Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-31
NO. 179
SATAN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The Waterville Mail is publishing ex-
tracts from the diary of the late Asa Red
ington. of Waterville, who was a revolu-
tionary soldier. The strange incident re-
corded below happened in New Salisbury,
N. H., in 1884, while he was working for
MIR. Greeley: "An elderly lady by the
name of Bailey, and of whom it was said
she was lover OF toddy, happened TO be
at the barn one day, when there came on
heavy shower OF rain and thunder, dur
ing which the Prince of Darkness appeared
unto her; in consequence of some yalua-
BILE promises made to her. she entered in
to contract with him, agreeing to give
herself up, both soul and body to his In
fernal Majesty, at a certain hour on a GER
tain day, and in about six days after this
interview. When the storm was over the
good lady returned to the house and gave
them a history of what had taken place,
adding that she had signed and sealed the
contract with her own blood, showing the
wound on her finger from which the liq-
uid was drawn. Her friends were exceed
ingly alarmed at the dreadful story, and
the news spread like wildfre both far and
near, and oh, what could be done to save
her? Notice was Immediately given to Mr..
Searl, the then settled minister of the town
and, like good shepherd, he at once de-
termined to defeat the Evil One if possible.
Accordingly on the Sabbath following he
mentioned the appalling circumstances to
the congregation f, and with tears in his
eyes told them U being one of the hear
ers) that the Prince OF Darkness had ap-
peared in bodily shape to one of his par
lshoners, and on certain day was again
to make his appearance, according to the
contract, and take off with him member
of his church to the regions of despair.
and on the day named for the exhibition,
he should by consent of the church then
present, appoint meeting, and wished
that if any one present had any objections
he would make il known. A pause then
ensued and not even whisper was heard.
The minister then said he should, and i'm
mediately did appoint the meeting. On
that important day multitude of persons
OF all ages and sexes assembled in Mr..
Pettingills orchard on an elevated piece
of ground, measures having been previ-
ously taken to have 10 or IL ministers
from the neighboring towns attend at
the meeting, and they accordingly ap-
peared on the ground in due season for
the exercise. The good old lady was then
introduced and placed in the centre of the
multitude, the ministers forming in a cir
Gle around her, then another circle COM
posed Of deacons, elders, and other men,
bers of churches present, and then in the
rear of these the multitude formed In
close column. Everything then being
prepared for action, and at least one hour
before the time appointed for his Satanic
Majesty to make his appearance, the exer-
cises began by singing, praying, and sup
plications, all in favor of the good old la
dy and against the tempter, which contin-
ued till five p. NJ, it being several hours
after the time appointed for the explosion
and no smell of birthstone or appearance
of danger, the multitude began to dis
perse, and the lady was delivered over to
her friends, and by sunset the ground was
cleared. MIR. Greeley early in the day
geared up his old stecd with saddle and
pilion, went number OF times, taking
he females of his family, on to the ground
in season, and returning home in the
same way, which was not accomplished
till after dark. l did not attend at the
scene of folly, but the meeting took place
In sight of the place where | was hoeing
corn in Mr.. Greeley's field, and | could
plainly see the gathering multitude at the
place of action, The particulars of what
took place at the meeting had from sew
eral persons present. My brother. Thom-
as Redngton. then resided near Mr.. Gree
ley's and had knowledge of the trans
action and now recollects it.