justly considered the garden of America. This brought around the prophetess too stubborn a material to be worked up into her spiritual edifice, as all who will philosophize upon the subject will at once perceive.

It is a mistaken notion that the pioneers of a new country, especially a country of great productiveness, are boorish, illiterate men. The next generation may become so, by a neglect of schools, churches, and other institutions of moral culture and mental training; but the first adventurers are generally bold, enterprising, persevering men, who think and act for themselves, and to the best advantage. Such were the first settlers of Ontario county. Besides, their time was too much occupied in felling the trees, clearing and fencing land, and obtaining bread for the body, to bestow much attention upon ethereal and spiritual matters. Add to this, populous villages, such as Canandaigua, Geneva, Pennyan, &c., &c., were springing up in the immediate neighborhood of Jerusalem, where the literature of the day, newspapers, books, clergymen, lawyers, and scholars soon found their way.

All these causes combined, operated to suspend the spiritual advancement of the new sect, and to limit the out-pourings to the established in the faith. Even this was not without its advantages: it enabled the elect to extend their improvements, beautify and adorn their village, introduce the mechanic arts, erect mills and manufactories; so, if they were not gathering materials for their moonshine kingdom in the clouds, they were more profitably advancing their interests in the world that now is. The result of this thrifty economy was, that in a few years, the same community who wandered off from Rhode Island in destitution and in rags, now excited the envy of the surrounding country, by their superior wealth, and eligible situation. A country squire, by the name of Potter, residing in the neighborhood, who had recently been raised to the bench of common pleas, as one dered his time and fortune in politics, now cast of the judges of Ontario county, having squanaround him for the means of getting up in the

Great

world. He selected Jemimah's establishment as | blasphemy case first came on for trial. the theatre of his operations. With this view, he interest was excited throughout the west. The appeared among her worshippers on their Lord's- court-house was filled with the wonder-loving day meetings, first as a spectator; then as a peni- multitude. The prophetess declined employing tent; and finally as a convert and member in full counsel; alleging for plea, that the temporal courts fellowship. Jemimah rejoiced in spirit at this had no jurisdiction over the person of the Lord's honorable acquisition, naturally concluding that so anointed. This plea being overruled by the influential a disciple as Judge Potter, would induce court, the attorney-general went on with his many others into her fold but she soon found statements and proofs. It appeared, indisputably, that she had caught a Tartar-a wolf had come that the defendant had arrogated divine power to among the lambs of the flock. Potter ingratiated herself; and this was alleged to fall within the himself with the "divinity;" became her confi- definition of blasphemy. It now became Jemidential adviser in worldly matters, and her private mah's turn to speak. She arose with the digsecretary. Soon he brought his wits to bear upon nity of an empress. The buzzing multitude was the old, illiterate, and feeble-minded of the com- hushed to silence. She observed, that her kingmunity; and, by what pretence I have never dom was not of this world-hence she should known, he obtained releases from many of them, despatch the temporal matter, now before the court, of their rights as tenants in common, in the whole in a single sentence, and hasten to something more township. important. If, as was alleged, her doctrines were blasphemous, then was the complainant, who was the principal witness, a blasphemer; and therefore not a competent witness; "for," said she," Judge Potter, on whose testimony the prosecution is founded, has subscribed to all my doctrines, and made no renunciation of his faith." With this, she assumed a new attitude; lifted up her hands and eyes toward heaven, and poured out a most fervent and passionate ejaculation to her Father in heaven, that the Holy Ghost might descend upon the present audience, and penetrate their hearts with an awful sense of that approaching tribunal, before whom judges and jury, witnesses and spectators, the rich man and Lazarus, must shortly appear, to render an account for the deeds done in the body. Then, assuming an oratorical attitude, she continued with an exhortation so pungent and soul-stirring, so sublimated and overwhelming, that all present seemed to forget they were in a temporal court; and none seemed disposed to interrupt her in her course. She sat down, with the blessings of the multitude upon her; and however they might think her enthusiastic, none doubted her sincerity. The learned judge, in charging the jury, placed the case on two points: First, conceding that to assume the Almighty's prerogatives was blasphemy, in a finite creature ; yet, he submitted, whether such an assumption was not evidence of that insane state of mind, which rendered the defendant incapable of committing crime: this was for the jury to determine. Second, should the jury consider the defendant of sufficient reason to commit crime; then they would inquire into the intent, or quo animo with which the defendant had acted. If her design had been to revile the Deity-to contemn the mission of Jesus Christ-or bring the Christian Scriptures into contempt; then was she guilty of blasphemy. If, on the contrary, she had acted from mistaken views, or religious frenzy-if, in other words, her motives were sincere, however erroneous her opinions, she could not be guilty of the crime alleged.

