The astronomers have again been disappointed; for the predicted display of Leonid meteors again failed to appear, just as they failed to appear in 1899. And accordingly the great display of 1833 now stands out with all the more distinctness and all the more importance.
Of course, there never was any astronomical occurrence like that of 1833. But a display of meteors on a small scale, a very minor scale, took place in Europe in 1886. This gave the unbelieving just enough of a clue to say with great confidence that the 1833 affair was just a regularly occurring phenomenon, and that at the corresponding time in November, 1899, the world would again witness something very similar. For do we not always see a few meteors at this time in November every year?
I remember an infidel physician of my acquaintance who told me one day in November, 1899, that he had watched all the previous night to see this expected display of celestial fireworks; but the skies were disappointing. Next year he also watched; for he thought that possibly the astronomers might be a year astray in their calculations. But nothing occurred.
This year they were again on the lookout. But essentially nothing was seen, that is, nothing more than one can see on almost any evening at this time in November or August. But the display was even inferior to that of last year. So it is now safe to say that this theory of a thirty-three year period is now effectually exploded. The great celestial display of 1833 consequently stands out with all the more prominence. It was one of the great signals hung in the heavens by the God of the universe, to notify the human race that He is about to wind up the affairs of this old world.
Berrien Springs, Mich.
