George Lukins Explained

George Lukins
Birth Date:1743/1744
Nationality:English
Known For:Demonic possession and exorcism

George Lukins, also known as the Yatton daemoniac,[1] [2] [3] was a tailor infamous for his alleged demonic possession and the subsequent exorcism that occurred in 1788 when he was aged 44;[4] his case occasioned great controversy in England.[5] [6] [7] [8]

Biography

The Rev. Joseph Easterbrook, the Anglican vicar of Temple Church, was summoned on Saturday, 31 May 1778, by Mrs. Sarah Barber, a woman who was travelling in the village of Yatton, Mendip, in the county of Somerset.[7] The woman told the pastor that she came across a man by the name of George Lukins, a tailor and common carrier by profession,[9] who had a strange malady "in which he sang and screamed in various sounds, some of which did not resemble a human voice; and declared, doctors could do him no service."[10] Mrs. Barber, who formerly resided in Yatton, attested to the clergyman that Lukins had an extraordinary good character and attended services of worship, where he received the Church sacraments.[10] However, for the past eighteen years, he had been subject to atypical fits, which Lukins believed resulted from a supernatural slap which knocked him down while he was acting in a Christmas pageant.[10] [11] Lukins was consequently taken under the care of Dr. Smith, an eminent surgeon of Wrington, among many other physicians, who in vain, tried to help George Lukins;[10] moreover, after his twenty-week stay at St George's Hospital,[12] the medical community there pronounced him incurable.[13] Members of the community began to think that Lukins was bewitched and he himself declared that he was possessed by seven demons, who could only be driven out by seven clergymen.[10] [14] Rev. Joseph Easterbook contacted Methodist ministers in connexion with Rev. John Wesley who agreed to pray for George Lukins: An account of the exorcism was published in the Bristol Gazette.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] 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. 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.[18] 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."[19] 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,[20] [21] [22] despite the original design to keep the case a secret.[6]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Authentic anecdotes of George Lukins, the Yatton daemoniac. G. Routh. 31 December 2007.
  2. Book: An appeal to the public respecting G. Lukins, (called the Yatton Demoniac) containing an account of his affliction and deliverance, etc.. 31 December 2007.
  3. Book: Patients and Practitioners. 13 February 2003. Cambridge University Press. 9780521530613. These two incidents in 1788 probably owed much to the interest aroused earlier in the year by the exorcism of George Lukins, 'the Yatton demoniac', by Joseph Easterbrook, the vicar of Temple, and six Methodist ministers.. 31 December 2007.
  4. Book: Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, Volume 85, Issues 2–3. 2005. University of Manchester. Under such considerations, then, the case of the Yatton demoniac may be seen in a new light. A tailor by occupation, George Lukins was a forty-four year .... 31 December 2007.
  5. Book: The Mirror of literature, amusement, and instruction, Volume 4 . 1824 . His case occasioned great controversy in the western parts of England, and some accused him of imposture.. J. Limbird, 143, Strand. 31 December 2007.
  6. Book: 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, etc. 1825. And as the most horrible noises usually proceeded from him in his fits, it was suggested that the vestry-room of Temple church, which is bounded by the church-yard, was the most retired place that could be found in Temple parish; and for that reason that situation was preferred to any other, it became our design to conduct this business with as much secrecy as possible. But our design in this respect was rendered abortive ... This letter much attracted the notice of citizens; and it having by some means or other been made known, contrary to our desire, that a prayer meeting on Friday morning was held in the vestry room of Temple church, for the man who was the subject of that letter, a considerable number of the people planted themselves upon the walls of the vestry-room, and heard part of the prayers, the singing, the conversation, and the wonderful sounds which proceeded from Lukins, and carried some account of these circumstances to a printer, who instantly dispatched papers upon the subject, through the streets of Bristol, and its vicinage. Similar papers were shortly cried through the streets of Bath, London, and many other parts of the land. So that contrary to our design the affair was in this manner brought before the public.. E. and H. Hosford, Printers.. 31 December 2007.
  7. Book: Hannah More: the first Victorian. 2003. Mrs. Easterbrook was probably the recently widowed mother of the Revd Joseph Easterbrook, vicar of the Temple church in Bristol and one of the most prominent clergymen in the city. In June 1788 he had been controversially involved in an incident which a tailor named George Lukins, from the Mendip village of Yatton, had claimed to be possessed by demons. He and six 'Wesleyan' ministers performed an exorcism in front of a great crowd in the Temple church, after which Lukins was described as calm, happy, and thankful for his deliverance.. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 9780199274888. 31 December 2007.
  8. Book: The psychological phenomena of Christianity. 1908. Charles Scribner's Sons. The last case of demoniacal possession of note in England was that of George Lukins of Yattan.. 31 December 2007.
  9. Book: Notes and queries. 1858. George Lukins was a common carrier between Bristol and Yatton in Somersetshire: he was a psalm-singer, a ventriloquist, and an actor of Christmas plays or mummeries, and he had practised upon the credulity of his immediate neighbourhood for eighteen years before his fame reached Bristol.. Bell & Daldy. 31 December 2007.
