A member of the Southcottian sect claimed to have had an interview with Jesus Christ, who gave him a variety of commandments by which to live his life. Another man railed against pogonophobia.
“FANATICISM.–On Sunday, the Bradford prophet of the Southcottian sect announced to his followers, in the meeting-house at Wakefield, that he had recently had a personal interview with Jesus Christ, who had given him a variety of commandments for the direction of his conduct, one of which was, that he should live abroad in the fields for three weeks, with several of the brotherhood. Another preacher of an inferior order held forth on the same occasion, and thundered out his anathemas against the wicked inhabitants who dared to ridicule the long appendages to the chins of the faithful, and to apply to them the odious appellation of Billy Goats. Leeds Mercury.“
Stamford Mercury, 2nd June 1826.