BLACK MAGIC

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1920, Page 3

BLACK MAGIC

PARIS, March U

Black magic, waxep statues over which prayers were said backwards, mysterious portraits covered with pinpricks, and stories of possession by devils and evil spirits were all mentioned on Saturday in a case at the Bordeaux Correctional Court. The Abbe Spaoungglu, a Syrian priest, claimed damages against four business men who, alleging that he was a sorcerer and necromancer, admitted having sonpdly belaboured him “(o drive the devil out of him. The whole story, with its details ol mediaeval witchcraft, began with a mysterious weeping statue belonging “ woman named Mesmiu. The Ah >t > a pounghi had taken an interest in the allowed miracle. hut had been reprimanded hv Ids ecclesiastical superiors, who pronounced the weeping by the statue to >e imaginary and sent him to a distant monastery. Mine. Mcsmin and other members ol the congregation formed to honour the weeping statue stated on Saturday Urn over since Sapounghi left they ! been tormented by evil spirits Ibe ! four accused'aroused roars ttf- laughte in the court by the serious manner m 1 which they stoutly agreed in their a locations of sorcery against the unloi- ' tunate priest they had beaten. I One said:'“lf I bad thought a belting not sufficient I should have Wmiit the soles off his feet to -ak.- lb^ 1(1 .. vc him.” Often the judges laugh - at the extraordinary statements mat e Finally in view of the continued laugu L, the court decided to postpone vision for a week. .