On Demonology And Witchcraft In Ceylon

The author has made a good attempt to draw a fine sketch on the system of beliefs in sprits and demons that cause harm to the populace based in Ceylon. A brief in the realities of an invisible world of evil spirits as influence, on a certain manner, many of the ordinary concerns of human life, has not always formed an integral part of the creed of a large majority of mankind in every age and country of the world, but has also had, and still has, to a considerable extent, a certain strange mysterious, and unaccountable fascination for the mind of man, even when reason happens to raise its authoritative voice of condemnation against it. This belief has, according to the amount of intelligence, and civilization possessed, by those among whom it prevails, given rise to various system of superstitions, of which some are of the most debasing and revolting character. On the basis of this theme this book discusses demon worship, the demons, the affliction of disease by demons, the spells and charms, possession and concluding chapters on the consequences of beliefs in demons.