Bell, Book & Candle

At first the invisible, uninvited guest was a minor nuisance. Every so often it seemed to amuse itself by bouncing a ball down the stairs. Then the ball began to thud like a sack of potatoes. Empty rooms echoed with eerie cries for help. But what made it all intolerable was when the ghost sat down with the family before the television set and amused itself by brushing clammy hands across unsuspecting faces.

More than a little frightened as well as fed up, after six months of such goings on, an unemployed British laborer named George Leek took his troubles to his church. The Rev. Clement White, vicar of St. John the Evangelist Church in Percy Main, Northumberland, was sympathetic but hesitant. Ghosts these days seem to be plaguing Britain's Anglican parishioners in greater numbers than at any time since possessed souls were burnt at the stake centuries ago. The demand for exorcism has become so prevalent that churchmen are seriously concerned. Only last month, the House of Laity (which, along with the House of Bishops and the House of Clergy, makes up The National Assembly of the Church of England) requested vicars and curates to refrain from exorcism without the express consent of their bishops.

Psychiatrists & Priests. Although he sponsored the motion to control exorcism, Prime Minister Macmillan's barrister brother Arthur, 70, hastened to explain that he still believes the rites are necessary. "Exorcism," he declared, "is part of our Lord's commission to his church.'' Not all of Arthur Macmillan's fellow laymen agreed. "The whole subject of evil spirits wandering about this world is un-Christian and almost getting near to witchcraft," said a retired physician named Dr. Edward Cordeaux. Others felt that "possession" was a matter for psychiatrists. The Rev. Henry Cooper, chaplain to the Guild of St. Raphael, argued that the more successful exorcists are men who know something about psychiatry and work well with doctors. They resort to bell, book and candle only when psychiatrists have given up.

"Of course," chimed in the Rev. Pearce Higgins, vicar of Putney and vice chairman of the Church Fellowship for Psychical Studies, "the spirit is not a little fellow with horns and a tail. But if the human spirit is immortal--the basis of Christian teaching--why should not some spirits feel lost after death and come to inhabit another body?" In any case, he went on, "an evil--or, as I prefer to call it, 'low-grade'--spirit should always be prayed for with great compassion." Vicar Higgins' gentle formula for exorcism: "Depart into the realm of light instead of into outer darkness, from which the pathway of return is long and painful."

Too Much Television. Nobody knows how many such gentle, freelance exorcisms have been performed since haunting spirits began to harass the British clergy. In the past, many clergymen did not bother to ask permission of their bishops. Said one: "I see no point in it. The Bishop would have to go on evidence I gave him anyway." Vicar White, called in by Leek, has not yet decided whether to face the ghost or consult his bishop.

Mulling the problem last week, Vicar White expounded: "The family has a problem, and it would be unfair to take it too lightly. It might be possible to give the house a blessing or even resort to exorcism. There is a set procedure for the church in matters of this kind--you could call it bell, book and candle--though the most important contribution would be prayer. I may be able to help them." Until he does, the Leeks may become the only family in Christendom who cannot get enough of TV westerns. Their ghost subsides while noisy shoot-'em-ups are on.

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