LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf. 7ES5..(^^ L£SO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE OF THE SUBBATIC NUMBER y s> AS CONNECTED WITH THE CHARACTERS, ACTIONS AND K\'ENTS OF THE BIBLE. REV. P. E. ROYSE, Aiitlior of Annotations on thf Ajioc-ilypse. with an epitomy of i'll?: annotations, and a brief: outline ok the seven ages of the great christian chirch. XO W't-IICM IS ADDEID "A n I n stPLi ctive 'Appen d i:^ FOR THE INTERPRETATION (;F EVENTS OF THE BIBLE, WITH EMBLEMS. TYPES. AND ANTI- TYPES, IN WONDERFUL PERIODS OF By ARTHUR FERRIS. B. D. lo MDCCCXC. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1S89, By p. E. ROYSE, In the office of the Librarian at Washington, D. C. PREEfieS. Every man is supposed to act from some motive; and every motive is either good or evil. What then could have induced the author to write this remark- able poem? We answer: He was living in the city of Louis- ville, Kentucky, and desired to obtain means by selling books, as a traveling agent, to publish a large volume, which he had prepared, by many years of research and labor, showing the wonderful coinci- dence of History and Prophecy, in proving the exact fulfillment of prophecy, and its grand f( •icshadowings for the glorious future. But the laws of Kentucky prohibited all persons from selling books, as book agents, unless they paid in advance five hundred dollars for tlie privilege, except it was a book of their own production. His motive then was to have a book of liis own making. These stringent laws w^ere passed to prevent such books as "Uncle Tom's Cabin,'' "Helper" and other "Abolition literature" from passing South. But the author had his own book, and went on every wIku'c unmolested, selling his little poems by THE SAli]!A'llC NUMHER SEVEN. the thousands, getting mecins to meet his demands, and taking orders for his hirge book, until his sub- scriptions for it aggregated fully four thousand dollars. So the author got his large book published on the merit of his subsc^riptions, just at the begin- ning of our civil war, in 1860. These were times which tried men's courage; endangered the life of our nation, and proved who were loyal to the grandest government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which has ever existed on earth! After thirty years of quiet and growing good will in our country; after the smoke of the war has passed away, and the din of arms has hushed, and we as a people have enjoyed the blessings of health, pros- perity and material i)rogress, such as no nation ever experienced in so brief a period, the author comes again to the front, as a war-worn veteran, to salut(3 a patronizing public, and ask them to help him sell his chronological poem, "The Sabbatic Number Seven," the emblem of that rest which remains for all the Lord's good soldiers, in our "Father's house" in the land of everlasting peace. The rapid sale of the first edition of this chrono- logical poem, the additional encouragement of friends, the ardent desire to be more useful, and the pleasing THE SABHATIC NUMBER SEVEN. hope of ultimate success, determined the author to offer this second edition to the public, revised, cor- rected, and enlarged. This poem may be considered a miscelhineous and literary curiosity, and like all human works has its imperfections; yet the author hopes his feeble efforts may result in doing some good, in directing the mind of the reader to some point worthy of study and reflection in "That Book," which is able to make us wise unto salvation; and whose counsels are prof- itable unto all things. Kind reader, "The Truth" must teach thee, there- fore, "buy the truth and sell it not." THE SAIiBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. I'he ^abbatic J\umber gieVen, Of many, many things, all strange indeed, . We often see, or gladly hear and read: And some quite simple— others wise and grand, And many, too, we cannot understand. Yet, such is the nature of mortal man, That whatever strange or curious plan, Or novel sclnime — if only odd or rare, — Will make the wise man think — ^the simple stare! Provided only that we clearly see, The subject i.-5 a wondrous mystery! That is, something, not yet precisely known Unto any, except some "knowing one!" And from this ample fact, I now propose A curious mystery to disclose, Or, in other words, try to demonstrate A problem strange to some, which here I state. THE SABBATIC NUAIBER SEVEN. And now, kind reader, if you really be A child of Noble Curio«ity, — And ardent lover of the strange and true, You'll surely read, or hear, my verses through. This truth is now well known that there is given, Great consequence to the Number Seven! And here now the reason true, why this is so, Is what I propose to let the reader know. THE SABKATIC NUMBER SEVEN. rhe Source of TVnoWledi le. But to what source for knowledge shall we look, Or back into what old, neglected book. That we the cause and the reason may find, To satisfy the wise and anxious mind ? Now to the Bible we will first repair; Perhaps we'll find it demonstrated there — The Bible is the oldest book that's known, Beneath Jehovah's everlasting Throne! We must digress, to show the reader how, The Bible is the lamp for mortals now, To guide their wandering feet in ways of Right, And cast its cheering beams o'er Death's dark night. My task, with trembling hand and throbbing heart, I now begin — tears will unbidden start! For with my thoughts memories quickly come, Of generations, and kind friends, and home! THE SAP.RATIC NUMIIKR SKVKN. ' I 'lie l^ld family [oible. In such a book is found our family tree, Which boon my mother kindly gave tome; And bid me mind by whom it was given And live by its laws, and meet her in heaven. Ah! well do I remember each dear name On record there — and how they went and came; And who around the hearthstone used to close, With whom I've spent the peaceful night's rcrosc^ The thought of him who lead the family pr<;y( r. And read of what these sacred pa::es bear. In clnn^rful tones my tender heart would thrill. He comes before me now as living still! At morn and night my father read this book — How calm was my indulgent mother's Icok, Who so much loved this Sacred Word to lienr. When read to us, brothers and sisters dear. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. My mother's angel face! I see it yet! What memories come! again the group is met! Around the same hearthstone we all have come, Within the halls of our own hallowed home. Thou Book of God! best friend man ever knew! Thy constancy I've tried and found thee true! All else misled our feet! Thou art my light. My life, my joy, my wisdom, and my might! The wealth of earth could no such treasure give, Of so much worth to mortals while they live. Nor could the mines of earth this volume buy, It teaches man to live, and never die! THE SABBATIC NUMBER SF.VEX. The Works of (£reation. From the Bible, then, it is plain to all, God created everything, both great and small! In the beginning, the heavens and the earth, Tlien all things else which has being or birth. In time of seven days all things were made. First the great light, and lights of every grade, And then the clouds or firmament, to bear Both in foul weather and in weather fair. All vapors which from face of earth arise And roll aloft along the vaulted skies, And then, the gentle dews, they fall again, Or frost, or drifting snow, or growing rain. Then, on third day, at God's most sure decrees, The waters great were gathered into seas. To leave the hills and mountains, high and steep, And fill the mighty oceans, wide and deep! THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Then on same day, our ancient mother Earth To grass and trees and flowers gave brilliant birth, The Scriptures true teach us this fact to mind That every plant is perfect in its kind. And when the eve and morn were the fourth day, God said let there be Light to cheer the way Of mortal man, in every time and place, And note the days, and years, of every race! And on the fifth day, all the fish of seas Were made* of God, as were the grass and trees; Then flying fowls, and also creeping things Were made this day, which creep or Ily with wings. And all four-footed beasts, which walk or stand. Or range the wide fields of beauteous land, To crop the growing grass and gather food, And then give up their lives for mortal good. The sixth day beasts were made, as we see it, And it was so, green herbs were for their meat, And it was ordained, too, they should be food. Both herbs and beasts, and God declared them good. THE SAB1!ATIC NUMBER SKVKX. Then, on the sixth day, God made feeble man, And woman ends creation's wondrous plan, Thus seven things in seven days were made, All things of every kind, and every grade. And lirst the Light; then, second, Clouds and Kain, Then,, third, the Grass, and Trees, and fruitful Grain, The fourth day God set Sun and Moon for light, And Stars, also, and these rule day and night. Then fifth the fish, and monsters of the? deep. And living things which all may swim or creep; And God blessed them, and bid tliem fill the sees With greatest multitude of their increase. Then on the fifth day, the fowls of the air. Which live and move, or fly everywhere. Which neither sow nor reap, and yet are fed; From them we'll learn to work and trust for brer.d. God said, let all the earth abundantly bring. Living creature, cattle and creeping thing, These make the six classes in creaiicn's plan, And last of all was the creation of inan. 14 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. ' I 'he (creation of JVjan God said, let us make man in our image. And this he did, as tells the sacred page: In the image of God created he him, And male and female created he them. And on the seventh day God ended his work, So the Scriptures say, and this is no quirk! If God did work and rest on seventh day. It was for our example we may say! If woman then was made, as some men say, After all things else on the seventh day, She was the work of God's mercy to man! Work of NECESSITY in Creation's plan! Not made from the foot to be trodden down! Not from the head, to w- ear the kingly crown, But from a rib, taken from Adam's side, Teaching that woman was to be a bride. THE SAIil'.ATIC NLMliER SF.VEN. 15 And made from a rib, from under Adam's arm, Thus teaching man should |)rote(t her from harm, Now being bone of his bone, thsy one become. And live in love and joy in their own home! Therefore, a man his father kind sliall leave. Likewise a woman shall not mother grieve; The man shall cleave alone unto his wife, And to husband dear the woman hold for life! Hence works of mercy and necessity, Are both permitted on the Sabbath day; And not therefore accounted desecration, By the Lord of this day, the Lord of Creation! From seven things, thus made in seven days. Came all the mighty works and wondrous ways, From age to age, which all frail men have seen, Those born of noble birth, or born of mean. l6 THE SAHRATIC NUMBER SEVEN. m, ' I 'he nstiLLition of i\]e ^abbath. Hence the seventh day was made the day of rest, The Lord our God this day haUowed and blest, And bid mankind t'nis precept now obey, Remember, sacred is the Seventh day. And honored wr.s ,Iehovah's holy name, In end of days, when holy seventh came; The sons of Adam brought their oblation To worship God, the God of Creation. And in token tliat the Lord does approve All who obey him, and his precepts love. Therefore, to Abel, the Lord had respect. But Cain, for his sin, was treated with neglect. "And Cain was wroth, and his countenance fell," And the Lord said to Cain if thou doest well, Shalt thou not be accepted with respect? But if not, thou shalt be chided by neglect. THE SABRATIC MMI'.KR SKVEN. I7 If thou doest not well, Sin lictli at the door, And he intends to rule thee evermore, But thou shalt not let sin rule over thee: But thou by me rule over him and be free. But Cain was wicked and sinned against God, And Able slew, and shed innccent blood, And the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel? And Cain answ^ered not truth. 1:)ut a fable. And now, therefore, thou art cursed from the land, Wliich opened her mouth, for blood from thy hand, And henceforth, Cain, when thou tillest the ground, It sliall not yield, for with thee l)lood is found. A vagabond shalt thou be in the world, And scorns and curses shall after thee be hurled; Cain said to God, oh spare the wrath of heaven! Is my sin more than may be forgiven? And thou hast driven me from face of earth, Behold, I must now leave the land of my birth. And so thy person shall from me be hid And I fron) sorrow never more be rid. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And it shall come to pass, will it be so? That he that findeth me shall lay me low, Therefore, he who sla^ys Cain, Jehovah said, Shall vengeance be taken seven-fold on his head. If Cain shall be avenged of God seven fold, That is, he that slays Cain shall suffer seven fold, Therefore the Lord justly set a mark on Cain, Lest any finding him, he should be slain. Lamech was tempt to shed human blood. But shed it not, and long lived to do good; So Lamech, sire of Noah, lived, as appears, Seven hundred and seventy-seven years. THE SABHATIC NUMliKR SICVEN. I'l^e i^reat plood of .J\oah. Noah was warned of the flood, as clear appears, About ssveiiteen times seven w^eary years; Therefore he bailt his mighty Ark those days And warned the world to turn from evil ways. Now, he was the first preacher of Righteousness, And, like many since, preached with poor success. But did, in no wise, lose his high reward. For he was watched, kept, and bless(!d of the Lord. Vile men! they heeded not liis warning voice, But waxed worse and worse, making sin their choice' Until the flood came, and took them all away! And so it will be a*t the Judgment day! Noah had warning from God just seven days Of the approaching flood the Scripture says, He took his wife, and his sons, and their wives Into the mighty Ark to save their lives! THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And then commanded by holy Heaven, All clean beasts and birds he took by seven; But all other kinds he took just two by two! Because they were not so good, he saved but few. And in the seventh month the Ark did rest, On great Mount Ararat doth Moses test, After the Ark had rested forty days, On Mountain x\rarat the Scripture says, Noah sent forth a raven from the Ark. Which returned not, but scorned his noble bark: Then also was S(nit. so the scriptures prove. By Noah from the Ark, a lonely dove! The lone dove rc^tnrhcd, and stayed just seven days. And then was scMit again the Bible says. Her voyage o'er the dreary waste of waters Was long and lonely — she found no'quarters. He stayed the dove yet other seven days. And sent her forth, to go and come her ways; And o'er the waste of waters wandered forth^ Leaving the cold lands of the dreary North! THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. She then took her course by wisdom divine, To the lovely land of the olive, fig, and vine, The waters there had left the hills and trees, And all refreshed by southern balmy breeze. The dove at evening came, and in her mouth, She brings an olive leaf from the sunny South. The olive leaf, fresh taken from the tree, Gave proof the waters were gathering to the sea. He stayed the dove yet other seven days, And she was sent forth to try her lonely ways. And finding then dry land — a dusty shore — To Noah and his Ark she came no more. