The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-07-03

the contrary. What then has become
of my will to speak, to see, to liver
Everything within me sleeps and is as
inactive as if | never had existed
Are the nerves disobedient to the COM
mands of the brain? Why do those
swift messengers refuse to obey the
soul? recalled to mind the almost
miraculous instances Of the power OF
the mind directed to n purpose and
urged by a strong impulse. / knew
the history of the Indian who, after the
death of his wife, had offered his breast
10 her infant, and had nourished it with
milk. Was not this miracle the effect
of a strong will? had seen life and
motion restored to a palsied limb by
a mighty effort Of the mind, which had
awakened the dormant nerves knew
a mar whose heart beat slowly or quick-
ly, as he pleased. Yes, thought !, in a
transport of joy, the will to live re-
mains. 1t is only when this faculty
has yielded, that Death can become
master of us. | felt a hope Of reviving,
as | may express it, by the vigor of my
will; but alas! | cannot even now
think oft without fear! The moments
were speeding fast away, and by the
noises around me | comprehended that
preparations were making to close my
coffin. What is to be done? If the
will has really the power attributed to
it, how shall | direct? During all my
illness ] had often strongly desired to
speak and move, but could not do so.
now made another effort. As the
wrestler puts forth the utmost strength
Of every muscle to raise up his antago-
mist, SO I employed all that my will
could command, and endeavored to i'm.
part to my nerves the impulse of that
energetic volition, my last hope. 1t
was in cain! In vain did | try to raise
one breath within my breast--to utter
one sigh. And Oh! what increase OF
horror! heard the nails applied to
my coffin! Despair was in the sound!
At that very instant EN- my old
est, my dearest friend came into my
room. He had performed a long jour
ney to see me once more, to bid an eter
nal farewell to the companion of his
childhood. They made way for him.
He rushed forward and laid his hand,
his faithful, fond hand on my BOSOM
Oh the warmth of that friends hand!
1t touched the inmost ibres ofmy heart,
and it sprang to meet him. That emo
ton acted upon my whole system; the
blood began to flow; my nerves trem.
bled, and a c~onvulsive sigh burst from
my disenchained lungs; every fibre
moved with a sudden bound like the
cordage Of a vessel struggling against a
mighty sea ! breathsd again! But
so sudden and so unexpected was the
change in my frame, that an idea came
to my mind that it could not be real
that | was again deprived Of reason
Happily this doubt soon ceased. A
cry of terror, and these words, "He
uttered distinctly enough Tor
me to hear, put all beyond doubt. The
noise and hustle became general, and
some voice exclaimed, "E-- has faint
ed; raise him up and carry him hence,
that he maynot when he opens his eyes
first behold his friend" Orders, excla.
nations, cries of Joy and surprise, in
creased every instant; all that | can
now recall, is that | was lifted out of
the coffin, and, before a good fire, was
completely brought to life, and found
surrounded by friends. After
some weeks 1 was restored to health;
| had seen death as near Is possible
and my lips had touched the bitter por-
lion which one day must yet drink to
the last drop.
SOMETHING NEw.-The Scientific