You may understand now why Lukins was adamant that the seven demons stay where they are. Temple Church (Holy Cross), City, Bristol a b 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 . Retrieved 31 December 2007. A clergyman present desired him to speak the name of "Jesus," and several times repeated it to him, at all of which he repeated "devil." During this attempt a small faint voice was heard saying, "Why don't you adjure? On which the clergyman commanded, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, the evil spirit to depart from the man; when a voice was heard to say, "Must I give up my power?" and this was followed by dreadful howlings. Soon after another voice, as with astonishment, said, "Our master has deceived us." -The clergyman still continuing to repeat the adjuration, a voice was heard to say, "Where shall we go? and the reply was, "To hell, and return no more to torment this man." On this the man's distortions were stronger than everl attended with the most dreadful howling. But as soon as this conflict was over, he said, in his own natural voice, "Blessed Jesus!" - He then immediately praised God for his deliverance, and kneeling down said the Lord's prayer, and returned his thanks to all who were present. I am aware, that the above account of George Lukins, will by many be doubted; for this is the day of scepticism, concerning such things. But wherefore; surely it must arise from ignorance of the subject. Does not the scriptures, and other authentic history, of ancient as well as modern times, testify that in all ages of time, there have been frequent familiarity between the inhabitants of this earth, and the invisible state, upon errands of love, or of malevolence. He who is altogether a sceptic upon this subject, is not far from sitting in judgment upon the bible itself, and condemning it as a fere fable. The psychological phenomena of Christianity. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1908 . Retrieved 31 December 2007. The last case of demoniacal possession of note in England was that of George Lukins of Yattan.

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 ] What’s more interesting about the case is that this recounting offered by Reverend Easterbrook appears to be of a successful exorcism. He stated that people in his modern era would find it hard to believe that the exorcism of George Lukins was indeed true. In the daemoniac his personality seems to be destroyed, and his actions, words, and even thoughts to be overborne by the evil spirit on its path for the kingdom of man”. They were not vessels but rather gateways for demonic entities. George Lukins was not possessed in the traditional sense so much as he had stopped the entities from traveling through him.Bibliotheca Somersetensis: County books, Bath excepted. L-Z. General index. Barnicott and Pearce. 1902 . Retrieved 31 December 2007. Lukins, George. Case of diabolical possession. Seven devils! A case of diabolical possession with an account of the spiritual efforts of seven clergymen of the Church of England, who assembled at Temple church Bristol on the 13th of June 1788 to relieve the afflicted object of George Lukins of Yatton in Somersetshire said to be possessed of seven devils. Ronald Hunkeler, known usually “Roland Doe,” is one of the most famous exorcism cases in history. This exorcism shook the quiet community of Cottage City, Maryland, and was the inspiration for the famed 1973 The Exorcist movie. We now know where these events took place: 3807 40th Avenue, Cottage City, Prince Georges County, Maryland. [6] Mrs. Barber, the entire community, and Lukins himself believed he was bewitched. He even declared he had 7 demons in his body that required 7 clergymen to expel. On Friday, the 13th of June 1778, seven clergymen led by Rev. Easternbrook, cast out seven demons in a strenuous ritual where Lukins sang Te Deum (an important Christian hymn) in reverse, became increasingly violent, and claimed he was the devil. Once delivered, his mood immediately changed as he praised God and recited the Lord’s prayer before thanking the priests who saved him. 7 Gottliebin Dittus Some time ago I had a letter requesting me to make one of the seven ministers to pray over George Lukins. I cried out before God, “Lord, I am not fit for such a work; I have not faith to encounter a demoniac.” It was powerfully applied, “God in this thy might.” The day before we were to meet, I went to see Lukins, and found such faith, that I could then encounter the seven devils which he said tormented him. I did not doubt but deliverance would come. Suffice to say, when we met, the Lord heard prayer, and delivered the poor man.”[15] After suffering a seizure, Michel was diagnosed with psychosis caused by temporal lobe epilepsy. Despite treatment in a psychiatric hospital and taking medication her symptoms, including depression and an aversion to religious objects, worsened.

After the clergymen commanded the demon to leave George’s body and return to hell, he appeared to return to normalcy. The accounts of Reverend Easterbrook state that he exclaimed praise for the Lord Jesus and recited the Lord’s Prayer. He further expressed his gratitude to the clergymen for their efforts. Witnesses to Lukins's events asserted in publications that his first seizure was simply a fit of drunkenness. Lukins always predicted his fits prior to their occurrence. While the fits would always begin with a clenched hand, "in every one of which, except in singing, he performed not more than most active young people can easily do." After money was collected for him, "he got very suddenly well." The goal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. After a while, George started to suffer regular fits and his character began to change sporadically. He would suffer flashes of rage, during which he would often shriek and howl like an animal. He was soon put under the care of a group of eminent physicians and remanded in the custody of a local hospital. During his time there he continued to suffer his fits, but the doctors were unable to diagnose the problem. After 28 days under the care of the General Hospital in Bristol, George Lukins was deemed incurable.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. The exorcism began with Lukins singing in an uncharacteristically high voice — one that was most definitely not his own. His voice began alternating between low, gruff, masculine voices and high-pitched, feminine ones, which were incidentally spewing malicious, blasphemous rants and physically threatening the religious men present. Lukins would bark, scream, groan, sing and babble utter

