The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-02-22
X+Y-Z:
Or, the Sleeping Preacher.

CFrom the New York ObscrverD
Truth is not unfrequently stranger than tic-
ton. The supernatural cannot be explained
by science. What the writer is about to state
are facts, and II human testimony from the very
best of men is worth anything, they are beyond
disputation. The subject of this short sketch
is the Rev. c. Saunders, now living at Mayes
vile, eleven miles east of Huntsville, Ala, and
for % years, II highly esteemed minister of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He utterly
refuses to be called a spirltist, clairvoyant, or
that he is n subject of mesmerism, or animal
magnetism, but simply says of himself, II am
a vessel of mercy whom the Lord hath chosen
to this end" and further says, my peculiar
Developments will not be explained from
scientific standpoint VI least as long rs it is
assumed that my physical suferings are The
cause of my mental phenomena" He is in
deed u wonder to himself and to the many who
have both seen and heard him while IN his pecu-
liar sleeps for the last twenty or more years
The developments of Mr.. Sanders conmenc-
ed in 1854 and continued more or less until
1876. In 1854 he was attacked with typhoid
fever, during which he WAS taken with violent
convulsions, affecting his whole body, especi-
ally his arms, chest, throat and tongue. The
suture Of the skull separated to such an extent
that one could bury the little finger in the OPP
cning His head and lungs seemed to be the
seat of the most intense pain. In extreme
cases, respiration would be suspended for such
a length of time that ltseemed impossible ever
to return, the pulse beating feebly but SO rapid
ly as To be beyond counting. These par,
oXysms continued until 1859; but he still SUI,
ters from violent pains in the head and lungs.
He is called the Sleeping Preacher for
want of q better name, by all who know or have
heard Of him, and the writer heard him thus
Had ,yht inn hn
sleeps, and yet seems to he wide awake, the eyes
wide open but without winking, and in this
state will talk, answer questions, walk to con
siderable distance, and III this respect seems
somnambulistc; and yet has no knowledge
when in his normal state OF what he has SAID
or done. Sometimes, when the pain is severe
in his head, he has il bandaged heavily, cover
ing the eyes, will pass into one OF his sleeps,
which may continue for an hour, or day, or
several days, and IN this condition will call tor
pencil and paper, and with his hands under
the cover will write letters TO friends, moral es-
says, or report sermons at thas time being
preached miles and miles away, following the
| lines as closely as if awake, not emitting the
dotting of an i or the crossing ofat He thus
reported, during one of his Sleeps" a sermon
VILE Ala, in 1874 twelve miles away, giving
text subject in fact the whole sermon COM
plete, and read it the next morning to his
friends DR.. Ross Was written TO, and vOuches
for the correctness of the sermon. In 1876 Mr.
Sanders was in Tullahoma, Tenn, conversing
with Dr. Cowan, between II and l at nigh,
(Mr Sanders being in one Ofhis nervous sleeps.l
The passenger train for Chattanooga WAS heard
coming Mr.. Sanders began telling DIR. Cowan
of passenger ON board WHO was suffering
from disease of the heart, and describing his
conditions suddenly he exclaimed. There that
man dropped silver coin" When asked
who, he replied, "A man on the platform of the
car, wearing "a cap. The coin is silver, with
an advertisement on one side, which Is up
Search was made that night by the aid of a
lantern. Mr.. Sanders directed the exact spot
to look. The advertisement read rs follows: