The Kingdom of Matthias

Author: Paul E. Johnson
Secondary Author: Sean Wilentz
ISBN: 0195038274

In the autumn of 1834, New York City was awash with rumors of a strange religious cult operating nearby, centered around a mysterious, self-styled prophet named Matthias. It was said that Matthias the Prophet was stealing money from one of his followers; then came reports of lascivious sexual relations, based on odd teachings of matched spirits, apostolic priesthoods, and the inferiority of women. At its climax, the rumors transformed into legal charges, as the Prophet was arrested for the murder of a once highly-regarded Christian gentleman who had fallen under his sway. By the time the story played out, it became one of the nation's first penny-press sensations, casting a peculiar but revealing light on the sexual and spiritual tensions of the day. In The Kingdom of Matthias, the distinguishd historians Paul Johnson and Sean Wilentz brilliantly recapture this forgotten story, imbuing their richly researched account with the dramatic force of a novel. In this book, the strange tale of

Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publish Date: 1994

Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Cultural Heritage, History / Ancient / Greece, Psychology / Human Sexuality, Religion / General, Religion / Cults, Social Science / Customs & Traditions, True Crime / Hoaxes & Deceptions

This book is available in the following Community Centers: Raza Recource Centro (Location: Wall C, Shelf 2)