Litchfield enquirer., 1842-11-17
REMARKABLE TRANCE

! After regular course of study in theolo,
 gy, MT. Tennent, sheA with his brother Gil.
 bert, at New Brunswick N. J. was preparing l for his examination by the President. as a
 candidate for the gospel ministry. His inc
 tense application affected his health, so
 much so that his life was threatened. In
 this situation his spirits failed him, and he
 began to entertain doubts of his final happi-
 ness. He was conversing one morning with
 his brother, in Latin, on the staIe of his soul,
 when he tainted and died away. After the
 usual time, he was laid out on board, nc. cording to the common practice of the coun.
 try, and the neighborhOod were invited to attend his funeral on the next day. In the evening his physician, who was warmly at- l tached to him returned from ride into the l country, and was afflicted beyond measure at the news of his death. He could not be persuaded that 1t was certain: and, or, being | told that one of the persons who had assis. 1 ted in laying out the body, thought he had ] observed little trenlor of the flesh under the arm,although the body was coi,ianti stiff. he endeavored to ascertain the fact. He first put his hand into warm water, ID make it as sensible as possible, and then felt under the arm, and at the heart, and affirmed that he felt an unusual warmth, though no one else could. He had the body restored to a warm bed, and insisted that the people who had been invited to the funeral should be requested not to attend. To this the brother objected as absurd the eyes being sunkpthe lips discolored, and the whole body cold and stiff. However, the doctor finally prevailed, and all probable means were used to discov- CT symptoms of returning life. But the third day arrived. and no hopes of success were entertained but by the doctor, who never left him, night nor day. The people were again invited, and assembled to attend the funeral. The doctor still objected. and at last confi- ned his request for delay to one hour; when his brother came in, and insisted with ear nestness. that the funeral should proceed.- At this critical and important moment, the body to the great alarm and astOnishnent of all present, opened it's eyes, gave dreadful groan, and sunk again into apparent death. This put an end to all thoughts of burying him, and every effort was again employed, in hopes of bringing about speedy resnsci- tation. In about an hour, the eyes again opened, heavy groan proceeded from the body. and again all appearance of animation vanished. In another hour. life seemed to return with more power, and complete re- vivai took place to the great joy of the fami- ly and friends, and to the no small astonish- ment and conviction of the very many who had been ridiculing the idea of restoring to life dead body.
 The writer of his memoirs states that on favorable occasion, he earnestly pressed Mr. Tennent for a minute account of what his views and apprehensions were, while he lay in his extraordinary state of suspended ami nation. He discovered great reluctance to enter into any explanation of his perceptions and feelings at that time but being i'm portunately urged to do it, he ut length con- sented. and proceeded with 0 solemnity not to be described.
 "While was conversing with my .hroth. err, ."'a he; "on the state of my soul, and the fears had entertained TOT my future welfare. I found myself, in an instant, in an- of superior Being, who ordered me to fol low him. was accordingly waited along, I know not how, till beheid at distance an effable glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate to mor- tai man. immediately reflected on my happy change, and thought-Well, blessed be God am safe at last, notwithstanding all my fears. ! saw an innumerable host of happy beings surrounding the inexpressible glory, in acts of adoratioD and joyous wor- ship: but did not see any bodily shape or | representation in tire glorious appearance. e.- l heard things unutterabie. heard their songs and hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise, with unspeaka ble rapture. felt joy unutterable and full of glory. I then appli- ed to my conductor. and requested leave to join the happy rhrong: on which be tapped me on the shoulder, and said, You must re- turn to the earth This seemed like sword through my heart. In an instant I recolleet seeing my brother standing before me dis putting with the doctor. The three days du- ring which had appeared lifeless, seemed to be not more than fen or twenty minutes. The icea of returning to this world of sor- row and trouble gave me such shock. that fainted repeatedly" He added: "Such was the effect upon my mind of what had seen and heard, that if it be possible for a human being to entirely live above the world, and the things of it. for s1me time afterwards, was that person. The Savish- ing sounds of the songs and hallelujahs that l heard. and the very words that were utter ed, were not out of my ears. when awake, for at least three years. All the Kingdo ms of the earth were in my sight, as nothing and vanity; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing, which did not in some measure relate to it, could command my serious attention.
 This extraordinary event is abundaDtly confirmed by the worthy successor of Mr. Tennent in the pastoral charge of his church. He states, that afier hearing from Mr. Ten nents own mouth, particular narration of this surprising trAnce, he said to him Sir, you seem to be one indeed raised from the dead, and may tell us what it is to die, and what you were sensible of while in that state." He replied in the following W ords :: |" As to dying-I found my fever increase. and became weaker and weaker, until at once found myself in heaven as thought. 1 saw DO shade as 10 the Deity, but glory all