p. 45 | PHENOMENA IN 1860 by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1861

PHENOMENA IN 1860.

By Uriah Smith

THE following graphic description of the characteristics of the year 1860, are from a writer in the Chicago Journal. He thinks the phenomena have been such as to be especially gratifying to a Millerite. While we admit this, it is also gratifying to notice the acknowledgment he hereby gives that these things are associated in the minds of the people with the belief and the preaching of those who are looking for the end of all things. It is thus that we, too, as the prophet has said, become signs and wonders to the people. We can also add that no Millerite would have any desire to describe the events of the past year in a more vivid and impressive manner than he has done. We accept the labors of our friend in compiling these facts, and thank him for the consolation.

"Regarding the year that has just closed, with an eye to its celestial as well as its planetary phenomena, it has been a remarkable one, and might well create in the mind of a Millerite an irrefragible conviction that he had at last the date for a final prophecy. Thunder and lightning storms have been more violent and disastrous than usual. Tornadoes, unprecedented in fury, have ravaged every part of the country. Our western frontiers have been parched and blighted by burning simoons. While one section reaped a bountiful harvest, another had its crops cut off by the lack of vivifying showers. Terrible storms and gales have swept our inland waters and seaboard. Freshets and inundations have ravaged the country in different quarters. Meteors of unusual splendor and size have burst in upper air. Comets have brandished their fiery tresses. The Aurora has flaunted its banners of crimson and pearl in the northern heavens with unusual brilliancy. We have had rain-storms and lightning, hail-storms, and gales of wind, sunshine, and a variation of 20° by the thermometer in a single day. The predictions of the weather-wise have been falsified, the astronomer dumfounded and the Almanac at fault. Is there not here a magnificent field for the man of science? Who shall explain these things? trace out secret agencies at work, and show the cause of the phenomena of 1860?"

The few closing sentences are worthy of attention. "Is not here a magnificent field for the man of science? Who shall explain these things?" Yes, Who? Let science come on, as undoubtedly she will, and engage in fruitless efforts to explain by natural laws those things which the great Ruler brings about by a suspension of natural laws. Let her bring on her infamous, but withal useless and absurd, speculations. Many, no doubt, will be comforted thereby and propped up in unbelief; but God's word will be fulfilled nevertheless. Pollok anticipated, and, in his "Course of Time," has well described, this state of things:

"Meanwhile the earth gave symptoms of her end; And all the scenery above proclaimed, That the great last catastrophe was near.

The race of men, perplexed, but not reformed, Flocking together, stood in earnest crowds, Conversing of the awful state of things. Some curious explanations gave, unlearned; Some tried affectedly to laugh; and some Gazed stupidly; but all were sad and pale, And wished the comment of the wise. Nor less These prodigies occurring night and day, Perplexed philosophy; the magi tried— Magi, a name not seldom given to fools In the vocabulary of earthly speech— They tried to trace them still in second cause; But scarcely satisfied themselves; tho' round Their deep deliberations crowding came, And, wondering at their wisdom, went away, Much quieted, and very much deceived, The people, always glad to be deceived."

But if science is bound to explain all these things on natural principles, why wait till the events come to pass before commencing? The word of God tells us what shall take place; and the man of science may hence know what he will be called upon by the unbelieving world, to account for on natural principles. Let him therefore invent his theories and prepare his inventions beforehand, and be all ready to hand them out when occasion shall require! The "magnificent field" which will soon open before him, and for which he might as well now prepare, is this: To explain from what cause, a strange and wonderful affection, in the form of a "noisome and grievous sore," siezes upon a certain class of men [see Rev. xvi]; to tell why the sea suddenly becomes stagnant and putrid like the blood of a dead man; to tell why the rivers and fountains of waters all turn to blood; to explain from what cause unwonted power is given to the sun by which to scorch men as with fire; to account for the more than Egyptian darkness that shall settle down upon the seat and kingdom of the beast, and cause his subjects to gnaw their tongues for pain; to set forth the motives which will influence those European powers through whose sufferance the Ottoman empire now exists, to suddenly withdraw their support, and let that symbolical Euphrates dry up, that the last avenue may be cleared that leads to the great battle ground of Armageddon; to give the philosophy of an all-pervading, disturbing, and infectious influence that shall seize upon the whole atmosphere, dealing out disease, commotion, and death all over the earth; to give a scientific account of the formation of hail-stones of nearly sixty pounds weight each; to tell why they are formed at the particular time they are, and from what secret laboratory of nature they are hurled forth upon the earth; to account, finally, for an unusual disturbance among the heavenly bodies; to explain from what cause the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. See Joel iii, 9-15.

Over these signs, visitations and judgments, science will no doubt make many "magnificent" displays of its imbecility and folly. Patent medicines for the healing of the sores, and the staying of infection, will no doubt flood the land. But let the honest take warning in time. Let them know that these are visitations of judgment, often provoked, but long stayed, and that they fall upon those only who have become obnoxious to God's displeasure. And let the saints remember that righteousness and meekness [Zoph. ii, 3] are the only shields that will protect us in the day of his fierce anger. U. SMITH.