A NOTICEABLE feature of the secular press of the present day is the continual testimony borne, showing the fulfillment of the predicted signs concerning this time. Why, with all this testimony, do the writers fail to understand the age of the world in which we are living, and the events that are just upon us? It is because they do not acquaint themselves with what the scriptures have uttered upon these points, and hence bear an unconscious testimony to the fulfillment of prophecy. The popular watchmen, the professed spiritual guides of the people, keep silence, or direct the minds of the people in the wrong channel, causing them to look for a good time coming of peace and prosperity; and thus the world is rushing on, asleep to the fearful realities of the great day. In the very words of scripture, almost, we daily read accounts from men who seemingly have no thought of the prophecies, showing the fulfillment of some ancient prediction; and how can the student of prophecy doubt in view of such testimony? Let those who have the light, lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show the people what these things mean. We make these remarks to introduce the following article from the Scientific American of Jan. 1, 1869, headed, “The Eventful Year of our Lord 1868.” According to its testimony, the year just passed has no parallel in history for the number and magnitude of many of its phenomena. “The heavens above and the earth beneath,” says the writer, “have been prolific of wonders.” The article reads: From whatever point of view we consider the year just passed into history, we are struck with the number of important events that have been crowded into its annals. With its political or religious aspects, although they present much food for profitable thought and study, it is not our province to deal. The progress of science, and the remarkable physical phenomena so numerous, and in some instances so appalling, during the twelve short months that have rushed past us, give ample scope for a brief and profitable retrospect. The year 1868 will henceforth be known as the earthquake year. History has not on its records a period of such universal terrestrial convulsion as the one just left behind us, and scarcely one of greater disaster from this cause. The eruption of Vesuvius, and the excited state of many other volcanoes throughout the world, indicate that the mighty forces to which these phenomena are due, are still at work. Whether their energies are in such measure exhausted that no further immediate danger is to be apprehended, is yet undetermined. These terrible visitations are gradually changing the physical aspect of our globe; and from them we can gather some idea of the power of the immense volcanic disturbances, which, ages ago, threw up our vast mountain ranges, and engulfed whole continents. No less grand and impressive have been the celestial phenomena of the year. The great solar eclipse, possessing in some respects features of greater interest than any that has occurred for a long time past, or that will occur for a long time to come, has been not the least of these remarkable occurrences, both on account of its special peculiarities, and the results which have been obtained from organized observation. Add to this the splendid meteoric shower of November, and we may well say that the heaven above and the earth beneath have been prolific of wonders. The progress in the most mighty undertaking which the world has ever witnessed is no less remarkable. The most gigantic railroad enterprise ever attempted has been pushed this year almost to completion. The Suez canal now almost joins the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, while during the year a movement has been initiated for the construction of a similar work across the Isthmus of Darien, which will unite the two great oceans. A new sub-Atlantic telegraph, of greater length than any heretofore attempted, has been made, and will soon connect the two continents, to be followed, no doubt, by others of greater magnitude. It has also been the subject of serious contemplation to lay a cable between the Pacific coast and China, and we would probably hazard little in predicting that some even now old men will live to see that work accomplished. Never has the earth seen a period of greater enterprises; never before has civilization made such triumphant advances. The discoveries and improvements in the sciences and arts have been numerous and important. To review them and specify them as they demand would fill a volume. A glance at the index of the volume we have just closed, will show the great variety of subjects upon which scientific minds are now at work—not in mere speculation, but in actual and accurate experiment. Almost daily, nature responds to some bold inquiry of this kind, and a new truth is born to science. As this article meets the eye of our numerous friends and readers, the congratulations and kind wishes of friends will be mutually interchanged upon the advent of the new year. That the year 1869 will be as fruitful of progress and as promotive of the welfare of the entire human race as the eventful year that is passed, is our prayer, while we beg to unite with our friends in wishing each and all a “Happy New Year.”