EVIL SPIRITS IN CHINA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 121, 25 May 1903, Page 3

EVIL SPIRITS IN CHINA.

STRANGE VIEWS OF A LADY

MISSIONARY.

Mrs Montagu Beauciiamp, a lady missionary who recently expressed her belief in demonology in Chins, gave a lecture on Chinese missions one day last month in a London Mission Hall, and after the lecture further explained her views with regard to evil spirits in the Far East.

"Lbelieve in the existence of evil spirits," said Mrs Beauchamp, "and there are scores of missionaries in China who believe in them also. I, however, speak only of the things which have come under my notice. The Chinese planchetto with the sieve and the pencil was first explained to me by a native scholar, and I am convinced that its messages in most, cases originate from an evil spirit. My opinion is that no one can obtain messages who does not thoroughly believe in it. That applies to the planchette in England as well.

"lam convinced of,demonology in China, though, of course, I do not say over tho whole of China. Spiritualistic idolatry is a feature in many parts. An idol only becomes a thing to be worshipped after it has been consecrated, and it always has a little hole left in it for the purpose of allowid£ the spirit to enter. :

"I am inclined to think that evil spirifs do occupy tie c idols. Tha countless votive-offerings persuade me that the native in some cases have their requests granted by these spirits. They can get answers by mechanical means, such as the planchette, or through the priest, who acts as a medium."