THE COMET AND THE END OF THE WORLD.
By Editor
A PERSON came into our Office the other day, to obtain a paper, as he wished to know if the world was really to be destroyed in June next by the expected comet. He doubtless thought to find a full discussion of the subject, as a matter of course, in our paper. But we are not doing that kind of business. It is none of our work to raise any excitement on such a foundation as this. First, it is only some one out of a thousand astronomers who has predicted that the comet's path would bring it in contact with the earth at all; the main body of them deny any such result. And second, if the comet and the earth should, in their revolutions, both seek to occupy the same sphere at the same time, it remains to be proved that it would result in any damage to this planet of ours. According to the best light which science now sheds on the subject, it would not. And yet there is an extensive alarm growing up in regard to it throughout the country; and we learn that "in portions of Europe the ignorant population are all in excitement." This is, of course, by many connected with "Millerism," and we are branded as fanatical alarmists. But it is not those who have a hope well grounded upon the prophecies and promises of God, that are ready to fall into convulsions over this phenomenon. The anxiety felt and manifested, is on the part of those who, if they have not made the coming of Christ and the end of the world, a matter of scorn and ridicule, have at least treated it with indifference and neglect. These are the ones to come to us and inquire if we think this may be the destruction which they have often heard us read from the word of God, should at an unexpected hour come upon the world. But though this excitement is groundless, it is nevertheless of deep significance. It shows something. It reveals to us a state of feeling which our Saviour told us should exist in the last days; namely, that men's hearts should be failing them for fear. The word of God presents considerations which should excite the deepest concern. The end of all things is at hand. The Judge standeth at the door. We have a surer foundation for our faith than to suppose that the destruction of the earth is committed to an erratic comet. The idea of the earth's destruction in the common acceptation of the term, we disclaim. We are told that it shall be purified by fire. When the elements shall melt with fervent heat; that this shall take place at the perdition of ungodly men, which is at the end of the 1000 years intervening between the two resurrections; that 1000 years previous to this time, the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, and the righteous—the dead being raised and living changed—be caught up to meet him in the air. We are also informed what phases the world shall exhibit as we near this time; what signs shall be manifest in the natural, moral and political world. All these things may be known. They are written out in bold lines in the word of God; and all it costs to know them is the trouble of reading them. Upon whom then will rest the blame, if that day overtakes them as a thief? Let those who charge the humble expectants of their Lord with ignorant fanaticism, beware lest it redound upon their own head as ignorant infatuation.