  10. Book: 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.. 1825. On Saturday May 31, 1788, Mrs. Sarah Barber called on me acquainting me that she had just returned from a visit to Yatton, in the county of Somerset, where she had found a poor man afflicted with an extraordinary malady. She said his name was George Lukins; that he had fits daily during her stay at Yatton, in which he sang and screamed in various sounds, some of which did not resemble a human voice; and declared, doctors could do him no service. Some time ago she resided at Yatton several years altogether, well knew George Lukins and his relations, and was thoroughly acquainted with the opinion of the neighbourhood concerning them: and could with confidence declare, that he bore an extraordinary good character from his childhood, and had constantly attended the church and sacrament. Of her own knowledge she said, that she could affirm, that he had been subject to first of a very uncommon nature, for the last eighteen years: for the cure of which he had been placed for a considerable time under the care of Mr. Smith, an eminent surgeon of Wrington, who administered all the assistance in his power without effect: many other medical gentlemen she said had in like manner tried to help him, but in vain. Many of the people about Yatton conceived him to be bewitched; but he himself declared that he was possessed of seven devils, and that nothing could avail but the united prayers of seven clergymen, who could ask deliverance for him in faith.. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 31 December 2007.
  11. Book: The Mirror of literature, amusement, and instruction, Volume 4 . 1824 . One of the last instances of supposed demoniacal possession among Protestants was that of George Lukins, who was a native of Yatton, in Somersetshire, and had been brought up a tailor. This person, about the year 1770, whilst going around the neighbourhood with other young fellows, acting Christmas plays or mummeries, suddenly fell down senseless, struck, as he conceived, by an invisible hand, which was thus allowed to punish him for the part he was playing, though his general conduct through life had been commendable and pious.. J. Limbird, 143, Strand. 31 December 2007.
  12. Book: Encyclopædia Britannica; or A dictionary of arts, sciences, and .... 1823. He asserts that Lukins's first seizure was nothing more than a fit of drunkenness that he always foretold his fits, and remained sensible during their continuance; that he frequently saw Lukins in his fits, 'in every one of which, except in singing, he performed not more than most active young people easily do; that he was detected in an imposture with respect to the clenching of his hands; that after money had been collected for him, he got suddenly well; that he never had any fits while he was at St George's Hospital in London; nor when visitors were excluded from his lodgings, by desire of the author of the Narrative; and that he was particularly careful never to hurt himself by his exertions during the paroxysm.. Encyclopædia Britannica. 31 December 2007.
  13. Book: 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.. 1825. 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.. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 31 December 2007.
  14. Book: Bibliotheca Somersetensis: County books, Bath excepted. L-Z. General index. 1902. 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.. Barnicott and Pearce. 31 December 2007.
  15. Book: 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.. 1825. But our design in this respect was rendered abortive; for on Wednesday evening the 11th of June, there was published in the Bristol Gazette, the following letter:. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 31 December 2007.
  16. Book: The Mirror of literature, amusement, and instruction, Volume 4. 1824. Whilst under the influence of these deplorable seizures, his countenance became greatly distorted, and his actions convulsive and violent to an extraordinary degree. He would then, in a roaring voice, declare himself to be the devil, and with horrid execrations summon around him certain invisible agents, commanding them to torture the possessed by all the diabolical means possible. He would next, at the presumed order of the demon, sing hunting and pastoral songs in different tones; in one part imitating a delicate female, in another singing in his own character, and again changing his voice, would personate the demon himself with hoarse and appalling modifications of sound, that bore no resemblance to any thing human. He would afterwards sing an "inverted Te Deum," in the alternate voices of a man and woman, who, with much profaneness, would thank the demon for having given them so much power. . J. Limbird, 143, Strand. 31 December 2007.
  17. Book: History of Wesleyan Methodism: Wesley And His Times. January 2005. He was cruelly distorted, and uttered foul language; but was often heard to say, that he should be delivered if seven ministers should pray with him. His words at length attracted notice, and the Rev. Mr. Easterbrook, vicar of Temple Church, collected that number to pray with Lukins in the vestry, and see what the Lord would do. They were gentlemen of superior education and able ministers.. Kessinger Publishing. 978-1-4179-7425-2. 31 December 2007.
  18. Book: 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.. 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.. 31 December 2007. Priest. Josiah. 23 April 2024.
  19. Book: A Narrative of the extraordinary Case of George Lukins, &c. &c.. 23 April 1788. 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 Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle. 31 December 2007.
  20. Book: Exorcism and Enlightenment: Johann Joseph Gassner and the Demons of Eighteenth-Century Germany. January 2005. The English also had their own demoniac who underwent a Methodist "exorcism" in 1788, a scandal which prompted a flurry of publications.. Yale University Press. 0-300-13013-9. 31 December 2007.
  21. Book: Notes and Queries. 23 April 2024. Among many rare and curious pamphlets in the library under my care .... Bell & Daldy. 31 December 2007.
  22. Book: The European Magazine: and London Review, Volume 15. 23 April 1789. A Narrative of the extraordinary Case of George Lukins, of Yatton, Somersetshire, who was possessed of evil spirits for 18 years: Also, an account of his remarkable deliverance, in the Vestry-Room of Temple Church, Bristol. Octavo. Robinsons, 1788. Authentic Anecdotes of George Lukins, the Yatton Demoniac, with a view of the controversy, and a full refutation of the Impostor. By Samuel Norman, member of the Corporation of Surgeons in London, and Surgeon at Yatton. Octavo Evans, 1788. An Appeal to the Public respecting George Lukins, (called the Yatton Demoniac) containing an account of his affliction and deliverance together with a variety of circumstances which tend to exculpate him from the charge of the Imposture. By Joseph Easterbrook, Vicar of Temple, in the City of Bristol. Octavo. Herdsfield and Scollick, 1788.. Philological Society of London. 31 December 2007.

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