The Book of Religions Part 17

DORRELITES.

A sectary, by the name of Dorrel, appeared in Leyden, Ma.s.s., about fifty years ago, and made some proselytes. The following are some of his leading sentiments:-Jesus Christ is, as to substance, a spirit, and is G.o.d. He took a body, died, and never rose from the dead. None of the human race will ever rise from their graves. The resurrection, spoken of in Scripture, is only one from sin to spiritual life, which consists in perfect obedience to G.o.d. Written revelation is a type of the substance of the true revelation, which G.o.d makes to those whom he raises from spiritual death. The substance is G.o.d revealed in the soul. Those who have it are perfect, are incapable of sinning, and have nothing to do with the Bible. The eternal life, purchased by Christ, was an eternal succession of natural generation. Heaven is light, and h.e.l.l is darkness. G.o.d has no wrath. There is no opposition between G.o.d and the devil, who have equal power in their respective worlds of light and darkness. Those who are raised are free from all civil laws; are not bound by the marriage covenant; and the perfect have a right to promiscuous intercourse. Neither prayer nor any other worship is necessary. There is no law but that of nature. There is no future judgment, nor any knowledge in the future state, of what is done in this world. G.o.d has no forethought, no knowledge of what pa.s.ses in the dark world, which is h.e.l.l, nor any knowledge of what has taken place, or will take place, in this world. Neither G.o.d nor the devil has any power to control man. There are two kinds of perfection-that of the head, and that of the members. The leader is perfect as the head; but none of his followers can be so, in this sense, so long as the leader continues. All covenants which G.o.d has heretofore entered into with man, are at an end, and a new covenant made with the leader, (Dorrel,) in which he has all power to direct, and all the blessings of which must be looked for through him. Neither Moses nor Christ wrought any miracles. I (says Dorrel) stand the same as Jesus Christ in all respects. My disciples stand in the same relation to me, as the disciples of Christ did to him. I am to be worshipped in the same manner as Christ was to be worshipped, as G.o.d united to human flesh. This sect was broken up in the following manner:-

One of Dorrel's lectures was attended by Captain Ezekiel Foster, of Leyden, a man of good sense, of a strong, muscular frame, and a countenance which bespoke authority. When Dorrel came to the declaration of his extraordinary powers, he had no sooner uttered the words, "No arm can hurt my flesh," than Foster rose, indignant at the imposture he was practising on his deluded followers, and knocked down Dorrel with his fist. Dorrel, in great trepidation, and almost senseless, attempted to rise, when he received a second blow, at which he cried for mercy. Foster engaged to forbear, on condition that he would renounce his doctrines, but continued beating him. Soon a short parley ensued, when Dorrel consented, and did renounce his doctrines in the hearing of all his astonished followers. He further told them, that his object was to see what fools he could make of mankind. His followers, ashamed and chagrined at being made the dupes of such an unprincipled fellow, departed in peace to their homes. Dorrel promised his a.s.sailant, upon the penalty of his life never to attempt any similar imposition upon the people.

OSGOODITES.

These people profess to believe in one G.o.d, who is fully acquainted with all his own works; but they believe there are some things done by wicked agents, of which G.o.d has no knowledge. They reject the idea of Christ's divinity, and of any thing special in regeneration. They pretend to miraculous gifts, such as healing the sick, and praying down the judgments of G.o.d upon those who oppose them. They deny any thing peculiarly sacred in the Christian Sabbath, although they generally meet on that day for religious worship, but without much regard to order. They reject the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. They are opposed to Bible societies, and other moral and religious inst.i.tutions of the day, particularly to temperance societies.

This sect arose about the year 1812, in the county of Merrimack, N. H.

where a few societies exist. Jacob Osgood is their leader.

ROGERENES.

This is a sect calling themselves Seventh-Day Baptists, that arose in New England about the year 1674. John and James Rogers were their leaders.

They were peculiar in their language, dress, and manners; they employed no physician, nor used any medicine: they paid no regard to the Christian Sabbath, and disturbed and abused those that did. It is said that a few of this people still remain. See the _Battle-Axe_, a work published by them a few years ago, at their printing establishment, at Groton, Conn.

WHIPPERS.

