The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-01-30
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM..
= Mysterious Heavenly stranger 10 Ap-
pear in 1891.

The star called the Pilgrim we were not
50 fortunate as to see, and from so little
being published about it, We judge that
many others were either in like ignorance
or carelessness about it. But if what his
tory relates concerning certain periodical
stars of great splendor be correct, there was
no carelessness, if Ignorance neither will
there be at it's expected return about 1891.
There does not appear to be any name
given to this star, which appeared in the
dark and dim past, A. d. 94j, in or near
Cassiopeia. Another appeared in the same
region in 1864.
So benighted was that age of the world
that very little has been preserved concern
ing their exact date or of their size and APP
pearance.
But in 1872 another appeared d III the same
region in the early part of November and
was observed by the celebrated Tycho
Brahe and others. This was so remarka-
BILE that it determined that gentleman to
become an astronomer. He also wrote a
treatise upon this star. 1t is described by
some as larger than Venus at its brightest.
1t retained it size and splendor. a dazzling
whiteness with a blueish cast, for a few
weeks, then gradually diminished in lustre
and size, and being ~circunpolar it was fol-
lowed till it was no larger than a star of
the sixth or seventh magnitude: then it
disappeared. 1t had been in sight for
about sixteen months.
This wonderful star naturally started a
serious train of thought in the minds of
the thinking men of that age. This i'm
mense star (for, as it has no parallax. it
must have been immensely distant), seems
to have appeared suddenly as if it had re-
Gently become ignited. 1t may have lone
so, and thus become an example of what is
predicted for our own earth. But if this
was a world gradually consuming, it cam
not return 10 us in its original splendor in
1891. But if it was as gradually approach
ing Though unperceived, through favor
ing causes) as it receded, We yet may he
favored with the sight.
These periods though varying a little.
are something more than 300 years. But
could this. through the hindranee of cloud
and twilight, have escaped their view till
it was upon them with all its splendor99 It
is not absolutely impossible. We have not
forgotten how a large comet pouneed upon
us early one morning, a few years since.
But this ancient star was not thought to
be a comet: it seemed to keep its position
among the starry worlds. II it was neither
a burning world, with all it's vast accumu-
lation of eombustible gases in the higher
regions of its atmosphere, combined with
its deeomposed waters, nor yet a comet.
what was it?
Some have thought that it was a vast
sun, with a very elliptical orbit. and that
that orbit lay along our line of vision. Ii
is possible that ifthey had possessed instru-
ments, as We do now, they would have dis
covered motion enough, in sixteen months.
or rather in thirty-two months, counting
its visible approach, to Justify such a theory.
If this is one and the same star with the
present one, its time of return varies a lit
tie. Its first recorded period is $40 wears:
8&' AfO-Ah NCdiS. IL L IcAl Was JlS
same as last it should have been here in
1880. But if it should return in the time
of its first observed period, it would be in
1891. But if it varies it is liable to appear
at any time now in or near Cassiopeia.
History mentions other so-called new stars:
one in A. D.. 100, another in A. d. 3S9.
near Affair. 1t continued in splendor equal
to Venus for three weeks, and afterward
entirely disappeared. In view of all these
cases, it seems as though the combustion
theory should not be disregarded, as these
are spoken of as appearing suddenly. The
fact that the one discovered in November.
1872, had not become less than Jupiter in
apparent size within three months time.
while yet it was circumpolar, is against
the idea of its gradual approach undiscoy-
cred.
On this subject the late Professor Vince.
one of the most learned astronomers of the
age, has the following remark:
''The disappearance of some stars may be
the destruction of that system at the time
appointed by the Deity for the probation
of its inhabitants, and the appearance of
new stars may be for the formation of new
systems for new races of beings then called
into existence to adore the works of their
CREATOR
DIR. Mason Good seemed TO have about
the same opinions. In the course of his re-
marks, he says: lit is an extraordinary
fact that, within the period of the last GEN.
fury, not less than thirteen stars. in diff
ferent consultations. seem to nave totally
persisted, and ten new ones have been ere
ated." And still farther: What has be-
fallen other systems will surely befall our
own. Hartford Times.
What a man knows should find its ex-
preston in what he does. The value of
superior knowledge is chiefly in that it
leads to a performing manhood.
Beware how you allow words to pass
for more than they are worth, and bear in
mind what alteration ia sometimes pro-
duced in their current value by the course
of time.
The best rules to form a young man are