THE SPECTRE CONGREGATION.
{"character_count": 2676, "word_count": 467, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9830999970436096], "ccnet_perplexity": [844.7000122070312], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
"I have heard

 The spirits of the dead may walk again.

 SHAKESPEARE.

 People may gainsay the doctrine of supernatural sights much as they choose, and term it nothing but superstition vulgar prejudice, and the like yet there are circumstances which sometimes occur, that go far to substan:iate belief upon this subject. Num- berless might be adduced in support of ,s position, but shall present give only one, which was related to us short time since. We publish it, because it accords entirely with opinions upon the subject. Our informant was an old man of un- questionable veracy, upon whose head seventy win had shed their enows, and who stated that until the event happened which settled his belief upon the doctrine of appartions, he always laughed to scorn what he considered the supersous fears of the vu.- gar. We give the account in his own words; and although we have the fullest confidence in the truth of his statement, others will of course lec just what Credence in It they please. But we arc much mie'a- ken # it does not receive general belief.

 "Some fifty years ago." sad the o | geut'eman. l had a very warm and animated dispute with young companion, about my own age, upon the subject of supernatural sighte. We had been a rambIe to en- joy the exhilirating freshness of June evening" and in the course of our walk the ersaon turned up on this subject He advocated the doctrine with the utmost earnestness and full belief its in point of fact; but listened to all his arguments with an incredulons and when he began relate stories of the wild and wonderful about ghosts 6Sc. which had been recited to him by the ''od foks," laughed outright, and expressed my perfect willing ness to spend the night in old ruined meeting house situated in a remote place, which we were then passing, and adjacent to which large burying- ground. My proposal aston,shed him; and could not under time persuade him that was in ear nest and really had objections to lodging the old meeting -house, and in such immediate vicinity to a graveyard. When he was convinced that was not joking the prelimnares were soon arranged it was agreed that we should rest together until twelve o. clock, and that should then get uP proceed to the westinghouse by passing through the graveyard, and there spend the remainder of the night, either in che pulpit or deacous' seat Immediately arriving at home, we retired to bed and spent some time in cOnversing upon my proposed adventure. He related stories of separations which were almost enough to make the hair stand upon my head; had however pledged myself and determined not to be fright ened' out ofmy resolve. Alter awhile fell asleep,