The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-18

hour. He had discovered that the tongue
was much swollen, and threatened to crack.
He was ndeavouring to soften it with some
emollionent ointment, put upon it with tea-
thcr, when the brother came in, about the
expiration of the last period, and mistaking
what the doctor was doing for an attempt
to feed him, manifested some resentment
and in spirited tone, said, "lt is shameful
to be feeding lifeess corpse - and insisted
with earnestness that the funeral should i'm
mediately proceed. At this critical and i'm
portant moment, the body, to the great alarm
and surprise of all present, opened its eyes
gave a dreadful groan, and sunk again intf
apparent death. This put an end to all
thoughts OF burying him and every effort
was again employed, in hopes of bringing
about a speedy resuscitation. In about an
hour the eyes again opened, heavy groan
proceeded from the body, and again all APP
pcarancc of animation vanished. In another
hour, life seemed to return with more power,
to the no small astonishmcnt and con
viction of very many, who had been rcdicui-
ing the idea Of restoring to life dead body,
Mr.. Tenncnt continued in SO weak and
low state, for six weeks, that great doubts
were entertained of his final recovery. How
ever, after that period he recovered much
faster, bat it was about twelve months be-
fore he was completely restored. After he
was able to walk the room and to take no
tice Of what passed around him, on Sunday
afternoon, his sister, who had staid from
church, to attend him, was reading in the
Bible, when he took notice of it, and asked
her what it was that she had in her hand.
She answering replied, the Bible. He rcpli-
cd, What is the Bibcs know not what
you mean" This affected the sister so much
,1s. y
that he was we'll acquainted with it. On re-
porting this to her brother when he return
cd, Mr.. Tennent was found, upon examina-
tion, to be totally ignorant of every transac-
ton of his life previous to his sickness. He
could not read single word, neither did lie
seem to have an idea of what it meant. As
soon as he became capable of attention, he
was taught to read and write, as children are
usually taught, and afterwards began to
learn the Latin language under the tuition
ofhs brother One day as he was rccting
lesson in Carnelus Nepos, he suddenly
started, capped his hand to his head, as if
something had hurt him, and made pause.
His brother asked him what was the matter;
he said he felt a sudden shock in his head
and it now seemed to him as ii he read the
book before By degrees his recollection
was restored, and he could read the Latin az
fluently as before his sickness His memo
ny SO completely revived, that he gained
perfect knowledge Of the past transactions
Of his life, as il no difficulty had previously
occurred. This event, at the time made
considerable noise, and afforded matter not
only for the serious contemplation of the de-
vout Christian, Especially when connected
with what follows i'll this narration but fur
nished subject of deep investigation and
learned inquiry, to the real philosopher and
curious anatomist.
The writer of these memoirs was greatly
Interested BY these uncommon events and,
on favourable occasion, earnestly pressed
Mr.. Tennent for a minute account of what
his views and apprehensions were while he
lay in this extraordinary state of suspended
animation. He discovered great reluctance
to enter into any explanation of his percep-
tions and feeling at this time but being i'm
Fortunately urged to do it, he at length con-
sentca and proceeded with solennity not
to be described:
While | WAS conversing with my bro
thcr,' said he, on the state Of my soul. and
the fears had entertained for my future
welfare, found myself in an instant, in ;,uo-
thcr state Of existence, under the direction
OF q superior being, who ordered me to fol-
low him. J vas accordingly waited along,
I know not how, till beheld at a distance an
ineffable glory, the impression Of which on
my mind, it is possible to communicate to
mortal man. Immediately reflected on my
happy change, and tho't-Mcll, blessed Be
God am safe at last, Notwithstanding I'LL
my fears | saw an innumerablc host 81.
happy beings, surround the inexpressible
glory, in acts Of Attenuation and joyous wor-
ship but did not see any bodily shape or
representation in the glorious appearance
heard things unutterable. heard their songs
hallelujahs Of thanksgiving and praise, with
unspeakable rapture. / felt joy unutteruble
and full of glory then applied to my con
ductor, and requested leave to Join the hap
py throng on which he tapped me On the
shoulder, and said, You must return to tile
EARTH This seemed like sword through
my heart. In an instant | recollectcd 10
have seen my brother standing before me
disputing with the doctor. The three DAYS
during which had appeared ltcless, seemed
to me not more than ten or twenty minutes.
The idea of returning to this world of sorrow
and trouble gave such a shock, that tainted
repeatedly He added, "Such was the ef-
feet on my mind of what / had seen and
heard, that if it be possible for human be
ing to live entirely above the world and the
things oft, for some time afterwards was
that person. The ravishing sounds Of the
songs and hallelujahs that l heard, and the
very words that were uttered were not CUT
OF my ears, when awake, for at least thrce
years. All the Kingdoms of the earth were
in NV Sight as nothinr md ya,;t,,. .,,3l ~