The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-09
THE YEAR 1860.

. the christian world has been looking for ward
for centuries with eager anticipation, as preg-
nant with events Of momentous interest to the
whole human race. They derive this belief
FROM the study aud Interpretation OF the proph-
ecies contained in the book of DANIEL and APP
ocalypse, from which they conclude that 1866 is
TO be the commencement of the millennium.
The eleventh aud twelfth chapters of Daniel,
and the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters Of
the Book Of Revelations, contain prophecies ev
identity referring to the same events, and each
designating, in the language peculiar to proph-
ecy, a certain period at which the events shall
take place. When compared, they are found to
correspond exactly 10 point of time, and that
time is 1860 years. At the end of that time
it is foretod that some great anti christian pow
err shall be overthrow aud the millennium COM
mence. Protestants regard Papacy and the
Mahometan Kingdoms as the power 10 question.
The Angel tells Daniel that all this shall hap
pen in "a time, times, and half time" that is,
in twelve hundred and sixty prophetic days or
actua, years, from certain event, which is af-
forwards spoken of as the setting up of the
determination that makcth desolate." What
particular event is here alluded to, is not known.
The Scriptures always aude to the 'abomina-
ton that maketh desolate' as something direct
ed Immediately against Cmnipotence or His
worship. Protestants believe that the par:icu-
lar events here alluded to, are the assumption
of supreme, spiritual and temporal power by
the Bishop of Rome, and the rise of the Ma
hometan inposture. They maintain that these
events both occurred the same year, namely: in
606. Twelve hundred aud sixty years from
that period, bring us to this present year. 1t
seems to be agreed that the introduction of the
state of things described peculiar to the mil
lennium, is to be gradual, not violent or imme
date. Others think that the prophecies, both
Of Daniel and of John, refer to a period some
what earlier than 1866. They say that if the
year be reckoned at $50, instead of 365 days,
They say that in the year the Pope was expell-
ed from Rome, that he was from that moment
shorn Of all political power, that his downfall is
slowly progressing, that he exists only by the
projections Of France, that he will never recover
his power, but 60 on declining until he shall
have fallen entirely, &C..
For our own part We do not believe that the
millennium will commence this year. There
are too many things to be done before that
blessed period shall open upon the world. Ma
hometanism, and other religious impostures, are
to be overthrow; the Jews are to be converted
and restored; the heather Comprising at least
| two-thirds of the human. race) to be con-
verified to Christianity There are hardly any,
We imagine, hopeful or creduous enough to ex-
pect that these things will be done the present
year. They could not, indeed, be accomplished
except by succession of miracles so stupendous
that all those recorded in the Scriptures COM
biued would be unworthy to be named in the
same day with them, and Providence never in-
tervenes with sudden and startling miracles in
such cases. The prophecies will all be fulfilled,
as vast multitude of them have been fulfilled
already. Heaven and earth may pass away, but
not one word of-prophecy shall fall to the
ground. But no man ever did, or ever will, in
te-pret the meaning, verify believe, of one
of them before its fuIfllment After fu|filment,
every man looks back and says "What tools
men we're not to have seen this !'-for the &C
complishment Of prophecy is SO distinct that 1t
can leave no doubt on the mind The language
of prophecy is always obscure, and was doubt
less made SO by design. Its accomplishment is
the highest evidence the Almighty has vouch-
safed Of the sacred character of His Book
None but God can toreknow anything A
prophecy accomplished must, therefore, be Of
God. The Scripture contains an Infinite mum
Der of prophecies, stretching from the creation
of man to the end Of time. AS far the world
has yet gone, they have all been fulfilled with
the most astonishing accuracy. Therefore the
Bible must be Of Divine orr gin, and in the Bible
is to be found all that is necessary for man to
know with regard to his welfare here and in
eternity. The study of the holy writings, which
| the desire to penetrate into the future stimu-
lates and perperuates, is nevertheless, very
laudable. 1t calls attention to the Bible, and
causes it to be read much more largely than it
otherwise would be- Num5erless works have
been written on the very subject we are treating
| of. a large proportion Of them are distinguished
for the learning and ability they display. Some
of them overflow with eloquence, and all of them
are extremely entertaining Some fanatics there
have been, and some madmep; but, for the most
part, nobody has been hurt and many have been
benefited by these Investigations .-Richmond
Wing.