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. ' I Vial of ^Abraham's paith. Abraham's faith and works all should imitate^ For he was to man an example -great; As a shepherd he chose to spend his life Rather than live amid the cities' strife. The Holy Scripture does most surely tell, That, as a memorial for a well, Abraham to Abimelick did donate, Just seven ewe lambs to settle all debate. Now Abraham's faith was truly and sorely tried When sacrifice, altar, wood, he did provide; And knife uplift — to slay his son — Behold! a voice — Let not this deed be done! This covenant, about the seven wells. Was broken as the Scripture plainly tells. But Isaac opened these wells in his day. And called the last one opened Bersheba! THE SABBATIC NUMIiKK SKVEN. 23 dJacob's llJream and Ij-adcler When Jacob was about six times seven, He dreamed he saw a hidder reach to heaven, And while unto it his mind did attend, He saw on it angels ascend and descend. And when Jacob awoke out of his sleep His astonishment was joyful and deep, When this great vision was to him given — It was the house of God, the Gate of Heaven. And Jacob rose early in the morning, After having from the Lord, this great warning. And took the stone he had as his pillow! And set it up, a monumental pillar! Jacob traveled joyfully on to the East, Fearless of mortal foe, or wily beast. The Lord had promised to provide each day, And keep him safe, along his desert way. 24 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And all would do well to remember now The final words of Jacob's faithful vow; "And of all that thou slialt give unto me I will surely give the tenth unto thee!" At length Jacob came to his mother's friends, And here awhile his lonely journeying ends; He lives with Laban, and agrees to keep, Or Rachel help to watch her father's sheep! THE SAHliATIC NUiMliL*l-l SKVKN. 25 ' I 'he [joxe of djacob for l]is Wife Alt^o from the Bible, it clearly appears, That Jacob was to serve just seven years, Expecting his beloved Rachel to receive — But Laban basely did him then deceive. Yet Jacob served Laban just seven years more, With better success than he did before. And yet he served almost another seven. And flocks and herds to him were freely given. When Jacob cliose from Haran to remove. With flocks and herds and the children of his love, Laban then with great haste for seven days, Pursued after Jacob — so Moses says. Then Laban overtook Jacob we're told. And treated him most impudent and bold; And Jacob now was wroth, and said what's my crime,. That thou hast hotly pursued me this time? THE SAP-BAYIC NUMT.ER SEVEN. '•Lo! these twenty years have I been with thee, In the summer day, the drought consumed me, And in the winter, cold and frost by night. And my sleep left mine eyes till morning light." "Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee twice seven years for my dear spouse, Six years for flocks and what has been my crimes? Thou didst deceive me; changed my wages ten times." But God kept Israel in all his ways, — Broughtliim to his own land, the Bible says, And there he lived until a famine came, As in the days of Isaac and Abraham. thp: saijbatic nUiMKKr seven. 27 Tl]e p amine in the |j-and of MYPt. Then Joseph, whose brothers, wicked and bold, Into Egypt for a ])ondman had sold, Was then raised to great power in that land, Brought Jacob and all, to be fed from his hand. 80 in Egypt's far off and fertile clime, There surely happened in King Pharnoli's time, A time of famine in the land, as clear appears, And a time of plenty — each just seven years. To Phnraoh this was plainly signified, By seven full ears of corn and seven dried. Also by seven fat kine and seven lean. And the fat kine were eaten by the mean. Joseph explained Pharaoh's dream as appears, The kine and corn each symbolized seven years, And first the years of plenty, just even seven, And then of famine sore, was numbered seven. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Now Joseph's wise words, given to King Pharaoh, May yet do good for us, though given long ngo, "In the years of plenty gather, waste not, And let this lesson never be forgot." So Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years. As from tlie Sacred Record clear appears, And his age was an hundred forty and seven, Which is just the same as twenty-one times seven. THK SAIilJATIC NUMIlF.k SKVEN. 29 1 he T\ffliction and [^atierjce of djob. Job is iiotod in the Scriptures of Truth, As pattern of patience, to age and to youili. And was sore afflicted by the Devil, Until his life seemed not good l)nt evil. When Job's tliree friends lieard of all this evil, That was (tome upon him from the Devil, Then they came everyone from his own place, Eliphaz. Bildad, Zophar, to see his face. For tliey had madt^ an appointment to come, To mourn with and comfort him at his home, And when far off they lifted up their eyes. And knew him not. they wept with mournful cries. They sat with him on the ground seven days And seven nights, the Holy Scripture says, And then seven rams, and bullocks seven. They offered up in all to righteous Heaven. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. So we are assured that the God of Heaven, In the promise to his people given, Will be with them always unto the end, In all their afflictions he is their friend. So the Lord blessed Job in his latter days More than his beginning the Scripture says, In all he had twice seven thousand sheep, And camels, and oxen, seven thousand to keep. He had seven sons, and lovely daughters three, His daughters were most beautiful to see, In all the land no women so fair were found. With forms so beautiful and health so sound. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years. As from the Sacred Record clear appears, Which is just equal to twenty times seven. So Job's body died, his soul returned to Heaven. THE SAniiATIC NUMIiKR SEVEN. 31 ' \'\]e Scourge of JV|iriani. Miriam was a woman of noble mind, An honor to her age and to her kind, But she deri(UMl Moses about liis wife. And for so doing well nigh lost her life. For she was <-liastised as we all may see, From the Lord, with the plague of leprosy; And to (-leanse her sin was sliut up seven days, According to the law, the Scripture says. The Lord liath said, thy neighbor love as thyself- Tho' poor, or black, or has his heaps of pelf — For image true of God, is every man. And they who scorn a man deride God's plan, Now, Jesus said, He that despises you, Despises me; what Jesus said is true, The Lord will not such vile person cherish: This truth behold: Despisers shall perish! THK SAnilATIC NUMniCR SEVEN. I 'he [6 arables of ;C)aaiann, Seven rams, 'tisi said, and bullocks also seven, As a worthy sacrifice to the God of Heaven, Baalam, the prophet, did sorely propose. The sacred record does truly disclose. Baalam's beautiful parables we read, In Book of Numbers if we all heed. Seven altars, and also offerings just seven, Were all prepared to sacrifice to Heaven. From this great fact we may this lesson learn. And e'er we more the sacred pages turn. Seven spirits, or [>ersons, it would seem. Instead of three, was an ancient myth or dream. And hence to please the seven God of Heaven, They off ere i sacrifice as unto seven, And also to atone for all their crimes; And so for blessings, prayed seven times. THE SAHBATIC NUiMBER SEVEN. 33 I'he l\ites of * urification. In acts of purification before God, Or consecration, the water and the blood Were always sprinkled precisely seven times, To consecrate or atone for their (trimes. Therefore, the mighty God of Earth and Heaven Was a wonderful Spirit, one in seven. And hence to this wondrous God was given, Heaven of heavens, the number just seven. Many things by law were done by seven, The law by Moses to God's people given — As we all may, or do most surely know, If we have read the Holy Scriptures through. Now the seventh month, and the seventh day, The good Jews observed — so doth Moses say; And just seven days they all feasted high, And then seven days in their tents did lie. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Ye shall dwell in booths seven days saith the Lord, All that are Israelites born, saith the Word, So that your children may know as they ought, Their parents with booths from bondage I brought. The seventh year was for a year of rest — Ordained for everything, both man and beast; The land lay fallow, and then all was still, For none durst the seventh year his field to till. THF. SAUHATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 33 ' I he \ecir of clJubilee. Also when seven times .just seven years, As from the Law of Moses clear cappears — Had fully passed away, it w^as Jubilee, When every slave, by law, was truly free. From debts and bondage both; for then had come, The time when servants freely might go home. And things began anew, we all may see. When rolled away the year of Jubilee. This year of Jubilee was type sublime, Of the long-desired predicted time, When all the world shall both be right and free, And Earth shall hold her year of Jubilee. Just seven periods of years passed away, Before the dawn of Jubilitic day — And so must pass seven times a thousand years, Before the world's great Jubilee appears. THE SABBA'lIC NUMBER SEVEN. A thousand years must yet pass hy to bring The time when Christ shall reign All Mighty King Alone o'er all the world, and all be free, And Earth enjoy her age of Jnbilee. Here, then, we say, the reason is given. Why such great stress is placed on number seven, It shows how many years must pass away Before the long desired Millennial day. THE SABHATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 37 The l«o\^'e^ and W^cikness of c3)amsoq. Now Samson went to Timnah, the land of vines, And saw a woman of the Philistines, And came and told father and mother, and said, A woman of Tinniah I wish to wed! I love her more than all I've seen in my life, Therefore, do please get her for me to wife; His parents kindly said to him again. Is there none among the daughters of thy brethren? Are none among my tribe sufficiently fine, That thou must take a wife of Philistine? And Samson said, get her for me, I tell you. For she pleaseth me more than any Jew. But his father and his mother knew not It was so ordered of the Lord, that he sought To slay the Philistines, which seemed a crime, For the Philistines oppressed Israel that time. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Then Samson and father and mother went down, And came to the vineyards of Timnath town, And behold a young lion roared against him, And Samson rent him, as a kid, limb by limb. For the spirit of the Lord upon him came, He had nothing in hand to do this same Wojiderful deed, for he was there alone — But he told his parents not what he had done! And he went down to the maid of the dell; She surely pleased Samson — she pleased him well; — And then they all returned back to their sweet home. To their lovely highlands, whence they had come. Again they went to the maid of the dell. Who had in other days pleased Samson so w^ell, While on his way he turned aside to see The carcass of the lion, if it might be. Behold, this carcass had become a home — A swarm of bees had filled with honey comb. And so he took some honey in his hand. And went eating to where his parents stand. THE SAIiliATlC NUMIJER SEVEN. 39 He gave it to them, and they did freely eat, And we are not told tliat they had other meat. But he had not yet told what he had done, And tliat the lioney was out of the lion. So all went down to tlie maid of the dell, Whom Samsoi] loved in other days so well; And Samson made a sumptuous Avedding feast, So used young men to do in all the East. It came to pass when the people of the dell Again saw Samson that he pleased them well; And thirty companions they got to be A part of his great wedding company. 40 THE SAHnATIC NUMIiER SEVEN. I he Ivdclle of §amson, And Samson said, I will give unto yon, A riddle now, and every word is true; Ti you declare it to me in seven days. And lind out certainly wherein the secret lays. Then I will give you thirty shirts to wear. And thirty change of garments — to each a pair; But if the riddle you cannot declare to me. Then you are bound to the same, and 1 am free. And they said unto him, thou needst not wait a bit, Put forth thy riddle, that we all may hear it. And then he said, Out of the eater came forth meat; And out of the strong came that which is sweet. And they could not expound it in three days. Although thirty of them had tried their ways. And then it came to pass on the seventh day. Thai: unto Samson's wife the thirty did say: THE SABRATIC NU.AIBER SEVEN. 4I Entice tliy husband, that he may declare To us the riddle, and thee and thine we'll spare. Lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire! Will ye impoverish us^ Is this the desire? Then Samson's wife bt^fore him wept and said, I wish I'd never seen you — I wish I was dead! Thou dost only hate me; a cJieat 1 call. A riddle thou hast put, and not told me all' I have not told my parents yet, you see. And why dost thou complain? Shall I tell thee! And she wept much the rest of the seven days, And scolded, begged, and tried her .