The rest of the journey was made without mishap, and when the travellers
arrived at the wharf at Charlottetown, they found Mrs. Fremont waiting to
receive them, Lancy having informed her by telegraph of their detention.
Mrs. Fremont's residence was situated in the suburbs of the city, amidst a
park-like grove that gave it a very English look in Lancy's eyes. The house
was large and roomy, and furnished in a solid, comfortable style, that
would make modern parlors look frivolous in comparison.
Dexie had no fault to find with her reception, for the whole party were so
warmly welcomed that they felt "at home" at once. Mrs. Fremont's two
daughters proved very pleasant companions. Beatrice, the eldest, was of a
gentle, quiet disposition, and her very presence held in check her
frolicsome younger sister; for Gertrude, who was fat, fair and seventeen,
saw too much of the bright side of life to be anything else than
good-natured and jolly, and finding her counterpart in Dexie Sherwood the
days flew by on gladsome wings.
An enjoyable garden party was held a few days after the young people
arrived, and by that means they became acquainted with a number of the
young people in the city, and Elsie forgot her shyness in the pleasant
bustle that made the days pass so swiftly. The daily drives in the low,
comfortable carriage soon began to tell favorably on her health, and she
did not find it at all hard to enter into the amusements planned for her
benefit; but among all the pleasures that were attainable, one alone stood
out above all others, one that neither Elsie nor Dexie ever cared to miss,
and that was--to go marketing.
Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the country people for miles around
drove into Charlottetown, bringing with them whatever farm produce they had
to dispose of. Great carts bearing vegetables, eggs, butter, berries and
"garden truck" beyond mentioning, might be seen wending their way along the
roads leading to the city in the early mornings on market days, and the
products of the field, garden, poultry yard, etc., were offered for sale
in and around the large market-house that was situated in the centre of the
city. Here the people of the city came by hundreds to purchase whatever
fancy dictated or needs demanded, making a scene that was worth coming far
to see.
To educate her daughters into the difficult part of household management,
Mrs. Fremont had given over to them the task of buying the supplies for the
family. A sum, ample for a week, was given them, and at the end of the week
the accounts were made up under the mother's supervision. If the daughters
had planned wisely there was always a surplus, which was added to their
pocket-money.
When Dexie learned of this, and realized the responsibility which these
young girls took upon themselves as a part of their education, she was
anxious to acquire the same accomplishment, and it became quite amusing to
hear the prices of different articles discussed in such business-like
tones, for Dexie and Elsie were often drawn into these discussions before
they were aware of it.
In consequence of this, when market days came round, there was quite an
important air about the four young ladies who drove towards the
market-house, and there seemed to be a good deal of fun as well as business
going on, if one might judge by their eager, happy faces, and the way the
task was often unnecessarily prolonged.
One evening, when a party of young people were visiting at Mrs. Fremont's,
a remark was made that brought about a discussion of a sect which are known
in Prince Edward Island as McDonaldites or "Jerkers;" and after a
description of the remarkable character of their meetings, there was much
curiosity raised concerning them.
"You ought not to go home without attending a meeting, Mr. Gurney," said
Mr. Holbrook, "for I do not think the like is to be seen anywhere else in
the world. One visit is generally enough to satisfy most people, but to
those who have good nerves one visit only whets the curiosity. For my part,
I like to go and watch them whenever I find the opportunity."
"Well, I went once," said Gertrude Fremont, "and that was quite enough for
me, and I do not call myself nervous or timid either. Still I would not
have missed seeing them _once_ for anything, but that experience is enough
to last me a lifetime."
"I used to think that the people exaggerated when talking about the actions
of the Jerkers," said Beatrice, "but I had to believe my own eyesight; it
certainly is a very strange thing."
"I wonder if it is anything like what the slaves down South used to be
affected with," said Dexie. "I have heard my grandma tell of prayer
meetings in the negro quarters, where some of the slaves would act in the
same way you describe, but I suppose it is not the same thing except in
name. I should like very much to attend a meeting."
After much persuasion, Mrs. Fremont consented to allow the young people
under her charge to attend a meeting of this peculiar sect, under the
escort of Mr. Holbrook, but the consent was given reluctantly.
"I quite understand the curiosity you have to witness such a mode of
worship," she said, smiling kindly at Dexie, "but I fear the result for
Elsie. I am afraid it would quite unnerve her."
"But if she is the least frightened she need not stay in the church to
watch them," said Lancy, who was eager to visit a McDonaldite church. "It
must be a wonderful sight indeed, if the people go through such contortions
as Mr. Holbrook speaks of."
A few days later the little party drove off in the comfortable covered
carriage on a visit to Uigg. As they crossed the river to Southport they
found several other carriages going in the same direction, so they followed
on, journeying by the beautiful Vernon River road towards their
destination.