Other members of the medical community also became involved in the debate but, in general, the response was that it "argues very ridiculous credulity on the part of the reverend gentlemen concerned." A Doctor Box of Wrington that had been one of Lukins's many doctors declared him to be nothing more than a cheat. 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. The Methodist exorcism ceremony resembles the Catholic rite in many ways. The ritual consists of adjurations and commands for the demon to depart. These commands are accompanied by prayers and hymns. Ironically for this case, all of these rituals were expressly rejected by the Church of England as well as the other Protestant denominations. The demon responded, "Must I give up my power?" Then Lukins began howling. As the priest continued their prayers, Lukins shouted, "Our master has deceived us! … Where shall we go?" This all culminated in a 24-hour exorcism after which the priests, exhausted and terrified, claimed to have removed all but the demons of “insanity, anger, and murder” from the man’s body. [2] Not two hours later, possibly overtaken by these demons, possibly not, he violently and brutally murdered his wife and their dog. Christine’s eyes and tongue were ripped out. Michael was found on the street naked and covered in blood. He was eventually sent to Broadmoor Hospital and has since spent time in and out of psychiatric wards and the court system.A Narrative of the extraordinary Case of George Lukins, &c. &c. The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle . Retrieved 31 December 2007. This extraordinary case appears to have originated in a complication of epilepsy and St. Vitus's dance afflicting a person of a weak mind, early impressed with the idea that the disease was the effect of a power which the devil had obtained over him. The troubles started in November 1763, with a local woman named María Trujillo. According to Toledo’s letter, Trujillo was “given to great sadness of an extreme nature” after giving birth, and “could not be amused by the diversions of the fiesta.” Such behavior would be recognized today as signs of post-partum depression, but to Toledo, it pointed to demonic possession. She “remained in her state of melancholy” until mid-December, when she fainted after prayers, awakened, and proceeded to “exhaust herself with unnatural strength.” Toledo performed an exorcism on December 18. 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. Every method that variety of persons have suggested, have been exerted without success; and some years ago he was sent to St George's Hospital, where he remained about twenty weeks, and was pronounced incurable.

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. Young, F (2018) A History of Anglican Exorcism: Deliverance and Demonology in Church Ritual, I.B Tauris & Co. Ltd., London It was even recommended that Lukins be observed over an 18-month long stay at St. George’s Hospital, London. However, the fits did not go away, and gossip in his local community soon branded him as cursed, bewitched, or possessed by a demon. History of Wesleyan Methodism: Wesley And His Times. Kessinger Publishing. January 2005. ISBN 9781417974252 . Retrieved 31 December 2007. 'Some time ago I had a letter requesting me to make one of the seven ministers to pray over George Lukins. I cried out before God, "Lord, I am not fit for such a work; I have not faith to encounter a demoniac." It was powerfully applied, "God in this thy might." The day before we were to meet, I went to see Lukins, and found such faith, that I could then encounter the seven devils which he said toremented him. I did not doubt but deliverance would come. Suffice to say, when we met, the Lord heard prayer, and delivered the poor man.' After this night of drinking, Lukins began experiencing seizures where he could not speak. Stories about Lukins also asserted that he would make strange animal sounds, including barking like a dog. He would also argue with himself and act violently. The fits always began and ended with "a strong agitation of the right hand." Witnesses also reported that Lukins "cannot hear any virtuous or expression used without pain or horror." Lukins is also described as being an "emaciated and exhausted figure."Michel’s parents and the two priests were eventually charged with negligent homicide. 6. Clara Germana Cele It was in a confession that Clara Germana Cele said she had made a “pact with Satan” Rev. Joseph Easterbrook found his six men of God, which along with himself decided upon the Trinitarian rites and had George Lukins brought to Temple Church in Bristol. On Friday the 13th of June 1778 the seven clergymen began their exorcism of Mr. Lukins in the attached vestry of Temple Church. A strange choice of location, but perhaps they too felt an inkling of what was about to occur. One priest demanded that Lukins speak the name of Jesus. Lukins would reply "I am the Devil" instead. A faint voice also seemed to say "Why don't you abjure?" The priests commanded in the name of the trinity that the evil depart. Lukins would also swear "by his infernal den," that he would not leave. The use of this particular phase echoes words from the February, 1678 publication by John Bunyan discussing a Christian's journey toward understanding.