The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-03-08
Preaching while Asleep.

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There was'a respectable old gentleman. OF
the name Of Wy, who, though layman
had spent the greatAr part of his life in pro-
claiming the Gospel to pcrishing world, and
whose character for pSSty 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 we'll as all around
him, were wrapped in the most profound slum-
Der. IL would situp in bed, turn over the
leaves Of an imaginary hymn-book, give out
the verse, pitch the tune, and go through the
whole piece as accurately as If he were awake,
and perfectly conscious of what he was do
ing. -
Towards the latter period of his life he not
only sang hymns during the nocturnal cxcrci-
SEES, but would go through the entire service of
sanctuary, reading and singing alternately.
making cxtemporaneous prayer, reading a
chapter in the Bible, and even selecting text,
and preaching sermon therefron,, in the most
connected and impressive manner, referring to
corresponding portions of the Scripture with
an accuracy truly astonishing to all who wit.
messed it. His daughter and son-in-law, now
residing not many hours ride from this city,
persons Of intelligence and undoubtcd veraci-
ty, have assured the writer Of this article, that
they often stood by the h1aide Of their vener
able parent, and followed him in his reference
to scripture texts and contents, and never
knew him to fail in making quotation.
There was on one occasion in particular in
which they undertook SO sit up all night, and
watch him in those extraordinary exercises, in
order to satisfy their curiosity as to how be
acted, rs we'll before asafter the singular per-
formance. 1t proved to be one of the most
complete exhibitions Of the phenomenon that
they had ever witnessed in him; and such was
the awe and solemnity. the almost supernato fal
aspect Of the whole proceeding. that they were
painfully affected by it for some time AFTER
The clock had just struck twelve, when the
venerable man, still fast asleep, began to show
some signs Of restlessness. Returned over in
the bed two or three times, cleared his voice
as if about to speak, took off his night-cap
and laid it aside upon the pillow, and finally
, sat upright. He then adjusted the bed clothes
as he would have done a pulpit-cushion, settled
bis imaginary book before him, turned dowr
!the leaves for the appointed lesson, and so on
and then when all was in due order, and il
strict accordance with his usual form and prac
; tice when actually in the pulpit, he commenced
the service by giving out the Aymn, naming
the identical page on which it was to be found,
and sang it through without flaw or falter.-
He next proceeded with the prayer, which wa.
one of the most powerful they had ever heard
him make. The confession Of sins-the inter
cession--the thanksgiving Aupplication il
behalf of sinners of his own and every othe,
congregation then assembled, surpassed any.
thing they had ever heard. During the praye.
the old man wept freely, using handkerchief
for his tears, which his daughter had quietly
lpiaced beside him.
Next came the sermon. The text was taken
from one of thalsar gospels-the writer for.
gets which-httN was on experimental re
ligion. Ar4Sea q disco1rssl Vhe ola snan',
lips seemed toacAcd with living-6rc, While 4,