Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-06-03


The following remarks are made on the
! extraordinary appearance ofthe Shoot
ing Stars in Richmond, which we pub
hshed some time ago. .=zzzz- -. i
Fran The Amtriean Daily Ades,hiser.
. Mr.. Pouison, - j. =, - T.,
To explain the nature and cause Of ex-
traordinary appearances, falls within the
province ofastronomers, astrologers and
philosophers. This is very often done
to satisfaction and seeming prohability.-
Inguuious men may with much ease,. ac-
count for any appearances. When how
ever, appearances are Of 50 eztraordina.
~ nature, as those which happened at
Richmond, on the 2sd April, We are con-
strained TO withhold our expaaasions---
or from giving reason, or assigning eau
ses from natural deductions or prinei-
Ples.-That phenomenon, in my opinion,
was designed for some grsatsnd and pur-
pose, by a power superior to all, at whose
command the elements must form, or
gather themselves, to execute his win.
Il Is an eternal truth, that the power
which created, and called al things INTO
being and existence, can command to
form themselves into any shape or form
he pleases. So
amneither an astronomer, astrologer,
philosopher or prophet, shall therefore
notattemPtt 10 shew that such appearances
are produced by collection Of sulpharic
yapours exhaling from the sarth--but to
shew that these are the signs we are to
look for, as they are recorded in the pa
ges Of truth. j ann induced to believe,
from the many extraordinaryao occurrences
and phenomenas which have appeared
within so years past, 70. the best of my
recollection, that the time is not far dis
tant, when this world win be visited in a
manner not expected by many now. It
is written-the stars shall fall from Hea-
ven--the armament ofthe Heaven shall
be shaken, then win appear in glory and
majesty, HEwho (now denied and mock
ed b. many1 viii cali to Judgment the
hardened and stifF-necked atheist, aud or
der them to 4 place suited to their. state
and condition. r 4
lam well aware this kind Of prophecy
viii not be we'll received BY many. 1t is
always most pleasing to US to hear good
things, whichpronniae safety and success.
Good prophesying, though pleasing to
the passions, desires and NATURAL feeling;
J produces no good effect ffeyer It did
am ignorant Of it. But am not igno-
i rant offs having produced illefects, de-
structive to many. True prophesying
however disagreeable 20 the passions,
desires and natural feeling Of the sensual
list, has alwayshad good effect upon some
| if not all. II has often been means of
stopping and turning many from theroad
to ruin and destruction. Considering
man in state Of nature, without fear Of
i q future punishment for crimes commit
ted inthis life, which remained unknown;
or sure hope ola future reward for a
well spent life every sensible oand rati-
onal thinking man, viii and must admit,
that nothing but afdread Of punishment
can prevent and deter FROM the commits
sion Of hcrrid and shocking deeds-sLet
none despise prophesying. True pro-
phesying always proved itself true.
GOOD prophesying always proved it-
self false in the end. & s.
Let the daring ProAigate who bids de-
hance 10 Observation-Disclosures the sly
secret & deep designing rogue, who Sc.
crctly studies how to take in and injure
his neighbor both inperson and proper
~, take il int serious confederation,