Chapter IX: Section III: The Proofs produced by Testimony (2)

August 8, 1800. I heard the discourse of the Spectre, in company with about thirty other persons. The sound of her voice was sometimes hoarse and faint, but for the most part it was clear and free from any impediment, and then it was inimitable, and the most delightful that ever I heard in my life. In discoursing with her parents, she said, “My dear parents, if the Lord should call you to go away with me this night, are you willing.” I fear I am not, said her father, but the Lord can make me willing. Yes, she answered, and none but he.

While Mr. U. was talking with her, he observed that there were among us various distinctions of christians, as Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists, and asked which of all these are right. There are good and bad of all these sorts, said she, for the elect’s sake. Mr. N. H. expressed his desire to handle her. Handle me and see, said she: for Christ tells you that a Spirit hath not flesh and bones. Accordingly, after it was broad day-light, and we could all plainly see each other, the outer cellar door being open, he extended his arms round the space in which the voice was then speaking, and exclaimed, “O, there is nothing here.” The voice and this experiment were about four feet from me, so that I am sure that no living person could be concealed from me.[41] JOHN SIMSON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY VIII.

_Testimony of Mr. Richard Downing._

August 9, 1800. I went to the house of Mr. Blaisdel with a number more. After sometime we heard a knocking. Then four persons with me went into the cellar. A light was called for and brought. We searched the cellar to see if no person or thing might be found there whence that knocking might proceed. Then the light was carried up, and immediately there was the sound of knocking. Mr. Blaisdel and Mr. D----ns several times asked what was wanted. At length a voice answered, that, if we would all go into the cellar, we should be satisfied;[42] we then all went down.[43] There was then in my hearing, much disorder and much profanity among the people. Nothing remarkable being heard, all but three or four of us left the cellar. Then again there was a knocking several times, we spoke, but obtaining no answer, I also went up.

Soon after I was informed that the voice had spoken to those who remained there, declaring that we must all return, and we went again. Immediately there was a knocking all round the cellar by several persons there, as they afterwards owned to me. Mr. Blaisdel desired them to be peaceable and give room. After a few minutes, Mr. D----ns expressed his sorrow that so many should be deceived, and advised us to pray and return home. We therefore returned as unsatisfied as we went.

On the 13th, while I was very much engaged in business, I felt very much concerned for Mr. Blaisdel, on account of his troubles, and thought I would go and see him, and advise him to a settlement, to prevent the expense of the law. I went, and he asked me the cause of my coming. I answered, to visit him as a friend. I am glad to see you, said he, you went away the other night very unsatisfied. You did not then appear to be afraid: would you not be daunted now? I told him I did not think I should. Providence, said he, has sent you here, I believe, and you must tarry all night. I told him I would. Then he informed me that he had talked with the Spirit in the forenoon, which directed him to persuade certain people to come to his house. About an hour after sunset, the Spectre knocked; and being addressed, answered, “I have come to satisfy you all; who is now speaking to me?” It was answered, Mr. Blaisdel. Let him and every one of this family, said the Spectre, go out from here.

They went out. The voice then said that Mr. Blaisdel’s family were all clear of what was alledged against them.

After this, the voice talked with me. To know what answer would be made, I asked, to whom are you speaking? It answered, “Richard Downing.” I asked again, was you ever at my house? It answered, “Yes, I was there once with my mother, Mrs. M. and others, when your wife was sick.” I had not then told any person what the Spectre now told me, and which I and my family know to be true. Her mother asked[44] how long before her decease, she experienced her change. She answered, when I was on my death bed.

Soon after the Spirit said to the whole company, I will walk with you to the next house, if you will walk in order, two and two, singing a Psalm as you go; for God is a God of order. I asked her what Psalm we should sing? Any, said she, which may suit best. We then left the cellar, sang and prayed, and immediately the token was given by knocking. We then placed ourselves in order and walked on toward Capt. M’s house.

Anxious to unveil the deception, if there was any, I walked near those who were foremost, and was first at the door and knocked. Capt. M. came to the door and asked what all this meant. I answered, they are come to visit you. Immediately I went and stood on the trap-door--the only door of the cellar, that no person might go into it without my knowledge. Some of the company told Capt. M. our design, and he made us welcome. Then hearing the miraculous sound under the floor, Capt. M. with others, went down and talked with a voice, which I heard and understood not; but was informed by them that she told them she had come there to give evidence that she could be and talk at other houses, as well as that of Mr. Blaisdel; and that if the company would properly stand in the open field, she would pass before them, so that they might see her. The company did so. The Spirit then appeared and walked back and forth, two or three times, in view of the company and by the side of Mrs. Butler. This my eyes saw. The apparition, with Mrs. Butler, having advanced a few rods, disappeared. Mrs. Butler then came and told us that if we would return to Mr. Blaisdel’s house, she would walk behind us. The company complied. Having a desire so be as near the apparition as possible, I walked with Capt. P. S. behind the whole company. Mrs. Butler walked behind Capt. P. S. as she had been ordered by the apparition. When we had walked about twenty rods, Mrs. Butler said, “there it is now.” Where, said I. There, said she, pointing to the left side of the company forward. I looked there and saw the dark appearance of a person, and kept my eye upon it till we passed by it, and till I saw it come in next after me, and by the side of Mrs. Butler. Thus it followed us. But now this object was become as white as the light. As we walked, I kept my eye upon this object almost without intermission, that I might see it disappear. It followed us by one direct motion, like a cloud. The motion was not ambulatory in the least degree. In this manner the apparition followed us about twenty rods, and then disappeared in my view. It opened into two parts and vanished.

