66 September 19th. AN IMAGINARY "VIRGIN MARY." To the Editor of the BAPTIST. SIR,-Seeing that the extraordinary vagaries of the man Pigott (rather an unfortunate name, truly), who is just now proclaiming himself to Clapton audiences as Jesus Christ" and the 66 Messiah,' are exciting such universal indignation, as well as contemptuous ridicule, it may perhaps be interesting to recall to mind a similar freak of human nature, namely, the notorious Joanna Southcott, who imagined herself to be the "Virgin Mary," and of whom there are actually still some stupid persons living who believe in her. It may not be generally known that Joanna Southcott lies buried in St. John's Wood Churchyard; her tomb is well cared for, it having only quite lately been restored. The inscription on the long white headstone is as follows: Sacred to the memory of who lies interred 26 feet front of this tablet. December 27th, 1814. Aged 64 years. Thoult appear in "Greater" power. "Behold, the time shall come, that these Tokens which I have told Thee shall come to pass, and the Bride shall Appear, and She coming forth shall be Seen that now is withdrawn from the Earth."-2nd of Esdras, Chap. 7th, Verse 26. "For the Visions is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and Not Lie, though it tarry, Wait for it; Because it will Surely come; it will not tarry."-Habakkuk, Chap. 2nd, Verse 3rd. "And whosoever is delivered from the Foresaid evils shall see My Wonders."-2nd of Esdras, Chap. 7th, Verse 27th. See her Writings. This Tablet was Erected by the sincere friends of the above, Anno Domini, 1828. Joanna Southcott's actual resting-place is enclosed by a neat iron railing, a stone containing a further inscription covering the grave.-Yours, etc., ALGERNON ASHTON. 44, Hamilton Gardens, St. John's Wood, N.W. September 22. |