There was but one thing that marred the enjoyment of the drive to Elsie,
and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were
overpowered by those who voted that it was "no harm, surely, to drive to
church on Sunday."
But Elsie felt that they were not going to church for a worthy motive, but
only as sightseers, and, judging by the accounts they had heard, a visit
to a McDonaldite or Jerkers' church was similar to going to a play or
circus. Still her scruples were not strong enough to allow Lancy and Dexie
to go without her, but the beautiful scenery through which they passed had
for her no charm, for she felt, for the first time in her life, that she
was a Sabbath-breaker.
Dexie had no such pangs of conscience, but enjoyed the drive to the utmost,
and Elsie's oft-repeated remark that they "ought not to have come" found no
response in the hearts of the rest. Happily for Elsie, a Sunday feeling
soon possessed her, for Dexie, in the fulness of her heart, could not be
silent, and as ordinary talk seemed out of place in the Sabbath stillness,
she began to sing.
Elsie's voice soon joined the rest, and the sound of harmony rolled along
with the carriage, and before they reached the church of the Jerkers, Elsie
felt more at ease with herself and her surroundings.
It seems passing strange that while the Shakers, Quakers and other peculiar
sects have all come in for a share of newspaper discussion, this most
peculiar sect called McDonaldites, or Jerkers, have escaped the pen of the
reporter. This may be due to the fact that, during the life of the great
McDonald, Prince Edward Island was considered by travellers to be rather an
out-of-the-way place and not worth visiting. But year by year the army of
tourists is increasing, as the Garden of the St. Lawrence becomes better
known, and a visit to a McDonaldite church may yet be one of the sights in
store for my reader, for it is doubtful if such a sight can be witnessed in
any other civilized community.
McDonald, the leader of the sect, has been dead many years. He was a man of
powerful physique, and his mind must have corresponded to his large and
vigorous body, for the power or influence which he had over his followers
was something extraordinary, if not alarming. As his presence was not
necessary to set the members of his Church in motion, and the "jerks" are
kept up even to the present day, there may be some other explanation for
the singular behavior of his followers; but the memory of their leader is
held in reverence, and by many the "jerks" are still attributed to his
power.
The writer has attended but one meeting where the great McDonald presided,
and, being then young in years, the dress, or rather the undress, of the
man was itself awe-inspiring. It was something unusual to see a man in the
pulpit with his coat and vest laid aside and his shirt open, laying bare
his brawny neck. The man himself was enough to create fear, but when the
activity of the members began, discretion seemed the better part of valor,
and we escaped without ceremony. It would be impossible to convey to the
reader an idea of the awful excitement that always prevailed among his
followers, when under the direct leadership of McDonald himself. Even the
attempt to do so would be called exaggerated and untrue; but after
witnessing through the open window the surprising actions of the
congregation, we turned away, feeling that the half _could_ not be told,
for words would fail to portray the scene. The reader must be content with
a meagre description of a visit to the church made many years after the
death of the leader, when the excitement was less intense, to which meeting
Lancy Gurney and his party are hastening.
There are several churches of this sect in different parts of the Island,
but the principal church is in a country place called Uigg. The yearly
sacrament is held at this church, and on these occasions the multitudes of
worshippers who come from a long distance to attend this ceremony are
almost doubled by the number of sightseers who flock to witness the sight.
At such times the adjacent fences are lined with vehicles of every
description, giving the place the appearance of a fair or horse market.
These yearly meetings cannot begin to compare with those held during the
lifetime of the leader, but those who never witnessed a meeting conducted
by the Rev. Mr. McDonald could scarcely believe they were ever more
startling than those held in later years.
With this digression we will return to our young travellers, who, having
secured their horse under the sheltering trees by the roadside, and
fortified their courage by doing justice to the lunch Mrs. Fremont had
prepared for them, now entered the crowded church and stood among the
number of observers in the aisle.
The inside of the edifice had an unfinished look, and the arrangement of
the seats was uncommon, but to most people the seats themselves formed a
most unusual sight, for they were all without backs, the reason of which
soon became apparent.
The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be
confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention
of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of
people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party,
being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet
not unmixed with fear and dread.
Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite
near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction. She
was dressed in what was probably called in her neighborhood the "height of
style." On her head was a saucer-like bonnet of the "gypsy style," covered
with large artificial flowers, which drooped over a chignon of such
remarkable dimensions that it must have required a multitude of hairpins to
keep it together; but her bonnet helped to keep it in place, as strings of
ribbon were placed at the back, then brought forward under her chin in a
flaring knot.