*irts and ways. And so it came to pass, on the seventh day, That he told her, because of her bad way. That is, she would weep, and fret, and laugh and scold, And then to her people the riddle she told. Then unto Samson said the men of the town. On the seventh day before the sun went down, "What is sweeter than honey among the sweet? And what is stronger than a lion, that eats meat?" THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Had ye not plowed with my heifer, he said, Ye had not told my riddle till ye were dead. Man's ruin may be wrought by such a wife, Euined in property, reputation, and life! THE SARDATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 43 t\ Wonderful Kid die. Now here is a liddle which. may seem plain, To others may seem dark, or false and vain! — Beneath the starry heavens a creature did dwell So sacred writers in the Holy Scriptures tell, Which lived and moved in this wide world 'tis true, And yet he never sinned, nor precept knew. He died; but ne'er shall be raised from the dead, Nor at the Day of Judgment show his head. And never shall in heavenly kingdom dwell. Nor yet be doomed to endure the pains of hell, Yet in him three days was a soul that must Suffer among the damned, or reign with the just. Now reader, if you will this thing expound, I will tell you where the key may be found; Or if you would unlock and the wonder see, I will tell you where you can find lock and key. 44 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. In twelfth chapter of the Book of Matthew, Verse thirty-nine and forty-one, you'll find it true, So you can explain the riddle for yourself, Before you lay my book upon the shelf. And turn away disappointed, and fret and fry, Or think that I have told you but a lie; But when you see the wonder, it will seem plain, So that will richly pay you for all your pain. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 45 lljelilah t^etray s c^amson, Delilah said to him, tell me, I pray, What is thy cause of strength; where does it lay? Or mayest thou be bound to afflict thee, Or how canst thou be bound, not to get free? He told her then, bind me with seven new (^ords, I cannot get free from Philistine lords. If tliey bind me with seven moist withs, not dried, Then 111 be weak as other men when tied. Then the lords of the cruel and proud Philistines Rejoiced as in the day of feasting and wines, And brought to Delilah seven green withs. Which were not dried, and she bound him therewith. Now there were men in wait, hid in her room, Ready, waiting, to seal his mortal doom, — The Philistines be on thee, Samson, she said. And he broke the green withs quick as a thread; 46 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Or thread is broken when it toucheth fire. His strength was not known, which was their desire. And then Delilah said, Samson, Behold! Thou hast mocked me, only lies hast thou told. Now tell me, I pray thee, in words bold and round, Now tell me, I pray thee, canst thou be bound? If they bind me with seven new ropes he said. Wherewith no work hath been done, by living or dead, Then shall I be weak, be as another man. Now if you will, you are free to try this plan. Delilah, therefore took seven new ropes, And bound him sure therewith, and said in hopes, That the wages of sin would now be hers. Over which she expected not to shed tears; Samson, the Philistines be on thee, she said. Now see if you can break these cords like thread. For men were hid in the house, to kill him dead, And he broke the cords from off his arms like thread. She said to Samson, thou hast only told me lies, Tell me the truth; tell me without disguise. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 47 Tell me how thou mayest be bound, she said, So that thou canst not break fetters like tliread, And then he answered Delilah, and said, Weave with the web, the seven locks of my head. She wove them with a web, held with a pin, And said, the Philistines are on thee again, And Samson woke from his sleep, it would seem, And went away with the web pinned to the beam, * She said to him. How canst thou say I love thee, When thy heart is falsehoods, and not with me ? Thou has mocked me three times; and again lied. Nor told me wlierein thy strength doth abide. Then pressed him sore with the words of her breath And urged him till his soul was vexed unto death, He told her all his heart, and to her said. There hast never come a razor upon mine head, Unto God from my birth I've been a Nazarite, From all strong drinks, I have denied myself quite, And I have always let my locks grow long — Have drank no wine, or anything that's strong. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. If I be shaven, my strengtli will leave me then, And I shall become weak, like other men, For while 1 keep the holy vow of Heaven, His wisdom and power to me are given. But if I do forsake the words of truth, Which has been upon me from the days of youth. Then woe is me ! I shall be left of Heaven, And power and wisdom no longer be given. When she saw that all his heart he had told, The Philistine lords she called, fearless and bold, Come up this once, he hath showed me his heart. He hath plainly told all, kept back no part. Then the lords of the Philistines came in a band. And to Delilah brought money in hand, For she had made him sleep upon her knees. And called a man to obey her decrees. And he shaved the seven locks of Samson's head. He was asleep, and knew no more than if dead. And then to afflict him Dililah began. And Ills strength went from him and he was but man. THK SABBATIC NL'MBKK SEVP:N. 49 She said, Samson, the Philistines be upon thee! Be up! away! why sleep you on my knee? But he knew not what they had done to his head. Therefore he woke from sinful sleep and said. I will go out, as at other times before. And, lion-like, shake myself, defy them once more, But he wist not that he was forsaken of the Lord, And that it happened as told in his Word, Let us take heed from Samson's cruel fate, Lest we, like him, shall repent when too late; Never dandle on Delilah's knees, nor sleep With Darling Sin, but constant vigils keep. c^O THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. ^11 Scripture to be purely |\eacl. And every seventh year, 'tis truly said Unto the people all the Word was read; And this was the holy law of the Lord, That they all might learn well to keep his Word. Twas said, "Forgive thy brother seven times!'' Thus, then, spake the law against hasty crimes, But by the law of Christ, 'tis plainly given, Forgive thy brother seventy times seven. Now here's a wondrous thing, which makes us stare, That the High Priest's son was compelled to wear His father's priestly garment seven days, P'or so the Ancient Law of Moses says. And atonement for sin was for seven days. As tabernacle or offering displays, And on the sacred altar of the Lord, Shone seven lamps— so says his Holy Word. THE SA15BATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 5 1 I'he lyestmction of Uericl^o. Now when did Joshua destroy Jevicho? This all can answer who the Bible know, At God's command, seven priests, for seven days, Bore seven trumpets — so tlie Bible says. And then seven times, on the seventh day. They went round the city — the Scriptures say, And all the people lifted up their voice, And shouted the seventh time with a mighty noise. And so the last time the seven priests went round, The massive walls fell crashing to the ground. And from this learn to cry aloud, "Spare not," Show men their sins, obey, forget it not! These seven priests whicli 'round the city trod, Were types of ministers, in the church of God; Apostles, Prophets, Bishops, Elders to rule; And Deacons, Ste wards. Teachers for each school. 5 2 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. m_ _ \F/_ \ p I /T i he Wondepful (^hild, ^amuel. Samuel, 'tis said, means in Hebrew seven, Hence, then, a reason is plainly given. Why, before Eli, on his natal day, His mother, Hannah, did joyfully say, While all the people cheerful voices raise To God in fervent prayer and happy praise, And while grateful thanks went up to Heaven, She said, "the barren one hath brought forth seven !" When at Gilgad, Samuel ordered Saul, Patiently to stay seven days in all — But the good prophet, Saul did not obey. And was therefore reproved the seventh day. THE SAIiBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 53 I'he V\nointiqq 'T\inq l|)aVid. And when the Lord on Samuel did call, To anoint a king instead of King Saul, Then the seven sons of Jesse did pass Before the wise and holy prophet's face. And it may look like a wondrous strange thing. The seventh and youngest was taken for King, He had served the Lord from his youthful days! Therefore the Lord blessed him in all his ways. And we are taught that seven times a day. The pious Psalmist of Israel did pray. And through his life he was for the most part A good man; 'A man after God's own heart." So David reigned over all Israel forty years. As from the kingly record clear appears. In Hebron he spent seven years of his life, In Jerusalem the rest, in peace and strife! 54 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. We are told he died in a good old age, Numbered among the good, and great, and sage; Full of days, and riches, and honors, when dead. And Solomon, his son, reigned in his stead. Let us this good man's example imitate, And always strive to be good, and wise, and great; Live like the righteous, that our end maybe like his, And spend with them, everlasting days of bliss. THE SADP.ATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 55 The (5)orrov\' for ^•'--^-— "- -l^- §au,. Jabesh, of Gilead's land, one and all, For the doleful fate of jealous King Saul, Fasted mournfully during all of seven days, So the Scripture history truly says. And then the seven sons of envious Saul, And this, perhaps, is known to nearly all — Were hanged for months, a famine sore to stay Most surely does the Bible History say. Let us not be jealous, and vile, and vain, Lest with the uncircumcised, we shall be slain. And let us all to the work of God attend. If we would shun King Saul's destructive end. 56 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. The |\eturn of the t\i^< by l|)aVid It is now worthy of thoughtful remark, In bringing up the consecrated Ark, That seven rams and bullocks just seven, The Righteous King David offerei to Heaven. For seven months it was in the Philistines' land, And God afflicted them with heavy hand, Therefore they sent the Ark to Israel, With golden offerings tliat all might be well. Now% from this lesson, too, learn thou to do Tlie wise, the right, the good, the just, the true! The Philistines were bad, and feared not God, And them He smote with mice and emerod! The Lord takes mice, flies, bugs, worms — little things, To punish wicked slaves, or cruel kings. The mice destroyed their property for their sin. And emerods, their persons pained within. THE .SAIIHAIIC NU.MIJER SKVKN. 57 I he Youthful l^ays of Solomon. Now Solomon in the days of his youth, Walked in the ways of wisdom, joy and tiuth. And he was great, Master, Builder and King, And did many a wise and wonderful thing. And so he was precisely seven years, In building his noble Temple as appears. To dedicate it to God, then, at last. For seven days the King did truly fast. Then he prayed one of the most powerful prayers We have ever heard, or read, anywheres, And the Lord filled the temple with his glory, So we are told in the Sacred Story. And at that time Solomon held a feast. And all Israel offered many a beast, Two and twenty thousand oxen had to sleep, And one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And the feast was a time of joy and praise, Seven days and seven days, even fourteen days, And they were joyful for all that was done, For Israel, David, and Solomon, his son. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 59 §eVen 'ridings tl^e Li-ord ^^ ates. Solomon way wisest of noble Kings, And mentions seven hurtful, hateful things, Wliieli things we all are taught the Lord doth hate In his Book of Proverbs does boldly state. And first the Lord doth hate, so says the Book, The haughty eyes, or the vain and proud look, Yet God will save the poor, wdiom bad men despise, And bring to naught all those with haughty eyes. Next, lying tongues, or lips that utter lies. The Lord doth hate, yea, such he doth despise. Deliver my soul from a lying tongue. And lying lips, whether of old or young. Woe is the man who lives among liars, He is beset by ruin's hidden fires; But arrows sharp from high Heaven shall quell. All liars, and leave them with sorrows to dwell. / 6o THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. The third thing, hands that shed innocent blood, No pardon comes for such, nor any good, As we are taught in the words of the Lord, Which his true prophets and servants record. When su(;h to pray, spread forth their bloody hands, Whether on seas, or on the lovely lands. To the ills of such God will hide his eyes, Nor will he hear their prayer or painful cries. A heart that deviseth a wicked thought, That would covet a field, or house or aught, And would take it by fraud, or force, or rage, And thus oppress a man and his heritage. Is fourth the thing which the Lord doth despise, He sees each thought with his omniscient eyes, Detects the thief, the lewd, and the liar. And these all must expect his dreadful ire. Woe to them that devise evil and say, On our beds we will plan, and practice by day, Therefore against such evil ones, the Lord Will devise evil, in deed, and in word. THE SABHAIIC NUMHF.R Sl'.VKX. 6 1 Feet that be swift in rLiiiniiig to mist-liief, That run to do evil, and to cause grief, Wasting and destruction are in tlieir path, Their thoughts are thoughts of wickiuincsH and wrath. And they that go therein shall not know peace, Therefore say they, Judgment is far from us; Neither is justice for our security. We wait for light, but behold obscurity. Of things which the Lord hates, this is the fifth. Feet that in running to mischief are swift, O! may we not go in evil ways then. The ways God hates — the ways of wicked men. And then a false witness, one that speaks lies, Is the sixth thing which the Lord doth despise. A false witness shall not unpunished be. And he that speaketh lies shall not go free. He that among brethren soweth discord. Is the seventh thing hated by the Lord, In the sixth of Proverbs these words w^e may find. If to read them there we may feel inclined. 