Homespun Wisdom

[These examples are part of a larger collection of household tips and words of advice composed and recorded by Ribelin. (Rowan Public Library, Edith M. Clark History Room)]

How to make a candle burn all night:

To make a Candle Burn all night. When, as in case of sickness, a dull light is wished, or when matches are mislaid, put finely powered salt on the candle till it reaches the black part of the wick. In this way a mild and steady light may be kept by a small piece of candle.

How to determine if someone is a witch:

verse 16. And Ruth said, (the persons name to be said instead of Ruth) which is to be tried) And_____said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; & where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, & thy God my God; have a key of any kind of a lock, & put it on these words in the Bible, & tie the book shut tight, so as to have it to balance, then two different persons hold the Bible & key to balance with their two fore fingers joining in the ring of the key, & repeat the words as stated above, to try the ones name as read in the verse, to find out whether thy be a witch or not, if they be no witch it will hang quite still, if they are such bad people as witches are, the Bible & key will immediately begin to turn & move & can not be still a hanging on the two different hands or fingers, when repeating the verse as stated above directed,

Ribelin, Asa

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