The evening times., 1900-05-29
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
TUESDAY. MAY 90. 1900
Some Lessons of the Eclipse.

Some Lessons of the Eclipse.
The recent eclipse of the sun suggests
to the student of history a well-dehned
contrast between the civilization OF today
and that of a few genergt 'ons ago. This
contrast really goes to prove Dr.. Hebet
Newton's theory that we are on the verge
of q great religious revolution
Two hundred years ago an e-lpse
of the sun was the signal for a solemn
state of mind. if not of an actual panic. in
the minds Of the majority Of the popula-
tion. When the famous dark day OF
the last century occurred, many people
were convinced that the judgment was
about to take place, and that they would
hear Gabriel's trumpet before they saw the
sun again. and that the dead would rise
out OF the cemetery before the chickens.
which had sought their roost. deceived by
the darkness. should descend therefrom and
resume their usual employments. 1t is re-
corded that a State Legislature was act.-
ally on the point Of breaking up and re,
solving itself into a revival meeting when
Abraham Davenport. a member with more
coOlness and horse sense than the rest.
suggested that if the judgment day had
arrived ii might as well find them trans
acting their business at the post of duty;
and the Legislature went on with its DELHI
eratiocs- Even so late as forty or fifty
years ago. the churches were kept open
and prayer meetings held on the day Of an
eclipse, and the whole population breathed
a sigh Of relief when it was over without
any sensational developments.
IL,
shower Of shooting stars. or a tidal wave.
means judgment day has been practically
abandoned. On Monday morning the people
Of the city OF Washington were not on
their knees in church. quakirg with appre-
hensiOn lest the clouds should open ami
strange beings descend upon them with
sound of trumpets. They were OF
with smoked glasses examining the sun.
They were not reading chapters from Rev
elatiOn. They were eagerly peTus:ng the
newspapers to see when the eclipse would
he at its height If anybody should oh
serve the sun standing still nowadays-
supposing such a thing were possible-he
be Tould not rush panic-stricken to the
nearest church; he would, perhaps, make
bee ,I1e for some newspaper Office CT
sci-~tihc institution to find out what was
the matter with the solar system. Ee
would not take it for granted that the oc-
currence had any moral significance for
him or his family. or the county in viii b
he happened TO live.
All this is encouraging 1t indicates
that peoples ideas are becoming assorted.
and that natural science and theology are
getting into their proper places II any
body thinks it would be a good thing to
go back to the old refine. when compara-
lively intelligent people were reduced TO a
state Of imbecility by an occurrence like
that Of Monday. it would be interesting
to hear his arguments on the subject
When people ignorant Of any scientific
facts are taught from earliest childhood.
that the eud OF the world may come at an
moment and that one of the signs OF it is to
be the darkening of the sun; when they are
also taught that their eternal salvation
from agonies greater than those of Ash
tabula or Johnstown. enduring for aeons
of time. depends upon their being in a
proper frame Of mind before they die
il is not at all wonderful that they shiyer
and quake when they see the sun obscured
ct midday, and a cold, clammy wind comes
up through the hot summer air. Man is a
logical animal, and given the premises
from which this train Of reasoning starts.
1t is perfectly correct to be seized with
serious fears or such an OCCASION On that
theory, there is plenty of cause to be
afraid. But what kind Of a theory is it,
viewed in the light Of common sense? How
does 1t increase the happiness of mankind
for the population 10 be scared out OF its
wits at a perfectly natural phenomenon?
Is ii not much more sens Bile for people to
be taught the laws OF the solar system. IN
a general way, so that they will see the
true cause OF this alarming thing?
The fact is that the religion Of today is
becoming spiritual and not material Peo-
PIE are coming TO see that signs and won
ders are not OF as much account as con-
duct, sentiment, and ideals. and that it
does not make so much difference whether
miracles ever happened as it does whether
the teachings Of Christ incite men to high
er living. It was well said that an ido:a-
trous generation seeks after a sign. The
really religious generation can do without
IT.