She appeared like a person who was wrapped in a white sheet, appearing and disappearing several times. It was near sun rise at this time.
She then told us that was the day that Christ rose from the dead, and that it was God’s precious time, and must be kept unto him.
Lydia, (Mrs. Butler) was not in the cellar while the foregoing talk was. The Spirit asked me if I would not clear Lydia; I answered I would, for it was not she who talked. THOMAS URAN.
Deposition of Capt. George Butler.
When I was called to talk with this voice, I asked, “who are you?” It answered, “I was once your wife.” The voice asked me, “Do you not remember what I told you when I was alive.” I answered, “I do not really know what you mean.” The voice said, “Do you not remember I told you I did not think I should live long with you. I told you that if you was to leave me I should never wish to change my condition; but that if I was to leave you, I could not blame you, if you did.”
This passed between me and my first wife, while she was alive, and there was no living person within hearing, but she and myself, and I am sure that this was never revealed to any person, and no living person could have told it to me before the voice did. As Lydia (Mrs. Butler) and I stood side and side alone,[23] she had her left arm round me and her right hand hold of the forward part of my waistcoat, her head leaning against my breast. There was something appeared to my view right before me, like a person in a winding sheet and her arms folded under the winding sheet, and on her arm there appeared to be a very small child. By this appearance I did not know possibly but I might be deceived. I reached out my left hand to take hold of it. I saw my hand in the middle of it, but could feel nothing. The same evening it appeared and disappeared to me three times. GEORGE BUTLER.
Hancock, ss.—Sullivan, August 6, 1800. Personally appeared Paul Simson, Sarah Simson, Thomas Uran and George Butler, who, being carefully examined as to the truth of the above declarations, made solemn oath that the statements were true.
The Testimonies by difference of opinion have naturally two parts, that of the opponents and that of the adherents.
The first part presents the attestation of those who consider these phenomena as a scene of wickedness.