Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-11-24


ternal senses being suspended, God reveals
something in peculiar manner to his ser
wants, who are then taken or transported
out of themselves" This is a phenome-
non full of mystery, and the reality ofwhich
some persons have doubted but, / think,
without due consideration. Balaam Is
said to have been in trance: and having
had 'his eyes opened" therein, we are told
that he "saw the visions of the Almighty,
and knew the knowledge of the Most High"
Peter was also in trance upon the house
top, to which place he had retired for pray
er, and received syrubofical Instructions re-
lative to his future proceedings with the
Gentiles. And Paul is supposed to have
been in a trance, "but whether in the body
or out of the body he could not tell; God
only knew )" but he "was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words,
which it was not lawful for man to utter"
tested instances of individuals who have
been in similar state; some of which are
on record in several highly respectable pub
lcations;* and the following singular re-
lation is intended to add to their number.
While residing in British colony as
Christian missionary, | was called one even
ing to visit Miss D, who was said to
be dying. Mrs. Young, by whom she was
met weekly for religious instruction, feeling
deep interest in her spiritual welfare, ac-
companied me to her residence. We found
her in the chamber of neat little cottage
exceedingly i'll, but confding in the merits
of Jesus: ard after spending some time
with her in conversation and prayer, we
commended her to God, and took our de-
parture without the least hope of seeing
her again in this life. Soon after we left
she seemed to die; but as the usual signs
of death, which so rapidly developed them
selves in that country, did not appear, her
friends concluded that she was in trance,
and anxiously waited to see the end. She
remained in this state for several days. du-
ring which period we repeatedly visited her:
anu the only indications we could perceive
that life was not extinct were slight foam
ing at the mouth, and little warmth about
the region of the heart. She was watched,
with great interest both night and day !;
and after being in this state for nearly a
week, she opened her eyes and said, "Mr.
C is dead" Her attendants thinking
that she was under the influence of delirium,
replied that she was mistaken, as he was
not only alive, but well. "Onop - said she.
'he is dead for, short time ago, as
passed the gates of hell, saw him descend
into the pit, and the blue fame cover him
Mr.. B is also dead, for he arrived al
heaven just as was leaving that happy
place, and | saw its beautiful gates thrown
wide open to receive him; and heard the
host of heaven shout, "Welcome, weary
pilgrim!" Mr.. C was neighbor, bu
very wicked person and Mr.. B
who lived at no great distance, was gooc
old man, and for many years had been
consistent and useful member Of the Church
of God. The parties who heard Mis-
D-'s startling and confident statements
Immediately sent to make inquiries abou
the two individuals alluded to- and foun,
to their utter astonishment, that the form
er had dropped down dead about half a
hour before, while in the act of tying hi
shoe; and that about the same time th
latter had suddenly passed into the eterns
world. For the truth Of these facts | d
solemnly vouch. She then went on to te
them where she had been, and what sh
had seen and heard.
After being sufficiently recovered to leav
the house she paid us visit; and Mr.
i Young, as well as myself, heard from be
own lips, the following account of what sh
passed through. She informed US that,
the time she was supposed to die, cele
tial being conducted her into the invisib
world, and mysteriously unveiled to h,
the realities of eternity. He took her fir
to heaven; but she was told that as 81
yet belonged to time, she could not be pc
mitted to enter into that glorious place, b.
only to behold it; which she represente
as infinitely exceeding in beauty and spe
dor the most elevated conceptions of mo
tails, and whose glory no language cou
describe. She told us that she beheld IL
Saviour upon throne of light and gIor
surrounded by four-and-twenty elders, ar
a great multitude which no man cou
number; among whom she recognized p
triarchs, and prophets, and apostles, al
!, martyrs, and all the missionaries who h
J died in that colony besides many othe
whom she mentioned, and although tho
y parties were not named by the angel tn
attended her, yet she said that seeing the
was to know them. She described the
celestial spirits as being variously employt
\ and although she felt herself inadequate
convey any definite idea of the nature
that employment yet it appeared to
~ adapted to their respective mental tas
and spiritual attainments. She also
formed us that she heard sweet and M
he enrapturing music, such as she had ne,
u heard before; and made several atte.uI
to give us some idea of its melodious ch
,o acter, but found her notes too earthly
4 that purpose. While thus favored, /
y missionaries already referred to, and otI
es happy spirits, as they glided past b
N sweetly smiled, and said they knew wher
'ts she came, and, if faithful to the grace
bo God, she would in short time be adm
+, ted into their delightful society. All
ba orders of heaven were in perfect and bl
% sed harmony, and appeared to be direc
- in all their movements by mysterious
on auence proceeding from the throne of G
Ia She was next conducted to pl
whence she had view of hell, which
described in the most terrific languas