Anna — Dream of the Celestial City Before Her Death in London (1814)

Anna, a volatile woman in London, had a vivid dream in 1814 of walking in a wide street of a city that was not of this earth. She saw buildings like palaces of light, a hall where people were sprinkled with water and clothed in white, and a bright staircase. She was invited by various messengers to join the songs and dance of those who were redeemed, but she refused, saying she did not know the tune or the measure. Eventually, a figure with eyes like lightning and a voice like ten thousand thunders caused the floor to open and she sank into torments. At the end of the week, she was found dead in her room, though she had no apparent physical disease or illness.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I thought that I was walking in the wide street of a city, with many people beside myself, but the air that moved in it, and the light that shone in it, were such as I never saw; it was all bright, in their own ineffable felicity, their songs and looks of gratitude forming the countenances and the differences of each. At length I saw one taller than the rest, and in every way far more fair, far more dignified, more awfully surpassing fair, what yet surpasses thought, and to him each eye was turned, and in his face each face was brightened; the songs and the dance were in his honour, and all seemed to derive from him their life and joy. I was invited by many to join in their songs and their dance, but I refused, saying I did not know the tune or the measure. I then saw a hall, where many were sprinkled with water, and clothed in white, and a bright staircase, which I was told led to the presence of the Father. I was again invited to join in the songs and the dance, but I still refused, saying I did not know the tune or the measure. At length, a figure appeared with eyes like lightning, and a voice like ten thousand thunders, and said, 'If you will not join in the songs and the dance, you must go to the place prepared for those who will not.' The floor then opened, and I sank into torments. I awoke in an agony of terror, and at the end of the week I was found dead in my room, though I had no apparent physical disease or illness.