Chronology Entry
Year
1920
Text
Yeats, W.B. Visions and beliefs in the West of Ireland. Coll. and arranged by Lady [Isabella Augusta] Gregory. (New York, N.Y. ; London : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1920). Note 39.
"There are two books which describe with considerable detail a like experience in China and Japan respectively : Demon Possession and Allied Themes by Rev. John L. Nevius, D.D. (Fleming H. Revell & Co., 1894) ; Occult Japan, by Percival Lowell (Houghton, Mifflin, 1895). In both countries, however, the dualism of body and soul is recognized, and the theory is therefore identical with that of spiritism. Dr Nevius is a missionary who gradually became convinced, after much doubt and perplexity, of the reality of possession by what he believes to be evil spirits precisely similar to that described in the New Testament. These spirits take possession of some Chinese man or woman who falls suddenly into a trance, and announce through their medium's mouth, that when they lived on earth they had such and such a name, sometimes if they think a false name will make them more pleasing they will give a false name and history. They demand certain offerings and explain that they are seeking a home ; and if the offerings are refused, and the medium seeks to drive them from body and house they turn persecutors ; the house may catch fire suddenly ; but if they have their way, they are ready to be useful, especially to heal the sick. The missionaries expel them in the name of Christ, but the Chinese exorcists adopt a method familiar to the west of Ireland tortures or threats of torture…"
"There are two books which describe with considerable detail a like experience in China and Japan respectively : Demon Possession and Allied Themes by Rev. John L. Nevius, D.D. (Fleming H. Revell & Co., 1894) ; Occult Japan, by Percival Lowell (Houghton, Mifflin, 1895). In both countries, however, the dualism of body and soul is recognized, and the theory is therefore identical with that of spiritism. Dr Nevius is a missionary who gradually became convinced, after much doubt and perplexity, of the reality of possession by what he believes to be evil spirits precisely similar to that described in the New Testament. These spirits take possession of some Chinese man or woman who falls suddenly into a trance, and announce through their medium's mouth, that when they lived on earth they had such and such a name, sometimes if they think a false name will make them more pleasing they will give a false name and history. They demand certain offerings and explain that they are seeking a home ; and if the offerings are refused, and the medium seeks to drive them from body and house they turn persecutors ; the house may catch fire suddenly ; but if they have their way, they are ready to be useful, especially to heal the sick. The missionaries expel them in the name of Christ, but the Chinese exorcists adopt a method familiar to the west of Ireland tortures or threats of torture…"
Mentioned People (2)
Gregory, Isabella Augusta Lady
(Roxborough bei Loughrea 1852-1932 Coole Park) : Irische Dramatikerin, Folkloristin
Yeats, William Butler
(Dublin 1865-1939 Hotel Ideal Séjour, Menton) : Dichter, Dramatiker, Schriftsteller, Nobelpreisträger
Subjects
Literature : Occident : Ireland
Documents (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994 | Yeats, W.B. Later essays. Ed. by William H. O’Donnell. (New York, N.Y. : C. Scribner’s sons, 1994). (The collected works of W.B. Yeats ; vol. 5). | Publication / Yea22 |
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