The peculiar actions of these people are well named "the jerks." In this
instance the hands seemed to be the first part affected; a slight twitching
was soon followed by a quicker movement, then her feet jerked about as if
she were dancing a jig; a moment more and she flung her arms around wildly,
while her head began to shake in quick time to the movements of the hands
and feet. This soon loosened her chignon, the ingredients of which flew in
as many directions, and her hair swept wildly about her face. Her bonnet
fell at the back of her neck, but being held by the strings it bobbed up
and down her back like an animated nosegay. She accompanied her movements
with shrieks and screams that were better suited to a madhouse than a place
of worship, and when exhausted nature finally succumbed, she fell back
against those seated behind, who, very good-naturedly, it must be
confessed, for she weighed more than a trifle, helped her to regain her
senses and her seat. When she was able to sit up, her neighbors on either
side handed back the articles of wearing apparel and pieces of headgear
that she had scattered about, and the girl made a fresh toilet, as well as
the limited stock of hairpins allowed.
A number of other cases equally startling were taking place in different
parts of the church, and the backless seats were explained. It certainly
was less dangerous for the "jerkers" to throw themselves back into the laps
of those behind them than against the hard back of a seat. But the feelings
of those who received the form of the exhausted enthusiast we do not
profess to explain. It is probable, however, that those in the near
vicinity of one who had the "jerks" would prepare themselves for the
backward throw that so many execute at the last moment of their paroxysm.
But to those who looked on, it seemed like a game of "give-and-take," as if
each did not know what moment he might be under the same obligation to
someone else.
While standing in the aisle Dexie passed her arm around Elsie's waist, lest
they should be separated in the crowd. Dexie had become so engrossed in
watching the worshippers that she had forgotten how the sight might affect
her friend, but glancing into her face she saw that this was no place for
one of Elsie's temperament. But the aisles were blocked; they seemed
standing in a vice, with no power to move front or backwards. The
_enthusiasm_ seemed increasing every moment, and as almost every seat held
an active member, the excitement in the church was appalling.
One young girl, quite near where Dexie stood, sprang to her feet with a
shriek that caused Elsie to scream with fright, and Dexie bade her hide her
face from the sight. But Elsie felt she must watch what was going on or
else scream again, so great was her terror. The sight was indeed alarming,
for the girl beat the air with her hands while she jumped up and down,
until her movements appeared actually dangerous to those near her. Her head
was thrown backward and forward with such violence and rapidity that it
seemed a marvel how she escaped dislocation, and her whole body was in
violent motion. At last she fell to the floor with a final shriek, where
she struggled about for several minutes, much to the alarm of those in her
immediate vicinity.
On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those
who had the "jerks," and Elsie could bear it no longer.
"Take me out, Dexie; I can't stay here another minute!" she cried.
Lancy was some distance away, but he pressed to her side, regardless of the
bruised toes and sides he left behind him, and lifting Elsie in his arms
pressed to the door, with Dexie closely following. They hurried away to
where the noise of the worshippers was not quite so audible, and by degrees
Elsie grew quiet and calm. Leaving them seated on the grass by the
roadside, Lancy re-entered the church, the strange doings having a certain
fascination which he could neither explain nor resist.
In a short time Elsie recovered sufficiently to walk around, but curiosity
drew her again to the church, and they watched through the windows the
peculiar actions of the people. But the excitement had now somewhat
subsided, and Elsie urged that they enter the church again. Dexie was
afraid of the effect which another such scene might have upon her friend,
so she tried to persuade Elsie to stay and watch at a safe distance. Elsie
felt sure she would not be alarmed again, so they entered the church and
obtained a seat that had just been made vacant.
A few minutes later, the movements of an old woman attracted notice. They
had watched her as she entered the church a short time before, and had
pitied the poor, feeble creature, as she dragged herself up the aisle by
the aid of a pair of crutches; but all pity left Dexie's heart as she saw
the crippled creature thump the floor with her crutches, and bring them
together over her head with a crash that rivalled the noise made by many of
the hard-handed sons of toil, who had taken the "jerks" during the service.
"What makes them do it, Dexie?" said Elsie, in a whisper. "'And there was
in the synagogue many people possessed of the devil;' that is the only
solution of the mystery that I can see," was the reply.
"Oh, Dexie! do you really think that is what ails them? How awful!"
"'And there was one woman among them who had seven devils,' and that is she
with the crutches, I think. Are you afraid? Shall we go out, Elsie?"
"It does scare me, but I cannot help looking at them," was the answer.
But the "jerks" now spread from one to the other, until pandemonium let
loose could not be much more alarming. Elsie turned white with fear, but it
was impossible to get out at the moment, as the aisles were blocked by
terrified sightseers, their screams of fright mingling with the shrieks of
those who had the "jerks." It is safe to say that no madhouse ever held a
more excited crowd.
At this moment a heavy woman, who sat on the same seat that held Dexie and
Elsie, began to be affected, and as the seats were only supported at each
end, this one began to spring up and down, setting all those who were upon
it in motion.
