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PHILADELPHIAN SOCIETY

Volume 14 · 164 words · 1797 Edition

in ecclesiastical history, an obscure and inconsiderable society of mystics. 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 Redeemer become a scene of charity and felicity, if Christians, disregarding the forms of doctrine or discipline of their several communions, would all join in committing their souls to the care of the internal guide, to be instructed, governed, and formed, by his divine impulse 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 herself 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.