62 THE SABISA'J'IC NUMBER SEVEN. Diotreplies, who loved the preeminence, By malicious words, W' ithout truth or sense. Would sow discord, and do no worthy deed. But forbid them that would, and were agreed. Follow not evil but do that which is good. And we shall stand as the righteous hath stood. For he that doeth good is of Got, not evil, But he that doeth not good is of the devil. May we shun this hurtful, hateful seven, And forgive, as we hope to be forgiven, All them who treat us so, or names belie. And strive to live in peace, in peace to die. IHK SAJ!I5AIIC XL'MIIF.R SKVKX. The pool ai]cl |)luqqard. Then Solomon, whose wisdom's great and rare, Does also fully and freely declare, The fool and sluggard are wiser in conceit, Than seven men with sense and reason great. The mansion good in which great wisdom dwells. The truthful historian phiinly tells, In descriptions which to us have been given, Has pillars grand, numbering even seven. On charity here is a lesson given, Which is connected with the number seven, Abroad upon the waters cast thy bread, Fur thou shalt find again when days are fled. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight. Thou knowest not what evil shall be soon or late, Although the clouds (3ome fast, and full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth again. 64 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And if to South or North shall fall the tree, The place where it falleth, there it shall be, But he that shuns the wind shall not thus sow, And he that fears the clouds, shall not reap or mow; But he that fears not the words or frowns of men. Will cast abroad his bread, and gather it again. For Solomon, the wise man, spake this word. As inspired by the Spirit of the Lord. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 6^ I he l&rayer of ti'lijah. Then one great fact we all may bear in mind, Elijah prayed seven times in words most kind, That the Lord would send rain upon the land. Which had been withheld by his mighty hand. For six times seven months there was no rain, And then he prayed seven times, and not in vain. To look for clouds, seven times his servant sent, Who saw the cloud the seventh time he went. See thou the cloud! not larger than a human hand- It I'ises and spreads all o'er the thirsty land, And earth again is refreshed with showers of rain, And again spring the grass and fruitful grain. Let servants all, like this, their masters mind. Then they shall see that their masters are kind. Then master, slave and all shall gain that shore, Where masters shall oppress and wrong no more. 66 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. ' I'he JV|ericle of f^rophet |li-lisl"|a, Elislia, the prophet, raised from the dead The son of a Shuiiamite, it is said, And seven times this son did surely sneeze, Wlion life in him his parent truly sees. To the woman whose son came from the dead, "Arise, and go with thine household," he said, "And sojourn wherever thou canst sojourn. In whatsoever land thou mayest turn.'' "The Lord hath called for famine it appears. And it shall come on the land for seven years." The woman obeyed this warning from the Lord. And went to sojourn according to his Avord. And lived with the Philistines the seven years. And at the end of this time it appears, That she returned to claim her house and land, Which justly then she claimed at the King's hand, IHK SAIU'.ATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 67 And while Galiazi, Elisha's servant, Was tellini? the King in language fervent, All things his master had wondrously done; He told the King of this woman and son. And here it seems, like a very strange thing, That just while he was talking to the King, The woman and her son are seen walking Boldly uj) to where those two are talking. And you see from the servant's very eyes, His great w^onderment and joyful surprise; And now to the King you bear him exclaim. And call the Shunamite and son by name. . "O! King, this is the w^oman, the very one, This is the v>^oman, and this is her son Whom my master, Elisha, raised to life, This is the Shunamite's son, and tliis his wife." This is the child Elisha raised from the dead, And the woman confirmed what the servant said. Then when all this to the King had been told, Agniii her heritage he restored, as of old. 68 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. l^unisFiment of Bad (children, Now six times seven bad children we are told. Mocked Elisha because lie was weak and old, And by so doing they disobeyed the Lord, And thus displeased him, so says his holy Word. So God commanded two she bears from the wood, Which came and killed them for they were not good. From these bad children let all warning take, For fear of like things here, and then the firey lake. To punish the wicked the Lord has ways, In these our times, as well as ancient days; For he can raise the deep, send fire from Heaven, And floods then come, if his word be given. He can bring beasts of field, or birds of air. The eagle and raven, or lion and bear. So they that mock good men, or make mock of sin. Shall punished be, if they continue therein. THE SAlUiATlC NUMBER .SE\EN. 69 1 l^e (fieansiqg of the Temple. Now Hezekiah, when he would make sure To cleanse the Temple lawful clean and pure, He offered seven rams, and bullocks seven. And lie-s'oats were, also, precisely seven. When Hezekiah the idols took away And all the strange altai's in ancient day. For seven days was ate unleavened bread By all the tribes of Israel it is said. Here now again great consequence is given, To this number, as all was done by seven; So that down to the days of Hezekiah, They held what was made plain by Messiah. He was the great sacrifice from the Heavens, The great antitype of all the sevens! And in Him all these sacrifices ended. Then back to his glory He ascended. ■JO THE SABBA'J'IC NUiMKER SKVEN. ' I he I rinity J\ot a Septenary. Now to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, And to none other of the heavenly host. Should divine and true worship be given: For there are "One in Three," not one in seven. Then by the Law blood was sprinkled seven times On the altar, to atone for Jewish crimes, When they sacrificed at their solemn feasts, And offered bread and meat, and blood of beasts. For offering, sacrifice, or oblation. Which was offered by the Jewish nation. Consisted of bread and flesh, blood and wine! These symbolized Christ, of him were the sign. So, in those solemn rites of dedication, Of purification and consecration. The water and the blood, for ancient crimes, Was sprinkled precisely seven times. THE SAHHATIC NUMISKR SEVEN. 71 "This is lie that came by water and blood," Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, Now these are Three that bear record in Heaven; And we are not under the Law to Seven. There are three that bear witness in the earth. The Holy Spirit at every new birth! And the water, that we covenant with the Lord, To believe and obey his Holy Word. And the blood, the Iilood of the new testament, Is sprinkled upon all who truly repent, For we are renewed by the Holy Spirit, And laved by the blood of Christ and bis merit. So different kinds of offerings were seven, Which were ordained by the Court of Heaven, Burnt offering, meat offering, peace offering, three, Sin, trespass, consecration, and offerings free. 7 2 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. I he iture of the Lfeprosy of (J\aanian. Naaman. and the little maid of Israel, Who went as a captive with him to dwell, Though she was a servant we slight her not. And her little story shall ne'er be forgot. The little maid waited on Naaman's wife. Who desired her husband's health and life; And thus she said unto her kind mistress, Whom she clearly saw was in great distress, Would to God my master were with Elisha. The great prophet that lives in Samaria, He is a man of God, and can prophesy, And he can cure him of leprosy. And one went in and told his master well, Thus and thus said the maid of Israel ' And the King of Syria said, I'll do this thing, I will send a letter to Israel's King. THE SAI!1!A11C NUMIiKR SLVF.N". With ten talents of silver we are told, And also six thousand pieces of gohj, And furthermore, ten changes of raiment, Naaman to(.)k lor a l)rc^elltor I'ayment. And ho departed with the King's letter, Hoping to return in health much better; For the maid of Israel told him the truth. Remembered her Creator, in the days of youth. Here is the letter which we all may see: ''Now, when this letter is come unto thee. Lo! I have sent Naaman, my servant to thee. That thou mayest cure him of his leprosy!" When the King of Israel this letter read, It came to pass he rent his clothes and said, "Am I God, that this man doth send to me To save his servant from plague of leprosy?" When Elisha, the man of God, learned this thing, That it was so, he sent word to the King, Saying, wherefore hast thou thy raiment rent? Let him come to me, to whom he was sent. 74 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And he shall know, and know trnly and well, That there is a true prophet in Israel. So Naaman came, we'er told, and stood before The house of Elisha— stood at the door. With horses, and chariot and servant, Elisha came not, but sent his servant, That the power of God might be apparent In the thing whereunto Naaman was sent. And Elisha sent a servant unto him, Saying, Go wash in Jordan seven times, And thy flesh shall come again upon thee, And thou shalt be cleansed of leprosy. But Naaman was wroth, and went away. Like many poor sinners in this our day, Who are now told where they may wash and be free. From the curse of sin's loathsome leprosy! And Naaman said, I thought he would have come Out to see me, and not thought it troublesome. And stood and called upon Jehovah's name. And cure the leper w^hoso humbly came! THE SAIiliATIC NU.MI!F.R SEVEN. 75 Are not Abanas and Pliarper, where I dwell, Better tlian all the waters of Israel? Are the rivers of Damascus so mean, That I may not \vas!i in them and be clean? uL2 So he turned and went away in a rage," Just as sinners have done from age to age, Wlio have so proudly, and so vaiidy thought, More highly of themselves than anyone ought. But he was brought to his sense by his slaves?, And led to exercise that faith which saves, Faitli whicli no labor shuns, or duty shirks. Which works by love, and then is shown by works. Then went he down, confessing to God his crimes, And dipped himself in Jordan seven times; And his flesh came again like the flesh of a child. And he was clean, and calm, and meek, and mild. And he returned to give thanks to God's name; Therefore he and all his company came. And he said, Behold, now I know very well Tliat the onlv true God is in Israel. 76 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Now, we cannot let this story pass by Without warning servants of Gahazi. He coveted gold and raiment, and lied, And leprosy left him not till he died. Oh, be like the little maid of Israel, And you with God, and the angels shall dwell; Right will the bonds of the bondman sever. But wrong will bind him in bondage forever! THK SAHHA'riC NUMBER SEVKN. 7 7 The iiourt of Fersiaq l\ing; Now turn to the court of Persian kings, Where we will find seven in many things, For, accoj:ding to all ancient reports, Just seven chancellors stood in their courts. And Ahashuerus, the King, had seven Chamberlains, and his Queen Esther seven, All these waited in Shushan, the Palace, And gave the King and Queen their meat and chalice. Now Esther became Queen in place of Vashti, Who would not with the King's request comply. For we are told the King feasted seven days, And on the seventh day his love displays. The seventh day for Queen Vashti he sent, By his seven chamberlains, for this intent, To show the people and princes her beauty, But Queen Vashti refused to do her duty! 78 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Then the King said to the seven wise men, The seven princes, Persian and Median, What shall we do unto the Queen Vashti? For she hath refused with my wish to comply. Then it was published with the acts and deeds. And law became with Persians and Medes, "That every man should bear rule in his house, And that none be disobeyed by his spouse." Of the choice of virgins they chose a queen, It was Esther — not ashamed to be seen — And now the King had reigned just seven years, When this beautiful queen in court appears. Therefore the King loved Esther above all. And she found grace and favor with great and small, He set the royal crown upon her head, And made her to be queen in Vashti's stead. Let woman take warning by Vashti, the queen, Never to disobey, or fear to be seen, "For the male is master, and to make him less, Confounds creation, and creates distress." THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 79 But do like Esther, the Queen of Beauty! All just requests obey and do their duty. Then with their husbands they shall find favor, And be blessed of God, and blessed forever. 8o THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. eVenty Weeks to JV|essiah Now Daniel, the prophet, most surelj^ speaks Of a vision of ten times seven weeks, For the time, in truth, by the prophet given, Is precisely ten times the numbef seven! And unto Messiah, the Prince, shall be seven weeks. Which makes the number, if one in plain words speaks Just equal to four hundred and ninety years. For a prophetic week is seven common years. Therefore,tliree score and two weeks,and seven weeks And one week, make precisely seventy weeks, So that seventy weeks, as clear appears, Is equal to seventy times seven years. Seventy weeks are set upon thy Nation, And thy City, to finish transgression. To make an end of iniquity and sin, And bring Everlasting Righteousness in! THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 8 1 ►evens in jV|ar|y I hiqqs. Now all may remember, perhaps surely know, For Sliadrack, Mesheck, and Abednego, The fiery furnace was in days of yore Heated one seven times hotter than before. Behold, again, we are taught, for seven years Nebuchadnezzar ate grass, as appears — Then the number of years to Israel given. Of captive years, was just ten times seven. Now tliis is known that Mary Magdalene Was possessed of devils, many and mean, For out of her the Lord of earth and heaven, Once did cast out the number just seven. The number of Apostles sent by our Lord Was just ten times seven — so says the Word, And the men who condemned the Lord of Heaven, The Sanhedrim, w^as just ten times seven. 