Halley's Comet by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 22.

Halley's Comet

By Editor

HALLEY'S COMET has been decidedly disappointing save to the fearsome ones. Yet we have not felt at all that it would be as spectacular as many indicated. In our issue of March 29, it was said as to the passage of its tail that “probably will not be noticed by ordinary mortals unless on account of certain electric or magnetic, and perhaps atmospheric, phenomena.” In our issue of April 19 we said, “It will be a question whether people are not much disappointed in its brightness as compared with the comet of 1861 or 1882.” In the SIGNS of April 26 Professor Burckhalter said, and of scientists so far as we know he was alone in saying it:

“It is not absolutely certain, nor anywhere near certain, that the earth will pass through the tail of the comet. If the tail is curved, as the tails of comets usually are, it is easily possible that the earth will pass under it, several hours, or even a day or two, after the 18th.”

Well, the professor's forecast was correct. The tail did not envelop the earth, nor was there any display worth the name. At Yerkes' Observatory a slight shower of meteors was laid to the comet. We endeavored to assure our readers, and prevent needless alarm, and we hope we succeeded. There were in different parts of the country many frightened ones; some died of fright, several committed suicide, others became insane. One man confessed to a murder. It is a good thing on such occasions to trust God. The sad thing is that many will become frightened over some careless remark of a scientist or noted man who will pay no regard to God's solemn warnings of great evils. A calamity, ever present, worse than any comet, is sin. But for that God has the remedy.