The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-06-04
The Year 1000.

| 1t was DelIeVed 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 Christian
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 influence of this
awful apprehension. A writer in Sunday
at Home reproduces the picture with
much distinctness, and relates an incl
dent of the manner that the hours were
numbered on the supposed final night of
that year, which might aptly suggest
dramatic subject for poet.
When the last day Of the year 900
| dawned the madness had attained its
height. All work of whatever kind was
suspended. The market places were de-
serted. The shops were shut. The ta-
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 some terrible
| NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. w v0hO P1QNCs
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-
tion 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 greater
and greater, until every corner Of the
sacred edi6ces, large as they were, were
densely crowded and it became impos.
sible to find room for more. But the
multitude outside still strove and still
clamored for admission, filling the porch
es and doorways, and climbing up the
buttresses 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 filled
the churches that night. Watch in very
truth they did. Not an eye was closed
throughout that heightened vigil; not
knee but what was bent in humblest sup
plication; not voice but what joinedin
the penitential chant, or put mp 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 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 basin beneath 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 intensity
as each in terrible suspense supposed that
between him and the outburst of Divine
wrath only the briefest interval now re-
mained.
At last the night, long as it vas, began
to draw to an end. The chill which pre-
cedes daylight pervaded the air, and in
the eastern sky the first pale gleam of
morning began to show itself. The light
grew stronger in the heavens, and the
flame of the candle paled before it, and
at last the rays of the risen sun streamed
through the windows on the white anx-
ious faces of the watchers. The night
had passed away. A new day, a new
century had begun. The text that says
that ono man knoweth tie day nor the
hour" had new meaning Youths
Conpanion.