The two girls were on their feet in an instant, feeling for one awful
moment that they were taking the "jerks" themselves; but finding the floor
steady under her feet, Dexie soon regained her composure, and endeavored to
quiet Elsie, who was now sobbing without restraint.
Out of this they must get at any hazard, and, drawing Elsie after her, she
crossed to the door by stepping on the knees of the people who intervened,
giving no thought to the outraged feelings of those she had used as
stepping-stones to freedom.
As they reached the doorstep, they saw Mr. Holbrook at a distance, and were
soon at his side.
"How soon can we get away from this awful place?" Dexie hurriedly asked.
"Well, I do not know, Miss Sherwood. Are you in a hurry to go?"
"Yes, that I am; I have had enough of this kind of worship, and Elsie must
not go near the church again. Where is Lancy?"
"I believe he is inside the church; I saw him there a short time ago. He is
much interested, I believe. I hope, Miss Gurney, that these excitable
people have not seriously alarmed you."
"Oh, I don't want to see them any more!" cried Elsie. "I wish we could find
Lancy, so we could start for Charlottetown."
"Do you know, I believe he wants you to stay overnight at some place near,
so that he can stay to the evening service. Could you agree to that plan,
do you think?" he asked.
"Certainly; if the place we have to stay is a good piece away from this
church, out of sight and hearing of these people," replied Dexie, feeling
that a drive back to town would be very tiresome after the exciting day
they had spent.
"Well, suppose we start now? The drive will do you good," said Mr.
Holbrook, as he turned towards their carriage; and as he led the horse on
the road, he proposed that they start for Montague Bridge at once,
describing it as a pretty hamlet about two miles from the church.
"But if Lancy should come and find the carriage gone, he would be anxious,"
said Dexie.
"Oh! I'll pin a note to the tree, so if he comes here it will explain our
absence; but I will be back before the service is ended; and I fancy he
will not leave the church till then. You are quite sure you have no
objections to leaving him behind you, Miss Gurney?" he asked.
"Oh, no! But are you quite sure you can get us a nice place to stay? I
suppose you know the place around here very well," she added.
"Yes, indeed; I have spent my life on the Island, Miss Gurney, and I know
my fellow Islanders pretty well. I will leave you quite comfortable, never
fear."
They were soon driving along at a rapid pace, and Dexie hoped that the
scene in the church had passed from Elsie's mind, till her question to Mr.
Holbrook proved the contrary. "Do tell us, Mr. Holbrook, what _is_ it
makes those people act so? Is it the talk of the minister that does it? I'm
sure I could only hear a word now and then, though his lips kept moving
even when the noise was the worst."
"That is a hard question to answer, Miss Gurney," was the reply. "Some say
it is the Heavenly Spirit working within them; others think the spirit is
not of a heavenly origin; others, again, say they are getting relief from
the bondage of sin."
"Well, if that is the way they show their relief, I think it would be
better to stay in bondage," said Dexie. "I wonder if it can be the same
craze that used to affect the colored people down South. Grandma's people
kept slaves, and I have heard of such actions amongst them, but if I ever
heard the explanation of them I have completely forgotten it. Still one
would hardly think that a superstitious negro craze would affect the
clear-headed Scotch people in the same manner. It is a mystery to me how
they live through it."
Mr. Holbrook laid back his head and laughed.
"But they are human, like other people, Mr. Holbrook," she urged; "and how
is it that they do not hurt themselves? There was a man with a shock of red
hair, sitting near the chimney, who took the 'jerks.' I daresay you noticed
him. Now, unless his head is made of something different than ours, it must
be smashed in on one side, for he struck the chimney with such rapidity and
force that it sounded quite sickening from where we sat. Really, I should
not have been surprised had he fallen dead to the floor."
"I daresay he never felt it," said Mr. Holbrook, smiling. "I do not believe
that any of them know what they are about when they take the 'jerks,' or
else some of the women are very careless of appearances."
"Oh! well, don't let us talk about them any more," said Elsie. "Papa often
says that everyone has a right to his own belief, and these people seem to
believe _something_, and they really _must_ believe it without merely
saying so, as so many of us do, or else they could not act out their belief
in such a dreadful manner; but whatever their belief is, it must be
awful!"
In a short time they entered the village, which was situated on both sides
of a river, connected by the bridge that gave the place its name. Mr.
Holbrook drove at once to a house where he knew the girls would have every
attention, and the pleasant face of the woman who welcomed them at the door
seemed to speak of rest and security to be found beneath her roof.
With a few words of explanation Mr. Holbrook left them, promising to be
back in good season with Lancy. He then returned with all speed to the
church of the McDonalds, where he found the energetic members still in
active motion.