Frank Thomas Moore: The Messiah of Johnsonville

Abstract

Most, probably all, Christian countries produce one or more messiahs. Some of these messiahs immigrated to settler colonies to escape religious persecution, others emerged from the indigenous people who had been introduced to Christianity, and yet others were the descendants of settlers.[i] Many attracted followers and some of these established intentional communities where their teachings could be put into practice, and some of this activity resulted in new religions, few of which lasted beyond the death of the messiah.[ii] Most preached that a better world would result from the adoption of their teachings.