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History of the Jerks: Bodily Exercises and the Great Revival (1803–1967)
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Extracts from the Missionary Journal of John Lyle (October 27–November 3, 1805)

Extracts from the Missionary Journal of John Lyle (October 27–November 3, 1805)

1805-1809, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Kentucky Historical Society, Other Bodily Exercises & General References, Presbyterians

“Mr. McGready said sometime afterwards that we could not account for jerking &c. on any natural principle, that the jerks were designed to answer the end of miracles, in drawing the attention of mankind & convincing infidels of the power of God….”

Extracts from the Published Missionary Journal of John Lyle (November 2–3, 1805)

Extracts from the Published Missionary Journal of John Lyle (November 2–3, 1805)

1805-1809, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Presbyterians, Union Presbyterian Seminary

“The jerks were by far the most violent and shocking I had ever seen. The heads of the jerking patients flew, with wonderous quickness, from side to side, in various directions, and their necks doubled like a flail in the hands of a thresher….”

Excerpt from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 5, 1806)

1805-1809, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Western Kentucky University

“In the evening most of the believers met [for] the first time publicly in this place…. A. Dunlavy who had never before been exercised, was taken with shaking & Jerking from that to dancing, which continued for 4 hours with scarce any intermission.”

Excerpt from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 11, 1807)

Excerpt from the Journal of Benjamin Seth Youngs (January 11, 1807)

1805-1809, Diaries & Journals, Shaker Museum/Mt. Lebanon

“Daniel Potters wife an unbeliever & had a for a long time been a bitter opposer in time of labouring, broke fourth by the power of God, Jerking & dancing with her hair all over her face….”

Excerpt from Joseph Thomas’s Life of the Pilgrim  (March 1806)

Excerpt from Joseph Thomas’s Life of the Pilgrim (March 1806)

1805-1809, Christians/Disciples of Christ, Dancing Exercise, Diaries & Journals, Laughing Exercise, Union Presbyterian Seminary

“In my serious reflections and enquiries after the salvation of my soul, the various noise and exercise of the people would oftentimes stagger me. I was sometimes rather doubtful, and almost led to believe that it was all enthusiasm and strong delusion….”

Excerpt from the Diary of Paul Henkel (September 6, 1806)

Excerpt from the Diary of Paul Henkel (September 6, 1806)

1805-1809, Diaries & Journals, Handley Regional Library

“During the sermon I saw a young girl doing the strange movement that the English call the jerks…..”

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