Smyrna times., 1869-08-11
A Remarkable Document.

A well known resident of this city is about
issuing, in tract form, most remarkable docu-
ihent: The idea is that day shall be set apart
Dy christians of every denomination, when |
prayer shall be offered that at a certain day and |
hour the Lord will set a sign in the heavens
whereby lnfdels may know that the Bible is tie
Word OF God. The tracts are to find their way
all over the country, aud will probably excite a
considerable degree Of public attention. They
have not yet been issued, but the reporters of
the Courier have been enabled to secure the
manuscript of the document, and for the first
time the matter is given 10 the reading public.
The Tract is as follows:
And Elijah came unto all the people and
said: How long halt we between two opinions.
Ii the Lord be God, follow him but if Baal
then follow him. Again, we ask, who will be
our Elijah? Who, among the thousands of
God S protessed ministers, will dIre to stand
forth and say to lnfdeity: Thus far shalt
thou go, and no further? Who will dare to
throw himself into stream and check the tide
that is even now carrying thousands, aye, mil
lions of the brightest and best of our fellow be-
ings down to eternal misery? Surely there
must be some one who has sufficient faith in
God promises to ask for some sign whereby
all shall know that He is the true Cod That
trial like that instituted by Elijah would con-
vince the world to day, we do not for one mo-
ment believe. But We do believe that if the
clergy everywhere, of all denominations, were
to pray to God that at stated time (say on
next Christmas eve) sign might be set in the
heavens above us-a sign intelligent to all, to
continue forever, that God would grant the
prayer, we cannot doubt, for has He not said
:" II We shall ask anything in my name, will dc
ltE wherefore, We have only to ask, and we
shall receive Here is inserted the 10th chap
ter OF lSt hingS from the 2lst to 39th verses)
Now suppose that all Christian denomina
tlons were to instruct their churches to pray
that sign might be given as above-how sw #
ly the tidlngs would fly to the uttermost part
OF the earth In this age Of steam and electri
city. Millions OF human voices would join il
, petitloning the throne of grace. Week afte
week rolls round Christmas day draws near
a day dear to all believers tbs the birthday o
Christ Day after day rolls on-'tiS Christ
mas eve ; slowly sinks the sun to rest. Th
5 stars peep forth one by one, and look down up
on millions OF uprooted, silent, prayerful faces
I Alb what solemn hour! yet what beautifu
E sight-a world in prayer Not cloud can b
0 seen-nothing but the vast, blue expanse G
heaven genlmed with myriads of wandering
starry worlds. All is beautiful, silent, serene
J., The hour is at hand All what suspense, wha
. feeling of soelmn awe steals o er all. Suddenl
n from the very zenith bursts forth food {
Il golden light. Soon the air is filled with angle
4 shouting, Behold the hour has come; y
s shall know that Christ is the Lord; serve y
d Him, tor He hath set His sign in the heavens
r Behold, behold !" The sign appears. 1t is il
i telligible to all, and with one accord feelin
world shouts, GLORY, glory to God in tn
- highest! This is Christ our Lord We wo
v ship Him, the only true God! Glory Hallell
jah! II Where is our Elijah? Who is it tn;
n will show to the skeptioal world that God
t promises lin the written Wordl are true? Fl
! hath He not said, Ask, and ye shall receive
e seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall
n opened unto you ?"-Necark ~ j., Couie