In August 13-14, while I was at the same house, the Spirit informed us that she could not speak freely in the night of August 9, because the behaviour of the people had been so rude, but expressed her joy in discoursing with christians. You know, said I, a thousand times more than any of us. Yes I do, said she. Mr. Blaisdel said to me, you stand too near her. Then I asked, do I stand too near you? No, said she, stand as near as you please. I felt surprised, and said, it was a wonderful event. Yes, the spirit replied, it is a wonderful event indeed—do you not remember what you told me, just after I was married that if I was married to Christ, how happy I should live? Yes, I answered, I remember it very well. She exhorted the young people and told them that without a change they would be miserable.
After this, the spirit expressed her resolution to convince us that Mr. Blaisdel and his family were clear of the evils alleged against them.
They say I am a witch and a devil, said she; and they said that Christ was a devil. The spirit said other things, which I remember not.
At last she told them she was about to appear in order to convince them. Then by her direction we went up, and having prayed together, and heard the token, we walked on to Capt. M’s, singing the 84th Psalm. I was one of the foremost of the company and did not see it then; but the greatest number of those who were behind me, said they saw it plainly.
When we were at Capt. M’s house, we stood in the field, while Mrs. Butler, in great fear, walked with the Spirit before us,[38] a few rods toward Capt. Simson’s; and then returned and told us that we must walk back, two and two, to her father’s house singing, and the spirit would follow us back. We did so. Mr. D. and I walked behind all, except Mrs. Butler, in order if possible to see the apparition. When we had walked about fifteen rods, I saw a white appearance forward of us to the left hand. As we passed by it, it fell in after us and walked with Mrs. Butler.
Mr. D. and I turned and looked upon them, and heard them talk. We walked a little way further, stopped and looked upon them, and heard them talk again; but they spoke with so low a voice we could not understand them. The spirit appeared in personal form, white as snow, about as tall as Mrs. Butler.
It was now day-break. I turned my eyes from the object, and in half a minute looked toward it again, but it was gone. Mr. D. then told me he saw it disappear. PAUL SIMSON.
TESTIMONY V.
Testimony of Mr. Samuel Ingalls.
August 13-14, 1800. I was at the house of Mr. Blaisdel in the evening, with about forty people: went into the cellar with a candle, which discovered to us the whole cellar, so that no person here could be concealed from us. The light being put out, we heard a knocking. It was spoken to, and a voice shrill and pleasant, like what I never heard before, answered, (and talked with us.) Mr. Downing asked her if she knew him, she said, yes: and called him by name three times. She often uttered her sentences three times. He asked the Spirit if she had never been at his house. The answer was that she had been there once.