The reader must know that this township of six miles square, contained no less than 23,040 acres of land; which, at the time of Potter's doings, was worth £90,000 sterling. It was therefore quite a scheme at money-making, to get some third part of these rights condensed into one hand. Matters went on but a short time in this way, before the prophetess, who kept herself well informed as to the doings of her flock, came to be advised of all the particulars of this transaction, from beginning to end. Meeting with her secretary, she mildly rebuked him for his worldly-mindedness; and expressed a hope, that for the honor of the cause in which he had so devoutly embarked, he would return the worldly papers in his possession, to the infirm old people from whom he had obtained them. Potter feeling that his designs were accomplished, concluded that a crouching policy was no longer necessary; so he came out boldly to his divine" mistress, accusing her of hypocrisy and blasphemy, threatening the penalties of the law upon her, if she interfered in the least with the contracts he had made. This was bold language to Deity's vicegerent-such as Jemimah had never yet heard from the mouth of a disciple-such as none but a mind well balanced, and feelings well disciplined, could endure in silence.

Jemimah made no reply; but retiring to her sanctum sanctorum, which I may hereafter describe, she rang for her page, who alone was admitted into that sacred retreat. Of what orders she there despatched, or how executed, Potter knew nothing, but the fact, that four robust disciples immediately entered the room where he was, seized him by the arms and legs, and without a word spoken, hurried him out of the house, across the improved land, and so through the forest, till he was fairly off the premises claimed by the elect church. On putting him upon his feet, beyond the limits of their township, his bearers now cautioned him, by the authority of the “ vicegerent," and on peril of his life, never to set foot on the consecrated premises.

Potter too well knew the unbending character of Jemimah, and that her authority was backed up by two hundred men who were subservient to her nod, to treat with indifference the admonition he had received. He consoled himself, however, with this thought, that the papers were in his pocket, and the law open for his remedy. And to law he went-first, by obtaining an indictment against the elect-lady for blasphemy; and then by instituting ejectment-suits, to oust the infirm ones who had so improvidently re-leased to him. The

Jemimah's speech, though considered as travelling out of the record, by the legal gentlemen pres- ent, was still sounding in the ears of the rustic: jury, who, without troubling themselves with the judge's learned charge, proclaimed their verdict of acquittal, without leaving their box.

Potter was much annoyed at this result; but he derived comfort in the thought, that nothing could! defeat his recovery of the land, of which he heldi the paper-title. The links in the chain, to his apprehension, were too simple and direct to involve:

on.

This turned the tables upon poor Potter, who left the court in disgrace, with a heavy bill of costs upon his shoulders. He was soon thereafter impeached for his conduct in this affair, deposed from his office as judge, and sent back to his own insignificance. It is due to the magnanimity of Jemimah to say, that she refused to come forward as a witness against her quondam disciple, on his impeachment; observing, that "she pitied poor Potter, whose bad heart was a punishment quite sufficient for him; and she would not place the weight of her finger in the scale, to increase that punishment."

