Page:Modern Literature Volume 3 (1804).djvu/219

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imitation of Whitfield, the coalheaver, and other pattern makers, held private meetings to discuss with the pupils the symptoms of conversion, their progress in the new faith, and the probability of complete proselytism. Though a woman presided at these assemblies, they did not resemble the secrecy and mystery of the Bona Dea of ancient Rome, to whose festivals no male creature was suffered to enter; and where a Clodius must disguise himself in a woman's habit before he could be admitted. To be received into Jemima's meetings, a Clodius need only avow his proper character, than which none could be better fitted for the practical extension of Jemima's doctrines. To one of these meetings our hero received an invitation. He found a considerable number of guests, but chiefly females. Jemima, having unfortunately forgotten that an assembly was