RICHARD DOWNING.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY IX.

_Testimony of Capt. Samuel Simson._

August 5, 1800. In the evening after I had prayed, I looked toward the opposite side of the room, and saw a white personal form, having on a woman’s cap, and the same countenance and features which Mrs. N. Butler had when she was alive and in health, so that I knew her immediately. In the name of the Lord, said I, for what purpose are you here?--But there was no answer. I spoke again--“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who are you, and what do you want here?” My wife greatly surprised, and seeing nothing, asked what was the matter. I told her I saw an apparition. No, she replied, you are deranged. It is the moon you see. At that moment the apparition disappeared. When we were composed, we agreed to mention the matter to no person, and we conducted accordingly.

Two nights after, Mr. Blaisdel called us up about two o’clock, and informed us that the Spirit had been at his house, and sent him to call for more evidence. He desired that we would go with him to his house. Well, said my wife, she appeared here the night before last. Then perhaps she has performed the message before me, said Mr. Blaisdel. We went to his house. Hearing nothing for some time, by the desire of Mr. Blaisdel I prayed with the company who had collected there. Immediately after, we heard the usual sound on the side of the house. We all went into the cellar, and heard an articulate voice unlike any sound which I ever heard before. SAMUEL SIMSON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY X.

_Testimony of Mrs. Sarah Simson._

I can attest to the truth of what my husband has now related, and further, that when we were in the cellar, the spirit told us that she was once N. H. N. B. repeating the words three times, “you have done right,” said she, “you have united in prayer: and it is true what that man said, who made the prayer, he did see me with a cap on.” I am sure Mr. Blaisdel could have told no one of it, for we had not told him, nor any one else that the apparition had appeared with that article of dress. I asked the spirit, are you from happiness or misery? She replied, “I am from above, I am not from beneath. I have come on God’s errand.” Then she sung alleluias, and mentioned the cherubim and seraphim. She told me that my child which I had lost was in heaven, praising God with the angels. I should have spoken to that man, said she, the other night, if some person had not been affrightened. I asked, who was it? She answered, it was his wife. Mr. Blaisdel and Capt. M. asked several questions, and the answers were wonderful.

August 9-10. I tarried after the people in general went off with the opinion that the words of the spirit were in reality the words of Mrs. Butler. I was much surprised with the sound of knocking, which made the house tremble. I then heard Mrs. Butler say, “If I am guilty, let her stay away. If I am clear, let her come and clear me.” In a few minutes after, she arose from a bed on which she had sat, and stood wringing her hands in distress. What have I done, said she, that I must be accused of all this. “Nothing, dear, you have done nothing, but you must go into the cellar,” answered a voice in a vacant space where no person was--a voice the most delightful that ever I heard.

Some of the people then told her that she must do as the spirit had said. So I must, said she, if I don’t she will come into the room, and if she does, I shall die. She then went down with a number of others, and immediately came up, and told me that she was released. I was soon after informed, that the spirit was about to appear, and that we must all be present. I went with the rest, but prayed that I might not see her. She had promised that none should see her but those who desired it. Accordingly I did not see her, though I looked directly before me, where they said she was.

August 13. I was again at the same house, and while I was sitting in the room, near a candle, two persons came and looked upon a watch, and found it twelve, and said it was exactly what the spectre had just told. At one o’clock they came again, and found the same agreement.

SARAH SIMSON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XI.

_Testimony of Mrs. Abigail Abbott._

August 10, 1800. I was at Mr. Blaisdel’s house, with many more. In the first part of the night there was much indecent conduct, and some profanity. The spirit knocked sometimes, but uttered only a few words. The company in general having in vain waited to see or hear something extraordinary, withdrew; but I tarried with several other persons. Soon after they were gone, the spectre knocked several times very loud, and we went into the cellar. After saying many things to us, she appeared in the shape of a person and moved before us, without stepping, passing and repassing several times. She gave so much light that we could see other persons and other things in the cellar, which we could not see before her appearance, nor afterwards. I saw her appear and disappear several times. At last the apparition came to Capt. G. Butler, and then he appeared to be immersed in her radiance so that he appeared white and shining like the apparition. And I did particularly see his hand in the midst of the apparent body of the apparition. He cried in surprise, “Lord Jesus Christ.”

