New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-01-30
preaehlng whlle Asleep.

The remarkable case of somnamhulism just now
going the rounds Of papers reminds me, says a
correspondent, of an Instance, not, indeed of sleep
walking, bnt Of talking in sleep, which occurred
within d few miles Of where ! resided not long
ago.
d respectable old gentleman, Of the name of
v who, though d layman, had spent the
greater part Of his life in procaming the Gospel to
a perishing world, and whose character for piety
and good works was acknowledged by all classes
Of the community in which he lived-had fallen
into the habit Of singing praises to God in the dead
hour OF the night while he himself as well as all
around him, we're Wrapt in the most profound
slumber. He would Sit up in bed, turn over the
leaves Of an imaginary hyml-book, give out the
verse, pitch the tune, and go through the whole
piece as accurately as il he were awake and per-
fectIy conscious of what he was doing.
Toward the latter period of his life lie not only
sang hymns during the nocturnal exercises, but
would 90 through the entire service of the sanetu-
arY reading and singing alternately, making ex-
#femneroneous prayer, reading a chapter in the
Bible, aRd even selecting d text, and preaching a
sermon therefrom, III the most connected and i'm
pressiye manner, referring to corresponding por-
tons of the scripture with an accuracy truly aston
ishing to all who witnessed it. His daughter and
son-iR-law, now residing not many hours ride from
this city, persons of intelligence and undoubted We
raeity, have assured the writer Of this article that
they often stood by tile bedside Of their venerable
parent, and followed him in his reference to Scrip
tnre texts and contents, ind never knew him TO fail
in making a quotation.
There was one occasion in particular in which
they undertook to sit up all night, and watch him
IA those extraordinary exercises, III order to satisfy
their curiosity as to how he acted, as well before
as after the singular performance. 1t proved to be
one of the most complete exhibitions Of the phe-
nomenOn that they had ever Witnessed in him; and
such was the awe and solemniny the almost super
natural aspect of the whole proceeding, that they
were painfully affected BY it for some time after
The clock had just struck IL, when the venerable
man, still fast asleep, began to show signs of
restlessness He turned over in the bed two OF
three times, cleared his voice as if about to speak
took of his nghtcap and laid it aside on the pill
low, and finally sat upright. He then adjusted the
bed-clothes, as he would have done puIpit-cush-
ion, settled his imaginary book before him, turned
down the leaves for the appointed lesson, and 10
on, and then when all was ia due order, and in
strict accordance with lis usual form and practice
when actually in the pulpit he commenced the ser
vice by giving ont the hymn, naming the Identical
page upon which it was to be found, and sang il
through without flaw or fater. He next pro.
eeeded with the prayer. which was one of the
most powerful they had ever heard him make.
The confession of sins - the intercesson the
thanksgiving the supplication IN behalf Of sinners
Of his own and every other congregation then as.
sembled, surpassed anything they had ever heard
During the prayer the old man wept freely, using
q handkerchief for his tears which his daughter
had quietly placed beside him.
Next came the sermon. The text was taken
from one Of the four Gospels-te writer forgets
WhIch-but IT was on experimental religion. And
such Discourse The old mans lips seemed
fonehed with living fire, while he disclosed the
workings Of thu human heart and showed the oper.
atoms Of the Holy Spirit on the inner man. twas
q season Of Notwithstanding and decentralization
even to the worthy and Yirtuous poor who formed
the only congregation on that solemn niglt-a cold
starlight winters light, by the way, with no sound
stirring save an occasional flap of the shutters by
the passing wind.
The sermon concluded, there was then hymn.
and finally q benedieton, pronounced with out
stretched arms, and with all tile ferYor Of d fond
parent over Ills departiugschildren. The old man,
as i conscious Of having discharged his duty,
turned round and resumed his rest. On the NOR
row not trace of the event was left on his mem
Dry.
On another occasion, snch was his yehemence in
prayer, that, fearing rupture Of blood.Yessel,
bis friends awQke him. but the interruption affected
him 40 much that he became alarmingly iii for
some days, and On his learning the probable cause
of his sickness, implored them never to awaken
him again under such circumstances, for that hill
experiences, both Of mind and body had been in,
describably painful ever since.
These phenomena occurred statedy to the closs
OF Life, which was prolonged TO the advanced
period Of over fourscore years. [Watchman ant
Reflector.