The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-16
WARTIME SCRIPTURE.


During the progress of the war, among the
means employed was one that has probably
been forgotten by most engaged in that great
struggle. 1t was an attempted application Of
scriptural prophecy to the war between the
north and the south, and is interesting as
showing tendency Of the mind to Gull hope
in time OF trouble from the most unusual
sources.
A writer in tho Savannah Republican for
May II, 1864, signing himself" Daniel, treated
OF this matter in the following manner:
Let us notice the prophecy Of Daniel con-
corning the war between the north and the
south, and see If there is not an analogy suffi-
cent TO create the belief that ii has reference TO
the present war. / know that commentators
have given different view Of the subject,
though none Of them havo given positive as
suraHce that they are correct.
81 would particularly refer to the army raised
by the King OF North-Daniel XII, 3; and then
great army Daniel XII, 10 and IL which met
with similar reverse, and then OF the posses
sion taken OF the islands and cities, and his
final overthrow, IN all Of which ! think we
have prophecy in scripture of the present
struggle.
NOW. as to the time of the end-Daniel xii,
6, Z and u. Verse 6: Aud one said to the
man clothed in linen, which was upon tho wa
tiers Of the river, How long shall it be to the
end Of these wonders
"Ncrse Z; And heard the man clothed in
linen, which was upon the waters Of the river,
when he held mp his right hand and his left
hand unto heaven, and sware by him that
1t shall be for time times and half; and
when he shall have accomplished to scatter
tho power of the holy people, all these things
shall be fulfilled.
Verse ~. Blessed is he that waiteth, and
cometh to the thousand three hundred and
five and thirty days
Now, according TO this prophecy, II it has
references TO the present war, peace may be
confidently expected between this
MAY I'D and the first OF September. Count
ing the days from the first battle of Fort Sum
ter, April II, 1861, it viii be observed that
! 1886 days will have been accomplished on the
first Of September, 1864"
"The verses referred to In the above commun-
ication, but not quoted, are as follows: Chap
ter xi, verse 3: And n mighty king shall stand
up, that shall rule with great dominion, and
do according TO his will.
~. And when he shall stand up his kingdom
shall be broken, and shall be divided toward
the four winds Of heaven, etc.
"Yerses - and IA are as follows:
''l3. For the King Of the north shall return,
and shall set forth q multitude greater than
the former, and shall certainly come after GER
tain years with great army, and with much
riches.
IA. And in those times there shall many
stand up against the king of the south also
tho robbers of the people shall exat them
selves to establish the vision but they shall
fail"
The above Is all that was referred to In the
communication of "Daniel, ;" and the event
proved how slender was tho base upon which
the hopes of the southern people were at
tempted to be built. A careful study of the
prophecy, too, shows that if it were proper to
select isolatcd verses, and upon them base
prediction, there would he but little difficulty
IN proving that tho victory, instead of being
with the south, would most certainly be with
the north. Witness, chapter XII, verse &.
"And in the end of years they shall Join them
selves together for the kings daughter OF the
south shall come to the king OF tho north to
make an agreement; but she shall not retain
the power of the arm; neither shall he stand,
nor his arm; but she shall DO given up, and
they that brought her, and no that begat her,
and he that strengthened her in these times.
Would amy one have tho courage to claim
that the latter part OF this verse predicts the
capture of Jefferson Davis, tho ''king of the
south9' Now look Mt verse 10, Of the same
chapter. $50 the king Of tho north shall come
and cast up mount, and take the most fenced
cities; ;eld tho arms OF the south shall not
withstand neither his chosen people neither
shall there DO any strength to withstand"
Verse rs must also refer TO the king Of the
north. 'But he that comcth against him
shall do according 10 his own will, and none
shall stand before him; and he shall stand in
the glorious land, which by his hand shall be
consumed"
Is il not clear from the prophecy itself that
II had no reference To our war? And ii il is
not clear from the prophecy tcertanlyi is from
the result of the war. And does 10, the qucs-
tion naturally arise, when this AID other fail
Uros to interpret the prophecies Of scripture
ARE taken into consideration, what confidence
can he placed in any Interpretation OF the
pruphecios2 The difficulty seems TO be that
no enc can be certain OF tho application of
any prophecy 10 any particular event in history,
and until such application can be made with
certainty, would it not seem reasonable To
withhold confidence in or assent TO any pro-
posed interpretations j. w,