New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-11-18
The Last Days Of the Year 1OOO.

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It was believed in the Middle Ages
that the world would come to an end
at the expiration Of one thousand years
Of the era. This expectation in Christ
ian countries was universal. The year
1000 was year of suspense, terror and
awe. The histories of this dark period
give vivid accounts and incidents Of
the state OF the people under the influ-
ence of this awful apprehension. A
writer in Sunday at Home reproduces
the picture with much distinctness,
and relates an incident of the manner
that the hours were numbered on the
supposed final night of that year,
which might aptly suggest a dramatic
subject for poet:
When the last day of the year 999
dawned the madness had attained its
height All work of whatever kind
was suspended. The market places
were deserted. The shops were shut.
The tables were not spread for meals;
the very household fires remained un-
lit. Men when they met in the streets
scarcely saw or spoke to one another.
Their eyes had a wild stare in them,
as though they expected every moment
some terrible manifestation to take
place.
Silence prevailed everywhere, ex-
cept IN the churches, which were al
ready thronged with eager devotees,
who FRUSTRATED themselves before the
shrines of their favorite saints, implor-
ing their protection during the fear
full scenes which they supposed were
about to be displayed.
AS the day wore on, the number of
those who sought admission grew
greater and greater, until every corner
OF the sacred edifices, large as they
were, was densely crowded; and it be-
came impossible TO find room for more.
But the multitude outside still strove
and clamored for admission, filling
the porches and doorways, and climb
ing up the buttresses to find refuge on
the roofs which they could not obtain
inside.
A strange and solemn commentary
on the text which binds men to watch
because ''they know not whether the
Master of the house viii come at even
or at midnight, or at the cock-crow-
ing, or in the morning." was present.
ed by the multitudes which filled the
churches that night. Watch in very
truth they did. Not an eye was closed
throughout that heightened vigil; not
knee but was bent in humblest sup
plication; not voice but joined in the
penetential chant, or put up fervid
entreaty for help and protection.
There were no clocks in those days,
but the flight of the hours was marked
by great waxen tapers with metal balls
attached at intervals to them. These
fell, one after another as the flame
reached the strings by which they
were secured, into a brazen bazin be-
meath with 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 intensi-
fy. as each in terrible suspense sup
posed that between him and the out
burst Of Divine wrath only the brief
est interval now remained.
At last the night, long as it was, be-
gan to draw to an end. The chill
which precedes daylight pervaded the
air, and in the eastern sky the first
pale CLEAN of morning began to show
itself. The light grew stronger in the
heavens, and the flame of the candles
paled before it, and at last the rays of
the risen sun streamed through the
windows on the white, anxious faces
of the watchers. The night had passed
away. A new day, new century had
begun. The text that says that mo
man knoweth the day nor the hour, y
had a new meaning. : Youths Conapa,s-
ion.