Demon possession and allied themes; being an inductive study of phenomena of our own times

PREFACE

In this age of super-abounding literature, an author in presenting a new book to the public, often feels called upon to give his reasons for so doing. Good and sufficient reasons will no doubt be thought especially called for in again raising the question: Is there such a thing as Demon-Possession in this latter part of the Nineteenth Century?

The author's apology is, that in the prosecution of his missionary work in China this subject was repeatedly forced upon his attention, so that it became absolutely necessary to examine it, and to form an intelligent opinion respecting it.
In this investigation, in intervals of leisure during the past twelve years, facts have been elicited which seem to have more than a local and temporary interest, as they are nearly related to some of the most important questions of the day, viz., the Authenticity and Inspiration of the Bible; Spiritualism; and Materialism. A somewhat exceptional opportunity for observation, and one which may prove transient, is an additional reason for making facts which have come to light the common possession of all who are interested in them.
As the matter contained in this volume is largely connected with the writer's individual experiences, an effort to suppress his own personality would be a useless affectation. It is hoped that this consideration will be regarded as a sufficient reason for using the first personal pronoun more frequently than would otherwise be necessary.
Some of the readers of these pages will in all probability be disappointed in finding the characters and doings of spirits much less interesting and creditable than they are as represented in the familiar writings of Milton and Dante. It must be borne in mind, however, that this is not a work of the imagination, and that the author is not responsible for the characters which he introduces. His object is to present a truthful statement of facts, confident that from such a course, nothing but good can come to the cause either of science or religion.
I wish here to express my thanks to my friend Henry W. Rankin, Esq., son of Rev. Henry V. Rankin, formerly my beloved colleague in Ningpo, for his kindly undertaking, on my leaving for China, to see this work through the Press, and also preparing the accompanying Index.
John L. Nevius. August, 1892.

NOTE OF EXPLANATION.

By Henry W. Rankin
In August, 1892, Dr. Nevius finished his work upon this book, placed it in the hands of the present writer to arrange for its publication, and returned to China. He had thought of adding another chapter, in which his principal argument, and its applications, should be stated more at large and concluded less abruptly; but time and health did not permit.
The unique foundations of his book lie in a collection of indisputable facts drawn from no libraries but from life.
Yet he spent much time searching in libraries, and towards the last he did this when he greatly needed rest. Still other features which would add to the completeness of the book he would gladly have supplied, but he felt that his own work must cease, and that this must be done, if done at all, by other hands. Accepting the offer of a friend to prepare an index, he subsequently expressed the desire that this friend, bound to him by life-long ties of love and reverence, and by sympathy with his convictions in this theme, should do more if he would, than read the proof and prepare the index.
He desired the correction of any obvious inaccuracy of language or quotation, and the addition of such bibliographical or other notes as might further elucidate the subject, or enhance the value of the book for students. With diffidence this editorial function was assumed, and with the hope of submitting results to his approval before the volume should take on its final form. The further examination of the related literature, and the verification of reference and quotations, insensibly grew to a larger task than was foreseen. It consumed much time, while still more delay was occasioned by illness and by other cares.
Then came the sad news of the author's death, sad for the many hearts bereaved, though for him it meant a glad translation into the immediate presence of that Master whom he had served with devotion and delight. He had rounded out his forty years of missionary life, rich in manifold experience and priceless fruits. Dr. Nevius stood in the first rank of modern missionaries as an evangelist, pastor, educator, organizer, and founder of Christian literature in a pagan tongue. He was a man of rare versatility, and adaptability to untoward conditions, and there are many who knew him best as a successful promoter of the material interests of the great land of his labors and adoption. The number is also large of those who will look eagerly for the story of his life which his widow is eminently fitted to prepare.¹
He was one of those all-around men of whom no class has furnished so many or so illustrious examples as the missionaries of the Cross of Jesus Christ from St. Paul down. As a writer he was a prolific author of important works in the Chinese language. In matters pertaining to China no man was better informed than Dr. Nevius. A book written by him some years ago as a general account of the land and people is still as good an introduction to the subject as can be found. It was called China and the Chinese and was published by Harper Bros, in New York in 1868.
It was no great pleasure in the subject that led him to prepare the present volume, but a deep sense of responsibility. Experiences unwelcome, as they were unsought, opened his mind to the significance of a much-neglected class of facts; neglected by many who otherwise would be best qualified to interpret them, and who most need to understand them. But the facts, once known in their integrity, speak plainly for themselves; while the noble quality of this author's mind, his evident fairness, thoroughness and soberness of argument, and his magnanimity towards all opponents of his views, are as unmistakable as they are rare and beautiful wherever found.
Some will think the missionary has beaten the professional scientist on his own ground, and exhibited a model of inductive study, tested premises, and conclusions covered by the premises, such as is seldom met. On the other hand, to many, so offensive are the views maintained in this volume that a response from such persons of apathy or contempt may be naturally expected. But from all the pain of incurring such a reception for his faithful work he has been spared.
As the bibliographical material accumulated, it seemed best to make a separate chapter of nearly all that part of it which had to do with books and writers not referred to by our author himself. And as these dealt with the entire class of those phenomena of which some varieties are more particularly treated in this volume, it was thought proper to introduce the description of books by some general remarks upon the class.
The term "occult" was preferred to other designations of this class as a whole for reasons which appear in the chapter; and for this eighteenth chapter, on The Facts and Literature of the Occult, the present writer is alone responsible; so also for the statements of the Bibliographical Index that succeeds it; for some scattered footnotes of a similar sort; and for that portion of the Appendix not concerned with Chinese instances.
In these additions the aim has been to fulfill, so far as might be, the desires of the author, to make the book more useful to every reader, and, in some degree, to furnish for the student the critical apparatus that would facilitate original researches in this field. But the editor's work may be justly open to severer judgment than that done by the author.
Debarred from the latter's counsel by long distance, then by his death, having to work alone, without the stimulus of companionship in dealing with a gloomy and oppressive theme, in much bodily weakness, and with insufficient access to books, it would not be surprising if at some points the bounds of prudence were exceeded, or errors committed unawares. He can but hope that such errors, should they exist, may be charged to their proper source; and that nothing which he may have said or omitted shall impair the due effect of the author's words, or lessen the respectful attention which they receive.
Henry W. Rankin. East Northfield, Mass.