Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-31

ont Of existence. l should like to
know, Scientists tell us that fixed
laws govern the universe, and regulate
terrestrial movements With unfailing
precision; but science has never yet
related what became of the many
bright bodies that have shone for past
generations, but do not for ours.
And, speaking of the end OF the
world, l have been reading, recently,
a sketch entitled The Wonders Of
the Heavens" by a French writer,
who Glludes to strange aud extraor-
binary phenomena recorded in the
past, and which on various occasions
caused predictions of the end of time,
and fears which could not be stihed.
Indeed, as long as the world lasts,
there are people who will believe in
its dissolution at some unexpected
period.
"A prediction was made nearly
three hundred years ago, which is one
of the most memorable extant. 1t
announced in Latin verse: This
8Sth year from one thousand five hun
bred, after the conception Of tho Vir-
gin, will be strange and full Of dread;
it will bring with it sad distresses. II
in this terrible year the perverse
world does not fall into dust; if the
earth ard seas are not annihilated, all
the empires Of the world will be over
thrown, and affection will Cypress the
human race
Naturally so thrilling an announce
ment created a sensation ct the time,
but the people lived through
it, as they have though many others
Of a similar character. An a~strologer
named Stafler gave out, once upon a
time, that on the 10th Of February,
1924, a conjunction of certain planets
would produce q universal deluge.
Many people of the tine believed in
this prophecy; even sayants. philoso-
piers and learned men had faith in it,
aud the common herd, of course, fol-
lowed in countless Numbers, the
sinister news travelling rapidly to all
parts Of the civilized iworld. The
result was, a strange fright pervaded
the minds Of vast communities, The
records state that many, living along
marshy rivers in view Of the antici-
pated inundstion, removed to higher
places and made provision for a long
wet spell, There were religious pro-
SESSIONS, public prayers aud calls upon
the Almighty 10 avert the dire disss-
ter and pity the poor people, Some
sold their property at a sacrifice along
river and sea shores 10 persons who
were skeptical. In the south OF
France another Noah built an ark and
took his friends, with a few ANIMAL,
aboard. Others did the same al VAR
Gus places, and fear was so great that
churches wopid not contain those who
sought refuge therein, even though it
was preached over and over again that
God long since gave out, the world
should not be again drowned out.
Even in our own generation we have
like predictions, aud believers are,al
ways to be found, despite the fact that
the appointed time passes and gives
each prediction positive denial"
And now, as our earth moves
along in a rather wild sort Of
way, over $4,000 miles a
minute, what II is to hinder it from
flying the track, I'd like 10 know, and
falling over into so1e other worlds
line Of travel, where it will be knock
ed into meteoric particles in less than
no time, If Mother Symptoms pre-
diction is to come to pass, and we are
all to perish, it would be well for PEG
pie to begin to make their wills and
fix for their dissolution as soon as
possible"
By this time crowd had gathered
around the exhorter, WHO had become
quite eloquent III his description. 4
friend stepped up, touched the orator
on the shoulder suggested fresh Christ
mas eggpog ct the White house, and
the party slid quietly up the back
alley to take a social nip.