Ponola [sic] weekly register. (Ponola [sic], Miss.) 1843-1843, 1843-04-05
T r ANCE.


celestial regions; and we have seen per-
sons who were subject to ecstacies which
were thought peculiar, only to those
who had actually left the body, and
passed into heaven.
We have often produced this state by
Pathetism. The persons in whom it
is brought about, describe it as one OF
the most delightful states maginable.>
But. frequently they manifest an unwill-
ingness to describe it at all, as they say
it so far exceeds all our ordinary con-
ceptions Of what is elevated, refined,
beautiful, and heavenly.
We shall, hereafter, take occasion to
give some further account Of some OF
these cases OF our own. and, in the mean
time, we present the following from the
life of the celebrated Rev. William
Tennent. There are persons now llv-
ing who remember this man, and some
who believe that he actually died and
went to heaven. in the trance narrated |
below.-N Y. Magnet.
After q regular course of study in
theology. MIR. Tennent, then with his
brother Gilbert, at New Brunswick, N.
j., was preparing for his examination
by the Presbvtery as candidate for
the gospel ministry. His intense APP
plication affected his health so much,
that his life was threatened. In this
situation his spirits failed him, and he
began to entertain doubts Of his final
happiness. He was conversing one
7
the state of mis- soul, when he tainted
and died away. After the usual time,
| he was laid out on board, according to
the common practice Of the country, and
the neighborhood were invited TO his
funeral on the next day. In the even
ing his physician. who was warmly at
tached to him, returned from ride in
the country, and was afflicted beyond
measure at the news Of his death. He
could not be persuaded that it was GER
tain; and, on being told that one of the
persons who assisted in laying out the
body though. he had observed little
tremor Of the flesh under the arm, al
though the BODY was cold and stiff, he
I endeavored to ascertain the fact.-He
first put his own hand into the warm
water, to make il as sensible as possible,
4 and then felt under the arm, and at the
heart, and affirmed that he felt an unu-
suai 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
not attend. To this the brother obiec-
ted, as absurd, the eyes being sunk,
the lips discolored, and the whole BODY
cold and stiff. However, the doctor fl
nally prevailed, and all probable means
were used to discover symptoms of re-
turning life. But the third day ,arriv-
} ed, and no hope was entertained offs
: cess by the doctor, who never left him,
night nor day. The people were a
0 gain invited, and assembled to attend the
Q funeral. The doctor still objected and
last confined his request for delay to ORC
hour, then half an hour, and finally TO
0 quarter of an hour; when his brother
: came in, and insisted with earnestness,
! that the funeral should proceed. At
this critical and important moment, the
BODY, to the great alarm and astonlsh-
ment Of all present. opened its eyes,
gave dreadful groan. and sunk again
into apparent death. This put an end
to all thoughts Of burying him, and eve
ry effort was again employed, in hopes
of bringing about speedy resuscitation.
In about an hour the eyes again opened,
a heavy groan proceeded from the body,
and again all appearance Of animation
y vanished. In another hour, life seemed
to return with more power, and COM
plete revival took place, to the great JOY
Of the family and friends, and to the no
small astonishment and conviction OF
: the very many who had been ridlculine
n the idea of restoring life to dead body.
J, The writer Of these memoirs states
that on a favorable occasion he earnest
~ pressed Mr. Tennent for minute ac-
count Of what his views and apprehen.
sions were, while he lay in this extraor'
binary state of suspended animation
He discovered great reluctance TO en-
ter into any explanation of his percep-
ton and feelings at that time; but being
approximately urged TO do 1t, he at
length consented, and proceeded with a
solemnity not 10 be described.
awhile I was conversing with my
BROTHER" said he, son the state Of my
soul and the fears had entertained for
my future welfare, found myselfin an
:. instant in another state of existence, I'M
: der the direction Of superior Being
0 who ordered me to follow him. | was
. accordingly waited along | know moi
e how, till beheld at distance an ineffa.