p. 7 | The Dark Day of 1780 by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1916

The Dark Day of 1780

By L. L. C.

Signs of Christ’s Coming—No. 2

The Dark Day of 1780

THE time of the dark day which was to be a sign of Christ’s coming is given by Matthew as “immediately after the tribulation of those days.” A description of those days of persecution and their shortening for the elect’s sake, had been given in the preceding verses, in these words:—

“Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matt. 24: 21, 22.

We are then to look for the occurrence of a dark day soon after the influence of the German Reformation and the French Revolution had wrought such religious and civil changes throughout Europe that the power of the Papacy to persecute heretics in any country was practically gone.

The prophet Isaiah, in his description of this same sign, pointed out the time of day when the darkening was to occur:—

“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.” Isa. 13: 9, 10.

The fulfilment corresponded with remarkable exactness to the prophecy. We quote from memoirs written and published within five years of the event:—

“The time of the extraordinary darkness was May 19, 1780. It came on between the hours of 10 and 11 A. M., and continued until the middle of the next night, but with different appearance at different places. As to the manner of its approach it seemed to appear first of all in the southwest. The wind came from that quarter, and the darkness appeared to come on with the clouds that came in that direction. The degree to which the darkness arose was different in different places. In most parts of the country it was so great that people were unable to read common print, determine the time of the day by their clocks or watches, dine, or manage their domestic business, without the light of candles. In some places the darkness was so great that persons could not see to read common print in the open air, for several hours together; but I believe this was not generally the case. The extent of this darkness was remarkable. Our intelligence in this respect is not so particular as I could wish; but from the accounts that have been received it seems to have extended all over the New England States. It was observed as far east as Falmouth. To the westward we hear of its reaching to the furthest parts of Connecticut, and Albany. To the southward it was observed all along the seacoasts, and to the north as far as our settlements extend. It is probable it extended much beyond these limits in some directions, but the exact boundaries cannot be ascertained by any observations that I have been able to conduct. With regard to its duration, it continued in this place at least fourteen hours; but it is probable this was not exactly the same in different parts of the country. The appearance and effects were such as tended to make the prospect extremely dull and gloomy. Candles were lighted up in the houses; the birds, having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and became silent; the fowls retired to roost: the cocks were crowing all around, as at break of day; objects could not be distinguished but at a very little distance, and everything bore the appearance and gloom of night.”—Mem-oirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences: to the End of the Year 1783, Vol. I, pp. 234, 235. Boston: printed by Adams and Nourse, in Court Street, 1785.

The account given in a history of the United States, published only two decades after the event, is of interest, as it tells in more detail of the darkening of the moon on the following night:—

“This day [May 19, 1780] has been rendered very remarkable by an extraordinary phenomenon, which demands a particular relation. An unusual darkness came on between the hours of ten and eleven in the morning, and continued to increase. Your friend, having been accustomed to dark days in London, and frequently observed from his study the bright shining sun gradually, and at length totally, eclipsed as it descended

behind the thick vapor which hung over the city, regarded it with no special attention till called to do it by his neighbors who were much alarmed. He dined by candlelight about one. After that it grew much lighter, and he walked about five o’clock to a tavern, a mile distant, on the road to Boston, to meet a select committee of Roxbury, on special business. When they had finished, about eight at night, he set out for home, not suspecting but that, being fully acquainted with every foot of the road, he should easily return, notwithstanding its being extremely dark.

“There were houses all the way, though at a considerable distance from each other. He marked the candlelight of one, and with that in his eye, went forward till he got up to it; but remarked that the appearance of the place was so different from what was usual that he could not believe it to be what it was, had it not been from his certain knowledge of its situation. He caught the light of a second house, which he also reached; and thus on. At length, the light being removed from the last he had gained sight of, ere he was up with it, he found himself in such profound darkness as to be incapable of proceeding, and therefore returned to the house he had passed, and procured a lantern. Several of the company, having farther to go, were on horseback. The horses could not see to direct themselves; and by the manner in which they took up and put down their feet on plain ground, appeared to be involved in total darkness, and to be afraid lest the next step should plunge them into an abyss. The gentlemen soon stopped at another tavern, and waited for the benefit of the moon; but after a while, finding that the air received no accession of light from it, when they were certain it was risen they had recourse to candles to assist them in getting home. In some instances horses felt the forcible operation of the darkness so strongly that they could not be compelled by their masters to quit the stable at night, when wanted for a particular service. The shifting of the wind put an end to it, and at midnight it was succeeded by a bright moon and starlight.”—The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America, by William Gordon, D. D., 3 vols., Vol. III, pp. 56, 57. New York, 1801.

As we see that these signs have already been fulfilled, let us rejoice, remembering the words of Luke 21: 28:—

“When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Every additional sign that we shall find has been fulfilled should but make our joy the greater as it shows the day of Christ’s coming to be even still nearer.

L. L. C.