Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-24
w. ID. WALLACH.
THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND.


Just as this century drew TO a close, various
circumstances concurred to produce change
in mems minds. Ii was a universally diffused
belief that the world would come to an end
when thousand years from the SayiOur's birth
were expired. The year 999 was therefore
looked upon as the last any one would see
And if ever signs Of approaching dissolution
were shown IN heaven and earth, the peoplssof
this century might DO pardoned for believing
that they were made visible to them Eyon
the breaking up of morals and law, and the
wide deluge OF sin which overspread all lands
might be taken ss a token that mankind were
deemcd unfit to occupy the earth any more.
In addition to these appalling symptoms,
famines were renewed from year TO year in
still increasing intensity, and brought the
plague and pestilence in their train. The land
was left untitled. the houses unrcpaired the
right unvindicatcd; for who could take the use
less trouble of plowing or building, or quarrel
ling about property, when so few months were
TO put an end TO all terrestrial interests Yet
even for thefew remaining days the multitudes
must be fed. Robbers frequented every road,
entered even into walled towns; and there was
no authority left to protect the weak or bring
the wrong dOer TO punishment Corn and cattle
were Mt length exhausted. and in great part
OF the Continent the frightful extremeties were
endured; and when endurance could go 10
farther, the last desperate expedient was re-
sumed. One man went 50 far rs to expose il
fer sale in populOus market town. The
horror of this open confession of their deeds
was 80 great that the man was burned but
more for the publicity Of his conduct than for
his inherent guilt. Nothing was sacred-no-
thing was safe. Even when food might have
been had, the yitiated taste made bravado of
It's deprivation, and women and children were
killed and roasted in the madness of the uni
versal fear.
Meantime, gentler natures were driven to
the widest excess of fanaticism to find retreat
from the impending Judgment. Kings and en-
perors begged at monastery doors to be ad-
mitted brethren of the order. Henry of Ger
many and Robert Of France were saints ac-
eording to the notions Of the time, and even
now deserve the respect Of mankind for their
simplicity and benevolence of their character
Henry, the Emperor. succeeded in being ad-
mitted as monk. and swOrc obedience on the
hands OF the gentle abbot who had failed from
turning him from his purpose
Sire" he said at last, ''since you are under
my orders, and have sworn TO obey me- / COM
mand You to go forth and fulfil the duties of
the state to which God has called YOU Go
forth monk to the Abbey of st. Vanne, but
Emperor of the West"
Robert of France, the son of Hugh Capet
placed himself robed and crowned, among the
chOristers Of st. Denis, and led the musicians
in singing hymns and psalms Of his own compo-
sition. Lower men were satisfied with sacri-
fcing the marks of their knightly and seigno-
rial rank, and placed baldricks and swords on
the affairs, and before images of saints Some
manumitted their serfs, and bestowed largo
runs upon charitable trusts, commencing their
disposition with words implying the approach
ing end of all Crowds of common people
would sleep nowhere but in the pOrches or at
any rate. within the shadow of ths churches.
and other holy buildings; and rs the day of
doom drew nearer and nearer, greater efforts
we're made to appease the wrath of heaven
Pesce wa proclaimed between all classes Of
men. From Wednesday night till Monday eve
ming OF each week there was to be no violence.
or onmity, or war in all the land. 1t was to be
truce Of God.
And now came the dreadful or hoped for
year. The awful Thousand had at last COM
menced. and men held their breath to watch
what wOuld be the result Of its arrival.
And he lid hold Of the dragon. that old
serpent. which is the devil, and Satan. and
bound him for thousand years, and east hin,
iatO the bOttOmleSs pit, and shut him up, and
set seal upon him, that he should deceive the
nations no more, till the thousand years should
be filed and after that he must be loosed a
little SESSION. '-Rey. Xxx. 2, 3.
With this text all the puIpits in Christendom
had been ringing for whole generation. And
not the Pulpits only. but the rejection halls Of
converts. AMI the cottages Of the starving peas
entry. into the castle. also, Of the noble We
have seen it had penetrated; and the most ab-
Ject terror pervaded the superstitious while
despair, as in shipwrecked vessels, displayed
itself amid the masses Of the population in riot
ing and insuboTdinatiOn. The spirit of evil for
a little season was TO be let loose upon a sinful
world; and when tho observer looked round at
the real condition of the people in all parts Of
Europe-at the Ignorance and degradation Of
the multitude, the cruelty Of the lords and the
unchristian ambition and unrestraned passion
of the clergy-it must have puzzled him how "a
imagine worse state Of things. even when the
chain was looscncd from =. that old serpent. y
and the world placed INCREASINGLY in his folds
Yet, ss If men smnds had n1w reached Their
lowest point, there wa perpetual rise from
tho beginning OF this date. When the first day
Ct the thousand and first year shone upon the
world ii geened that in all nations he torpor
Of the past Nas 10 hg thrown off There were
strving everywhere after a new order of things
The first JOY of deliverance from expected de-
s.ruction impelled all classes Of society in a
more honorable ard useful path than they had
ever hitherto trcd.--IYRItes Ei9hteeH ChJis-
tan CeEfNries
CHEMICAL TESTs ~ MURDER CAsEs The
New York correspondent of the PhiIsdelphis