August 13-14, I was there again, and heard much conversation of the ghost, with several other persons in the cellar, concerning several events known only to her and them in her life time. To all their questions she gave satisfactory answers.

Once while she was speaking, I saw a bright shining appearance in that part of the space from whence the voice proceeded.

Her conversation and exhortation continued four hours. One of the company observed to her that we were an hardened people. “Yes,” she answered, “But the Lord will call in his elect in his own time.” I went to Capt. M’s with the company, but did not then see her at all.

ABIGAIL ABBOT.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XII.

_Testimony of Miss Dorcas Abbot._

I can attest, as an eye and ear witness, to all that is declared under August 9th, in the last testimony.

I plainly saw Capt. Butler’s hand go through the apparition.

DORCAS ABBOT.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XIII.

_Testimony of Mr. Frederic Housoff._

I was an eye and ear witness of all the facts declared in the last testimony, and can attest particularly that I plainly saw Capt. Butler put his hand on the apparition, and saw his hand pass through it, glowing with the light of it. FREDERIC HOUSOFF.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XIV.

_Testimony of Mr. Joseph Blaisdel._

I was present when the important transaction took place on the night of August 9, 1800, and saw Mr. Butler’s hand pass through the body of the apparition, while he uttered the words, “Lord Jesus.” He afterwards informed me and others, that while his hand passed through the breast of the Spectre, he felt nothing. JOSEPH BLAISDEL.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XV.

_Testimony of Capt. Paul Blaisdel._

I have seen and discoursed with the apparition several times. In the latter part of January, 1800, I saw her in the field; first at a considerable distance from me: then she came to me, and I particularly observed that she never touched the ground. Her raiment appeared as white as possible. The next evening she reproved me in the hearing of several persons, because I had not spoken to her, and because I had spoken against her. She told me she had come on God’s errand, and that if I opposed her, I opposed him who sent her.

The Spirit asked me if I lived in such a manner as I would wish to die.[45]

I have from time to time heard the voice speak in open space, where I am sure no living person existed, as others can testify who were with me.[46] And upon August 9-10, I was present and saw the Spectre when she appeared, and I plainly saw Capt. Butler’s hand pass through the apparition.

August 11, I saw her again, and heard her pious discourse, with nearly twenty other persons. To those who were present, I said, “She has her child now in her arms.” “Yes, I have,” she answered, “yes I have.” She came so near to me and others, that either of us could have handled her without changing our places.

August 13. Being informed that the ghost had promised to come this night, I left my father’s house, and went to Capt. M’s that I might not see nor hear her. Just before daylight, she came to this house with more than forty people, and reproved me again for speaking against her in the presence of six or seven persons. This is the second time, said the voice, that you have been warned.--Beware of the third time. She asked me several times to handle her, to see whether she had material substance or not. I confessed to her that I believed her to be the spirit of N. H. Then I went back with the company to my father’s house. Before she vanished she came and stood within three feet from me.[47] The personal shape was all light, the particles of which had constant motion. But I was afraid to put my hand upon her. PAUL BLAISDEL.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XVI.

_Testimony of Mr. David Hooper._

January 2, 1800. By the request of the spectre, sent by two messengers, I went to Mr. Blaisdel’s house, and by conversing with her, obtained such clear and irresistable tokens of her being the spirit of my own daughter, as gave me no less satisfaction than admiration and delight.

She gave a reason satisfactory to me why she put me to the trouble of coming there instead of her coming to my house.

By her request I went in a few days after to Mr. Butler’s family and expressed my conviction to them.

August 8, I was there again, with my wife and many others. I again asked the ghost who she was. The voice answered, “I was once N. B., your dear child. If the Lord should call you this night, are you willing to go with me?” I said the Lord can make me willing. Yes, she replied, and none but he. Then she mentioned certain articles of property which she had left, as belonging to us. I hope, said I, these matters do not disturb you. “No, no,” she answered, “No, no. Peace. There must be peace.” DAVID HOOPER.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XVII.

_Testimony of Mrs. Joanna Hooper._

Her next words were spoken to me in particular. “Do you not remember what I said on my death bed?” I answered, yes, I do remember that you then said you desired peace while you lived. Yes, I did, said she, yes I did.--Sometime before this the spectre had sent this token to me, which, though not certain, had yet been attended with such circumstances, as rendered the use of it for deception utterly improbable.

August 13, we went again. The spirit then asked if we wanted to see her, and we both said no. Did I ask you in your last sickness, said I, whether you was willing your child should live? The voice answered, “yes, yes, and I told you I should be a vile creature to desire the life of the child.” [For that was the time in which it was God’s will it should die.[48]] I asked this question for further satisfaction, knowing that this very question and answer had passed between us.

The spirit then told us that she had not freedom to converse on the night of August 9, by reason of disorder and profanity, and expressed her liberty and joy in discoursing with christians. In the midst of her discourse with others, I silently indulged my painful reflections on the distress of her last sickness. Suddenly I was surprised with these words of the voice to me, “Mourn not for me, for I am a happy soul.”

