| 246 they shall know ere long why the figures 1860 were seen inscribed upon the heavens, several years ago, as testified to by many creditable witnesses living in Washington County, Indiana. 2 This work, brethren, is of vast importance. Suffer us to exhort you to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer. Rest not until you receive the Holy Spirit which leadeth into all truth, and from this time forward until you reach the conference make it a special subject of prayer, that you may know the mind and will of God concerning this matter, that you may act in faith, nothing doubting; and ere we close we say again to all the elders of
2 REMARKABLE PHENOMENON.
To the Editor of the Times and Seasons
Sirs.-In a communication from a friend of mine, Elder William Martindale, who is now preaching in Wayne County, Indiana, I received an account of the following singular phenomenon. As Washington was my former place of residence, and as I am acquainted with the place where this singular phenomenon made its appearance, and also with the people whose names are mentioned as witnesses to the fact, believing them to be men of probity and having confidence in their statement, it was somewhat interesting to me. Thinking that the readers of your widely circulated journal might feel the same interest in it, as one of the signs that should take place in these last days, I have thought proper to forward it to you, leaving you to insert it or not at your discretion.
The following is the account given:-
"WASHINGTON, Wayne County, Indiana, December 22, 1843.
"Mr. John Hatfield.
"Sir:--. . . But I must hasten to give you an account of a singular phenomenon which was seen in this neighborhood on the night of the 19th inst. It was reported that a panther had been seen at the Logan deadening (you know the place) and on the evening of the 19th, Jesse Fox William and Lorenzo Fox, David Bale, James Wilson, and William Cole, with some others, repaired to the place to see if they could discover and kill the monster; but failing in this they retired to the house of Solomon Mendenhall, at which place they stayed a short time. While there they discovered a ball rising from the east in an oblique line, and as it ascended it moved towards the west with great rapidity until it was high in the heavens, leaving a streak of light behind it, which to the natural eye had the appearance of being thirty or forty feet in length. This light remained stationary for about one minute; both ends then coming round formed a figure of 8, which figure also retained its position for the same space of time; it then was transformed into a figure of 6, which also remained for about a minute; it was then formed into a cipher or 0; which remained for about three minutes. The figures put together made 1860 in large figures, in the heavens. The phenomenon was indeed singular and has been a matter of great speculation with us. Respectfully yours, etc.
"WILLIAM MARTINDALE."
-Times and Seasons, vol. 5, pp. 413, 414.
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