The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-02-16
DESCENDED INTO HE'LL.
Rev. Mr.. johnson Relates Remarkable
Story.

Kew. Mr. johnson 1SeteteS 1SeuhirRdDic
Story.
Clarksburg, West Virginia, Letter.
Rev. John r. Johnson the celebrated noun
tain evangelist, who has been travelling
through this state for nearly forty years, states
that during revival at Round Bottom, Monon-
gahela county, a young man OF that place, who
had been Ill with consumption for some time,
died, descended into hell, returned to life in
an hour, and, after describing his trip, en-
braced religion and again died happily in the
full belief of his future salvation.
After stating that the young man, who was
one Of the most intelligent in the county, was
skeptic, Mr.. johnson says:
'He was apparently lying at the point of
death. Rev. Mr.. O'Daniels and myself were
called upon to endeavor to bring him to Christ.
While Mr.. O'Daniels was talking to him, hold
ing him by the hand, he seemingly expired
and was pronounced dead by all in the room
"He remained in this condition for some
time, when he suddenly began breathing
heavily. and then struggling as though with
some mighty monster He seemed endowed
utmost exertions OF several powerful men to
keep him on the bed. The struggle continued
for an hour. when he Gained down. and re-
gaining his senses requested that we sing and
pray with him.
"a fter these exercises were over he told US
that when he became insenSible to earth he
found himself at the brink of a yawning black
chasni. Lurid fires seemed to be burning at
great distance down, and ShrlekS OF the most
unearthly kind greeted his ears. After re-
naming quiet for short time, he felt a thread
by his hand. He grasped tand had hardly done
so when mighty wind struck his body, almost
tearing his limbs out of their sockets, and
dashing him down into the mouth of the pit,
where he swayed from side to side, clinging to
tho thread which alone kept him from falling
into the flames below.
s'Tfe knew that should the thread break, or
he lose his grasp, he was doomed forever, and
he thought to himself: I have been skeptic
and God Almighty is showing me that there is
"a hell of darkness and fire, to which unbe-
levers are exposed and he grasped the thread
the tighter. After what seemed to him an In
tcrminabe time the wind ceased and he knew
nothing until he requested the ministers to
pray with him.
"Shortly after his return to life, he made his
peacc with God and after giving full direction
regarding his burial, bidding his friends goods
by and requesting Mr.. O'Daniels when he Off
ciated at his funeral to relate his remarkable
experience for the benefit OF Others died
peacefully in his Saviours arms"
That Messrs. johnson, O'Daniels and others,
who witnessed this strange affair, believe ac-
tually in the supernaturalneSs, is unquestloned.
They are all persons whose veracity Is beyond
question, and even the physicians assert the
young man was actually dead.
The relation of the story at the funeral
caused considerable excitement, and people
are focking to the churches throughout the
vicinity, meetings being held day and night
since Thursday, the day upon which the young
man was buried.
1t is said that the final request of the youth
was that report of his experience be pub
lished broadcast SO that all men might know
there was hell.