Capt. P. S. observed that her free conversation with us was a great wonder. “Yes, a miracle, said she, such as never was since Christ was upon earth.”[49] When she had told us that without a change of heart, mankind would be miserable, I desired Mr. Blaisdel to ask her when she experienced her own change. He asked, and she answered, “When I was on my death bed.” Mr. D. proposed this question, “Do I believe that you are such as you profess to be?” Her reply was, “You have believed, and you have not believed, and satan will tempt you again.”[50] Then he asked, “Was you ever at my house in your lifetime?” “Yes, once, yes, once,” said she. I knew the time of this visit, for Mrs. M. and I were there with her. By my desire therefore, Mr. D. asked, “Who was there with you.” “My mother and Mrs. M., said she, when your wife was sick.” Then Mr. D. told the people that he remembered she had been there at that time. Have you been any where but here, said he, since your death. Yes, she answered, to five places.

Mr. Blaisdel’s family being now excluded from that apartment where the spirit was, she told us that Mr. Blaisdel’s family were innocent. “They say I am a witch and a devil, said she, and they said that Christ was a devil. It is reported that some of this family have raised me, but it is not in the power of man or devil to fetch a soul from heaven.”

After much more conversation the spirit told us that she would walk with us to Capt. M’s, and to another house beyond it; but she only walked with us to Capt. M’s, and there talked with him and Capt. P. B. to convince them who she was.

When we had come within twenty rods of the house, the company stopped. Then we two looked round and saw a white shining appearance by the side of Mrs. Butler, and about as tall as she.[51] After this, we observed nothing worthy of particular notice. JOANNA HOOPER.

Did Mrs. Hooper assist in the work of personating her
own daughter? If not, how could the deceiver know what
questions she would ask? Do some of these things appear
small? _Maxima minimis gaudent._[52]

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XVIII.

_Testimony of Mrs. Eunice Scammons._

August 11, 1800. I was at the house which the ghost had so often visited, and was one of seventeen people or more, who were present when she appeared and conversed with us. After she had discoursed particularly with several persons, she said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his paths strait. But you who are sinners, do not make them strait. Some of you say that I am not a Spirit. Others, that I am an evil Spirit. The words which I have spoken unto you, have been misimproved, perverted and turned to ridicule. But I shall see you all when you will not laugh.”

In the intervals of conversation, she sang praises.

Being asked who she was, she said, “I was once N. H. and when I died I was N. B.,” and mentioned several circumstances which attended her death to confirm her declaration.

After much other conversation, she appeared in the midst of us and talked while she appeared. She came so near me that I could have laid my hand upon her. She had before solemnly entreated us to stand round separate and in such order that all might see her while she moved in the midst of us.[53] Within our two ranks she slowly passed and repassed from end to end three times, and passed by me six times. There were several persons in the company dressed in white; but I could not see them at all, while the Spectre was as white as any thing could possibly be. She moved in such nearness to every one of us, that every one might have handled her. I saw her vanish instantly in the midst of us. After this, she spake to us again by exhortation. I am sent, said she, to warn you against sin. I was myself a great sinner when I lived in this world. In my last hours, I received mercy. But if you go on in a course of sin and waste your time as I did, it may not be so with you. One half hour now gives me more happiness than this whole world can give you through your whole lives.

It was now daylight, and she observed to us that it was the Lord’s day, that we must retire to our homes and keep it holy. She desired Mr. Blaisdel to pray with us before we parted.

After many other words, she left us singing alleluias to God and the Lamb. I heard the voice of her praises sounding further and further from us, for a considerable time before it entirely ceased uttering the words, “Alleluia, alleluia. Glory, glory to God and the Lamb.” Her notes were solemn and exceedingly delightful. Then we all went up, and Mr. Blaisdel’s prayer was our dismission. EUNICE SCAMMONS.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XIX.

_Testimony of Mrs. Mary Bragdon._

Sometime in January, 1800, I was at the house of Mr. Blaisdel, and heard such a voice as I never heard before among the living; and they told me it was that of the Spirit, talking with Mr. and Mrs. Butler.

August 7. At the same house we heard a knocking on the partition next to the chimney, where no person could be. Then several persons with me went into the cellar, and the Spirit told us she was once Nelly Butler. She told me that I must not be scared.

August 13. I was again at the house with forty-eight others, besides children. The Spirit, after her conversation with several persons, exhorted the youth: “I was once young and vain as you, said the voice, and, if the Lord had taken me away in that condition, how miserable I should have been! Now is the time, while you are young, to seek the Lord. Delay not till it is too late.” Then it was that I saw a white personal form shining in the space from whence the voice proceeded; and I afterwards saw the same appearance in the field. MARY BRAGDON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY XX.

_Testimony of Mrs. Dorcas Johnson._

I was present at the house, and at the time dated, August 13, by other testimonies. There I heard and saw the Spectre. Her voice was distinct from any other, and her music the most delightful that I ever heard. When she walked with us, she moved without stepping. And when we arrived at the house, by direction of the Spectre given to my brother, James Springer, and by him to the company in our hearing, we opened to the right and left, so that the Spectre and Mrs. Butler passed together between our two ranks. Then she vanished from my view and I saw her no more. DORCAS JOHNSON.