This denomination sprang up in Italy, in the thirteenth century, and was thence propagated through almost all the countries of Europe. The society that embraced this new discipline, ran in mult.i.tudes, composed of persons of both s.e.xes, and all ranks and ages, through the public streets, with whips in their hands, lashing their naked bodies with the most astonishing severity, with a view to obtain the divine mercy for themselves and others, by their voluntary mortification and penance. This sect made their appearance anew in the fourteenth century, and taught, among other things, that flagellation was of equal virtue with baptism and other sacraments; that the forgiveness of all sins was to be obtained by it from G.o.d, without the merit of Jesus Christ; that the old law of Christ was soon to be abolished, and that a new law, enjoining the baptism of blood, to be administered by whipping, was to be subst.i.tuted in its place.

A new denomination of Whippers arose in the fifteenth century, who rejected the sacraments and every branch of external worship, and placed their only hopes of salvation in _faith_ and _flagellation_.

WILKINSONIANS.

The followers of Jemima Wilkinson, who was born in c.u.mberland, R. I. In 1776, she a.s.serted that she was taken sick, and actually died, and that her soul went to heaven. Soon after, her body was reanimated with the spirit and power of Christ, upon which she set up as a public teacher, and declared she had an immediate revelation for all she delivered, and was arrived to a state of absolute perfection. It is also said she pretended to foretell future events, to discern the secrets of the heart, and to have the power of healing diseases; and if any person who had made application to her was not healed, she attributed it to his want of faith.

She a.s.serted that those who refused to believe these exalted things concerning her, will be in the state of the unbelieving Jews, who rejected the counsel of G.o.d against themselves; and she told her hearers that was the eleventh hour, and the last call of mercy that ever should be granted them; for she heard an inquiry in heaven, saying, "Who will go and preach to a dying world?" or words to that import; and she said she answered, "Here am I-send me;" and that she left the realms of light and glory, and the company of the heavenly host, who are continually praising and worshipping G.o.d, in order to descend upon earth, and pa.s.s through many sufferings and trials for the happiness of mankind. She a.s.sumed the t.i.tle of the _universal friend of mankind_.

Jemima made some converts in Rhode Island and New York, and died in 1819.

She is said to have been a very beautiful, but artful woman.

AQUARIANS.

WATER-DRINKERS, a branch of the _Encrat.i.tes_, a sect in the second century, who abstained from marriage, wine, and animal food; who carried their aversion to wine so far, that they subst.i.tuted water in the holy communion, though some refused it only in their _morning_ ceremonies. It is well known that the ancient Christians mingled water with their wine for sacred use, partly, perhaps, for economy, and partly from sobriety; but Cyprian gives a mystical reason-because the wine and water represent Christ and his people united.

BAXTERIANS.

The Baxterian strikes into a middle path between Arminianism and Calvinism, and thus endeavors to unite both schemes. With the Calvinist, he professes to believe that a certain number, determined upon in the divine councils, will be infallibly saved; and with the Arminian, he joins in rejecting the doctrine of reprobation, as absurd and impious;-admits that Christ, in a certain sense, died for all, and supposes that such a portion of grace is allotted to _every_ man, as renders it his own fault if he does not attain to eternal life.

This conciliatory system was espoused by the famous Nonconformist, Richard Baxter, who was celebrated for the acuteness of his controversial talents, and the utility of his practical writings.

Among Baxterians are ranked both Watts and Doddridge. Dr. Doddridge, indeed, has this striking remark-"That a Being who is said not to tempt any one, and even swears that he desires not the death of a sinner, should _irresistibly_ determine millions to the commission of every sinful action of their lives, and then, with all the pomp and pageantry of a universal judgment, condemn them to eternal misery, on account of these actions, that hereby he may promote the happiness of others who are, or shall be, irresistibly determined to virtue, in the like manner, is of all incredible things to me the most incredible!"

In the scale of religious sentiment, Baxterianism seems to be, with respect to the subject of divine favor, what Arianism is with respect to the person of Christ. It appears to have been considered by some pious persons as a safe middle way between two extremes.

