State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05
F$k1 y fgious Messenger Of the Philudep hia
" Conference.
EXTRAOR CIRCU M
NOE

/
STA nee.
The following communication has been
handed us for publication, by gentleman
! of this city, who received ii, as here stated
| from the late eloquent and pious Summer
field, short time before his death. We
know the writer he is man who is dis
tinguished alike for excellence of character,
! credibility and moral worth. His name
would at once remove every possible doubt,
as to the lailhGuluess and correctness with
which the narrative has been furnished /;
and as TO the certainty, that the account
we now give, was communicated to him by
! the person above entioncd.-EDIToR.
The following account | received from
the late Rev. John Summerfed, soon after
his return from England. Mr.. Summer
field informed me, that he obtained the mar
ralive from the Rev. Richard Watson, the
gentleman who is now writing the excel
lent work, entitled, Theological Institutes;
one volume Of which has reached this coun-
try. Mr.. Watson received the account
from the Rev. Mr.. Mills, minister Of tai
ent, integrity and high standing, in the
Methodist Church in England, and who
was an actor in the extraordinary scene.
Mr.. Watson further informed Mr.. Sum
merfied, that he was intimately acquainted
with Mr.. Mills, and knew him 10 he man
Of the greatest moral worth, aud by no
means credulous.
Mr.. Mills had travelled circuit in Eng.
land, in which lived man by the name Of
james, with whom, his wife and children,
he had been intimately acquainted, and ut
whose house he lodged, in passing around
the circuit. He left the circuit alter hav-
lug travelled IL one year, TO attend the Con-
ference, and was again returned 10 it n sec
ond time. But in the interim, an epidemic
disease had prevailed, in the place where
James resided, and both himself and his
wife were carried off by it suddenly, and
within short time of each other. Mr..
Mills, however, as usual, went TO his old
lodging, which was then occupied by the
children but felt gloomy and distressed a
finding the abode no logger enlivened by
the presence of its former pious heads, who
had been his intimate friends; and in this
state Of mind retired to rest, in the same
room in which on former occasions he had
been in the habit OF sleeping.
Soon after laying down, however, Mr..
Mills, wRh nsiderablc astonishment, heard,
DIS he supposed, some persons whispering IN
an adlA+nlng room, INTO which he immed-
ateIy repaired, 10 ascertain who they were,
but found no one. He again laid down,
and concluded that he must have been mis-
taken but the circumstance brought to his
recollection rumor which he had heard,
at place not very distant, and 10 which
he had paid but little attention, that James
and his wife had been several times seen
since their death. While thinking on this
rumor, he again heard the whispering re-
newed th, increased his surprise and a
second time arose and searched the room,
but with the same result. He arose the
third time, from the same cause but alter
a strict search, could find no one. After
This he resolved to disregard it, and fell in
10 sleep and heard nothing more. The
aext morning he lett the house, without
mentioning the circumstance TO the chill
dren, 10 attend an appointment, about three
miles distant and as usual, dlned at the
house OF a pious old lady in the neighbour
hood Of the place.-This woman, though
poor and aged, had always insisted on the
preachers staying with her; and through
respect for her age and excellent character,
they inluged her wishes. She had provi-
dcd Tor Mr.. Mills frugal repast, but de-
cIned eating with him, stating that she
preferred waiting on him.
The old lady was generally known by
the familiar name OF Nanny; and by this
name she was called by the preachers.
While Mr.. Mills was eating his morsel,
Nanny, who was seated some distance from
him, said, MIR. Mills, have a request to
make Of you" "Well Nanny, (he replied)
what is L" "Why, (said she,) that you
preach my funeral sermon on next Sab
bath" The request astonshed Mr.. Mills,
who, looking at her with surprise, said,
"Nanny, what is the matter with your
Have YOU lost your senscs?" Ooh, no, sir.
(she replied KIN perfectly well what |
am talking about; for shall die on FRI
,lav, at three O'Clock in the afternoon: and
though you will be some miles from This
place, want you TO comply with my re-
quest, and if you have ever known any
Thing good of me, that may be serviceahle
To others. Won can tell it," "But, (sald MIR.
NJ } before promise 10 comply with your
request, should he much graIliied il you
would inform me how you know that you
will die on Friday, this bengon Tuesday Z ,
'Then, sir, viii inform you. You know
that reports have been in circulation, that
James and his wife have been seen in dii- ,
ierent places, by various persons since their /
death" "True, (said Mr.. M but | re-
gard il MS mere rumor." "But, sir, (she |
replied, } | saw them this morning !" "You /
saw them :" "Indced did, sir. Early
this morning, while sweeping my entry,
looked up towards the road, aud | saw two .
persons, Il man aud woman, coming tow 1
ard the house, who appeared 10 me to re-
semble James and his wife. | ceased 10