Excerpt from Richard McNemar’s “General Review” (July 1804)
“The jerking & barking exercises were astounding….”
Excerpt from Robert Stuart’s “Reminiscences” (ca. 1804)
“It was evident to every spectator, that this, and it may be said, in general, with respect to all the bodily exercises, that they were involuntary; for it seemed impossible that the body could be so agitated by any dictate of the will….”
Excerpt from “The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee” (1804)
“The Religious excitement still continued followed with what was called the Jirks, (strong Spasmodic excitement) dancing & falling down Sermons at New Providence & the churches generally….”
Excerpt from The Biography of Elder David Purviance (ca. 1804)
“But the bodily exercise (as it was called) seemed to change its manner of operation. The falling exercise became not so common, and the jerks succeeded….”
Excerpt from David Spinning’s “Short Sketch” (ca. 1804)
“[T]o return to my narrative of the Revival, it now went on with a great increase of numbers, & extended far and wide. The falling exercise continued; also much severe jirking. There were many now converts added….”
Excerpt from the Biography of Eld. Barton W. Stone (ca. 1804)
“The jerks cannot be so easily described…. When the whole system was affected, I have seen the person stand in one place, and jerk backward and forward in quick succession, their head nearly touching the floor behind and before…..”
