The Magic Box

Here it is! There are quite a few people who believe the secrets of the world are inside this box. Or, the answer to solving the world’s ills anyway.

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Inside, it holds the writings of one Joanna Southcott. For anyone not familiar with her story, in 1792 she heard a voice telling her of the second coming. That wasn’t all she heard. She went on to publish 65 books. (A list of her writings can be found here Joanna Southcott Collection.)

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She composed prophecies in rhyme and sealed them inside this box. It’s supposed to be opened only at a time of national crisis while 24 bishops from the Church of England stand at hand. In 1927, a box was opened and contained things like a lottery ticket and a brush, but her followers insist it was the wrong one and that is the actual box.

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Ms. Southcott also claimed that she would give a virgin birth to the second messiah, Shiloh, at the age of 64. Insisting she was pregnant at this age, she secretly married to give the baby legitimacy and went through quite a few doctor examinations. 17 of those 21 doctors proclaimed her pregnant. She died not long after the proposed birth date. Her autopsy revealed no pregnancy.

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She attracted a huge number of followers and that society exists still today. You can find information about them here. The Panacea Society, Bedford There is much written about this society in different books and articles– easily found on the Net. For the most part, the articles aren’t flattering and the group is more often than not called a cult.

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Her prophecies did include one where the world would end in 2000. Oh, but England would be okay.

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For further reading:

Joanna Southcott Web Site (Her official website)

Joanna Southcott’s Box of Sealed Prophecies / Frances Brown (book)

Joanna Southcott

About Joanna Southcott – Digitised Resources – Bedfordshire’s Virtual Library