The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-10-21
THE SLEEPING PREACHER
A MarvelOus Development of
ClairVOyance I'm Alabama.


shadows, it may be of interest to our
readers to learn there is 4 first class
medium in the neighboring State of
Alabama, who far outdoes all the
Fosters, Humes or Rosses, and yet
claims nothing for his extraordinary
powers but the great misfortune Of
an attack of sickness, that by its pc
culiar effects upon the brain has en-
abled him ever since to, as it were,
diseAgage his soul from his body
and send it on an exploring expedi-
ton. Not only that, but, under a
chain of favorable circumstances,
even while in state of utter uncon-
seriousness, he is transported to far
distant places and either writes or
tells to those around all he wit
nesses; and the single instance has
yet to occur in which he has failed
correctly to relate actual circum-
stances and facts.
Marvellous as this may seem, the
facts can be attested by living, reli-
able witnesses, such as no one would
for moment question. Nor does
this party seem to be aware of his
extraordinary powers or to properly
appreciate them; for he deems it a
signal punishment of heaven-one
that he would gladly escape. He
scorns the idea of ever receiving
money for anything he tells or does.
He is an humble minister of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and always, feels humbIed and hu-
inflated after one Of his frances
He is in middle age, and in all res
poets healthy. He is married man,
and lives in North Alabama, and
though we withhold his name, as a
notoriety of this kind is never CRATE
full to him, we nevertheless feel it
due to society to tell them of this
extraordinary man, who could, if he
wished IL, produce a number one
sensation as spiritualist, and yet is
content to pursue his humble path
as Christian and not impose
his misfortune on the commu-
nifty as gift. Yet there are
those travelling all through the
country exhibiting every phase OF
brain disease, epilepticism, catalepsy
etc, etc, as odic force, materializa-
ton and other kindred impostures,
and thus attributing the singular, il
is true. but well known attributes OF
certain nervous Taladies, to the ac-
ton of spirits. How often is the
asylum peopled with inmates from
the powerful effects Of supposed
spiritual visitation, and even giant
intellects have succumbed to the
powerful influence of. superstition.
Robt. Dale Owen, one Of the most
powerful thinkers America has ever
produced, after reigning over the
minds Of all, by his deep and pung
ent reasoning on all scientific sub
jects, at last succumbed to the in
fluence of a detected imposter, and
now raves in a mad-house. If we
bring this case properly and fully
before the public, one argument to
dethrone this dragon of society can
be deduced and the subject of this
sketch will, we hope, pardon the use
made Of his acts in this service to
the world.
We have been unable to gather, as
we would like, any facts connected
with his parentage, but we are dis
posed to believe there has been,
either lately or recently, some pre-
dispoition to cerebral disorders in
his family. One thing is well
known-that in every case of so call
ed spiritualists this faint exists in
the immediate kindred In the case
of the subject of this notice he had
no evidence of unusual powers until
after his youth. Then after mar
riage he had a severe attack of fever
with congestion of the brain, and
large quantities of quinine were
used.
So soon as recovery took place
this condition began. He is famil-
iarly known as the sleeping
preacher" and great curiosity is
felt wherever he goes to witness one
OF these sleeping performances. We
cannot better describe this peculiar
ity than repeat graphic descrip-
tion given of sermon heard by our
nformant-one of the leading min
listers of the Cumberland Presbyte-
rian Church, and resident of Will
Hanson county:
Il and my wife were in Moores-
vile, Ala. at protracted meeting,
and Mr.-came to assist. We all
felt a great curiosity to see and hear
him, having heard so much about
him. He stopped at DR.. Thach' S,
we at Miss Walton's. We made DR..
Thach agree to let us know if he got
into one of his spells. Mr.
preached at night very fair sermon,
but nothing unusual, and his voice
was rather harsh and grating. After
the congregation dispersed, we were
sitting in the front portico of Miss
Walton's house, when a negro came
running toward us, saying the DIR.
had sent for us to hear Mr.. We
rushed over, entered the parlor, and
Mr--was sitting in rocking
chair apparently sound asleep, eyes
closed, and head resting back on the
chair. He, however, was singing in
a low semitone of voice hymn, and
while he sang the room gradually
filed up until not an inch of space
was unocupied. His voice had al
together changed from its usual
loud, harsh character, and was low,
soft and musical to a degree l never
heard surpassed. In fact, it remin-
ded me of angels whispers. And
then it had a tone of ineXpressible
melancholy about it that reached the
hearts OF every one present. and
when he ceased to sing there was
scarcely dry eye in the room. At
the conclusion of his song he began
one of the most feeling, earnest
prayers l evey heard, and in so pit
eous, beseeehing manner that
nothing could resist him. This
prepared us to expect some rare
treat, and we were not disappointed.
He took his text from Pau's letter
on faith, and you know l have heard
good preaching, but never did l
hear his sermon surpassed. 1t may
l.. l. Il