A Mystery Box

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 19

A Mystery Box

Many people have heard in various ways something concerning the sealed box left by Joanna Southcott over one hundred .years ago, but comparatively few have heard the history of it. A correspondent in an exchange writes: "It is commonly believed that the box has been opened, and that.it contained nothing of interest or importance. As late as 1927 a box was opened after being X-rayed, but it was not the genuine Southcott bos. The box that was opened weighed only 111b, while the real box, which is one box inside another box buil}; especially for it, weighs loGlb. . •'The box contains numbers of rolls of manuscripts written by Joanna Southeott. She declared that the words were given to her by the Spirit . of. Truth. The conditions under •which the

box is to be opened were also given, she asserted, by the same Spirit of Truth. Thus it was not merely the whim of a woman as many people believe. And it is because of these conditions that the box has never been opened. "The conditions are that 24 bishops of the Churcli of England must agree to ask for the box, aud also to study the writings for one week, with 24 'sealed believers.' Until these condi-

tions are complied with, the bos can'

not be given up. "At present the box is safe in EngInnd, in the keeping of a member of the Chnr«h of England. It is plainly stated in the writings that it will be asked for in a time of national peril. So great will be the troublo at that time that not only will the box be asked for. but it will be demanded and the conditions gladly and unwillingly fulfilled."