American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-02-08
EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE


This little work, the singular ahnunciation of
which, few weeks ago, by General Smy,h, excited
so much curiosity has made its appearance. We
have given 1t a very cursory perusal, and without
expressing any opinion it except that it displays
great ingenuity and research will endeavor to con.
vey to our readers general idea Of its contents.
The General endeavors to show, by reference
to the early christian writer's that the Apocalypse
was not written until the close OF the second
century, and that consequently the apostle John
could not have been its author. Instead of consider
ing it as prophelcal description Of events that were
to take place, he regards the historical part Of
a Gguralive account OF some OF the leading events
that took place, in the Roman empire, and par,cu-
lary in Byzantium, during the age preceding that
in which it was written
"The contents oil The historical part of the Apo
calypso, (says the GENERALLY may be stated thus
"Chap. 6. The reign Of Commodus, and his
death.
"Chap. 8. Heresics in the time Of Commodus.
"Chap 9. The same subject continued.
"Chap. IL. The fall oil Pertinax and Didus.
"Chap. IL. Seplimius Severus, his wife and
eldest son.
"Chap. 10. Aibinus, his statues, medals and
coins.
"Chap. IA. Caracalla, the army of Severus,
and the punishment of the Pre,orian guards.
sChap. l6. Civil war between Severus and
Niger.
"Chap. II. The city of Byzsntum, and The
emperor Niger.
"Chap. Is. Byzantium taken and destroyed.
"Chap. 49, Caracalla, and the defeat OF Albus
at Lyons.
Christians Of that age sung Halleluiah! And Ca
racalla, who attempted to murder his father; who
murdered his brother in the arms OF his mother
who put to death 10000 persons Tor being his bro
|ther's friends who massacred the people OF Alex
andrla during festival and whose cruelty no rank,
sex, or age escaped-he is the LAMB of the Apo.
calypso"
The whole book he denounces as pious for
Igery," aud calls upon the clergy "cxpunge from
the of faith forged book, written in the spirit
|of Unsuitable revenge" He is of opinion, that it
was written by lreneus, bishop OF Lyons in Gaul.
HIM. Seminal.
THE APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED We
have just run over the pamphlet Of General Alex
ander Smylh, of Virginia, containing tan explana
on of the Apocalypse, or Revelation OF ST. John
For the information of those who may be inclined
to pay fifty cents for pamphlet of fifty nine pages
IL mo-, large type, and like angels visits few and
far between,'' we will briefly state, that the book
commences by trying TO prove that St. John aoa'
not the author oil the Revelation, and concludes witt
the opinion that Ireneus, bishop OF Lyons, was the
author. The writer treats the Revelation as ar
enigma, and proceeds to the solution. We quote
the following specimens: " BE thou faithful untt
death, and IaciH glue thee crown Of life" CHAP
q 81 presume that Polycarp, bishop Of Smyrna
who suffered death about the year l66, is the ange
to whom this is addressed" find 1 saW, and be
hold phite horse; and he that sat on him had q
bo,o." CHAP. 6. "This is Commodus, Emperor
of Rome who took great delight in shooting with
bow, and gave astonishing proofs OF his dexterit!
and skill p &c. a great red dragon, harins
seuen heads and ten hor6s. and seren croUns upol
his heads.' CHAP. 10. This is Septimius SIEVE
rus' Emperor of Rome. g. saW wild beas
rise up out of the sea, having seren heads and tel
horns, and upon his horns. ten croaons" CHAP. !5
I" This is Albinus, one Of those who commended wit
Severus for the Roman Empire" &c. HIS mum
Der is $685. CHAP. l3. "The name OF Declmu
Clodus Albnus, written in Greek, contains thl
number" To this the author appends note wit
a table of the Greek letters, with which we cannc
crafty our readers for want of types. In this not
the author says: This is the proof required b
the writer that his enigma is solved. There can
mo mistake. The Interpretation is sure
n Bait. Pat.
j Professor Everett, in his Grafton pronounced |
Plymouth on the 22d OF December last, at the ar
!. niversary meeting of the Pilgrim Society, cal
11-&i