The surprising case of Rachel Baker, who prays and preaches in her sleep : with specimens of her extraordinary performances taken down accurately in short hand at the time ; and showing the unparalleled powers she possesses to pray, exhort, and answer questions, during her unconscious state : the whole authenticated by the most respectable testimony of living witnesses / by Charles Mais, of the city of New-York, stenographer.

  • Mais, Charles.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The surprising case of Rachel Baker, who prays and preaches in her sleep : with specimens of her extraordinary performances taken down accurately in short hand at the time ; and showing the unparalleled powers she possesses to pray, exhort, and answer questions, during her unconscious state : the whole authenticated by the most respectable testimony of living witnesses / by Charles Mais, of the city of New-York, stenographer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    8 One of the curious particulars in her case is, the persuasion she possesses that she is wide awake. On one occasion I observed, during her sermon, that she ought to he silent and not talk so long and so loud in her sleep. She heard me and denied that she was asleep. Her eyelids were, as usual, accurately closed, and there was no sign of winking. She declared herself awake, and in confirmation of her opinion, described in vivid and glowing strains the spectacle then bright in her view ; consisting of the angels, saints, and souls of just men made perfect, minister- ing before the throne of the Almighty, clothed in robes white as snow, and without spot or blemish, and looking like fine linen wrought by skilful hands, and with curious and cunning workmanship. Ano- ther memorable particular is, that while she is in this paroxysm, she acts under the persuasion that it is the duty of those who are renewed by all merciful grace to direct poor wanderers to the strait way, while at the same time her waking belief is, that it is not apostolical for a womafi to be a public teacher of holy tilings.' To remove this train of symptoms, her physicians had attempted to abate the excitement of her scnsori- ura by blood-letting. This, though practised to a de- gree considerably debilitating, did not prevent the paroxysm, nor break the hahit of recurrence. Re- course was also had to opiates, with the intention of composing her to sleep, but their anodyne qualities were of no avail. The fit was not broken, and the diseased associations went on as before. I have not learned that any other important remedies were tried. She was brought to New-York in October, 1814 ft) procure medical counsel, to try the effect of travel- ing and to experience the influence of a maritime at- mosphere. Doctor Douglass was requested to take charge of her health ; and by that gentleman I was desired to visit her. It was concluded, through ten- derness, to forbear all recommendation of active pre B