Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-03-08
WHOLE NUMBER 3S9.
Siunificant or Accidental

The approaching combined perihe-
liza of four large planets of the solar
system, which will cu,minate in the
year 1880, is exciting much alarm
among the astronomers who, of all
others can best measure phenomena
which is without a parallel. Marked
disturbances and disastrous results
have always attended the near ap-
proach of even one of the larger plan
etary worlds to the sun; who then
can forecast the consequences of the
relatively close proximity to the CEN
ter of our solar system Of four such
vast bodies as Jupiter, Saturn, Uran-
us and Neptune simultaneously.
Such coincidence has not happened
within the Christian Era, and indeed
may possibly have never before oc-
Cured.
In the sixth and sixteenth centu-
ries there was similar combination
of three planets. The consequent
disastrous results to the health, life
and material prosperity of man give
no uncertain premoni,ions Of what
may be expected, when the united force
Of four such bodies are exerted in cir
cumstances Of greatest power upon
the orb of day.
The power Of attraction between
bodies depends upon their relative
size and the distance of separation.
Jupiter, for instance, is Thirteen hun
dred times larger than our earth. In
its revolution around the sun, it's
nearest point Of approach to that lu-
minary is said to be forty-six millions
of miles lsss than at its remotest point.
The other planets of the solar system
are OF varying distances and dimen-
sions, and of great inequality in the
period Of their revolutions, SO that
they seldom act in massed conjunc-
ton, but in their distribution occa-
sion an equilibrium of tolerable uni
formity in their forms of attraction.
In tha light of these facts we may
not wholly comprehend the grounds
of apprehension entertained by SCI
entists. These startling facts are
not the vagaries of a distempered i'm
agination, nor are they the interpre-
tations of mystic symbolism, but the
absolute verities of mathematical dem
oIstration.
Science therefore in its purest meth
DDS teaches US in no doubtful terms
that an unprecedented and disastrous
crisis is impending. That in the
course of the next succeeding year
the gathering forces among the dis
tant planetary worlds will burst upon
US in destructive violence. Though
its precise proportions may be inesti-
mable, it is surely sufficient to SOL
emnize every mind that the profound
est scientists view its approach with
| dread.
From very different stand. point,
and by higher class Of evidence, the
same marked year of 1880 is invested
with solemn interest. By the best
attained knowledge of prophecy, the
most careful analysis of history, and
the most accurate tables of chronology,
the twenty three hundred days of the
vision of the prophet Daniel end with
1880. By several lines of inexorable
logical argument this identical year
is reached as the last one in the exist
ing order of time.
Though in firm belief that we are
near the end of this present world
and the glorious advent of the Son of
man, I have not ventured to think
or speak with positiveness of the pre-
else year, or have I been in doubt Of
the accuracy of chronological history
Yet I must confess that so remarka-
bic a conjunction of science and
prophecy with other palpable indica-
tions of lesser weight, brings the
event SO ardently longed for, within a
narrower limit than mere possibility.
It certainly justi6es the loving expec-
fancy of many of the Christian
Church, and demands immediate
preparation of all for an event at once
imminent and momentous.
7 This event is the eliminating epoch
Of the worlds history. Swallowed at
the early dawn in mystic words Of
prophecy; emblazoned by the Son in
his propitiatory mission at noon tide
and written out with prehistoric yet
fgurative accuracy in the apocaly pse
I at the sunsat of Divine insnirati IN .