Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-02-01
THE THEORY OF CYCLES
This Mundane sphere Prob bly, pu.s.
ing Through Prolonged Period OF
Terrestrial Disturbance.


Terrestrial Disturbance.
The theory Of cycles, as applied n
the phenomena Of nature, has gaiaed
as adherents all scientific persons OF
any standing, and numbers among ito
disciples, we believo, a great many or
thodox theologians. Indeed. there il
good scriptural authority for the he.
lief that in general way 1T never
rains but it pours," or, in other words.
that the material universe moves in
circles, and events repeat themselves in
groups at certain intervals, not as ycs
thoroughly understood by mankind.
but which are probably regulated BY
fixed laws, the secret of which NAV
sooner or later be unlocked by sci-
ence.
This is forcibly brought to mind by
the events of the past five or six years,
Within that period the earth appears
to have been especially subject to in
ternal disturbances. Volcanoes long
silent have again given signs of activity,
and some of them have burst into fierce
eruption. Something liko q score Of
new volcanoes have been reported, and
in the straits of Sunda O single day
witnessed the appearance OF dozen or
more. These phenomena have been
preceded, accompanied and followed by
the most alarming terrestrial disturb
ances. To-day it is Asia Minor, yestor.
day it was Java, the day before il was
Ischia; and in all cases there has been
fearful loss OF life and universal terror.
In the southern hemisphere, too.
there have been strange atmospheric
effects, the sun apparently shining
through veil of blue or green, and
coloring all things with n strange. awe
inspiring light. Doubtless this last
phenomenon is due to volcanic eruptions
in remote South American regions. 40.
counts of which have not az yet reached
the telegraph lines. II is little re-
markable that while these disturbances
are beyond the reach of human forecast,
the highest civilization seems 20 have
centred in terrestrial belts which havo
not been subject to upheaval within
recent geologic periods. France, Cor
many, England and tho United States
are, for the most part. outsids Of tho
earthquake belt, SO far as its limits are
at present defined.
1t is not rcassuring, however, 10
know that we ore probably passing
through period Of terrestrial disturb
ance, which may not reach its maximum
without giving US oil q taste OF ils
power. This earth Of ours runs 70
smoothly along its elliptical track,
performs its own mechanical functions
ordinarily with such perfection, that IL
Is hard to realize how small thing,
comparatively considered, may throw
the machinery out Of gear. There arc
unknown forces imprisoned within IL
surface, which now and then give Us o
hint of their existence. and there aro
unnamed extinct suns drifting about
through space. on whose bulk tho
wrecked earth would barely mako o
hillock. 1t is we'll enough for us at
times to remember these conditions,
and reflect how utterly Insignificant 10
our home and its belongings in COM
parison with the universe Of which we
form part.
Too Much Masic fSr The wsraa
A ludicrous scene was Witnessed somo
years ago in q country church In Scot.
land. The precentor was burly fel.
low, who followed the piow during tho
week, and whose only recommendation
for the post Of psalmody-leader was tho
possession of powerful lungs. Tho
paraphase, "Ho! 20 that thirst" had
been chosen, and the bucolic precentor
elected to sing it to the music OF the
odd Ca common-metre hymn 10 .
long-metre tune. He began with stcn.
torian stolidity, never dreaming Of tho
metrical precipice that lay Immediately
before him. The first line, "Hoi
ye that thirst, approach the
spring." passed off without mishap.
Then came the second line, Where
living waters fow." No sooner had tho
unfortunate precentor reached the last
word that he stood aghast at the fact
that there was more music but no moro
words! With the despairing look OF .
drowning man catching at o straw, ho
cast his eyes imploringly from side 10
side, prolonging the vowel-sound Of tho
last word into two groans OF dismay, 10
the remaining notes Of the line flow
oh!--ohw Thereupon he collapsed
into his seat with the air Of o betrayed
and deeply injured man, amid tho
audible titters of the rural congrcgs-
ton.