MISCELLANEOUS REFLECTIONS.

Two Inferences naturally arise from this topic: one is that of caution. “Judge not that ye be not judged.”

The above witnesses are exhibited, not for the want of more, (for more than a hundred have seen the Spectre, or have heard her words,) but because repetition is tedious.

Our opponents now, we expect, will admit our inquiry of what they have to say against these attestations, whether any thing false--whether any thing even wearing a deceptive color has been presented to public notice.

It would have been my peculiar pleasure to have given more satisfaction with regard to the superior ends of the messages, subservient, no doubt, to still greater ends, if it had been lawful. But for the present, they are immediately interesting only to a few persons. The knowledge which many would improve, others would abuse. If the answer of the oracle intended for the personal safety of David and his men, is immediately published, Saul will know it.

When a creature professedly brings us a message from God, be this message ever so small, ever so strange, ever so unexpected; yet, if it does not oppose his word, we have not the least evidence that the profession is counterfeit, unless we obtain it by other means; because we are as yet ignorant of its connections, and God’s thoughts and plans are not like ours.

Some say, if the message appear not in the scriptures, that will sufficiently condemn it and the messenger too, whatever be the credentials, “I will obey nothing but what I see in the scriptures.”[54] But may I not say, with Doctor Owen, that they unwarrantably limit the Holy One of Israel? In absolute monarchies the people dare not say, “I will obey no precept from the king, unless I find it in the public code.” Such language would breathe rebellion. And dare we treat thus the King of kings, who is an absolute monarch, and by his propriety in the universe has a right to be such? Will the scriptures themselves warrant this behavior? Can we despise the message and them who heard it, and them who obeyed it, and the angels who brought it, and yet stand guiltless before Him who sent it? until we obtain proof that he did not send it, and that the credentials are forgery? And are we one inch nearer to this point, than we were twenty-six years ago? Do we perceive _now_ any more than twenty-six years ago, how the deceiver talked in open space, by a voice inimitable, clearly understood by some, and not at all by others, with means of intelligence every way equal? Our blessed Lord, to prove that he was not a Spectre, said, “Handle me and see.” That is implicitly to say, if you handle me and find no substance, then you may conclude that I am a spirit. Our Spectre said, “Handle me and see.” And earnestly insisted on this experiment time after time. Can we tell _now_, why that very argument and mode of evidence which Christ himself used, is not valid and genuine, any more than we could twenty-six years ago? If not, let me be cautious, whatever be the conduct of this enlightened age, how I accuse my neighbors of folly or villainy, merely because they enjoyed interviews with a departed friend; lest I be found among those who speak evil of things which they understand not.

The Jews, besides their public code of revelation, had their Urim and Thummim for the particulars of duty. Is it certain? Is it even rational to suppose that the few answers of that oracle mentioned in the scriptures, are the only ones ever communicated? Prophets, too, were sent to manifest the particulars of duty, and angels, some of whom _might be_ the spirits of just men. And we have no reason to doubt but Moses was a Spectre when he conversed with Christ on the Holy Mount; notwithstanding that old fiction of his resurrection, which has dishonored the antiquities of Josephus.

Now the question is, what person ever yet demonstrated that no such occasional revelation was ever wanted in any hour since the completion of the scriptures? Certainly this completion never precluded spectral missions in the view of the christian fathers. And their continuation has been the constant faith of christians in general, down to this day of deism. And the war of the deists against this opinion is easily accounted for: because the admission of Spectres is the admission of miracle; and the admission of occasional revelation, brings a question to their door which would be a troublesome neighbor. _Why then should not a revelation be needful for the public?_ Great is their obligation to modern christians for their assistance in this warfare. It may be asked, if these missions have been thus continued, why have they generally been attended with so few witnesses? But if there be evidence enough for him, or those who are interested in the message, it is sufficient for their purpose, whether others believe it or not.

When David was told by the Urim that the men of Keilah would deliver him into the hand of Saul, no person appears to have been present but Abiather; but if the oracle was attended with the evidence described by Josephus, there was evidence enough for the purpose of David and his men, whether five other persons in the whole nation believed it or not.

After all, it is not our duty to expect apparitions, for they never come to gratify curiosity; nor to pray for their coming, unless our case be peculiar as that of Manoah; nor to entertain the idea that their speaking to us, would make a more durable impression than the preaching of the living. Such conduct and apprehensions are erroneous, and expose us to greater delusion. Our Lord has expressly taught us that, if we believe not Moses and the prophets, neither shall we be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. And accordingly the affectionate and persuasive addresses of the Spectre in this place, which drew tears from every eye, had no happy, durable influence on the unregenerate character in a single instance.

