Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-24
4 Remarkable Experience.
ID. d. BARLEY, Bridgeport, Conn ia the Con
grcgatiOntlist1


grcEatiOntiist.l
The following strange narrative IS au-
thentic. The writer, for the past six years,
has had a personal acquaintance with the
subject of the experience here related, and
the story IS based on the account carefully
prepared by himself many years ago
Rev. Edward B. Emerson, born IA
Salem, Mass. in 1872 and lately deceased
in Stratford, Conn, in his early ministry
passed through an experience both Won
derful and rare. Graduating from Dart
mouth college, he began mis- ministerial
work in ls35 At Norwich, VT, he was
eminently successful, nearly the entire
community being converted and brought
into the church
The state OF his health torhidding MS
entering the foreign missionary work, he
went, at the age OF 81, as a home mission
AIRY, to BrOWustOn, Mich. Engaged in
active revival work, during one of his
sunday morning sermons be was suddenly
attacked with a fever, which generally
proved fatal, many victims OF which ne
had followed to TIE grave. He was at
once taken to his boarding place physI-
clan was called, and a nurse Of skill and
experience employed. During the first
tive days OF his illuess he was twice CON
sidered beyond recovery, but, surviving
these attacks, he Wa- icLarded out of dan
ger, and the nurse returned to her home,
ana one less skilled was secured in her
place. But i'm few days violent oymp-
toms returned, and soon, TO all appear
ance, he Cied.
The ply clan declared him dead, and
the day OF the funeral was appointed Al
night, according TO custom. TWO Young
men came as watchers of the dead body
For a day and a half he Law apparently IN
death. HIS eyes We're fixed, his teeth
licked, and his mouth closed, and no
breathing was percepuble. But during
this time, ls it proved atterWard, his hear
lng was especially acute, and his mental
powers IN liYellest exercise. lie heard the
conversation of his watchers IN the next
room: also much of the talk OF he family
aud friends IN the preparations for the
funeral. In this condition, his spiritual
experiences were wonderful the presence
of the saviour was manifested The
thought of dying away from home and
relatives was at first painful, but this was
soon removed by the comforting and reas.
suring Presence. All his past life, even
to minute particulars, was recalled, and
the assurance that he was finally to be
with Christ was revealed to him more
clearly than any spoken words could con
vey it. Quoting Nh Emerson words
"Ihe Divine Comforter never lett me for
a moment, and on this my last night, rs
| then expected, lie presented me with
vivid and full view OF His agency in all the
events Of my past life IN addi-
tion TO TINS, heaven WAS partially opened
with Its wonderful holiness and glory,
and au all-pCrVaQIug and eleVating i'm
preston. within and around me of super
natural -auctl,v, ~peudur and love, thrill
ling my suu with mingled reverence and
delight TIE Object, prominent above all
others, Wd- q spiritual imprl-onariou Of
The Lord Jesus. This ,pIgruJl represent
tJliJu and communion V.t~ enjoyed
D. G d q .fHI q
hearing the conversation of tn. Two
watchers at the same time.
At the close ul what Mr.. EWerSOn
caile this blessed interview. me was
sure that he would not die, but that he
should ne restored, in some way, through
his former nurse. In tAe morning friends
called TO see the family, and some to see
the body. The arrangements for the
funeral were freely talked over Unable
- see, unable To give single sign Of life.
by word, look, or movement he was ac-
lively Interested in the remarks of his Wis
ltors. soon came knock at the door,
which he telt sure was that ut his old
nurse, come to resuscitate him He was
right. She had walked from her house,
two miles away, through deep mud, to
make this early morning call. Mr.. Emer-
son heard her inquiries of his condition,
and her remark, 81 don't believe he Is
dead, and We'll try TO revive him. She
persisted in this TIL those present were
iuuuCttl 10 Apply various SlllHulanIS tC
different parts OF the body, with vigorous
rubbing. These operations were contu-
ued after many said It WAS no use. After
Il half hour of this treatment his eyes
began to show signs OF life he began to
speak, first IN Whispers, then with more
audible voice The nurse WAS praised
tor her efforts, the funeral preparations
brought to an end, and in due time his
recovery was comp "te.
y strange part - mis- narration ol facts
remains To be told. How happened the
nurse to come at TIE Opportuue time. and
prove the occasion of the escape from
burial alive . she mad received no ordi-
nary information of his condition Her
own account WAS that she was aroused by
a very VIVID dream that some one was in
danger, and that she alone could help
him. SO impressed was >ne, that she
awakened her daughter 10 consult whether
anything ought to be done.
For some reason the res Il reached was,
that in the morning she would visit her
former patient and inquire Of his condi-
ton. On her arrival sne WAS astonlshed
To hear of his death, as she had had no
reason TO question his final recovery. Her
dream came 10 mind and led her to doubt
the reality OF his death, and 20 insist upon
the use OF the means for his restoration.
/ Quoting again MIR. RmersOn's words ION
/ inquiry, ascertained that sne WAS first
startled from ner slumbers nj the same
time that WAS peryaded with the assur-
ance that the Holy Ghost would employ
her as His agent in recovering me- Under
her asslduous care, gradually regained
strength and health and returning East,
soon resumed my ministry
After this experience, Rev. Mr.. Emer-
SON nNed Tor 90 years, M emlnently use
ful and busy life, both in the ministry
and, in his later years, IN The charge of
boys boarding school in Stratlord.
lie died in that beautiful town on Jan
nary Il, lSSs, at the good Old age OF -
years, and was buried in tine village ceme-
terry. A widow and hye children survive
him, one of the latter, Rev. Samuel n,
Emprson baiup "A nrofassor I'm Tim l. nivar