The Clergyman’s Son and the Corpse Candle (Carmarthenshire)

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corpse candle

Editor’s Note: the Corpse Candle is a white light that is associated with death.

A Clergyman’s son, in this County, but now a  clergyman himself in England, who, in his younger  days, was somewhat vicious; having been at a  debauch one night, and coming home late when the  doors were locked, and the people in bed, feared to  disturb them; fearing also their chiding an expostulations about his staying so late, went to the  servant who slept in an out room, as is often the  manner in this Country; he could not awake the  servant, but while he stood over him, he saw a  small light come out of the servant’s nostrils, which  soon became a Corpse Candle: he followed it out  and it came to a foot bridge, which lay over a  rivulet of water. It came into the gentleman’s head  to raise up the end of the foot bridge from off the  bank whereon it lay, to see what it would do.  When it came, it seemed to offer to go over, but  did not go, as if loath to go because the bridge was  displaced: when he saw that, he put the bridge in  its place, and stayed to see what the Candle would do. It came on the bridge when it was replaced;  but when it came near him, it struck, as it were  with an handkerchief; but the effect was strong, for  he became dead upon the place, not knowing of  himself a long time before he revived: such is the  power of the Spirits of the other world, and it is ill  jesting with them. A sadducee and a proud ridiculer of Apparitions in this gentleman’s place now,  would have a pure seasoning for his pastime. ‘Tis  true these men have not seen the Corpse Candles of  Wales, but they should believe the numerous and  ever continuing witnesses of it, and not foolishly  discredit abundant matters of fact, attested by many  honest wise men. We have heard of others, who,  from an excess of natural courage, or being in liquor,  have endeavoured to stop the Corpse Candles, and  have been struck down upon the place: but now  none offer it, being deterred by a few former examples related, remembered, and justly believed.  Jones

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