The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-06-04
The Year l,O0Oe

It was believed In the Middle Ares
tbet the world would come to an end at
the expiration of one thousand years of
the era. This expectation in Christian
countries was universal. The year 1 600
was year of suspense, terror and awe,
The histories of this dark period rive
vivid accounts and incidents Of the sfate
of the people under the influence of this
awful apprehension. A writer in &t.nllnu
at Home reproduces the picture with
much distinctness, and relates m Incl.
dent OF the manner that the hours were
numbered on the supposed final night Of
that year, which might aptly suggest q
dramatic subject for q poet.
When the last day of tho year 900
dawned the madness had attained its
height. AL work of whatever kind was
suspended. The market places were de.
serted. The shops were shut. The Ia
bles were not spread for meals; the very
household fire remained unlit. Men,
when they met in the streets, scarcely
saw or spoke to one another. Their eyes
had wild stare in them, as though they
expected every moment scme terrible
manifestation &c take place.
Silence prevailed everywhere except in
the churches, which were already throng.
ed with eager devotees, who prostrated
themselves before the shrines of their
favorite saints, imploring their protec.
ton during the fearful scenes which they
supposed were about 10 be displayed.
AS the day wore ON, the number of
those who sought admission grew grestes
and greater, until every corner of the
sacred edifces, large as they were, were
de1sely crowded and IL became inpos.
sible to find room for more. But the
multitude outside still str0ye and still
clamored for admission, filing the porch.
es and doorways, and climbing up the
bEttresses to find refuge on the roofs
which they could not obtain inside.
A strange and solemn commentary on
the text which bids men to watch because
they know not whether the master of
the house will come at even or midnight,
or at cock.crowing, or in morning. was
presented by the multitude which filed
the churches that night. Watch In very
truth they did. Not an eye was closed
throughout that !engthened vigil; not o
knee but what was bent In humblest sup-
plication; not voice but what Joined in
the penitential chant, or put mp fervid
entreaty for help and projections.
There were no clocks in those days, but
tuo uISuL VI Inc nOurS was marked by
great waxen tapers with balls attached
at intervals to them. These fell one
after another es the flame reached the
strings by which they were secured, into
brazen basin beneath with o clang
which resounded through the church.
At the recurrence Of each of these
warning sounds the awe Of the vast as.
sembly seemed to deepen and intensity
as each in terrible suspense supposed that
between aim and tho outburst of Divine
wrath only the briefest interval now re.
mained. -. :5ait 81 tggs
At last the night, long as IL was, began
to draw to an end, The chill which pre-.
cedes daylight peryaded the air, and In
the eastern sky the frat pale CLEAN Of
morning began'to show itself. The light
grew stronger in the heavens, and 5the
ilame of the candle paled before II, and
at last the rays Of the rieen sun streaned
through the windows on the white ar,x-
ious faces Of the watchers. The night
had passed away. s. A new day, a new
century had begun. The, text that save
that "no man knnHeth tie day nor The
hour" had q : aew meaning. = YoiitHs
Cbmpa,sto:.. i z. f2ls'