Phenix Gazette

Falling Stars.--That the late phenomena would have created a great sensation—that in some minds the most gloomy anticipations would be indulged, and that the phenomena would be interpreted into signs portentous,—we never doubted; but were not prepared for the extraordinary interpretation given to it by the Editor of the Old Countryman—a weekly paper devoted to English news—to flash, frolic and fun; a kind of sporting chronicle, with considerable circumspection. The worthy editor has been suddenly appalled by the glorious light—has thrown by his quirks and quibbles, his wit and witticisms, and falls to praying with fervor, and prognosticate seriously that the world is coming to an end.—

Let us hear what he has to say:-

We pronounce the Raining Fire which we saw on Wednesday morning last an awful Type—a sure Forerunner—a merciful Sign of that great and dreadful Day which the inhabitants of the Earth will witness when the SIXTH SEAL SHALL BE OPENED!

That time is just at hand—described not only in the New Testament but in the Old; and a more correct picture of a fig tree casting its leaves when blown by a mighty wind, it was not possible to behold.

And again:-

Many things now occurring upon the Earth tend to convince us that we are in the "LATTER Days." This exhibition we deem to be a type of an Awful Day fast hurrying upon us This is our sincere opinion: and what we think we are not ashamed to tell

Men may, and have, called us Enthusiastic -

We care not if they call us Fanatic and Mad, so that we feel they are mistaken. Fearing neither the face of human clay, man's arm, nor man's voice, while we obey human Laws and Love and Fear God. and have the evidence within that we are believed in return, we will go on our way rejoicing. Nor would we go alone. Hence we warn all to turn to the Lord while yet he is near.

The quotations from Scripture with which the editor attempts to strengthen his position are as follows:

And God said, let there be lights in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day from the night; and let them be for Signs, and for SEASONS, and for days and for years —Gen. 1. 14.

And the Stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely fig, when she is shaken of a mighty wind --Rev 6. 13.

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestine, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a Fiery Flying Serpent.

Isaiah 14, 29

And there shall be signs in the Sun, and in the Moon, and in the Stars; distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.

Luke, 21 to 25.

But in those days after that tribulation, [the destruction of Jerusalem] the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Mark, 13, 24, 26.

There can be no doubt that shooting stars, falling stars, meteors, eclipses and other phenomena of the heavenly bodies, occurred in ancient times as they do now occur, with this difference, that in the dark ages they were considered as signs; and the inspired writers referred to those signs as the sources of prophecy, which we at present account for no philosophical principles, guided by the lights of science. What lately occurred in the heavens has before occurred, and yet the world was not destroyed -

A similar phenomenon was seen on the same day a year ago in the Red Sea, in the neighborhood where the above quotations from scriptures were written; not far from Mount Sinai, where, amidst thunder and lightning, the great moral law which governs the civilized world was given.

It is also stated that on the 13th Nov. 1779, a similar phenomenon took place in South America.

Here are three events of a similar character, occurring at three different periods, and yet the world is not destroyed.

" The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Doth his Creator's power display.
And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand."

The editor of the Old Countryman must take courage—look with hope and confidence to that all-wise and all-directing Providence, in whose hands we all are, who created the world, and will sustain the work of his creation.

N. I. Star.