The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-08-25
Deathlike Sleep. Ynnth,a Communion.

IOubn'b COmpAn1Ou.
 Among the various forms of abnor- nal sleep are some that resemble rather the sleep of death, for there is. sometimes, hardly discernible sign of life. Some cases of the kind have, without doubt, been followed by the burial of the patient. If there was ever any difficulty in determining the question of actual death, there is prob ably little or none now. There are several well-known tests that remove all doubt upon the question whether life is or is not extinct.
 In some cases of sleep that, to the ordinary observer, seems death, the person is wholly unconscious of his surroundings and may seem to himself separated from his body and lifted to the bliss and glory of heaven. This was so with the Rev. William Ten nant in the last century. The whole three days while he lay apparently dead seemed to him concentrated into a few minutes of indescribable joy 1; but his former life long remained 8 blank, and, learned scholar as he was, he had to begin his alphabet again. When he reached the Latin grammar his old stores of knowledge gradually returned to him.
 But in cases somewhat similar the person has full consciousness of his condition and surroundings without being able to give any sign of it.
 The case of the Rev. Edward B. Emerson, recently published in the Congregottonaltst, is remarkable one. MT. Emerson-he lately died at the age of seventy -six-was a son of the Rev. Brown Emerson, D. D., an emil nent minister in Salem, Mass.
 At the age of twenty seven he was suddenly attacked with a peculiarly fatal fever then prevailing. For time his case was regarded as hope less; but, having survived his worst attacks, he was at length thought to be out of danger, his nurse went home, and less skilled attendant took her place.
 In few days violent symptoms re- turned and then the patient seemed to die. The physician declared him dead and his funeral was appointed. For a day and half he lay with fixed eyes, teeth locked and no perceptible breath ing.
 But all the while he was conscious of everything that was said and done at his bedside, and, though the ar- engagements for the funeral were freely talked over in his hearing he came to feel certain that he would somehow be restored to life through his former nurse. Strangely enough that nurse, who had not learned what had oc- cured since she left, was reused from her sleep by vivid dream of some one in danger, whom she alone could help.
 The next morning she determined to visit her former patient and learn his condition. On ascertaining the facts she became satisfied, though she had only her dream to oppose the judg- ment of the physician, that he was not dead. She insisted on the use of means for his recovery. The means were effectual. He gradually regained his health and resumed the ministry.
 During the period of suspended ami nation his mind was in a very exalt- ed state, but he did not, like Tennant, seem to be borne away from the body. He himself says:
 "In addition to this heaven was par tially opened, with its wonderful ho- Illness and glory, and an all-pervading and elevating impression within and around me of supernatural sanctity, splendor and love, thrilling my soul with mingled reverence and delight. The object prominent above others was spiritual impersonation of the Lord Jesus."
 This period of enjoyment was while he was actually hearing the converse tion of the watchers. An interesting feature of the case is that the impress sion on the mind ot his nurse Tn her dream was at the very time that the conviction was given his own mind that he would be restored through her.
 When her knock was heard at the door next morning he felt sure that the knock WAS hers, and that she had come to effect his resuscitation.