The Real StoryI have read the accounts recorded for us by Jonathan Edwards, and it appears that the period Mrs Mumford is referring to is Thursday January 19th to Thursday 4th February 1742. In his memoirs Jonathan Edwards records his wife's own account of this period. The nearest incident that I can find to the one referred to is as follows, in Mrs Edward's words. I would also make a plea that to really understand what was happening the whole of her account needs to be read, so that the importance and understanding of what is happening might be appreciated property [i.e. The Works of Jonathan Edwards, pp Ixii - Ixx, "Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards", Chapter XI, Banner of Truth Trust 1976] "I awoke in the morning of Thursday Jan. 28th, in the same happy frame of mind, and engaged in the duties of my family with a sweet consciousness, that God was present with me, and with earnest longings of soul for the continuance and increase of the blessed fruits of the Holy Spirit in the town. About nine o'clock, these desires became so exceedingly intense, when I saw numbers of people coming into the house, with an appearance of deep interest in religion, that my bodily strength was much weakened, and it was with difficulty that I could pursue my ordinary avocations. [Perhaps I might comment here, that in those days, society women showed a much weaker disposition and were readily given to fainting experiences.] About 11 o'clock, as I accidentally went into the room where Mr Buell was conversing with some of the people, I heard him say, '0 that we, who are the children of God, should be cold and lifeless in religion!' and / felt such a sense of the deep ingratitude and deadness, that my strength was immediately taken away, and sank down on the spot. Those who were near raised me, and placed me in a chair; and from the fullness of my heart, I expressed to them, in a very earnest manner, the deep sense I had of the wonderful grace of Christ towards me, of the assurance I had of His having saved me from hell, of my happiness running parallel with eternity, of the duty of giving up all to God, and of the peace and joy inspired by an entire dependence on His mercy and grace. Mr Buell then read a melting hymn of Dr Watts, concerning the loveliness of Christ, the enjoyments and employments of heaven, and the Christian's earnest desire of heavenly things; and the truth and reality of the things mentioned in the hymn, made so strong an impression on my mind, and my soul was drawn so powerfully towards Christ, that I leaped unconsciously from my chair. I seemed to be drawn upwards, soul and body, from the earth towards heaven; and it appeared to me that I must naturally and necessarily ascend thither. These feelings continued while the hymn was reading, and during the prayer of Mr. Christophers, which followed. After the prayer, Mr. Buell read two other hymns, on the glories of heaven, which moved me so exceedingly, and drew me so strongly heavenward, that it seemed as it were to draw my body upwards, and I felt as if I must necessarily ascend thither. At length my strength failed me, and I sunk down; when they took me up and laid me on the bed, there I lay for a considerable time, faint with joy, while contemplating the glories of the heavenly world. After I had lain a while, I felt... more fully resigned to God, than I had ever been conscious of before. ... These anticipations were renewed over and over, while I lay on the bed from twelve o'clock till four, being too much exhausted by emotions of joy, to rise and sit up; and during most of the time, my feelings prompted me to converse very earnestly with one and another of the pious women, who were present, on those spiritual and heavenly objects, of which I had so deep an impression." [Memoirs, pp.lxiv-lxv. Italics mine] Mrs Edwards had a wonderful and most amazing experienced of the presence of the Lord, of that there is no doubt. However, she was not, as is claimed, 'slain in the Spirit', nor did she 'get drunk in the Spirit'. She was not insensible, or unconscious, but continued to share with those around her all that God was showing her. She didn't sleep much, but wanted to consciously praise and worship God. So draining were her experiences that by the evening of Friday 29th January she was "informed that Mrs. P—— had expressed her fears lest I should die before Mr. Edward's return, and he should think the people had killed his wife; I told those who were present, that I chose to die in the way that was most agreeable to God's will, and that I should be willing to die in darkness and horror, if it was most for the glory of God." (!) A real change of heart had occurred. Before these experiences of the grace and mercy of God she was judgemental concerning others, and she certainly refused to die under any circumstances! After she had been touched by the Holy Spirit in this remarkable way she now "Felt a far greater love to the children of God, than ever before."
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