Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-01-19
1866.

The Near 1896 was more than gFAina.
riIy crowded With great events. The yeal
upon vl;ea we have jusi entered bids fan
to equal or even surpass it in the importance
Of its hearing upon our immediate future al
a nation But if the predictions, Of the
most eminent students Of prophecy, for
hundred Of years past, are to be relied on,
there is probability that It may be big
with events Of the highest Importance to
all men and nations. From the remotest
antiquity to the present day, there has exis.
ted deep seated belief or tradition, that
the world would endure six thousand years,
and that at the end of that period the pres
ent dispensation would cease and the Sab
batical rest OF Millennium begin. This opin-
ion was held BY the earliest commentators
| upon prophecy and was taught by many EN-
inent christians Of early times, such as JUS
tin Martyr, frenaeus, Tertullian and 9TH
ers. The commonly received chronology of
the Scriptures, being no part of the inspired
record, IS generally agreed among commen-
tators to be defective; it makes the six
thousand years extend about one hundred
aud thirty three years in the future. Emil
nent chronologists differ in theircalculations,
making the six thousand years end at van-
Gus periods ffosl the close. of 1865 up to
1898 or 2000; some of the most distinguish
ed making it end with 1865
Again there is period, more frequently
alluded to than any other in prophetic
scriptures, known as the twelve hundred
and sixty years of Daniel, at the expiration
Of which the power of the man of sin is to
be destroyed and the millenial period to be-
gin. The chief difficulty, respecting this
period, is to find its commencement, and
this has generally been placed by protestant
commentators in the year e06 A. D. when
the Pspacy was established by the decree Of
Phocas, and about which time also Moham-
mechanism arose. One or both Of these is
regarded as that power pointed out in scrip
ture, which is to run bloody and tyrranic-
al course of twelve hundred and sixty years
and then terminate in sudden and terrible |
overthrow. Many able commentators agree
upon this period and Faber, whose scheme
and calculations are the most elaborate and |
complete embracing and harmonizing the
prophecies of Daniel and John, solving
more difficulties, answering more objections
and throwing more light upon Revelation
than any other, makes the twelve hundred /
and sixty years end with 1865.
:. On the supposition that Popery is the
system indicated there are certainly some
striking concurrences taking place, not the
east among which is the withdrawal of the
French troops from Rome. The Uairerse. a
paper of the Roman Catholic Church, pub
ished in Philadelphia thus groups together
5he dangers which seem to be gathering
-ound the head of the Papal church
''0ur ilIustrious Holy Father, the most gra-
,ious of all the Popes, is now Deset by new
dangers. The Emperor of Catholic France Is
leserting him; Victor Emanuel Is necessarily
plotting for his ruin in every direction; hor-
1es of armed brigands, melted to pillage and
INVASION by Italy, are constantly outragine
ooth his people and his sacred possessions;
md Europe looks on without protest.
What viii the issue be? Lamoriciere is
lead. Pimodan is no more Mgr Merodea
nan of splendid capacities in military mat
-ers, has laid down his office from bad state
IF health. And the Papal soldiers though
brave and true as soldiers can be, are out
matched in numbers, ten to one, by the
troops of the surrounding enc
MES. Spain has Joined the robbers. Aus
ria-even Austria-may be purchased with
bribe, or compelled by fear to do the same
niquitous act. Examined in the temporal
mirror Of things, it must be acknowledged
hat the illustrious Chief of Christendom is
o the attitude ofa fawn in the tigers jun
gle. =