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.