188 - The Remarkable Trance of William Tennent (1705-1777)

The Remarkable Trance of William Tennent (1705-1777)

"While conversing with my brother on the state of my soul, and the fears I had entertained of my future welfare, I found myself in an instant in another state of existence, under the direction of a superior Being . . . I beheld at a distance an ineffable glory . . . I saw an innumerable host of happy beings . . . "You must return to the earth.' This seemed like a sword through my heart."

AFTER a regular course of study in theology, Mr. Tennent, being then with his brother Gilbert, at New Brunswick, N.J., was preparing for his examination by the Presbytery, as a candidate for the gospel ministry. His intense application affected his health, and brought on a pain in his breast, with a slight hectic cough. He soon became emaciated, and at length was like a living skeleton. His life was now threatened. He was attended by a physician, a young man who was attached to him by the strictest and warmest friendship. He grew worse and worse, till little hope of life was left. In this situation his spirits failed him, and he began to entertain doubts of his final happiness. He was conversing, one morning, with his brother, in Latin, on the state of his soul, when he fainted and died away.

After the usual time he was laid out, and the neighbors were invited to attend the funeral on the next day. In the evening his physician and friend returned from a ride into the country, and was much afflicted at the news of his death. He could not be persuaded that it was certain;

The names of William Tennent and of his brother, Gilbert Tennent, are associated with the revival movement in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the wider Great Awakening of Jonathan Edwards and others in New England. The Tennents founded the "Log College" in Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and that small but innovative experiment issued into the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University.
Not so well known is this account of William Tennent's trance when he was about twenty-six years of age and a minister in New Brunswick, N.J. Somewhat later, he moved to the Presbyterian Church, Freehold, N.J., where he served as pastor for forty-three years with such distinction that the church has always been called "Old Tennent."
Although this account has been known for years, the experience takes on added import today because of its many close parallels with similar accounts described in Raymond A. Moody's best-seller, Life After Life (1975). Moody apparently never heard of Tennent, but the New Jersey pastor's trance repeats in an uncanny way nearly all the ingredients of other such experiences collected by the curious, inquiring doctor.

189 - The Remarkable Trance of William Tennent (1705-1777)

and, on being told that one of the persons who had assisted in laying out the body thought be had observed a slight tremor of the flesh under the arm, although the body was cold and stiff, he endeavored to ascertain the fact. He first put his own hand into warm water, to make it as sensitive as possible, and then felt under the arm, near the heart, and affirmed that he felt an unusual warmth, though no one else could. He had the body removed to a warm bed, and insisted that the people who had been invited to the funeral, should be requested not to attend. To this his brother objected as absurd, the eyes being sunk, the lips discolored, and the whole body cold and stiff.

However, the doctor finally prevailed, and all possible means were used to discover symptoms of returning life. But the third day arrived, and no hopes were entertained of success except by the doctor, who never left him night nor day. The people were again invited, and assembled to attend the funeral. The doctor still objected, and at last confined his request for delay to one hour, then to half an hour, and finally to a quarter of an hour. He had discovered that the tongue was much swollen, and threatened to crack. He was endeavoring to soften it by an emollient ointment, applied with a feather, when the brother came in, about the expiration of the last period, and mistaking what the doctor was doing for an attempt to feed him, manifested some resentment, and said, in a spirited tone: "It is useless to be feeding a lifeless corpse," and insisted with earnestness that the funeral should immediately proceed.

At this critical and important moment, the body, to the great astonishment of all present, opened its eyes, gave a dreadful groan, and sank again into apparent death. This put an end to all thoughts of burying him, and every effort was again employed, in hopes of bringing about a speedy resuscitation. In about an hour, the eyes again opened, a heavy groan proceeded from the body, and again all appearance of animation vanished. In another hour life seemed to return with more power, and a complete revival took place, to the great joy of the family and friends, and to the no small astonishment and conviction of the very many who had ridiculed the idea of restoring a dead body to life.

Mr. Tennent continued in so weak and low a state, for six weeks, that some doubts were entertained of his ultimate recovery. However, after that period, he recovered much faster, but it was nearly twelve months before he was completely restored. After he was able to walk the room, and to take notice of what passed around him, on a Sunday afternoon, his sister, who had stayed from church to attend him, was reading in the Bible, when he took notice of it, and asked her what she had in her hand. She answered that she was reading the Bible. He replied, "What is the Bible? I know not what you mean." This affected the sister so much, that she burst into tears, and informed him that he was once well acquainted with it. On her reporting this to the brother, when he returned, Mr. Tennent was found, upon examination, to be totally ignorant of every transaction of his life previous to his sickness.

190 - The Remarkable Trance of William Tennent (1705-1777)

He could not read a single word, neither did he seem to have an idea of what it meant.

As soon as be became capable of attention, he was taught to read and write, as children are usually taught, and afterwards began to learn the Latin language, under the tuition of his brother. One day, as he was reciting a lesson in Cornelius Nepos, he suddenly started, clapped his hands to his head, as if something had hurt him. His brother asked him what was the matter; he said he felt a sudden shock in his head, and now it seemed to him as if he had read that book before. By degrees, his recollection was restored, and he could speak the Latin as fluently as before his sickness. His memory so completely revived, that he gained a perfect knowledge of the past transactions of his life, as if no difficulty had previously occurred.

The writer of his memoirs was greatly interested by these uncommon events; and on a favorable occasion earnestly pressed Mr. Tennent for a minute account of what his views and apprehensions were while he lay in this extraordinary state of suspended animation. He manifested great reluctance to enter into any explanation of his perceptions and feelings at that time; but being importuned to do it, he at length consented, and proceeded with a solemnity not to be described, as follows:

"While conversing with my brother," said he, "on the state of my soul, and the fears I had entertained of my future welfare, I found myself in an instant in another state of existence, under the direction of a superior Being, who ordered me to follow him. I was accordingly wafted along, I know not how, till I beheld at a distance an ineffable glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate to mortal man. I immediately reflected upon my happy change, and thought, 'Well, blessed be God, I am safe at last, notwithstanding all my fears.' I saw an innumerable host of happy beings surrounding the inexpressible glory, in acts of adoration and joyous worship; but I did not see any bodily shape or representation in the glorious appearance. I heard things unutterable; I heard their songs and hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise, with unspeakable rapture.

"I felt joy unutterable and full of glory. I then applied to my conductor and requested permission to join the happy throng; on which he tapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'You must return to the earth.' This seemed like a sword through my heart. In an instant I recollected seeing my brother standing before me disputing with the doctor. The three days during which I had appeared lifeless, seemed to me not more than twenty minutes. The idea of returning to this world of sorrow and trouble gave me such a shock, that I fainted repeatedly."

He added, "Such was the effect upon my mind, by what I had seen and beard, that, if it be possible for a human being to live entirely above the world and the things of it, for some time afterwards, I was that person. The ravishing sounds of the songs and hallelujahs that I

191 - The Remarkable Trance of William Tennent (1705-1777)

heard, and the words that were uttered, were not out of my ears, when awake, for at least three years. All the kingdoms of the earth were in my sight as nothing and vanity; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing which did not in some measure relate to it, could command my serious attention."