The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-11
SIGNS IN THE HE4TENS.
A "Reminiscences or 1a56-Two suns-And
Short Sermon ON superstitIon.

INV " hhoA VI"
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuY-Sfr: Those ..siens in
the heavens" which were noticed here one piRht
this week were not at all remarkable only misty
freaks of light and mist. The fact that the hoary
superstition-an excresence Of faith in God who
worked miracles-which accepts inexplicable phe-
nomena rs warnings of impending great disaster is
still so very widespread might perhaps be considered
more noteworthy. But when we sec that among
those transcendents who profess to have no faith
sion that this wonderful world OF ours, with its In
Vulnerable. stupendous, and microscopic wonders,
shows no evidence whatever OF an Intelligence
greater than man's-the far grosser superstition
which seeks help and what not in astroloRy. palms.
try. and what not Is steadily getting moro and nrmer
hold. then the superstitions Of the simple. minded
appear no longer remarkable. A well developed
bump of bucolin superstition is certainly not half as
ridiculous as "cultured ~ persons crystal. gazing.
Well. chdctn d son oout. But It may be appro-
PIRATE to point out that - signs far more remarkable
than those visible last week were not followed by
any particular calamity. For instance. tho double
While the Centennial Exhibition was in Its glory
Beaumont, Tex. about one hundred men In con,
s!ructinE the railroad which now connects Houston,
been burning with unparalleled rerreness; the black
soil "Gnnbo," was baked to the hardness OF stone;
Texas. were drying out rapidly ana emitted a stencil
our thirst with except lukewarm river water.
favored with oatm al. In short. IL was enough TO
make even an alligator turn up HIS toes.
Our gang OF ninety men happened to he a particu.
larry mixed one IN II were represented not lefs than
twcnty.three nations-from Mexico TO Russia and
even Australia; It contained bookkeepers, the er.
treasurer OF a Canadian railroad, several compositors
BARRIERS. cahinetmakers. &c.. with a good sp.inkllng
of brawny lrislnen-atthnt time the raiiroaders par
excellence IN tho United states. and nearly all got a
bad scare by "a sign from heaven"
At last. one day II was ~ unsupportably hot that
morning only thirteen wore able to recommence after
dinner. At 3 O'Clock only four still held our. and nj
4 O'Clock all had retired to tho shade OF the dining
AMI sleeping cars.
ly as ever. It grew darker aud darkor. and Everything
around IFS assumed an unearthly hue, with susp.
ciously sulphurous tint and faint. am very sure
that IL made many a face there look yellower and
rose. whose edges were colored most brilliantly, VET
dsintiIy. Suddenly there appeared In the East az.
actly opposite to the real sun. a phantom sun, q clear.
ly defined straight white line connecting the two
suns,
This strange appsrition. coupled with the strange
twilight aud tho stranger haze. was simply appalling
Soon the absolute stiffness of prairie and terrined
camp was broken by the prayers or some, and, | am
men appeared to await the seemingly impending
doom with greater calmnesa than might have been
expected.
After about half an hour all the "sIgns =" gradually
disappeared. An hour later a n roe storm ragged over
the prairie, and the 80 fcrvently longed. for rain fell
In tOrrentS-a real and great blessing for the moor
railruaders In camp, and no doubt also for the poor
~alligntorS IN the neiRhbor!ngp ponds,
The heavens are u wonderful book, WhORa aober
contemplation teaches us, more than anything else.
Gods greatness ami our own nsign!ncancp; he nj
lnaSt " no has learned this cRsy lesson will scorn the
idea that they are also gOt's bulletin boarI Wherein
lie notincb man OF great mischief which mau thinks
TT 10 do to man. ZuBERuIuIy n
lO3 EAST THIRD STREET. March 10.