falling, some cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less force, but each one falls on its own side of the tree. Such was the appearance of the above phenomenon to the inmates of my house."

"This was from an eye-witness who penned it the day following, and years since avers it was not overdrawn. The second is from Prof. Olmstead, of Yale College, a distinguished meteorologist.'

“The extent of the shower of 1833 was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the EARTH'S SURFACE, from the middle of the Atlantic on the east, to the Pacific on the west; and from the northern coast of South America, to undefined regions among the British possessions on the north, the exhibition was visible, and every where presented nearly the same appearance."

"In nearly all places, the meteors began to attract notice by their unusual frequency as early as eleven o'clock, and increased in numbers and splendor until about four o'clock, from which time they gradually declined, but were visible until lost in the light of day. The metcors did not fly at random over all parts of the sky, but appeared to emanate from a point in the constellation Leo, near a star called Gamma Leonis, in the bend of the sickle."

"This is important testimony, in regard to the vast extent of the exhibition of the phenomenon, and also of the falling stars, all emanating from a single point in the heavens."

"Those who were so fortunate as to witness the exhibition of shooting stars on the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, probably saw the GREATEST DISPLAY of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or

at least within the annals covered by the pages of history."

"I feel assured that this is no atmosphereic or terrestrial phenomenon, but that these fiery meteors come to us from the regions of space, and reveal to us the existence of worlds of a nebulous or cometary character."

"And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." This expression I apprehend to be literal; and consequently that it implies an agitation of the heavenly hodies just prior to the appearing of the Judge supreme. As a confirmation of this view, we quote the following passages; "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven; Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven, (Heb. xii: 25, 26).

"The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel, (Joel iii: 16).

Some have applied this to the gases of the atmosphere but the expression hai dunameis ton ouranon is understood we believe by all critics to mean the heavenly bodies whether literally or figuratively interpreted; and even if a reference were here made to agencies existing in the atmosphere there could be no more propriety in applying it to the oxygen and nitrogen of the air, than to electricity, or caloric, or any other natural agent existing in the atmosphere.

As some of the Advent brethren take still another view of this subject, we present the following from the pen of Brother J. Merriam; and let the reader examine both sides of the question for himself. "This expression must mean either the agitation of the heav enly bodies, or else commotions on the 'earth symbolically represented. By a reference to Is. xiii: 10, xxxiv: 4, and xiii: 13; Hag. ii: 21, it will be seen that the darkening, shaking, and dissolution of the heavenly bodies are spoken of in connection with the overthrow of kingdoms. The dissolution of the celestial framework cannot be literally interpreted, for the following reasons: 1. By a reference to Jer. xxxi: 35, 36, Ps. lxxxix: 36, 37, and lxxii: 7, it will be seen that the Lord speaks of the heavenly orbs as indestructible; and the continuance of his covenant with the seed of Israel is measured by the duration of the sun and moon. 'If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before me forever.' (Jer. xxxi: 36.) That is, the Israel of God shall enjoy their existence while the heavenly orbs endure; in other words, without end. 2. The shaking of the powers is given as a sign of the coming of Christ. But if the sun, moon and stars were to receive a vibratory or oscillating motion, as the Greek word implies, it would be a sign that all would understand. But the word assures us, that as in the days of Noah, 'they did eat, they drank, etc., until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all, even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.' As therefore the antediluvians were unapprized of danger, until the

actual presence of the flood overwhelmed them in one general ruin; and as the inhabitants of Sodom knew not their danger, until the actual presence of the fire involved them in that dreadful catastrophe; so will the great mass of mankind be utterly reckless and insensate in relation to the approaching judgment, until the very presence of Him who is to be the judge of the quick and the dead, shall reveal their final doom. I therefore infer that this expression is symbolical."

"OBJECTION. This sign stands connected with literal signs in the sun, moon and stars."

·

ANSWER. Turn to Luke xxi: 25, 26, and you will find the celestial phenomena mentioned first, and then events that were to transpire on the earth, 'distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth: FOR, (that is, because) the powers of heaven shall be shaken.' The commotions in the political elements are appropri ately represented by the distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring;' and as these commotions are occasioned by the shaking of the powers of heaven, it would appear that the powers here referred to are political powers, or governments. Has any such shaking of the thrones been realized in this generation? Says the North British Review: Probably since the downfall of the Roman Empire, the world has never seen a year so eventful and distracting as 1848. Never was there a year so distinguished beyond all previous example by the magnitude and multiplicity of its political changes, and BY THE VIOLENCE OF THE SHOCK which it gave to European society. Thrones which

but yesterday seemed based upon the everlasting hills, shattered in a day. Such were the strange phenomena of that marvellous era, which took away the breath of the beholder; which the journalist was unable to keep pace with, and which panting time toiled after in vain.'

"Having shown that the political powers have been shaken, I now enquire if the effects predicted have followed? Says The Portland Inquirer,' at the opening of the year 1852, 'This year brings with it uncommon apprehensions for the future. There is a fearful looking for some great events. Great events are com

ing on the earth; events big with human welfare; and 1852 may reveal some of the opening scenes.' Says The Morning Star,' (about the same time,) it will not be surprising if a few years or even months should bring such changes and convulsions as the political world has never yet undergone. What has given rise to all this fearful looking after those things that are coming on the earth?' Evidently the popular outbreaks that have shaken the despotic powers of Europe, and which by the exertions of Kossuth, Mazzini, Ledru Rollin, etc., are expected to be renewed. These distinguished actors in the closing scene of the world's drama have given the signal for the battle of Armageddon, and called upon the world to marshal themselves for the conflict "

As an illustration of the general state of Europe, and of Italy in particular, in consequence of the shaking of the powers in 1848, I cut the following from a late number of the New York Herald;

"The press of America has recorded the means used to ruin and disperse the best men of Italy. They are