82 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. The Sanhedrim numbered seventy men, And the Chief Priest was then its president; So Christ sent out seventy to disciple men. And was their Great High Priest and president. THE SAMHATIC NUMBER SEVEN. @eVen [petitions in the Loid s jhwer. Now the number of petitions in the Lord's Prayer, Which we all should learn and repeat with care, When we would pray to our Father in Heaven, Is told in petitions precisely seven. O, hallowed be thy name, in every place and home, Where mortal man may dwell, or wildly roam. Salvation is thy name and power to save, In life, in death, and from the silent grave. O may thy kingdom come, reign of Righteousness, And peace, and love, and joy, all mankind to bless, And soon to earth the days of heaven bring. And be o'er all the world, thyself the King. O may thy will be done in earth as in heaven, Be done by man as by the watchful seven, Who haste at thy word, on lightning wings of fire, To do what thy will of them may require. 84 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. O, give us day by day our needful bread, That with sufficient food we may be fed, For needful raiment, and sufficient food, Is all we (-an enjoy of earthly good, O, forgive us our sins, as we forgive others. Grant us pardon, for we pardon our brothers. In peace and charity may we all live To enjoy the blessings thy goodness may give. Oh, lead us not into temptation's snare. To covet, steal, or cheat, or kill anywhere. Or base to idols bow the knee, and lie. Or swear, and choose dark ways of death and die. Deliver us from every sinful evil Of world, and fleshly, and wily devil. For thou alone the power hast to deliver, And kingdom to give, and glory forever. Amen, he said, it ought to be. Amen, he said, so it will be, Amen, he said, so it shall be Through countless days of eternity. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 85 The ^eVeq lljeacons Appointed. In Acts of Apostles, chapter sixth we read That Christ's disciples once surely agreed Just seven honest deacons to appoint, Whose good work for the church was to he conjoint, In those good days disciples multiplied, And they kept far from selfishness and pride. Yet then murmuring from Grecians arose Against the Hebrews, because their widows Were neglected in daily ministration. Which was disbursed by the Hebrew nation, Confining their charities to their own, And while the Grecian widows were left alone. Therefore the Twelve called the brethren and said, Is it just that we serve tables and break bread? It is not right that we leave the Word of God, Which is to feed men's souls with heavenly food. 86 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among yon, Seven men of honest report and true. Full of the Holy Ghost, Wisdom and Righteousness, Whom we Twelve may appoint for this business. But we will give ourselves daily to prayer. And to teaching the word will give our care, So great the word of God shall win and grow% Till it shall fill the world, and gates of helio'erthrow. Now Enoch, whom God took up to Heaven, In direct line from Adam was just seven. But Christ, the second Adam, the Lord of Heaven, Was just exactly eleven times seven. It is but just to think that this event took place, To teach this lesson to the rising human race, That all who walk with God, by faith below. Shall go to dwell with him all free from woe. ■line SAliHATlC NUiViHKR Sh:\'i:N. 87 rF|e ^eVens of t\]e ^Apocalypse. Now the Apocalypse is surely rife With the mysteries of eternal life, And this sacred message, sent down from Heaven, Is much connected with the number seven. Of seven churches first we surely hear. Then seven golden candle-sticks appear. Of seven lamps we also surely read, And then the Seven Spirits of God indeed! Then seven great churches, to each a letter, To warn the unruly to do better. Each attested by an attribute of God, Who do not right, shall be ruled with a rod. And seven promises are made to all the good. And fruits of Paradise are promised for food, Then the City of God to be their home, And never into it shall sorrow come. 8S THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And then the wondrous Book with seven seals, Which, to mankind, most wonderful things reveals, And tlieu the wondrous lamb with seven eyes Had also seven horns, the prophet spies. Attend kind reader now, and you shall hear: The prophet says he saw, or heard them clear, First seven angels grand, with seals just seven, Then seven beasts, and thunders also seven. The seven angels, too, with trumpets seven, Was by the prophet seen, in Court of Heaven, And were prepared and sent, trumpets to sound, Till heard by erring man the world around. And when the prophet's words we read again, We learn that seven thousand men are slain, And then Red Dragon, with heads just seven, And his kingly crowns, also just seven. Then appears Great Dragon, a monstrous beast. Of which we all have read, among the rest. Whose monstrous heads numbered just even seven, According to the Word sent down from Heaven. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 89 Then the mighty Angels came with vialyof wrath, So the Re\telation by the prophet aaith, Both the numbers of these, by the prophet given, Is Angels seven, and also Vials seven. T^^gv^AB¥iMMuWU^W.^,'[S.eVB^f;r ffieTia-^sri(}0|[(jj oiW vd ,989ift ^O/pscodfimn 9x1^ iLtoH; Of Heavens, we are told there are seven, And seven planets, and stars just seven, And seven wise men, and champions seven, In music seven notes, and colors seven. There are seven liberal branches of knowledge, Which all should learn at home, in school, or college, Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, and Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, and then Music. Perfection was likened, in days of old, Tlie Bible says, to seven times refined gold; No child was named, the Sacred History says, Until it had lived out fully seven days. By seventh month the tender babe's teeth appear. And then begin to be renewed the seventh year, The S3venth year the childhood days begin, And then at three times seven manhood comes in. At four times seven man's strength is then complete, At five times seven then for business meet, At six times seven, ^ui-ely vfi^e and Ibqi'ave, . Or nevef^gB^tkf^^ryiJ; tlfe'^'ikUy ftVa'v^) ")^l' I ' At seA:ej?,;t^|fi}e^.ji):3V6ii m,^,w^ .„, , ^t.nine tiw,t|^j^f^ye,n.^.gi^.^^^^^^^ Here is a wondro,i^^;jili^i|i|^f,,,^n(^.l0^]g,fpre]tol|d .,,Kp By prophet, who (ijfj.jl,i>;e:ii},,day^.pf p}^, Who, wrappe^, \yajli. spJ^;,i_t,oJf ^prophetig, ^re, Which harwo^i,y,.l^a,d.s^^jip^,p^Ci,^^^^^^ .,^^,1^ Which caus^^. tljie gon ojf ^(^^ tq lay, ,|i,is glory , by, ,, ^, And Gc^^^rppi^^^^i^^i^ t^e^tJ;i,|Qr,n^aii/^o,(^j^.^,^j^ The liplv harper|h[^^ped,0f la^^ ,r|> And filled tl^e> hill^ ^^n4 P,laii>s -wi^h | l^e,ayenly praise, 4^1<^}SWi^tli^/J9y.,^nd,peac.t^.o^,f^^^ . r bnA When war^ jtJQJP^-j jUot to fill the wo];ld with tear^. .^^ » 92 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. I'he ^eVen (yreat 4\inqcl oms. Then the seven beasts, symbols of seven empires, Should curb their wills, — quench their warlike fires, For there have been but seven great empires on earth Since the days of Nimrod, or since man had birth. The Assyiian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman; Then New Roman, or European is given, These taken together make the number seven. These were symbolized by these seven beasts. The wolf, the lamb, the leopard, the kid for feasts, And the bear, the lion, and the ox or cow. And all these to a wondrous Child should bow! The greedy wolf shall also dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with kids of Ham, And the cow, bear, lion, and ox, shall feed together, And the Wonderful Child lead in all weather. .\i;i;.\inj ni:>ii;i:k skvk.n. 93 leVen Women (£laim (^ne JV|ai]. And this Wonderful Child becomes a man, And wi-sely fills his place in Heaven's plan, Then seven women of that man shall take hold, Which would seem an act impudent and bold. Thus they shall speak to this man '^is said, "We will do our own work, eat our own bread; And wear our own raiment, for which we labor. And live in peace with all, and each neighbor." Let us all be called by thy dear name, And thereby take away reproach and shame. We sisters are, and for our names unkind. We give to thee, that they be out of mind. That thereby envy and reproach may end. Then we shall act to each the loving friend; For like the bride, w^e give to thee our name, We shall be kind, and think and do the same. 94 'J'HE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. These symbolize seven churches in our day, Because of names are reproached by the way, These seven sisters wrangle, fret and scold. And growing more unkind as they grow old. Kind reader, would you like to know the names Of these Seven Sisters, and gracious dames? The eldest two are twins, Latin and Greek, And these are much alike, as they do and speak. Then comes Episcopal, next born if you please, Who dates her birth within few years of these. The sister next bears the name of Baptist, Then fifth comes Lutheran in noble list. The sixth one bears the name Presbyterian, Tho' some men say, call her Calviniau. The youngest bears the name of Methodist, Which comes seventh and last in the noble list. Let others call themselves churches if they please. Yet we say they are the children of these. These should give up their names for Christ the Lord, And teach and do the things taught in his Word. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 95 These have done wonderful works in their day, But they have been blamed for falling out by the way. They have fallen out about the right to rule, And some of them in this have acted the fool. The eldest have been the worst about this right. And for it have displayed the greatest spite; They have often been reproached about forms, And wrangled each otlier into dreadful storms. And they have been quite modish in their times, And practiced these till blamed for them as crimes. There is but One to whom we should bow the knee. But the eldest, to show her manners, has made free. To bow to great many, instead of one, While oft another would not bow to anyone. They liave cliided each other about bread and wine. Till some have wished there was neither corn or vine. They have derided each about the way they wash, Complaining of the waste of water as bosh. Now one says they should always wash by aspersion, Another says no way is right but immersion. gC) THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. In that day the Branch shall be beautiful, These give their names to Christ are dutiful, Then there shall be one faith, one Fold, one Shepherd. No more shall names of sect reproach be heard. The fruits of earth, for these shall be excellent, That day their labor shall not be vainly spent; Theirs shall be beautiful and grand apparel, And comely shall they be of Israel. And it shall come to pass that those in Zion And that remain in Jerusalem, shall join In harmony, and called holy all them Which shall be found alive of Jerusalem. Eaoh one that written is, in the Book of Life, Has given u{) the names of sect and sti"ife, Tlies8 shall be called by name of Christ — Christian, Shall be the lioly church of God, Amen. For then the Lord shall wash all filth away. And purge the blood of Jerusalem that day; The daughters of Zion shall have raiment pure From filth and blood, which none shall then endure. lilt: SAIJUAIIC NUM15KK SKVKN. 97 This work is done by the Spirit of Judgment, The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Burning sent. Which sat upon the Christian's head like lire, When all were of one name,. heart, and desire. f)8 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. The JV|illennial felory of the church. The Lord will create on every dwelling- pla(;e Of Mount Zion, the assembly of his grace. A cloud and smoke by day, that all may be known, To be his rich jewels, each a precious stone. The shining of a flaming fire by night Shall give to all Mount Zion's assemblies light, And above all this glorious assembly The Lord himself shall a defense and covering be. For as the eagle hovereth o'er her young. So shall the Lord protect the men of every tongue Who come from the nations and realms of kings, As a hen covereth her brood under her wings. For over Mount Zion shall a covering be spread. For shade in the day time and heat above head; And a refuge for all who this refuge gain, A shelter sure from every storm and rain. 11 !K SAIJIJATIC NU-N/liKR SEVEN. 99 All this shall come to pass in the last days, For which the world shall be filled with praise; That the mountain, kingdom, house of the Lord, For mountains signify kingdoms in his Word, Sliall be above the top of the mountains, The waters of truth shall flow in pure fountains; That is the Lord's kingdom shall be above all, For the kingdoms of the world before him shall fall. His kingdom shall rise high above the hills, From whence through ages rolled the purling rills. From seven hills have poured the streams of truth, Tho' oft times soiled to cheer both age and youth. These seven hills, on which the woman had throne, Which woman types false religion alone. Hath often closed the fountains of these hills. Or made unhealthy, or impure, these little rills. The seven hills we may believe the same. As the seven churches, only other name. When these give up their names, in one to grow. Then unto Mount Zion shall all nations flow. