And you thought we took our hobby seriously?

[Wing Nut]

This has got to be the ultimate hobby.  I would love to buy this book if I had the money!  The historical value of this to me would be incredible.  Not that I'm into it, but it I love history and to see how seriously they took this crap is neat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... egory=2201

[Smoke2much]

If you got it you would have to photocopy it and send it to me!

Will

[Hagar]

Not that I'm into it, but it I love history and to see how seriously they took this crap is neat.

I feel exactly the same way about any religion.

[HawkerTempest5]

Wow, I thought this kind of thing only existed on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Seriously though, I imagine this would be a very interesting read.

[Hagar]

Otherwise intelligent people still believe in all this nonsense today. It strikes me that this is an accurate description of what would now be called a poltergeist.

"On the 5th of November, it made a mighty noise; and a servant, observing two boards in the children's room seeming to move, he bid it give him one of them. Upon which the board came (nothing moving it, that he saw), within a yard of him. The man added, 'Nay, let me have it in my hand ;' upon which the spirit, devil, or drummer pushed it towards him so close, that he might touch it. This was in the day-time, and was seen by a whole room full of people. That morning it left a sulphureous smell behind it, which was very offensive. At night the minister, one Mr. Cragg, and several of the neighhours, came to the house, on a visit. Mr. Cragg went to prayers with them, kneeling at the children's bedside, where it then became very troublesome and loud. During prayer time, the spirit withdrew into the cock-loft, but returned as soon as prayers were done; and then, in sight of the company, the chairs walked about the room of themselves, the children's shoes were hurled over their heads, and every loose thing moved about the chamber. At the same time, a bed-staff was thrown at the minister, which hit him on the leg, but so favourably, that a lock of wool could not have fallen more softly."

[Ivan]

it's for historical value (1700 vintage)

[ATI_7500]

ghosts,witches,and other scary stuff....suuuure!

[Hagar]

I imagine most people have heard of the Witches of Salem. It was not unique & this type of thing had been going on all over the "civilised" world for 100s of years, some on a much larger scale than at Salem. This is what can happen anywhere when superstition, ignorance & fear of the unknown are taken to extremes. http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM