Remember May 19 by Arthur L. Manous

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 10, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 18.

Remember May 19

By Arthur L. Manous

By Arthur L. Manous

We are told that on May 19, 1910, and before and after, a comet is to be seen in the heavens; or that the earth is to pass through the tail of the comet. This will give us another view of the handiwork of the Creator of all things; and many will look for the comet with unabated interest, as many now living have never seen a comet.

But it is an event that occurred May 19, 130 years ago, which we wish to remember just here. You will recall that on one occasion the disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Inspiration answers thus: “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars,” “before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” See Matt. 24: 1-3; Luke 21: 25; Joel 2: 31.

In harmony with these scriptures, let us read the following: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall.” Mark 13: 24, 25.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.” Matt. 24: 29. See also Rev. 6:12, 13.

Note carefully these inspired predictions. The prophet Joel said these signs should occur “before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” Mark said they would occur “in those days,”—the 1260 years of papal supremacy ending 1798,—but, he continues, “after that tribulation,”—which tribulation ceased in 1776. And Matthew adds that these signs should take place “immediately after the tribulation of those days;” that is, before 1798, and just after 1776. This in brief is the Scripture prediction. Now let us inquire, What are the historical facts in fulfilment of the predictions?

“The 19th of May, 1780, was a REMARKABLY DARK DAY. Candles were lighted in many houses. The birds were silent, and disappeared. The fowls retired to roost. It was the GENERAL OPINION that the day of judgment was at hand. The legislature of Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to transact business, adjourned.” —Timothy Dwight, in Connecticut Historical Collections.

“Dark Day, The, May 19, 1780, so called on account of a remarkable darkness on that day, extending over all New England. In some places persons could not see to read common print in the open air for several hours together. . . . The true CAUSE of this remarkable phenomenon IS NOT KNOWN.” —Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, in Explanatory and Pronouncing Vocabulary, article “Dark Day.”

“The darkness of the following evening or night was probably as gross as has ever been observed since the Almighty first gave birth to light. I could not help conceiving at the time that if every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable darkness, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper held within a few inches of the eyes was equally invisible with the blackest velvet.” —Mr. Tenney, in “Stone’s History of Beverly, Mass.”

Like testimony by the page could be presented, but the foregoing must suffice. We see, however, that the first two of these inspired predictions were fulfilled on May 19, 1780, to a letter as to both manner and time. But there is in the prediction another clause which we wish to notice: “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Rev. 6:13.

This was literally fulfilled on Nov. 13, 1833, and is still fresh, as it were, in the minds of some now living, so we hardly need to refer to history at all. However, I will notice two or three short extracts. The celebrated astronomer, Professor Olmstead, says:

“Those who were so fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history.” —“Facts for the Times,” page 71.

On Nov. 14, 1833, Henry Dana Ward said:

“No philosopher or scholar has told or recorded an event, I suppose, like that of yesterday morning. A prophet 1800 years ago foretold it exactly, if we will be at the trouble of understanding stars falling to mean falling stars, in the only sense in which it is possible to be literally true.” —Journal of Commerce, Nov. 14, 1833.

Once more: “While a mere lad,” said Horace Greeley, “I was wakened in the night to see a pale, frightened face bending over me, and to hear, ‘Get up! get up! the day of judgment has come, I believe, for the stars are all falling.’” —New York Tribune, June 4, 1859.

“But,” says one, “what on earth do all these inspired predictions and their fulfilment have to do with the comet expected on May 19?” Nothing at all, I answer, except that some people seem to be excited and fearful that it will bring the end of the world,—the very thing which the disciples asked about. Now while we do not believe that the comet will bring the end of the world, we do believe that these signs which we have seen fulfilled in the sun, the moon, and the stars do tell us plainly that we are nearing that great day “in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” See 2 Peter 3:10-13.

Of these three signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, the Saviour said, “When these things begin to come to pass,”—and they began May 19, 1780,—“then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. And in Matthew He says: “When ye shall see all these things, know that it [R.V., He] is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matt. 24:33, 34.

Now, dear reader, while we do not look for the end of the world on May 19, 1910, and while the Scriptures teach us plainly that no man knows the day or the hour, we are to know when that day is near, even at the doors; and we may know that years have passed rapidly since the last generation began, and we must be nearing its end. And while we do not expect the coming of the Lord and the end of the world on May 19, 1910, at the appearance of the comet, yet He will come before the present generation shall have all passed away. Let us watch, and be ready to say with all the righteous, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.” Isa. 25:9.

Cartersville, Ga.