In The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th- Century America, Johnson and Wilentz reveal the economic, social, sexual, and racial atmosphere that gave rise to cults and virile charismatic leaders. They recreate an intriguing story of a flawed prophet and the wrongly guided followers during the 1820-1830-time period. Throughout their writings the authors provide usage of stories and memoirs of Margaret Matthews, William Stone, and Gilbert Vale when constructing the life and history of Matthias. Johnson and Wilentz provide an emphasis on the spiritual spiral of this period and the converting of Matthias and those of his followers. As well as providing a colorful 19th-century American episode that outlined in a measureable detailed account the midst of religious revivalism, a major response to the uproar of the Industrial Revolution. Johnson and Wilentz begin the story with introduction of Elijah Pierson a young man who was brought up by humble means and followed by moving to New York. Pierson who was a New York Merchant as well as a religious reformer, who later became a self-proclaimed prophet. During the move to New York he believed the people of the City were immoral, they drank and lived in sin. Which brought him to preaching the word of God to whoever listened.
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Secondly, the story moves on to that of Robert Matthews who like Elijah Pierson was a strong religious believer. Matthews was an impoverished carpenter who who preached to people, but was ridiculed which angered him greatly. This gave him great frustrations which he took out merely on his wife and children. During a period in the storyline, Matthews acquired riches and wealth but lost them all within a matter of time. After this period Robert Matthews grew more influenced in his ideas of God, which forced him to become delusional. His wife Margaret worried as he saw himself as “Prophet of the God of the Jews” and later believed he was God. He gathered money from his followers in order to fund his church. He would gather the best metals to fashion his religion with religious artifacts such as candlesticks, swords, and chalices, as well as furniture. He gathered rituals from the bible such as the of not shaving where he will grow a beard and not cut it. He would fashion in rich linen which were made of the most expensive. He was highly held by himself that if there were people to dismiss him he would revolt at them with naming them devils. His kingdom as well derived from communal patriarchy that advocated abundant food, wife-swapping, and naked bathing. Although his ritualistic thinking was a problem, when it came down to the law. Matthias although deeply indulged in religion with the thought he was God, continued to beat his wife and although they couldn’t divorce because it was forbidden by law. Women were evil and of the devil. Which is clearly they case when Johnson and Wilentz explain “When a Methodist girl knocked at the door and announced that she had been sent by Jesus, Matthias whipped her, told her that God did not talk to girls, and sent her home to her father” (100). After the death of Elijah Pierson suspicion rose that Matthias poisoned him, which would eventually lead up to the arrest of Matthias where people believed he was unstable and delusional. Although Matthias was latter convicted with beating up his daughter Isabella. This story line is oriented around the midst of the Second Great Awakening, which is now known as the Evangelical movement. This period was intriguing in that it fanaticism, fundamentalism and more importantly delusions began to arise and take control in America. These characteristics brought about the leadings of cults in which Matthias’ Kingdom is distinguished. The book highlights the influence that religion was implementing on America and how the rise of multiple denominations. Through they way Matthias story is outlined, it shows how each of them influenced him when he goes from being an Anti-burgher Calvinist, to a Methodist, to a Hebrew. The book helps us infer, the ways religion changed the United States and how it helped the country evolve together and by its states. From the way it describes the beginning influence of New York to that of the smaller country areas
Secondly, the story moves on to that of Robert Matthews who like Elijah Pierson was a strong religious believer. Matthews was an impoverished carpenter who who preached to people, but was ridiculed which angered him greatly. This gave him great frustrations which he took out merely on his wife and children. During a period in the storyline, Matthews acquired riches and wealth but lost them all within a matter of time. After this period Robert Matthews grew more influenced in his ideas of God, which forced him to become delusional. His wife Margaret worried as he saw himself as “Prophet of the God of the Jews” and later believed he was God. He gathered money from his followers in order to fund his church. He would gather the best metals to fashion his religion with religious artifacts such as candlesticks, swords, and chalices, as well as furniture. He gathered rituals from the bible such as the of not shaving where he will grow a beard and not cut it. He would fashion in rich linen which were made of the most expensive. He was highly held by himself that if there were people to dismiss him he would revolt at them with naming them devils. His kingdom as well derived from communal patriarchy that advocated abundant food, wife-swapping, and naked bathing. Although his ritualistic thinking was a problem, when it came down to the law. Matthias although deeply indulged in religion with the thought he was God, continued to beat his wife and although they couldn’t divorce because it was forbidden by law. Women were evil and of the devil. Which is clearly they case when Johnson and Wilentz explain “When a Methodist girl knocked at the door and announced that she had been sent by Jesus, Matthias whipped her, told her that God did not talk to girls, and sent her home to her father” (100). After the death of Elijah Pierson suspicion rose that Matthias poisoned him, which would eventually lead up to the arrest of Matthias where people believed he was unstable and delusional. Although Matthias was latter convicted with beating up his daughter Isabella. This story line is oriented around the midst of the Second Great Awakening, which is now known as the Evangelical movement. This period was intriguing in that it fanaticism, fundamentalism and more importantly delusions began to arise and take control in America. These characteristics brought about the leadings of cults in which Matthias’ Kingdom is distinguished. The book highlights the influence that religion was implementing on America and how the rise of multiple denominations. Through they way Matthias story is outlined, it shows how each of them influenced him when he goes from being an Anti-burgher Calvinist, to a Methodist, to a Hebrew. The book helps us infer, the ways religion changed the United States and how it helped the country evolve together and by its states. From the way it describes the beginning influence of New York to that of the smaller country areas