A narrative of the extraordinary case of George Lukins, of Yatton, Somersetshire. Who was possessed of evil spirits, for near eighteen years: also an account of his remarkable deliverance

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she had seen a poor man afflicted with a most extraordinary malady, who when in fits would sing and scream in various sounds, scarcely human, and which fits to her knowledge he had been troubled with for near eighteen years. He had tried several medical gentlemen, but in vain. The people of Yatton conceived him to be bewitched; that he himself declared he was possessed of seven devils, and that nothing could relieve him but the united prayers of seven clergymen who could ask deliverance for him in faith."

Roland and his mother eventually left their home and traveled to St. Louis to visit relatives, hoping to escape whatever was troubling them. While they were in Missouri, several Jesuit priests, including Father William Bowdern, Father Walter Halloran, and Rev. William Van Roo, attempted to free the boy from the demon that supposedly possessed him. Throughout the ritual, the priests claimed to see words and images appear on the boy’s body in the form of spontaneous scratches. At one point, Roland broke Halloran’s nose. The exorcism continued night after night—Roland seemed normal during the day—until April 18, 1949, when Roland abruptly appeared to be cured. He went on to lead a quiet life, free of whatever condition led to the infamous exorcism. 6. The Exorcism of Gina // 1991 By September, a priest named Father Erasmus turned to exorcism. When he began the ritual, Clara began to rage, striking against the girls and nuns holding her down. Through great effort, the exorcism was concluded and seemed to work. That is, until January 1907, when the girl said that the demons would return. By April, priests held a second exorcism, which included not only Tele, but another girl who had been caught up in the fracas, Monica Mohletsche. One priest at the second exorcism, Bishop Delalle, claimed that the howling Monica was host to seven demons that lent a strange and unnerving look to the girl's eyes. An appeal to the public respecting G. Lukins, (called the Yatton Demoniac) containing an account of his affliction and deliverance, etc . Retrieved 31 December 2007. An account of the exorcism was published in the Bristol Gazette. [16] The newspaper reported that George Lukins, during his alleged possession, claimed that he was the devil, made barking noises, sung an inverted Te Deum, and was very violent. [17] In light of these claims, on Friday, 13 June 1778, seven clergymen, including Rev. Joseph Easterbrook, accompanied George Lukins to the vestry at Temple Church, where they performed an exorcism on the man, which included hymn singing and prayer. [18] The deliverance concluded when the demons were allegedly cast out using the Trinitarian formula; the clergymen commanded the demons to return to hell and George Lukins then exclaimed "Blessed Jesus!", praised God, recited the Lord's prayer, and then thanked the Methodist and Anglican clergymen. [19] Rev. Easterbrook, when recording the events under the patronage of Rev. John Wesley, stated that the account would be doubted in this modern era of skepticism, but pointed to "the scriptures, and other authentic history, of ancient as well as modern times" to buttress what he felt was a valid case of demonic possession. [19] An article in The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle criticized the account, stating that Lukins actually suffered from " epilepsy and St. Vitus's dance." [20] Dr. Feriar, a medical demonologist, criticized George Lukins as an impostor masquerading as a demoniac. [12] Nevertheless, after the exorcism, George Lukins was described as calm and happy. [7] Following this case, several pieces of literature were printed on George Lukins, thus popularising his alleged case of diabolical possession and deliverance, [21] [22] [23] despite the original design to keep the case a secret. [6] See also [ edit ]Critics, including from within the Catholic Church, questioned Gina’s ability to consent to the televised ritual and Gina’s psychiatrist, Dr. Schlanger, called it a “significant risk” to her mental health. Following the show, ‘Gina’ was re-hospitalized for several weeks. 1. ‘Roland Doe’ A scene from The Exorcist, which was inspired in part by the story of Roland Doe