It was necessary that religion should appear in all her conduct and conversation, otherwise her profession would have been justly suspected. But on that Lord’s day morning, mentioned in several testimonies, she did not say to the people, _Tarry and hear me_. No, but “Retire to your homes, read the bible, pray and keep the day holy.”[55] That is to say, attend to those ample and most suitable means of grace which God has appointed for you in his written word.

The preaching of the gospel was not her design; but she had other designs which appropriate the sentence, “I am not to be trifled with.”

In some old fashioned minds, her familiar conversation may excite the suspicion of necromancy and divination, by a _familiar_ spirit, so plainly forbidden in the law of Moses: and then doubtless Mrs. Butler must bear the accusation. But there is no evidence that this angel conversed more familiarly with her than with others who were never suspected. She conversed familiarly with all those who had much conversation with her.

The ancient idea of a familiar spirit appears not to have been obtained from the familiar conversation of any person with a spirit, (though sometimes the inquirer might be deceived by the artificial resemblance of it) but from the opinion that certain persons had a spirit foreign to their own, residing in them and uttering oracles from their bodies.[56] These persons were a sort of ventriloquists. Their conduct is described by Rollin in his account of the Grecian Oracles. The speech of their familiar spirit was imagined to proceed, not from the lips of any person, but from a part of their own bodies, in some manner artificially swollen. This is confirmed by their very name _Abefeth_, in the Hebrew language, which has the signification of swelling. The familiar spirit itself was called _Afeb_, which is the same noun in the singular number. The swollen part and the familiar spirit, which was imagined to reside in it, had one name. “Divine unto me by the Afeb,” said Saul, 1 Sam. 28: 8. Divine unto me by the _swelling_, and bring me up whom I shall name unto thee. But it does not appear that the woman had any time for divination. She saw Samuel unexpectedly, and cried out for fear:[57] and Samuel, instead of being familiar with her, never spake a single word to her. Now it is not even pretended that any such token of Afeb or necromancy, have appeared among us.

Doubtless this wickedness among the ancients, was for the most part legerdemain,[58] and their predictions always uncertain, as appears not only from their ambiguity, but from the public estimation of some oracles in preference to others, and of the Delphic oracle above all the rest.

From the observations now made, we learn the criminality of witchcraft or legerdemain, for there is no essential difference between them.

To counterfeit the royal seal was ever a capital crime. How presumptuously criminal then are they, who counterfeit the royal seal of heaven! The certificate of divine revelation, such is the conduct of every mountebank, while the spectator is left ignorant of his art. His false miracles spread a cloud of uncertainty over the minds of men, so that many are at loss how to distinguish the true miracle, the true seal of the King of heaven, from its counterfeit. And they who countenance and encourage such persons, are guilty of far greater evil than the great evil of wasting time and property. But such behaviour is the food of infidelity. No wonder it is so common at the present day.

Whether the writer is one who gives such countenance and encouragement, is for the next writer on the subject of these pages to shew,[59] not by pointing out inaccuracies here and there, for this any person may easily do, but by presenting to the public a complete, satisfactory analysis of this whole mystery.

To his particular notice, I ask leave to offer a few cautionary observations; if needless for him, they may assist another.

Among so many of us who have heard and seen the Spectre, it would be very strange, if, in the course of twenty-six years past, no one should have deviated from the strait line of perfect rectitude. If imperfection should be found among us, and the publicity of it will cast any light upon this subject, by all means let it come forth: if not, let him, who is without sin, cast the first stone.

The question is not, _How have we conducted_, unless our conduct be such as invalidates our evidence: for we are liable to evil every day; but, _How has the Spectre conducted?_ and _who could she be?_ It has been frequently reported among people at a distance from this scene, for more than twenty years, that the whole business was an artifice, and fairly proved to be such. We who believe the existence of the Spectre, have thought that this inaccurate on dit has had currency long enough. Our respondent, therefore, will not fail to shew our mistake, by demonstrating that this report is indeed correct. Suppose then, (no matter how distant the supposition is from what has really happened) suppose then, I say, that, in the course of his zealous inquiries, our respondent should find that he, who pretends to have discovered the plot, is a witness in favor of the Spectre, and that his testimony was connected with a solemn and public profession of his firm belief that the Spectre was really such as she professed to be. Suppose further, that in contemplating the dates of these events, our respondent should find that the discovery preceded that testimony and that solemn, public profession: to say nothing of the numerous other witnesses who might contradict him. In such a case I should imagine that a discerning, wary and unprejudiced reader would give but a cold assent to his process of demonstration.

It is my earnest desire that the reply may honor the author by the expressions of candor, philanthropy and grand thought. If his talent be that of a Swift or a Juvenal, his temptation will be great to adopt the loose style of the infidel. Let not compliance deceive the unwary. Between ridicule and reasoning the distinction is eternal. The most important and solemn truths have been the subject of both. The sober school of Socrates furnished a comedy for the Athenian stage. And Voltaire could tell us from the Apocalypse, how incommodious their situation will be who shall inhabit the upper story of New Jerusalem.

