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Hurrying Spirit

The February 19, 1748, journal entry of American Baptist preacher Isaac Backus reads: "On Friday evening I returned and preached at Joseph Leaches with Considerable freedom: but toward the close of the meeting one Sister was seized and overcome pretty much with a Hurrying Spirit. But my Soul cried that God would prevent Satan’s getting advantage against us: and I discoursed with her afterwards. She seemed to be sensible of the snare." A modern editor’s note reads: "By ‘Hurrying Spirit’ Backus meant a spirit of religious enthusiasm or emotionalism that under the excitement of the moment seemed to him to force or rush the coming of the Holy Spirit."