any doubt as to his success. 1. The immemorial | as trustee, and to render the estates inalienable by Indian right to the country, by the gift of God. any act of her followers. 2. Indian conveyance to Oliver Phelps, by solemn treaty. 3. Grant from Phelps to Jemimah Wilkinson, and her heirs and assignees forever. 4. Jemimah's deed to her disciples. 5. Sundry of the disciples' re-leases to Hiram Potter. "Thank God, says Hiram, "this is matter of law, in which the old hypocrite's prayers and tears can avail her nothing." Well, at length the trial came The presiding judge was no other than the late chancellor, Kent, whose brilliant intellect and forensic science have won him renown, even in Westminster Hall. In this, as in the other case, Jemimah declined other counsel. She sat in all the majesty of royalty, facing two of the most eminent counsellors in the state, whom Potter had retained, and imported from the city, to make doubly sure in the cause. The case was opened, the documentary evidence exhibited, which left no doubt of the plaintiff's right. The learned judge, in commiseration of the defendants, and regarding Jemimah as necessarily unqualified as counsel for them, humanely proposed to assign legal gentlemen to assist in the defence, who, he supposed, would be better able to measure swords with the champions from New York, than a Rhode Island spinstress. The prophetess felt her dignity touched by the suggestion; and she thus addressed the court: "Hast thou never read, that He taketh the wise in his own craftiness? That God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the wise, and foolish things to bring to nought the wisdom of the mighty?"

At this, she drew from her large pocket a most formidable parchment, having appended to it two hundred seals, with the signature of all her followers, exemplified by the great seal of the state, certifying that it had been duly recorded in the Secretary of State's office, long previous to Potter's re-leases. The instrument bore even date with the deeds which she had given to her people, and was explanatory of those deeds. It went to constitute Jemimah Wilkinson sole trustee for her followers, in the whole of their lands, and to re-invest the title in her, as such trustee. It referred to the said deeds, and went on to modify them thus: That the interest in the lands, granted by said deeds, | should be held no longer than the subscribers remained in full fellowship in the elect-church; and that any grant, sale, or re-lease of said lands, by any member, should operate as a forfeiture of his right that nothing should pass to the purchaser, by any such sale, but the land should revert to the said Jemimah.

This instrument the prophetess read out, in the hearing of the whole court and bar, in a firm voice, and with most provoking nonchalance; while Potter and his counsel were agitated in every nerve, and in a fever of nonplusment. The court decided that this instrument, being executed at the same time with the deeds to the disciples, was to be taken as part and parcel of the same transaction, and to be construed in connexion with the deeds; the effect of which was, to reinvest Jemimah with the title

It was intended to note the progress of the elect hierarchy, to draw out their rules, their domestic economy, their distinctive and peculiar usages, &c. &c. ; but these would fill a volume. A few more remarks must close this article.

However presumptuous and arrogant were the pretensions of the prophetess as a “divine" messenger, they never seem to have led her into any immoral or unjust conduct. In her abounding wealth she was the same plain, devout nursing mother to her flock, as when surrounded by poverty and want. She took no advantage of her power in temporal matters; but caused her meanest disciple to fare as well as his " divine" mistress; yea, more, she submitted to fastings and privations, which were never imposed upon her servants. Her hospitality to strangers and visitants, was without a parallel. On Sundays, when many of the surrounding gentry came out to spend an hour in her chapel, as a matter of pastime, she never suffered them to depart without a bountiful dinner, served up in her dining hall in a neat and most inviting manner. The writer of this article was once present upon such an occasion.

When service was closed, which was performed by Jemimah in a sitting posture, on an elevated stand, she invited all strangers and visitants to take bread with her, before their departure; then retiring into a screened alcove, at the back of the stand, a small bell was heard-then the clatter of many footsteps from the kitchen to the dining hall; and finally the great bell, in announcement of dinner.

In coming into the room, we congratulated ourselves that we were to dine with the great |“ vicegerent;" for she stood, covered with her broad-brimmed hat, at the head of the table; but we were mistaken. All standing before their plates, she spread out her hands, blessed the food for our use, in the name of the Lord; then waving her hand in token of adieu, retired to her sanctum sanctorum.

The dinner was excellent, the cheer better becoming a nobleman's mansion, than the spiritual establishment of a humble prophetess. We saw no more of Jemimah; but we left her hall with satiated appetites, full of benevolence for all mankind, and with the best of wishes for the prosperity and happiness of the prophetess of Jerusalem.

A sentiment had long prevailed among her people, that Jemimah was to live forever. Whether this was directly inculcated in her teachings, or was an inference drawn from the fact that she had once died in Rhode Island, and was now moving about in her resurrection body, I cannot assert; yet the impression was universal among her flock, that she was to die no more. However, nature was not to be baulked in this way. The " "keepers