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Messiah's power then shall rule in every land, Although in Mount Zion bis tlirone shall stand. The people of nations shall go and say, Let us go up to the mount of God to day. I'o the God of Jacob, the house of the Lord, To ask of him for the truth of his word. And he will teach us all his righteous ways. And we will walk in pleasant paths all days. From Zion shall go forth law to rule all, And word from Jerusalem for great and small, Messiah thus shall judge among all nations, And right shall be to all, of all stations. And he shall rebuke all for wars and blood. And say to them live in peace, to all do good; And they promptly obey his powerful words, And into plowshares beat their bloody swords. And scythes and pruning hooks their bloody spears And war no more shall wash the world with tears. For nation shall not war with nation more, Nor shall they learn for war, on sea or shore. rilK SAliliAlIC NUAiBKR SEVKK. O! house of Jacob dispersed, chastised with a rod, Come ye, go up to the house of Jacob's God, Come ye, let us walk in the light of the Lord, With us it shall be well, so tells his Word. Tllfc: SADDAllC NUMIJER SEVEN. I he (Jiraricl l\evieW. Now canst thou tell the reason why is given Su(5h consequence to the number seven? Wait a moment, with thy wish we may comply, And surely the anxious reader satisfy — In seven days God made Heaven and Earth, And to all that's in them his power gave birth, On the seventh day God ended his work and did rest. When worlds, and all therein, were made and blest. So in the seven thousandth year of the world Satan from his seat shall be forever hurled; Then Christ shall see the travail of his soul and rest. When the world, and all therein, shall be ever blest. So seven thousand years from Adam must pass away, Then shall dawn the long-looked-for Millennial day. For one day with the Lord is a thousand years, And a thousand years, one day, as clear appears. line SAiniATlC NUMIJKK SEVKN. If a thousand years with the Lord is one day, Then seven times a thousand years must pass away; For after seven times seven years, we see, Was the symbol year — the year of Jubilee. Which seven days, and seven times seven years, Were symbols of the world's rest and Jubilee, AVhen from the Sacred Record it clear appears. The world shall be from debts and bondage free. But a thousand years is one day with the Lord, As w^e are clearly taught in his Word, Therefore seven such days must pass away. Before the daw^n of Millennial Day. Hence, the reason true is plainly given Why such consequence is laid upon the seven; After the seven thousandth year sliall be The long-desired Millennial Jubilee. When Earth shall be renewed, uncursed and blest, And hold its long-looked for millennial rest; Of which the seventh year was symbol sublime — The symbol of this long-looked for resting time. I04 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Beneath the tree of life, by life's pure fonntainB, Naught shall disturb in all the holy mountains; Man then shall rest beneath the lasting light, For in that blissful land shall be no night. For this is vouched the Everlasting Truth, Love, wisdom and power, to age and to youthi And this symbolized by his very name, Jehovah, I am that I am, forever the same. The seven letters, in Jehovah constitute The initials of each major attribute. Of his nature, and character divine. And represent these an everlasting sign J, Justice and Judgment, abide on my throne; E, Eternity is mine, and mine alone; H, Holiness true is mine, and mine shall be; O, Omniscience is mine, belongs alone to me; V, Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord; A, Almighty is my power, and name, and word; H, Humanity is mine; by it I did atone For man — and by these I maintain my throne. •|HE SABBA'l'lC NUMBER SEVEN. Amen, mine these attributes onglit to be; Amen, mine these attributes will forever be; Amen, mine these attributes shall forever be Along the countless days of Eternity. Io6 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. rl"|e JV|iracles of tl"|e Bible. The miracles of the Old Testament, And of the New, which were really meant To establish the claims of Divine Truth, And be evidence of these to age and youth, Were done by power divine from heaven, And all these were ijerfoimed by only seven. By Moses and Aaron were wrought twice seven, As we all may see in Exodus given. First their Rod became a mighty Serpent, And down his throat those of the magician's went. They then turned the waters of the Nile to l)lood. Then covered Egypt with frogs like a flood. • Caused the dust of the land to b(;come lice, And filled the air with swarms of grievous flies, And murrain that brouglit cattle to death. Boils and blains made man give up his breath. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. Terrible thunder, and lightning, and hail, And locust did o'er all the land prevail. And dreadful, hoirible darkness was felt. And the Red Sea made dry, a8 where man dwelt. The bitter waters of Marah w^ere made sweet, They brought water from the rock, for all to greet; The victory then over Amalek was won; Egypt's first born shall die. and it was done. Io8 THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. 1 he JV|iracles of Ci'liial]. The miracles of Elijah were just seven, As we may find in the Scripture given, First Sarepta's widow's meal wasted none. And then he raised to life the same widow's son. And as this widow said, so may age and youth, I know that thou art a man of God and Truth, And we number this among the seven, To burn the sacrifice, he obtained fire from Heaven. And after years of drought he prayed for rain, And surely, then, his prayer was not in vain, And twice Elijah brought fire from Heaven, Which consumed the men to vengeance given. For each time a captain and fifty men, Were all consumed by the fire from Heaven, He divided Jordan at his desire And went to heaven in a chariot of fire. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. IO9 I he JVliracles of llflisha. The miracles of Elisha were not seven, But we are told they were just eleven. First he divided Jordan as we all may know, And then he healed the waters at Jericho. When the Kings of Israel had gone seven days Through Edom's wilderness and tliirsty ways, They then consulted Elislia to know. What they all must do, or wliere they must go. So he obtained water, in large supply, That men and cattle for this should not die, "Ye shall not see wind, nor shall there be rain, Yet that valley shall be filled as a plain." And so it was filled with water from the East, And supplied all the wants of man and beast; And then the widow's oil he multiplied, And raised to life the Shunamite's son that died. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. The fatal effects of poison lie prevented, And fed a thousand men till contented, With but twenty small loaves of barley bread. And they all ate till sufficiently fed. And also Naaman's leprosy he cured. And brought the leprosy, which was endured Through all his life by wicked Gahazi For his covetousness and wilful lie. He caused iron to swim, through his kindness^ And smote the army of Syria with blindness. So the miracles he wrought among men Are equal to the numbers one and ten. The mira(5les wrought by our blessed Lord, Told in the New Testament, his Holy Word, We may turn and read, and find six times seven, And in the last one he went to Heaven. THE SAlJliATIC NUMliEK SEVEN. I he JVjiracles of l^eter and [s^aul. The miracles performed by Peter and Paul, The chief ones seem to me but seven in all. Peter healed a man who had always been lame, And raised to life kind Dorcas in Christ's name. These two are the chief ones left on record, As stated in the Testament of our Lord; Though Peter may have done many others While hil)oring with apostolic brothers. Then Paul at Lystra healed a lame man's feet, And then cast out the Spirit of Deceit From a damsel, who followed them for days, And grieved St. Paul by her pernicious ways. By the laying- on of his hands was given The Holy Ghost, the comforter from Heaven, To twelve disciples, who were richly supplied, For they spoke with other tongues and prophesied. THE SABBATIC NUMBER SEVEN. And he raised to life sleepy Eutyclius, And healed the aged father of Publius; Although he may have done many others, These are all recorded by his brothers. THE SABKAllC NUAiUKK Si:vi:X. 'The Author's f\\\}d rareweli. Now, kind reader, we have liiiislied tliiy book, And if in reading it you have tlie comfort took That I did in writing the Number Seven, You feel repaid for time and money given. OI may we walk the welcome road to Heaven, Obey commands of God, whether one or seven; T]ien thiti mystic number we shall understand, When we siiall know as known in the heavenly land. Now, dear reac'er, I hope we part good friends. For we have come to where my poem ends; And hope it's been a pleasing interview. Therefore, I bid a kind farewell, adieu. In hope we all shall meet where friends are friends, In lands where holy pleasure never ends, And bide forever on that blissful shore. And friends that meet us there shall sorrow no more. T\n Crpitome of the 'Apocalyps se. TJiis Book consists of Seven I'nrts nnd Seven I'eriocln, which we shall notice in their reguhir Chronohigicnl order. The whole peroid of Time through which these Proi)hecies extend, comprises at least 4,000 years — from the Incarnation of Jesus Christ to the end of the present Dispensation, and the consummation of all things pertaining to his Mediatorial Kingdom, and the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth. This grand period of years is divided into Seven Periods. Two of these periods, the 3d and 4th, are each 1,260 years; or, the two together are 2,520 years; and both the 3d and 4th periods are subdivided into seven shorter j^eriods — each 180 years; which is a half Time. Therefore in 1260 vears there are Seven Half Times, or seven times 180 years, — eijual to 1260 years. Oor, if we add the time of the third and fourth periods together, we have 2520 years, equal to seven whole Times, or seven periods of 360 years each, called TiMf:s, in ijro])hetic language. A Time is a year of yea-s In Geometry, 360 degrees make a complete circle. So in Prophecy, 360 years makes a complete circle of years. There- fore, a year of years, or a prophetic Time, is 360 years. A day, also, stands for a year, and 30 days stand for a month, or 30 years in prophetic chronology; and therefore 42 nuMiths ecjual seven half Times, or 1,260 years. CHAPTER I— IV. PART FIRST. PERIOD FIRST A. D. i TO 120. These relate to things that were, or to the state of the Church in the Apostolic age. This Part and Period include two shorter periods, which, for the sake of distinction, and also because we consider them real, we shall call them Seal Periods; it was during this j^eriod that the first and second Seals were opened. The opening of the First Seal begins with the Advent of Jesus Christ, and occupied 60 years. The Second Seal occupied 60 years, and begins where the first seal ends; or with the bloody persecutions. The opening of the First Seal indicates the time of the tri- umph of Christianity under the symbol of the White Horse. The Il6 AN EPITOME OF THE APOCALYPSE. Opening of the Second Seal indicates the time of the bloody per- secutions which began under Nero, and is symbolized by the Red Horse, the emblem of Wickedness, War, and Bloodshed — by destructive battles, and cruel jjersecutions. CHAl'1'i':R V. PART SECOND, PERIOD SECOND— A. D. 120 TO 420. This Part and Period relate to the prophecies, characters, actions, and events of 240 years — during the opening of the third, fourth, iiith and sixth Seals, in the reign of the Pagan Ro- man Emperors, Domitian, Nerva, Trajan, Adrian, the three Val- erians, the thirty pretenders, Maximian the gigantic Emperor, Julian the Apostate, and Dioclesian. It was in this period chiefly, and under these emperors, that Christians sufl'ered severe persecutions, which commenced under Nero, and are known as the Ten Persecutions; and with this period the Pagan Roman persecutions ended. The Seven Seals of this Book are opened during the first and second Periods of this prophecy. CHAPTER VI. The Revelation properly begins v»'ith the Sixth cha})ter oi this Book, b}' the opening of the Seven Seals, which indicate Time. Every action requires time; therefore, the opening of the seals required time; and, from the fullillment, we iiave a.scertained that each seal occupied 60 years. THE SEVEN SEALS. God has all the purposes, actions, and destinies of all men and angels, and the events of all times recorded in the Book of Futurity. But no being except himself has power or wisdom to open it, and disclose its contents; Jesus Christ prevails to open this Book; therefore he is God. FIRST SEAL A. D. I TO 60. The First Seal represents a \\ hite Horse, and he that sat on the horse had a bow, and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering and to conquer, and to subdue all his do- minion, is his ultimate purpose, and he will accomplish this purpose in his own times; for the arrows from his bow are sharp in the hearts of his enemies; for his word shall prosper in the thing whereunto he has sent it, and shall accomplish that which he pleases, and none shall disai)point him of his uUIniaie victory. AX KPIIOME OF THE APOCALYPSE. White Horse is emblematic of wisdom, purity, and power; and signifies the power of the Gospel in its wisdom, purity, and utility; for it is i)rofitable unto all, and is prevailing against all opposition. And this was true of the Gospel in the hands of the apostolic Christians in the First Period, or up to A. D. 60. They kept the things which were written in the Gospel, and trusted entirely in the King of kings. Therefore, they possessed a wis- dom which their enemies could not gainsay; a power they could not resist; and a jjuiit}- above sus])icion. .SECOND .SEAL A. D. 6o TO I 20. The Second Seal represents a Red Horse, and he that sat on him, as having power to take peace from the Earth; and signifies the wars and bloody persecutions on account of the Gospel under the Pagan Roman emperors, which may be dated with the open- ing of this Seal, for we date at least four years too fast. These persecutions were on the account of the Gospel of Christ; for, said he, 'T come not to send peace on Earth, but a sword." Not that this was the object, but it would be the result. The Red Horse is emblematic of wickedness, war, and bloodshed. THIRD SEAL A. D. I20 JO iSo. The Third Seal represents a Black Horse, and the rider, the one who controls the Beast, with a pair of balances in his hand, and signifies that the White Horse power, or the friends of the Gospel, were overcome by the Red Horse — the wars and perse- cutions of this period; and that all the privileges and advantages of the Christian life and practice, though as necessary to their existence and happiness as corn, was measured out to them dur- ing this period by the powers of darkriess, error, and opposition to the Gospel. Therefore, the Black Horse and his rider sym- bolize a wicked, cruel, and unjust Go\ernment and Rulers. FOURTH SEAL A. D. l8o TO 240. The Fourth Seal represents a Pale Horse, and he that sat on him was Death; which, in a moral and political sense signifies separation; which began to take place under Decius, the instiga- tor of the Seventh Persecution, which is said to have been the most dreadful ever known. The determination of these persecu tors to extirpate Christianity from the earth during this ])eriod, was as uncompromising as Death. These persecutions began under Nero, about A. D. 60, and were carried on by Domitian, Trajan, Antoninus, Severus, Max- iminus, Decius. ^'alerian, Aurelian, and Diocletian, all monsters Il8 AN EPITOME OF THE APOCALYPSE. of vice and cruelty. Christians in all places were driven from their habitations, stripped of their estates, tormented with racks, fire, and wild beasts. In the last of these persecutions, which continued