Very affirming; a story from the days before the Word of Wisdom was generally accepted in the Church;
Evil spirits know if the elder is worthy
About eight years ago the writer and another Elder were called to visit a young woman who was tormented by an evil spirit. For weeks all living in the same house had been kept in constant fear, for when possessed of this power, she required several persons to restrain her. This was not the first time that Elders had been called in to rebuke the evil spirit. In some cases it had defied them and tauntingly advised them to go and throw away their tobacco, or in some other way prepare themselves to use their authority. In other cases it had Instantly departed when rebuked, but returned again after a time to take up its former abode. For several days after each attack the afflicted one was laid prostrate on a bed of sickness.
Before reaching the house we decided that we would find out if possible from the spirit itself why it continued to trouble the unfortunate soul. The room was filled with sympathizing friends, some of whom were seeking to quiet the person tormented. The writer will never forget the look that met him as he entered the room; the eyes of the one possessed were like coals of fire and directed straight at him.
Going up to the bedside the writer said: "What are you doing here?"
The words came back in an unnatural, defiant tone, "What are you doing here?"
"I came on my Master's business."
"So did I come on my master's business."
"Who is your master?' the writer enquired.
Again the impudent words were thrown back, "Who is your master?"
"Jesus of Nazareth." As these words were pronounced, the form rolled violently over to the other side of the bed, but as the conversation continued it came back again.
"What is your name?"
"I don't have to tell you my name. What is your name?"
"Joseph Eckersley, and I am an Elder in Israel. Do you know me?” Again the frightened expression appeared and the form rolled away.
"When did you come here?" the writer asked.
"When no big man was around."
"And who sent you?"
"That great big, big man sent me."
"How long are you going to stay?"
No one who heard the answer will ever forget the malicious tone as the spirit dragged out the words, "Just as long, as long, as long as I can."
The writer replied, "Thank the Lord, that is not very long." Turning to the people in the room, he said that if any were lacking in faith, they had better withdraw. All stayed. We then anointed her with oil and in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the holy priesthood we rebuked the power of Satan, commanding the evil spirit to depart and not to return. Instantly the sufferer was relieved, her face resumed its natural expression, and in a gentle voice our sister said to us, "How grand!" From that time on she was never troubled by the powers of darkness.
Such have been some of the manifestations of the power of the Lord that have come under the writer's own observation. Thousands of the Latter-day Saints have beheld similar things.
Elder Joseph Eckersley (Millennial Star, Vol 64, No 48, Nov 27, 1902, pp 757-758)
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