Unhappy man! thy fruits of genius furnished a feast of intellectual dainties. But the figs of Cleopatra covered the basilisk, and a world was ruined by the tree of knowledge. The termination of Satyre was horror; and the pure day of awful truth now glaring upon thee from every point has impressed sobriety eternal.

The result of this whole inquiry is that of consolation. Our death will not be total. Our souls will survive our bodies. We shall think and reason and know the moral conduct of this world, and perhaps the very names of particular persons, after our bodies are turned to dust.

Among us are a considerable number of people who say that the Spectre knew and told them their thoughts past, present or future, or all three; and such thoughts as she could not have known or conjectured by ordinary means. To one of them, whose veracity is doubted by none, she foretold the time, before several witnesses, when his mind would be struck with horror for opposing her messages.

When the time was come, which was about six months after the prediction, his mind at first, as he informed me, was calm as usual. To disturb him he saw nothing, expected nothing, and was about to reject the prediction as nothing. Instantly he was surprised by a new train of ideas. The evil of his conduct was set in order before him, and his distress was apparent to others, as some of them, whose witness cannot for a moment be suspected, informed me.

Now this instance alone, would prove but little; yet, when connected with ten or twelve others, of undoubted credibility, attesting the same kind of experience, while they have no visible combination by kindred, employment, age or interest, it is certainly worthy of some consideration.

If one departed saint is capable of knowing our thoughts, so may others. That uncorporeal spirits are witnesses of the conduct of this world, appears not only from that of Spectres, but from the scriptures, as in Dan. 8: 13. Rev. 6: 10. Eccl. 5: 6. 1 Tim. 5: 21. No reason can be assigned why our conduct may not be as visible to a saint made perfect, as to an angel: for neither of them can know us by bodily organs, such as we now possess, and their knowledge of our thoughts without these organs, is just as easily accounted for, as their knowledge of our external conduct. The spirits of just men, when they leave this world, are made perfect. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known.” This cannot mean that I shall know other souls and even Christ himself as _perfectly_ as he knows me; but I shall know them in the same manner. I shall know other souls _intuitively_ as Christ knows me. Indeed, what idea can we have of mere spirits seeing each other, and being present with each other, but that of the mutual intuition of thoughts?

If that day should find the saints as ignorant of the human character as they are at the hour of death, their judgment will be of small account for their own satisfaction or that of others.

And should evasion tell us that Christ and his angels will then reveal to the saints the character of this world; still this character would be only the object of faith, not of sight, and satan and his adherents, could say that the saints had condemned them for the most part by hear-say, and that of those who had always opposed them from the beginning.

Now it does not seem probable that the enemies of Christ will ever find occasion for such a plea as this. Every mouth will be stopped. And the mouths of wicked men will be stopped, not merely by the testimony of foreign angels, but by witnesses taken from their own family, and such too as have been the greatest and most constant friends that ever they had in the world: such as had counselled and warned them--had experienced the most cordial and warmest zeal for their salvation and had often wept for them in secret places. Thus mankind will be judged by their peers. Their quarrel with God and each other, will be decided in their own family. “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son,” in union with his spiritual members, and there must be knowledge in them for this purpose. And what better method of acquiring it can we conceive so easy and natural as that of their contemplating the moral conduct of mankind through all ages of the world. May we not then indulge the idea that, when the humble and afflicted leave this body of sin and death, they hear the voice of the Beloved saying, “Come ye blessed of my Father:” possess in perfection my spirit of holiness and unerring wisdom, to know as you as are known. Great is the work for which you are ordained. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. You must judge the world with me. Henceforth watch their conduct, know their character, and prepare for it.

Hence it follows that we do nothing in secret. All our behaviour is known, not only to Christ, but to the watchers, his holy ones. With them is the book of God’s remembrance.

O gracious Redeemer, shed abroad thy love in our hearts. May faith and patience have their perfect work. Beautify us with thy moral likeness, that we may be fair in thine eyes and in the eyes of our kindred who dwell with thee. With them at last may we behold thy glory and celebrate thy love forever. ALLELUIA.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Christ laid down his life for his sheep; but mere law
and justice never required this of him.

[2] Even the divine Trinity, existing from everlasting, to
speak with accuracy, is the Trinity of Person, not of
Persons.

[3] It is the opinion, not only of Mr. Swedenbourg, but of
many other pious and learned men, of other persuasions,
that when the pious soul has left the body, he occupies
a vehicle or spiritual body which may be considered as
the resurrection commenced, and to be perfected in the
last day, when the trumpet shall sound and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[4] Matthew 10: 28.

[5] 1 Samuel, xxviii, 15.

[6] Eviden. of Christianity, Sect. 7.

[7] Kate with a hide and horns.

[8] Ecclesiast. Hist. Vol. 4. sect. 1. c. 1.

[9] Life of Dr. Johnson, pp. 364.

[10] Spectator, No. 110.

