The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-09-19

felt that was drowning. Fror,
the moment that all exertion hac
ceased--which | imagine was the
immediate consequence of com
plete suffocation-a calm feeling
of the most perfect tranquility
followed the previous tumultuous
sensations. l no longer thought
of being rescued, nor was I in
any bodily pain. My sensations
partook of that dull but content
ed sort Of feeling which precedes
the sleep produced by fatigue.
Though the senses were thus
deadened, not so the mind; it's
activity seemed to be invigorated
in ratio that defies description;
for thought rose after thought
with a rapid succession that is
not only indescribable, but prob
ably inconceivable by any one
who has not himself been in a
similar situation.
The course of these thoughts I
can even now in great measure
retrace; the mistake that produc-
ed it; the effect it would have on
my affectionate parents; the man
ner in which it would be disclos-
ed to my brother and sisters, and
most of all to dearly loved wife.
This, with a thousand other cir
cumstances minutely associated
with home, were the first series
of reflections that occurred. They
then took a wider range, my.
school, the progress had made
there, and the time / had mis-
spent; and even all my boyish
pursuits and adventures. Thus
travelling backwards, every past
incident of my life seemed to
glare across my recollection in
retrograde succession.
Not, however, in mere outline
as here stated, but the picture
filed up with every minute and
collateral feature; in short, the
whole period of my existence
seemed to be placed before me in
a kind of panoramic review, and
and each act of it seemed to be
accompanied by a consciousness
of right or wrong, or by some re-
Election as to it's cause or it's con-
sequence. Indeed, many triiing
events which had long been for
gotten then crowded into my rec
election, and with the impression
of recent familiarity.
The length of time which was
occupied by this deluge of ideas,
or rather the shortness of time in
to which they were condensed,
/ cannot now state with precision;
yet certainly but two or three
minutes at the most could have
elapsed from the suffocation till
the return of memory to the time
of my last visit home, seemed to
give me an incentive to struggle
for life; and my struggles were
crowned with success, by the aid
of a comrade named Port, who
was very expert swimmer and
who had come to my assistance at
the right moment.
From two or three other per-
sons, who like myself, were res
cued from a similar state, have
heard details of their feelings
which resem bled mine as nearly
as was consistent with our differ
entconstitutionsand dispositions.
May not this be some indication
of the almost infinite power of
memory with which we may
awaken in another world, ,and thus
be compelled to contemplate our
past lives? tits truly wonderful;
but we cannot doubt the factwhen
it has been corroborated so many
times by the testimony of those
who have beeen rescued from
similar state. If then, such is the
power of memory, even while the
connection of the spirit with its
tabernacle of flesh is not yet dis
solved, what win be it's power
when the spirit shall be freed
from the body, and what will be
its influence on our future eternal
happiness on miseryY
Such instances seem to draw