Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-05-28
stlisteilauepns &eadiua.
THE YEAR 1000.

It was believed in the Middle Ages that
the world would come to an end at the eXpl-
ration of one thousand years of the era. This
expectation in Christian countries was uni
versal. The year 1 1000 was a 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 Sun
tlay at Home reproduces the picture with
much distinctness, and relates an incident
of the manner that the hours were num-
bered on the supposed final night of that
year, which might aptly suggest dramatic
subject for poet.
When the last day of the year, 999 dawn
ed 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 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 mo-
ment some terrible manifestation to take
place.
'Silence prevailed everywhere except in
the churches, which were already throng-
ed with eager devotees, who Frustrated
themselves before the shrines Of their favor
ite saints, imploring their protection during
the fearful 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
edifces, large as they were, were densely
crowded; and it became impossible to find
room for more. But the multitude outside
still strove and still clamOred for admission,
filling the porches and doorWays, and
climbing up the buttresses to find refuge on
the roofs which they could not obtain in
side.
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
growing, or in morning." was presented by
the multitude which filled the churches
Not an eye was closed throughout that
heightened vigil ; not knee but what was
bent in humblest supplication; not voice
but what Joined in the penitential chant, or
put up fervid entreaty for help and pro-
lection.
There were no clocks in those days, but
the flight of the hours was marked by great
waxen tapers with balls attached at inter-
walls to them. These fell one after another
as the flame reached the strings by which
they were secured, into brazen basin be-
neaCn WIFI dclduS WlllCll Ieooullucu llilouSh
the church.
At the recurrence of each of these warn
ing sounds the awe of the vast assembly
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 remained.
At last the night, long as it was, began to
draw to an end. The chill which precedes
daylight pervaded the air, and in the east
ern sky the first pale glealn of morning be-
gan to show itself. The light grew strong
er in the heavens, and the flame of the can.
die paled before it, and at last the rays OF
the risen sun streamed through the win
dows on the white anxious faces of the
watchers. The night had passed away.
A new day, a new century had begun. The
text that says that "no man knoweth the
day nor the hour" had new meaning
YOUTHS Companion.