[11] Since the Deity has assumed our nature, his being
comprises Divine intelligence and human intelligence.
The former is intuitive; the latter reasons sometimes
for the investigation of truth; yet being in a sense
made Divine, is the infallible source and medium of
all our spiritual knowledge, grace and happiness. Now
as intelligence is the very essence of personality,
distinction of intelligence must be the distinction
of personality. Therefore the Divine Intelligence is
the Divine Person, and the human intelligence, is
the human person. The Divine breathing, too, called
the Holy Ghost, is a person in the figurative sense;
several personal pronouns being applied to this
Divine afflatus in the Scriptures. Our meaning thus
explained, we may truly say that there are three
Persons in the Deity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
all comprised in our glorious Saviour, in whom dwells
all the fulness of the Deity bodily. But the doctrine
of there being literally three distinct personal
divinities in the Deity, has no foundation in the
Scriptures.

[12] The personal pronouns _she_ and _her_ are here used
with reference to the sex to which the ghost belonged
in this world.

[13] i. e. On the distinction between the original and
required perceptions of sight.

[14] To him she had before sent several messages by several
persons of different families.

[15] I hear your objection. “There was a reason for her
being consoled. Make me believe, if you can, that,
if her professed ignorance of the affair was real;
the appearance and discourse of a ghost by her side,
would not augment her fears and distress.” But
remember, dear sir, that experience in this case is
the best teacher. More than thirty witnesses of both
sexes, are against you; all declaring that though
at first the ghost excited terror; yet, after a
little discourse with her, their fears were entirely
dissipated, and succeeded by peculiar pleasure: so
familiar and delightful was the mode of her address
and conversation. At this time Mr. Blaisdel heard the
conversation distinctly, but saw nothing. His daughter
both saw and heard.

[16] This was ordered by the ghost.

[17] That all these reasons were assigned at _that
juncture_, I pretend not to say. Probably they were
not; but certain it is, that she expressed them all to
her friends at different times.

[18] Voltaire, in his philosophical dictionary, treating
the Bible and ghosts with equal ridicule, says that
the latter, “used to hie away at the crowing of the
cock.” The same was the idea of Shakespeare in his
ghost of Hamlet, “Adieu, the glow worm shews the
morning to be near.” But this we now see, is not
always the case.

[19] These two, by their own desire, had obtained a promise
that they should not see her. There were several such
instances at different times.

[20] A place in the house most distant from that of the
Spectre.

[21] This meeting was the wedding. He who is able to
receive it, let him receive it. One infinitely greater
than this Spectre, attended the marriage at Cana in
Galilee.

[22] In about an hour after she appeared to forty of this
assembly. But I must here also insert a particular
observation of Dr. Rush in his chapter of illusions;
“When a person fancies that he hears voices and sees
objects, which do not exist, he has these sensations
alone. The voice supposed to be heard, says he, and
the objects supposed to be seen, are never heard nor
seen by two persons, even when they are close to each
other.”--_Disease of the Mind, chapter 15._

The inference then is certain, with respect to those
witnesses, that no mental disease could be the true
origin of their hearing and vision.

[23] This only means that they were together at a little
distance from the rest of the company in the same
apartment.

[24] She then expressed not only her own feelings but those
of the family. The idea of a Spectre coming into the
room, where they commonly were, was distressing to
them, as already observed.

[25] I find no evidence that these two went without others.

[26] This experience is testified by all who saw and heard.

[27] This, however, he denies, but suppose it were true,
why was it improper that in his own house he should
choose the place where he would stand? If they knew
where he was, that was sufficient.

[28] See the date in the last letter, page 39.

[29] He had said that Mr. Blaisdel’s family could not
raise the Spirit any where but in their own house, as
several testified.

[30] That is, that they heard the same words.

[31] There was not only this similarity in voice, but the
same phrases, which she was accustomed to use, and
which were peculiar to her in her life time, she
uttered now, as several of her intimate acquaintances
have informed me.

[32] She had come several times before, as the preceding
letters show. Five months before this, Mr. Blaisdel’s
son P. and his sisters, were sent by the ghost to
a house where several young people were met for
amusement; not for this purpose, but for terminating
a difference between them and one of that company.
The ghost strictly charged them to go and return in
peace, and to abstain from all appearance of evil.
The propriety of this small errand appears by its
connections and the events which followed. But, as it
stands insulated before the eyes of pride and folly,
how despicable it must appear! Had such eyes looked
on, when the first silk worm was formed, it would
have appeared a trivial and useless contrivance.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth; so are
my ways higher than your ways, saith the Lord, and
my thoughts than your thoughts.” It would be very
strange indeed, if a messenger from heaven should
have much to perform in such a world as this, and yet
meet with no opposition; and equally strange, if that
messenger should perform nothing but what mankind
would naturally expect, especially in a period when
christians themselves have not escaped the contagion
of infidelity.

[33] The children, through fear, had moved their beds into
the room where their parents lodged.

[34] These words were heard by eight persons.

[35] This answer she now denies; but owns she saw the
apparition.