PHILADELPHIAN SOCIETY, in ecclesiastical history, an
obscure and inconsiderable society of mylites. They
were formed about the end of the last century by an
English female fanatic, whose name was Jane Leadley.
This woman, seduced by her visions, predictions, and
doctrines, several disciples, among whom were persons
of learning. She believed that all dissensions among
Christians would cease, and the kingdom of the Re-
deemer become a scene of charity and felicity, if Chris-
tians, disregarding the forms of doctrine or discipline
of their several communions, would all join in commit-
ting their souls to the care of the internal guide, to be
instructed, governed, and formed, by his divine im-
pulse and suggestions. But she went farther than this:
she even pretended a divine commission to proclaim
the approach of this glorious communion of saints;
and was convinced that the society established by her-
self was the true kingdom of Christ. One of her
leading doctrines was, that of the final restoration of
all intelligent beings to perfection and happiness.