ten years, the amount of suffering was horrible — the loss of life almost incredible. In Egypt alone, not less than 144,000 Chris- tians died by the cruel hand of Pagan Roman persecution. ' The I^ale Horse is the symbol of Light and Darkness, Truth and Error, Idolatry and Pure Religion, for the Pale Horse was covered with white and black hair, which gave him the appear- ance of a pale, or grizzly, or gray horse. And it was about this time that the controversy in which the respective claims of Pa- ganism and Christianity were both publicly advocated and de- fended bytheir friends. FIFTH SEAT. A. D. 24O TO 300. The Fifth Seal discloses the condition of those who have suffered Martyrdom for Christ, under former persecutions, as well as those who were called to suffer for the Gospel during the time of the opening of this seal; showing the existence of all true Christians in a happy condition, in the presence of God before the Throne; teaching that the soul of the just does not sleep or die; but does exist in a separate state from the body; and loves, and remembers, and believes, and obeys, and hopes, until it shall return to resume its glorified body at the Resurrection. And this Seal is graciously opened for the comfort of the Church, amidst her conflicts, persecutions, and martyrdoms; to assure her that the Lord ever cares and provides for his people, and that death only separates us from our mortal sufferings, if we are his by regeneration, that we may enter into our eternal home; so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words: for we leave an earthly tabernacle to enter into a heavenly mansion. .SIXTH SEAL A. D. 300 TO 360. The opening of the Sixth Seal indicates the time of 60 years, as all the others have, and represents that during this period most awful and alarming changes in Church and State, under the symbol of earthquakes; sun darkened, stars falling from heaven, which signify the great political and ecclesiastical changes, divi- sions, and commotions in the Roman Empire, which began about this period, under Diocletian, A. D. 292, who was the most ambi- tious, tyrannical, and cruel of all the Pagan Roman Emperors. He divided the Roman Empire into four governments, under AN KI'll'OMK OF THK AI'OCAI.VPSK. II9 four princes; two of them being emperors, each called Augustus, and two Csesars. Maximian shared with Diocletian the title of Augustus; and (jalerius and Constantius were called Ceesars. These dying, or being slain, Constantine the Great remained sole master for about thirty years of this period, of what had been the Pagan Roman Empire. It was in this period that the seat of Empire was removed to Constantinople. SEVENTH SEAL A. D. 360 lO 42O. The oj)ening of the Seventh Seal indicates the time of 60 years, as all the others ha\'e. It was during this Seal period that there was silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, which symbolizes the time of peace in the Church, when she had rest from all her enemies for twenty-four years. But, as in nature, a great calm is often succeeded by a devastating storm; so it wa» with the Church. By the end of this period there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and earthcpiakes — great political and ecclesiastical storms — thunderings of war, and divisions, and destructions of kingdoms. PART THIRD, PERIOD THIRD- A. D. 420 TO 1680. Part Third, Period Third relates to the prophecies, charac- ters, and events of the Church and of the world for 1260 years, to the close of the period of the Woman's first sojourn in the wilderness. This period is equal to seven half Times, or' three whole Times and a half; w'hich begins when the Woman first fled into the w-ilderness of Europe, and ends when she flew or sailed into the wilderness the second time; when she came, at the end of tliis ]ieri()(l, into the wilderness of America. CHAPTER VII. THE FOUR ANGELS. YowY Angels stand ui)on the Four corners of the Earth, hold- ing tlie Four Winds, 'i'his is emblematic of the divided state of the Roman I'^mpire into four parts by Diocletian, as above noticed. A great storm is always followed by a calm. Ten dreadful storms of persecution had passed over the empire like a desolat- ing scourge from the (iates of Hell, and left it in a divided and enfeebled condition. But the Blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church. lAery buried martyr was as the corn cast into the earth, from whence sprang up a more abundant harvesj. The Church has a little rest about the first ot this period, rejjresented by the sealing of 144,000 with the Seal of the living AN EPITOiME OF THE APOCALYPSE. God; which signifies that great numbers believed the Gospel and openly professed and practiced Christianity; and hence, received the Visible Seal of the Christian religion, as instituted by Christ in the Gospel. One may ask, what was the Visible Seal? We answer: Water Baptism. Where was the seal applied ? In the forehead. How was it ap})lied ? Evidently by pouring. Of what was it the sign ? The Baptism, or the pouring out of the Holy Spirit; which is the only saving Baptism — -the One Bap- tism. As a Seal what did it signify ? The sealing of the Holy Ghost, by which all true believers are sealed unto the day of Redemption, and purified by the washing of Regeneration. CHAPTER VHI. THE SEVEN TRUMPETS. Here the Seventh Seal Period ends, and the First Trumpet begins to sound, A. D. 420. And when the Angel opened this Seal there was silence in heaven about half and hour; that is, from A. D. 360 to 384. But little was done in the Church to disturb its repose, and this Seventh Seal period, like the Sabbath, was a season of rest for about half an hour, or the space of twen- ty-four years. FIRST TRUMPET A. D. 420 TO 600. The First Trumpet begins to sound, which is another term to indicate Time; and therefore each trumpet indicates a period of 180 years; and seven of these periods are contained in the third period, or 1260 years — from 420 to 1680. The First Trumpet represents hail and fire mingled with blood, signifying the storms of war which fell on the family of Constantine, until peace was concluded under Theodosius, who extinguished Pagan- ism and established Political Christianity — if such a term may be allowed; which event occurred in 384. This Trumpet is sounded to call the warriors to action, and sounds 180 years — from A. D. 360 to 540, to chastise the Church for her State union; which was done by calling down the Huns, Vandals, and Goths, from the North, like a hailstorm — emblematic of its being a chastise- ment from heaven. It was during this period of the First Trumpet that the old Roman empire, or Daniel's Seven-headed and Ten-horned Beast was utterly destroyed, and the city of Rome taken and burned by Alaric, A. D. 410, and the New Ro- man Government, under the Justinian Code, which is St. John's Seven-headed and Ten-horned Beast, was fully established by A. I)! 540, and continued to exist and exercise its power, almost uncontrolled, 1260 years — to A. D. 1800. AN i;i'ri'()Mi': r,v rcK .\i'(ic.\i.\ rsi. SECOND I'Rl'Ml'KT A. D. 6oo TO 780. The Second Trumpet sounds, and a Mountain, burning with fire, is cast into the sea, whereby it becomes blood; signifying that a mighty Kingdom or power would burn and destroy the sea — emblem of a corru])t ('hurch; or, that the persecuting power of the Roman Empire would be transferred to the Sea, or become a Church, or State Government. This Trumpet is sounded to call Mohammed, and his successors, to chastise the Church, which was becoming corrupt and corrupting, cruel and. unjust. This event well-nigh ruined the Roman Empire, and still further tarnished the glory of Rome, which, under the First Trumpet period, contained 6,000,000 inhabitants. For more tiian six hundred years Rome had not been disturbed by the presence of a foreign enemy; and for more than one thousand years she had stretched her arm of power over the nations; but Alaric the Goth, afterward styled the King of the Visigoths, brought his armies, whose numbers seemed inexhaustible, and besieged, and sacked, and burned Rome and left it in ruins, after having destroyed two hundred thousand of its most peaceable inhabitants — the (Chris- tians. rHiki) rRU.MPEi — A. L). 780 10 960. While the I'hird Trumpet sounded, which is a period of 180 years, a burning star — burning as a lamp — is represented as fall- ing from heaven; which signifies that some notable minister, or by enallage many ministers, should fall from their high and holy position, and cause the people, symbolized by water, to become bitter as wormwood, by turning away from the pure and refresh- ing waters of Gospel truth, to the bitter waters of Idolatry; for idolatry, in the language of Scripture, is called bitter water; and moreover, it was in this Period that the doctine and practice of idolatry was fully established. 'Ilierefore, we hold that this Star is used to re])resent the Ministers of Religion, one being put for many, who fell from their holy estate and inibittered the people with the doctrine of Idolatry by introducing Image \\ orship into the Church. rOlRI'H TRrMPKl' A. 1). 900 lO 1080. This was the darkest period of the Dark Ages. This Trum- ])et is sounded to teach the Church that Christ is the head of his Church, and that his Kingdom is not of this world; and therefore she should not strive for worldly power--a lesson, how- ever, she would not learn. AN El'lTOME OF I'HE APOCALYPSE. chaptI':r IX. FIFTH TRUMPET A. I). loSo TO I260. By the sounding of the Fifth Trumpet is represented the Bottomless Pit, the Abyss, or Great Deep being opened, and T.ocusts coming out of it, signifying the rise, and the rajnd and destructive progress of the Crusades. This Trumpet is sounded, it would seem, to call into action the powers of the Prince of the Air, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, to lead men into rebellion against God, and set them at variance with each other, and to contend for wrong instead of right. SIX'IH TRUMPET A. I). 1260 TO 144O. This Trumpet represents Four Angels loosed, which were bound in the River Euphrates; signifying that the sons of Geng- his-Khan, the Mogul Tartar, which were precisely four, should not be bound to the country of the Euphrates. By these all Asia was conquered; and their successors, after having reigned through eight successive dynasties, or monarchies, were overthrown, ac- cording to the word of the Lord by John, after reigning "an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year;" which, taking a prophetic (lay for a common year, is equal to 391 years and i month. During this period fire-arms were invented, as foretold in the close of this chapter; and "by these there was the third part of men killed by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, wliich issued out of their mouths," the mouths of cannons, guns, and justols. CHAPTER X. The great e\ent described in this Chapter ma\- be considered as being fulfilled during the Sixth Trumpet Period; and the Angel therein described is the power of Printing, and the discovery of means thereby to apply the power of Steam to the various jnir- poses of life and business; and what is very remarkable, the art of Printing was discovered just at the close of this Period — 1440; and about the same time, attention was called to the wonderful power of Steam; and inquiries soon began to be made by the philosophers of that age to devise means by which this power might be fully developed, and safel\' used, for the service of man. CHAPTER XI. PART THIRD, PERIOD THIRD Contixied. This Chapter, to the 15th verse, may be considered as a recapitulation of the great characters, actions, and events of the past or first part of this Revelation. And this may be considered AN Kl'lTO.MK OI' IHK APOCAI.Vl'SK. tlie middle of the Book, and the mi(Ulle of the C'hristian dispen- sation. We shall now notice that there are three remarkable charac- ters which have been the actors in this Period; from A. D. 360 to 1620, the Period when the Seventh Trumpet ceases to sound, and gives place to the Vial Periods. During this Period, the Holy City, True Religion, was trod- den down by the (xentiles; the two witnesses, the Jews, with the Old Testament, and Christians, with the New Testament, were overcome, clothed in sackcloth, anci killed. This was done by the Great City, False Religion, at tlie instigation of the Beast, or dragon from the Bottomless Pit. However, these being dead, yet spake to mankind, so that the voices of the Prophets were heard. And they prc^phesied to the end of this period, or 1260 years, to the tinle of the Lutheran Reformation, clothed in sackcloth; signifying the oppressed and down-trodden condition of the people of God, and the corruj)! state of the world, in neglecting and rejecting the Inspired Writ- ings of the Jewish and Christian Churches; and the constancy of some faithful witnesses to the 'I'ruth, under se\ere jjersecutions, during the whole of this Period. This Period closes with an earthquake; signifying a great political change, or re\olution, and a tenth of the Great City fell; signifying, that a tenth, or one of the horns, or wards of the Great City, would fall away from, or declare itself independent at the close of this Sixth Trumjjet Period, which actually occur- red, by P^ngland, under Henry the VHI. declaring his kingdom independent of the Poj)e of Rome. .SF-VENTH TRUMPET A. I). 1 440 lO 1620. With the f5th verse of this Chapter, and at this Trumpet Period, events occur which cause hymns of thanksgiving, and songs of triumph to go uj) to God, for raising the two witnesses, and bringing the Woman, the True Church, out of the wilderness of ICuroi)e, and i)reparing for her a new home in America. CHAPTER Xn. This Chai)ter represents the Woman, the True Church of (rod, as having laid aside her sackcloth, and now clothed with her beautiful garments, and adorned with the Sun; signifying the light, comfort, and ])rotection which she receives from God, and tliat he supplies all her wants; and he spreads a table for her in the wilderness, in the ])resence of her enemies; for the Lord God is a Sun and a Shield; he will give grace and glory; and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk ui)rightly. 