Following his hospital stay, Lukins lived at the home of his broth in Yatton for a short while. Unable to handle Lukins, eventually George was forced to move into the house of Richard Beacham. While staying with Beacham, the fits seemed to end. Even after moving out from the Beacham homes, Lukins was episode from for over a decade. Some of the sounds he made during the state of trace did not resemble any type of modulation of the human voice. Apparently, George Lukins also hurled expletives and the vilest of abuses in an aggressive manner. Most important of all, Lukins also said that doctors could not help him when he was in this state of trance. She stated that the man was a tailor in his forties and went by the name of George Lukins. According to her account, Lukins experienced fits daily, which were characterized by certain events. One of the foremost features of his fits was that he sang and screamed loudly in different sounds. Just like everyone else, George Lukins himself was completely dumbfounded about the reasons for his fits. According to the testimony of Lukins, the possession started when he was performing a part in a mummer’s play one Christmas. At that time a young George Lukins was making his way through the streets when he experienced someone slapping him so hard that he fell unconscious on the road.At first, as CBS News reported, Cornici appeared to be suffering from schizophrenia. As psychiatrist Gheorghe Silvestrovici told the outlet, she first sought help in April 2005 after she began hearing voices. Doctors told her that this was a schizophrenic hallucination, but it was difficult for Cornici to shake the idea that it was actually the Devil telling her that she was full of sin. She was sent to the Holy Trinity convent in Tanacu, with the plan that she would soon be under medical supervision again. She would never return. a b c d e The Wonders of Nature and Providence, Displayed: Compiled from Authentic Sources, both Ancient and Modern, giving an Account of Various and Strange Phenomena existing in Nature of Travels, Adventures, Singular Providences, &c. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 1825 . Retrieved 31 December 2007. On Saturday May 31, 1788, Mrs. Sarah Barber called on me acquainting me that she had just returned from a visit to Yatton, in the county of Somerset, where she had found a poor man afflicted with an extraordinary malady. She said his name was George Lukins; that he had fits daily during her stay at Yatton, in which he sang and screamed in various sounds, some of which did not resemble a human voice; and declared, doctors could do him no service. Some time ago she resided at Yatton several years altogether, well knew George Lukins and his relations, and was thoroughly acquainted with the opinion of the neighbourhood concerning them: and could with confidence declare, that he bore an extraordinary good character from his childhood, and had constantly attended the church and sacrament. Of her own knowledge she said, that she could affirm, that he had been subject to first of a very uncommon nature, for the last eighteen years: for the cure of which he had been placed for a considerable time under the care of Mr. Smith, an eminent surgeon of Wrington, who administered all the assistance in his power without effect: many other medical gentlemen she said had in like manner tried to help him, but in vain. Many of the people about Yatton conceived him to be bewitched; but he himself declared that he was possessed of seven devils, and that nothing could avail but the united prayers of seven clergymen, who could ask deliverance for him in faith. Regardless of whether you view exorcism as a spiritual service or exploitation, the practice has a fascinating, unsettling history, and it’s left an indelible mark on pop culture. Here are six historical exorcisms that are every bit as chilling as anything Hollywood can produce. 1. The New Mexico Colony Exorcisms // 1764

German Lutheran theologian and exorcist Johan Christoph Blumhardt the Elder chronicled his alleged victory over the devil after performing an exorcism on young German woman Gottliebin Dittus in 1842. According to the Easterbrook's writings he was "little expecting that an attention to such a pitiable case would have produced such a torrent of opposition, illiberal abuse upon the parties concerned in his relief." Upon visiting the village of Yatton in Somerset, Mrs. Barber had been disturbed to find a man she once knew in a state of extraordinary illness. George Lukins, a tailor and common carrier by profession, had been a child of good character, who constantly attended the church and sacrament. However, for the last eighteen years, his demeanor had shifted and his nature changed. History of Wesleyan Methodism: Wesley And His Times. Kessinger Publishing . Retrieved 31 December 2007. He was cruelly distorted, and uttered foul language; but was often heard to say, that he should be delivered if seven ministers should pray with him. His words at length attracted notice, and the Rev. Mr. Easterbrook, vicar of Temple Church, collected that number to pray with Lukins in the vestry, and see what the Lord would do. They were gentlemen of superior education and able ministers.In America, the practice is as popular as it’s ever been, maybe because a rise in exorcisms is often linked to social or political upheaval. In 2020, priests in Oregon and California performed mass exorcisms after racial justice protests. Ironically, the growing popularity of exorcism has also been linked to the decline in church attendance, which, as an American priest told the BBC in 2018, might be driving a rise in superstitious beliefs and practices. During the ritual, Hoerner was assisted by another priest, several nuns, and “eight large, strong girls” who were tasked with restraining Tele. Hoerner claims all eight were lifted into the air with Tele as she levitated. The priest decided to handcuff the girl, but he says it took them three hours to accomplish the task as Tele choked, punched, and bit anyone who came close enough. The exorcism was finally declared a success around 9:30 on the morning of September 13, 1906. Just to be sure it took, Hoerner exorcised her again that evening. She happily cooperated, though another exorcism was performed the following year when her symptoms seemed to return. That exorcism was considered successful, but Tele’s recovery was short-lived. She died of consumption just six years later. 4. The Exorcism of Emma Schmidt // 1928 The claim of seven demons is significant because of the New Testament assertion that Mary Magdalene was possessed by seven demons. Because of the apparent success, he asserted that scriptures also bear the weight of authentic history in ancient as well as modern times. How much of that is true, and how much of Easterbrook’s testimony can be believed, is a matter for personal judgement.