The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-26
HE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR 1000.

HELAST DAY OF THE YEAR 1000.
It was believed in the Middle
Ages that the world would come
to an end at the expiration of one
thousand years of the Christian
era. This expectation in Chris
tian countries was universal. The
year 1000 was period of sus-
pence, terror and awe. The his
tories Of this dark period give
vivid accounts and incidents of the
state of the people under the in
fuence of this awful apprehension.
A writer in the Sunday at Home
reproduces the picture with much
distinetness and relates an incl
dent of the manner that the hours
were numbered on the supposed
final night of the year, which
might aptly suggest a dramatic
subject for a poet: ,.-
When the last day of the year
1000 dawned, the madness had at
tained 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 unlight-
ed. 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 ter
rible manifestation to take place.
Silence prevailed everywhere,
except in the churches, which
were already thronged with eager
devotees, who prostrated them
selves before the shrines Of their
favorite saints, imploring their
protection during the fearful
scenes which they supposed were
about to be displayed - ..-.
AS the day wore on, the num-
Der Of those who sought admission
grew greater and greater, until
every corner of the sacred edifce,
large as these were, was densely
crowded, and it became impossi-
bic to find room for more. But the
multitude outside still strove and
clamored for admission, filling the
porches and door-ways and cling
ing up the buttresses to find
refuge on the roofs which they
could not obtain inside.
A strange and solemn commen-
tary on the text which binds mn
to watch because 'they know not
whether the Master of the house
will come at even, or at midnight,
or at cock-crowing, or in the morn
ing" was presented by the multi
tudes which filed the churches
that night.
Watch in very truth they did.
Not an eye was closed throughout
that heightened vigil; not a knee
but was bent in humblest suppl
cation; not a voice but Joined the
penitential chant, or put up fer
vent entreaty for help and protec-
ton.
There were no clocks in those
days, but the fight of the hours
was marked by great waxen tapers
with metal balls attached at in
tervals to them. Those fell, one
after another, as the flame reached
the strings by which they we're
secured, into brazen basin be-
meath, with clang which resound-
ed through the church.
At the recurrence Of each Of
these warning sounds the awe of
the vast assembly seemed to deep
en- and intensity, as each in terri
BILE suspense supposed that be-
tween him and the outburst of di-
vine wrath only the briefest inter-
val now remained.
At last the night, long as it was,
began to draw to an end. The
chill which precedes daylight per-
vaded the air, and in the eastern
sky the first pale CLEAN of the
morning began to show itself. The
light grew stronger in the heav-
ems, 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
and anxious faces of the watchers.
The night had passed away. A new
day, new year, new century,
had begun. The text that says
"No man knoweth the day nor the
hour had new meaning.