124 AN EPIIOME OF THE AJ'OCALVPSE. Whosoever does the will of God walks uprightly, and has the witness in himself, that he has not followed a cunningly de- vised fable! The Woman began to go into the wilderness, from the time of the unholy union of Church and State, A. D. 303, in the days of Constantine, and was completely in the wilderness by A. D. 360, and continued there until the Reformation of Luther, when she began to come out, and had a little rest by the space of forty years. But persecution again arose, and she began a second time to go in the wilderness, and she sailed as a great Eagle in 1563, and by 1620 she was in the wilderness of America, which is her place. CHAPTER XIII. PART THIRD, PERIOD THIRD -Continued. This Chapter represents a monstrous Beast which arose out of the Sea, and has exercised a controlling influence during this period. This Beast is the new Roman Empire, which began to exist in the days of Justinian, A. D. 523, and was fully established by the year 540, and was to continue 42 months, or 1260 years, to A. D. 1783 to 1800. This is the Beast which took the place of Daniel's Beast with seven heads and ten horns, before which the Woman first fled into the wilderness. And it was from St. John's Beast that the Woman flew or sailed into the wilderness the second time, when she came to America in A. D. 1620, and has to continue in the wilderness from the above date one thous- and two hundred and threescore days, or 1260 years, to the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, in A. D. 2880. This beast signifies that Church and State union, political and priestly power, which used its authority to promote Idolatry, and desecrate every commandment of the Decalogue, and perse- cute unto death every one who would not submit to this hateful monster, the offspring of Sin and Disobedience. This is the Beast from which the Woman, clothed with the Sun, sailed like an Eagle into the wilderness of America; but it was from Daniel's Beast, the Old Roman Power, that the Woman first fled into the wilder- ness; and it was Daniel's Beast which overcame and killed the two witnesses, yet would not bury them, but kept them in the most public places, as Forums, Temples, and Churches. But after three days and a half the witnesses are raised; this three and a half days must evidently coincide wnth three and a half Times, or one thousand two hundred and threescore days, which are equal to 1260 common years. Three Woes are foretold, as belonging to this Third Period, which we will now notice, as we failed to do so at the proper place. AN EITIO.MI", OF niK .M'( )CA lA PSi;. 125 First Wol. — The first Woe passed or ended when the efforts of Earth and Hell ceased, which were put forth by i^agan Rome, Vandals, (ioths, and Huns, to exterminate Christianity by utterly destroying Christians. Second Wok. — The second Woe passed away when the power of the Saracens was broken, and especially when the power of the Beast was so much weakened by the Crusades, in the days of Chivalry and Romance, by the wound he received in his head by a sword, the word of God, since the discovery of printing, in the days of the Reformation, that he has not ])ower to compel men by the rack, and fire, and sword, to be what he calls Chris- tians and members of his Corporation. The lieast has not the ])ower of former ages, to force men to neglect or reject the testi- mony of the two witnesses, the Inspired Jewish and Christian Scriptures, for he is now dejjendent for his living. Here ends the first three and a half Times, (the half of seven Times,) of the Woman's sojourn in the wilderness, which is 1260 years. And her second three and a half times, which completes her sojourn of Seven Timios in the wilderness, begins in 1620 and ends in 2880, which is the time Daniel's 2300 prophetic days end; which is the time of the cleansing of the Sanctuary, from all errors in doctrine, corruptions in practice, and unrighteousness in goNern- ment, for it was about A. D. 580 that the Church was completely l)olluted by Idolatry, False Doctrines, and Superstition. There- fore, in 2300 prophetic days, or years of common time, the Sanctuary will be cleansed, according to Daniel, and the Woman's sojourn in the wilderness will end, in the same year, according to St. John. So that the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and the Wo- man's final sojourn in the wilderness. botli take ])lace at the same time, about A. D. 2880. The Woman went into tlie wilderness of I'^urope A. D. 360, and continued 1260 years, to 1620, then she goes into the wilder- nees of America, and has to continue 1260 years, which brings us to the year A. D. 2880. Third Woe. — This Woe will end, according to the indica- tions of Revelations, in about fifteen years from this date, (i860) which is the period of Daniel's 1335 days. Therefore, we may expect great, im])ortant, and joyful events to occur b\- A. I). 1875, ^^^' "blessed is he that cometh to the one thousand three hundred and thirt\ -five days!" PART FOI'RTII, PERIOD FOIRTII .\. I). 1620 TO 2SS0. This Part and Period of these Projihecies relate to the char- acters, actions, and events of the C'hurch and World under tlie providence of Cod, for 1260 vears; the period of the Woman's AN EPIIOME OF THE APOCALYPSE. Second sojourn in the AV'ilderness, to the time of the cleansing of the Sanctuary, as foretold by Daniel; which may be expected to occur about A. D. 2880. About the beginning of this Period a mighty Angel came down from Heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was u])on his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire, and he had in his hand a little Book open, and he set his right foot upon the Sea, and his left foot upon the Earth, and he called with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth, and when he had called, seven thunders uttered their voices; sig- nifying that the ways of God are not seen and known by man; and that he covers himself with darkness, and thick clouds of the sky, and therefore his ways and wisdom are unsearchable and past finding out. "God moves in a mysterious v ay, His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm." But amidst the clouds and storms of Time and Earth is seen the Rainbow of heavenly promise, the triumphal arch of the God of glory, spanning the dark horizon of ages, from the Second flight of the Woman into the wilderness, to the cleansing of the Sanc- tuary, and the Second coming of Christ. "Deep in unfathonialile mines, Of never-failing skill,- - He treasures up his wise designs, And works liis sovereign will." God does not leave his people to comfort themsehes with the Bow of Promise; but he gives them the sunshine of his coun- tenance, which is seen to shine upon the path of the just, as a shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day; therefore, "Ve fearfid saints, fresh courage take, Tiie clouds vou so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break With blessings on your liead." And those who support his cause and kingdom are as pillars of fire, pure, and purifying; and as fire pervades all things, so their wisdom, which is from above, enables them to comprehend the deep things in the Book of Nature, as well as the wonderful things of Divine Revelation. God has ]jower over sea and earth; and calls with a mighty voice for Ocean, Earth, Air, and Fire to bring forth their long- hidden resources, to enrich, maintain, and glorify his everlasting Kingdom. And obedient Nature responded, when the Seven AN EPITOME OF THE APOCALYPSE. 1 27 Thunders utltTL-d llicir \ oices, Here we are to no thy will. rilK SEVEN THUNDERS. FiRsi'. — The first Thunder ina\- represent, in a philosophic sense, an Angel, or agent, as the medium of power; and may be said to represent, eniblematicall\ , some great discovery or devel- opment of Nature, which was to bring power to the cause of Christ. It is here worthy of remark, that for the ojjening of the Seven Seals, hundreds of millions of Angels are heard with a loud voice, as the \oices of se\en thunders, to say, ''Worthv is the Lamb that was slain, to recei\e ];o\ver, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory, and blessing." And all crea- tures, in all places of his dominions, ])raised him, and said. Amer), and fell down and worshi|)ed him that li\eth forever and e\er, for these seven gifts. Whatever is done to Christians is the same as if it was done to Christ; and whatever is done by Christians is the same as if it was done by Christ. Wherefore, we justly conclude, that the Art of Printing was the means, agent, or Angel, which uttered the first thunder-tones of Truth, with untold power, for the cause of Christ, by multipl}'ing in cjuick succession the thousands on thousands of Bibles in the living languages of lOurope; and these thunder-tones of truth, scnmding from the Bible in the ears, minds, and hearts of men, silenced the mock thunders of the Popes of Rome, and made way for the glorious Reformation un- der Luther and his successors, down to our own times; and these thunders shall re\erberate around the world, bringing peace on earth and good will to men. Second. — The second 'I'hunder, we presume, may signify the making known something which was sealed or hidden; and the discovery of the Mariner's Compass and cpiadrant. which led to the discovery of America, with all its riches, which was to be- come the abode of the AV'oman during her second sojourn in the wilderness of the New World. How wonderful the adaptation of this discovery to the protection and nourishment of the Church, which is represented under the symbol of the Woman, to whom was given wings as of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness of America at the beginning of this ])eriod, and just at this crisis of the Reformation! Third. — The third Thunder is the emblem of something sealed or unknown, which we liumbl\' conceive to be the discov- ery of the Telescojje and AIicrosco]je, which have led to an investigation and knowledge of the works of Cod. which have given to mankind a wisdom wliich had never before entered into 128 AN EI'IIOME OF THE AI^UCALVPSE. tlie hearts ot men to conceive. Instead of a few thousand stars, as seen by the unaided eye, the Telescope reveals more than a hundred millions of suns, with all their attendant satellites and revolving systems. With the Microscope man looks into the minuteness of things; and a little world is seen in a single drop of water. Millions of perfectly organized beings are seen to exist in an incredibly small space, where such things are not suspected. But the greatest benefit of the Microscope, however, is in its application to the every day purposes of life. By it we detect the adulterations of the necessaries and luxuries of life, which are done by mixing a good and bad article of the same kind, or some foreign, unsuspected, and worthless article with one that is valuable. The same trickery is carried on in drugs, medicines, wines, etc. Nothing but the godlike eye of the Microscope can detect these hurtful and ruinous things. "How wonderful are thy works, O Lord; in wisdom hast thou made them all. ()« that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! O, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!" FoL'Rrn. — The fourth Thunder makes known the strength of steam, and coal, the fuel to produce it, for stationary engines, marine vessels, locomotives, etc. These have given a vigor, ac- tivity, and strength to every department of agricultural, manu- facturing, and commercial business. And therefore, '-many run to and fro, and knowledge is increased," as it is written that it should come to pass in the last days, according to the word of the Lord by Daniel. It would require volumes to describe the indomitable, persevering, and triumphant achievements of Steam. The mighty Angel which came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet, as pillars af fire, and he walked over sea and land, and he had a loud voice as when a lion roar- eth; may he not beautifully personify Steam ? The labors of toiling millions are daily performed by his great strength, while it is only necessary for man to feed, water and direct him; while he moves on, like a thing of life, in faithful obedience to the bidding of his master. Fifth. — The fifth Thunder, we may presume, makes known the appliances and machinery for carding, weaving, knitting, spinning, etc. By the strength of steam it is estimated that in these departments of business, from lo to loo ])ersons can per- form the work of 10,000, if unaided by machinery These improvements have conferred honor on all Christian nations, in so much that the humblest citizen may dress more honorably and live more sumptuously than kings did in ancient AN EPITONH', Or lilK Al'< )( 'AI.^ I'SK. times. "Awake, awake, put on thy strenghth, () Zion; jjut on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City; for hence- forth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." Mr. Livingston, in his great work of Travels and Research in Africa, remarks that no one can form a just estimate of the uncouth and disgusting ajjpearance that the naked savages ])re- sent to the traveler; and without such a sight could not fully appreciate the beautiful garments of Christian nations. Sixth. — The sixth I'hunder, we ma\' jjresume, declares tlie discovery and application of Electricit\- to the \anous purjjoses of philoso])hic investigation; and especially for the transmission of knowledge trom place to place, with tht cpiickness of thought; so that, in the truthtul language of insj.iiation, "there should Le time no longer," as necessary to co nmunicate information from one place to another. This discovery brings glory to all Chris- tians, as it was made by a Christian, in this land of Liberty. These godlike discoveries, made knovvn by Nature's voice speak- ing to men as audibly as the voice of tnunder, have gladdened the hearts (;f untold millions, and are destined to prove an in\-al- \able blessing to the whole luiman race. The wilderness and tlie solitary place shall i)c made glad for them; and the desert shall blossom as tlie rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with jo\' and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall give unto them — the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. Thev shall see the glory of the Lord, even the e.xcellency of oi:r Cod. Seventh. — The se\enth Thunder, we may j^resume, declares the improvement in all Mechanic Arts, agricultural implements and philosophical a])i)aiatus: by which the labors and toils of mankind are so greatly diminished that theie is not a tithe of the toil, sorrow, and sutlering at the present tm.e as in foimer ages. Therefore, these things are a blessing; making the homes of the humble ha|)py; bringing pleasure to nations and joyful prosperity to the world ! And it is worthy of our highest a