Child Visits Heaven and Hell

John Wesley, in his Journal of August, 1746, vol. 1, pages 374-375-376, concerning one he styles "S.T.," says:

"About six in the morning she was rising, and inwardly praying to God; when on a sudden, she was seized with a violent trembling. Quickly after she lost her speech in a few minutes her hearing; then her sight, and, at the same time, all sense and motion.

"Her mother immediately sent for Mrs. Designe, to whom she then went to school. At the same time her father sent for Mr. Smith, apothecary, who lived near. At first he proposed bleeding her immediately, and applying a large blister; but upon examining her further, he said ' It signifies nothing, for the child is dead.' About twelve o'clock she began to stir; then opened her eyes, and gave the following account:

"As soon as I lost my senses, I was in a dismal place, full of briers, and pits, and ditches; stumbling up and down, and not knowing where to turn, or which way to get either forward or backward; and it was almost quite dark, there being but a little faint twilight, so that I could scarce see before me. I was crying, ready to break my heart; and a man came to me, and said: 'Child, where are you going?' I said: 'I could not tell.' He said: ' What do you want?' I answered: 'I want Christ to be my refuge.' He said: 'You are the child for whom I am sent; you are to go with me.' I saw it grew lighter as he spoke. I observed his clothes; they reached down to his feet, and were shining and white as snow.

He brought me through a narrow lane, into a vast, broad road, and told me: 'This leads to hell; but be not afraid; you are not to stay there.' At the end of that road a man stood, clothed like the other, in white, shining clothes. Turning to the left hand, we went down a very high, steep hill. I could scarce bear the stench and smoke of brimstone. I saw a vast many people that seemed to be chained down, crying and gnashing their teeth. The man told me, the sins they delighted in once they are tormented with now. I saw a vast number who stood up, cursing and blaspheming God, and spitting at each other; and many were making balls of fire, and throwing them at one another. I saw many others, who had cups of fire, out of which they were drinking down flames; and others, who held cards of fire in their hands, and seemed to be playing with them.

"We stayed here, I thought, about half an hour. Then my guide said: 'Come; I will now show you a glorious place.' I saw the gate of heaven, which stood wide open; but it was so bright I could not look at it long. We went straight in, and walked through a large place, where I saw saints and angels; and another large place, where were abundance more. They were all of one height and stature; and when one prayed, they all prayed; when one sung, they all sung. And they all sung alike, with a smooth, even voice, not one higher or lower than another.

"We went through this into a third place. There I saw God, sitting upon His throne. It was a throne of light, brighter than the sun. I could not fix my eyes upon it. I saw three, but all as one. Our Savior had a pen in His hand. A great book lay at His right side; another at His left; and a third partly behind Him. In the first He set down the prayers and good works of His people; in the second He set down all the curses, and all the evil works of the wicked. I saw that He discerns the whole earth at a glance.

"Then our Lord took the first book in His hand, and went and said: 'Father, behold the prayers and the works of my people.' And he held up His hands and prayed, and interceded to His Father for us. I never heard any voice like that; but I cannot tell how to explain it. And His Father said: 'Son, I forgive Thy people; not for their sake, but Thine.' Then our Lord wrote it down in the third book, and returned to His throne, rejoicing with the hosts of heaven.

"It seemed to me as if I stayed here several months but I never slept all the while. And there was no night; and I saw no sky or sun, but clear light everywhere. Then we went back to a large door, which my guide opened; and we walked into pleasant gardens, by brooks and fountains. As we walked, I said: 'I did not see my brother here' (who died sometime before). He said: 'Child, thou canst not know thy brother yet. Thy spirit is to return to the earth. Thou must watch and pray. Thou shalt come again hither, and be joined to these, and know everyone as before.' I said: 'When is that to be?' He said 'I know not, nor any angel in heaven; but God alone.'

While we were walking, he said: 'Sing.' I said 'What shall I sing?' And he said: 'Sing praises unto the King of the place.' I sung several verses. Then he said: 'I must go.' I would have fain gone with him; but he said 'Your time is not yet; you have more work to do on earth.' Immediately he was gone; and I came to myself, and began to speak.

"She received remission of sins when she was nine years old, and was very watchful from that time. Since this trance she has continued in faith and love."

Again, Mr. Wesley, in his Journal of August 6, 1759, page 42, says: "I talked largely with Ann Thorn, and two others, who had been several times in trances. What they all agreed in was, 1. That when they went away, as they -termed it, it was always at the time they were fullest of the love of God. 2. That it came upon them in a moment, without any previous notice, and took away all their senses and strength. 3. That there were some exceptions; but in general, from that moment they were in another world, knowing nothing of what was done or said by all that were round about them.

"About five in the afternoon I heard them singing hymns. Soon after Mr. B. came up and told me that Alice Miller was fallen into a trance. I went down immediately, and found her sitting on a stool, and leaning against the wall, with her eyes open and fixed upward. I made a motion as if going to strike; but they continued immovable Her face showed an unspeakable mixture of reverence and love, while silent tears stole down her cheeks. Her lips were a little open, and sometimes moved; but not enough to cause any sound. I do not know whether I ever saw a human face look so beautiful; sometimes it was covered with a smile, as from joy, mixing with love and reverence but the tears fell still, though not so fast.

"In about half an hour I observed her countenance change into the form of fear, pity, and distress; then she burst into a flood of tears, and cried out: 'Dear Lord, they will be damned! They will all be damned!' But in about five minutes her smiles returned, and only love and joy appeared in her face. About half an hour after six, I observed distress take place again; and soon after she wept bitterly, and cried out: 'Dear Lord, they will go to hell! The world will go to hell! ' Soon after, she said: 'Cry aloud! Spare not!' And in a few moments her look was composed again, and spoke a mixture of reverence, joy, and love. Then she said aloud: 'Give God the glory.' About seven her senses returned. I asked: ' Where have you been?' ' I have been with my Savior.' 'In heaven, or on earth?' 'I can-not tell; but I was in glory.' 'Why then did you cry?' 'Not for myself, but for the world; for I saw they were on the brink of hell.' 'Whom did you desire to give the glory to God?' ' Ministers, that cry aloud to the world; else they will be proud; and then God will leave them, and they will lose their own souls.'" -- The Plumbline