MILLER'S VIEWS ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

The following letter from Rev. WILLIAM MILLER to Rev. JOSHUA V. HIMES contains a synopsis of Mr. Miller's views on this interesting subject:-

"Rev. J. V. Himes:

"My dear brother: You have requested a synopsis of my views of the Christian faith. The following sketch will give you some idea of the religious opinions I have formed, by a careful study of the word of G.o.d:-

"I believe all men, coming to years of discretion, do and will disobey G.o.d; and this is, in some measure, owing to corrupted nature by the sin of our parent. I believe G.o.d will not condemn us for any pollution in our father; but the soul that sinneth shall die. All pollution of which we may be partakers from the sins of our ancestors, in which we could have no agency, can and will be washed away in the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, without our agency. But all sins committed by us as rational, intelligent agents, can only be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, through our repentance and faith. I believe in the salvation of all men who receive the grace of G.o.d by repentance and faith in the mediation of Jesus Christ. I believe in the condemnation of all men who reject the gospel and mediation of Christ, and thereby lose the efficacy of the blood and righteousness of our Redeemer, as proffered to us in the gospel. I believe in practical G.o.dliness, as commanded us in the Scriptures, (which are our only rule of faith and practice,) and that they only will be ent.i.tled to heaven and future blessedness, who obey and keep the commandments of G.o.d, as given us in the Bible, which is the word of G.o.d. I believe in G.o.d, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is a Spirit, omnipresent, omniscient, having all power, Creator, Preserver, and self-existent. As being holy, just, and beneficent, I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of G.o.d, having a body in fashion and form like man, divine in his nature, human in his person, G.o.dlike in his character and power. He is a Savior for sinners, a Priest to G.o.d, a Mediator between G.o.d and man, and King in Zion. He will be all to his people, G.o.d with us forever. The spirit of the Most High is in him, the power of the Most High is given him, the people of the Most High are purchased by him, the glory of the Most High shall be with him, and the kingdom of the Most High is his on earth.

"I believe the Bible is the revealed will of G.o.d to man, and all therein is necessary to be understood by Christians in the several ages and circ.u.mstances to which they may refer;-for instance, what may be understood to-day, might not have been necessary to have been understood a thousand years ago; for its object is to reveal things new and old, that the man of G.o.d may be thoroughly furnished for, and perfected in, every good word and work, for the age in which he lives. I believe it is revealed in the best possible manner for all people, in every age and under every circ.u.mstance, to understand, and that it is to be understood as literal as it can be and make good sense; and that in every case where the language is figurative, we must let the Bible explain its own figures.

We are in no case allowed to speculate on the Scriptures, and suppose things which are not clearly expressed, nor reject things which are plainly taught. I believe all of the prophecies are revealed to try our faith, and to give us hope, without which we could have no reasonable hope. I believe that the Scriptures do reveal unto us, in plain language, that Jesus Christ will appear again on this earth; that he will come in the glory of G.o.d, in the clouds of heaven, with all his saints and angels; that he will raise the dead bodies of all his saints who have slept, change the bodies of all that are alive on the earth that are his, and both these living and raised saints will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There the saints will be judged and presented to the Father, without spot or wrinkle. Then the gospel kingdom will be given up to G.o.d the Father. Then will the Father give the bride to the Son Jesus Christ; and when the marriage takes place, the church will become the 'New Jerusalem,' the 'beloved city.' And while this is being done in the air, the earth will be cleansed by fire, the elements will melt with fervent heat, the works of men will be destroyed, the bodies of the wicked will be burned to ashes, the devil and all evil spirits, with the souls and spirits of those who have rejected the gospel, will be banished from the earth, shut up in the pit or place prepared for the devil and his angels, and will not be permitted to visit the earth again until a thousand years.

This is the first resurrection, and first judgment. Then Christ and his people will come down from the heavens, or middle air, and live with his saints on the new earth in a new heaven, or dispensation, forever, even forever and ever. This will be the rest.i.tution of the right owners to the earth.

"Then will the promise of G.o.d to his Son be accomplished-'I will give him the heathen for his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession.' Then 'the whole earth shall be full of his glory.' And then will the holy people take possession of their joint heirship with Christ, and his promise be verified, 'The meek shall inherit the earth,' and the kingdom of G.o.d will have come, and 'his will done in earth as in heaven.'

After a thousand years shall have pa.s.sed away, the saints will all be gathered and encamped in the beloved city. The sea, death, and h.e.l.l, will give up their dead, which will rise up on the breadths of the earth, out of the city, a great company like the sand of the sea-sh.o.r.e. The devil will be let loose, to go out and deceive this wicked host. He will tell them of a battle against the saints, the beloved city; he will gather them in the battle around the camp of the saints. But there is no battle; the devil has deceived them. The saints will judge them; the justice of G.o.d will drive them from the earth into the lake of fire and brimstone, where they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever. 'This is the second death.' After the second resurrection, second judgment, the righteous will then possess the earth forever.