Vol. I.

The Prophetic Times.

OCTOBER, 1863.

Special Contributions.

NAPOLEON AGAIN.

SOME FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

direction.

No. 10.

always runs in the French veins, and which is known as "glory," would burst into a universal glow at the watchword of Napoleon; while the THE readers of the Prophetic Times are ac- counter view and calculation for defeat, was quainted with our surmises with reference to contained in a marginal note, to the effect, that Louis Napoleon as perhaps he who is to per- should he fail, the conviction that he was an form the part of the great Antichrist of the last easily-handled, soft-brained fool, would make days. (Sce No. 2, p. 17; No. 4, p. 52; and him only the more eligible with the scheming No. 6, p. 87.) More and more, with every new sharpers of European politics, as a future canmovement, does he develop himself in that didate. It was to help this latter calculation entirely, that the performance with the tame A writer in one of the secular issues of New eagle was thrown in. "The eagle," said Müller, York, dated September 5, 1863, publishes, that," will catch the fools, if we succeed; it will in 1857, he made the acquaintance of a gentle- catch the sharpers, if we lose. In playing for man of somewhat distinguished character, who the minds of men, we must never forget the had been the intimate friend of a certain Mr. two divisions of society." This latter calculaMüller, the companion and counsellor of Louis tion was undoubtedly justified by the manner Napoleon, in the days of his banishment,and from in which the intriguing leaders in French poliwhom he obtained possession of some very re- tics afterward seized upon Louis Napoleon, markable Napoleonic secrets, which we repeat. almost by common consent, as their candidate It appears from what he thus elicited, in ac- for the position of Prince President. They cordance with all the accounts, that the dream thought they had the man of the tame eagle,” of Louis Napoleon's whole life was his acces- said Müller; "but they got nothing better than sion to the throne of France; and that such the Corsican wolf." was his aptitude for reverie, and facility for

Müller did not go back to Europe with Louis speculative development, that he had three Napoleon; but he confidently expected to be large volumes, at the time he was in this coun- sent for as soon as his protégé should arrive at try, filled with his plans for attaining the grand power. When, however, he found himself neaim of his ambition. The secrets referred to, glected, nay, forgotten by his aspiring pupil, in are contained in the general run of this impe- the grand dazzle of events which always buzz rial programme, framed so long in advance, and sparkle round a throne, he sunk into a deep and in the filling out of which thus far there dejection. About a year after Louis became has not occurred a single variation. Emperor, Müller died in obscurity and poverty in Howard Street, in 1853.

The attempt to take France with about sixty followers, in the steamboat City of Edinburgh,

Coming into possession of these Napoleonic was distinctly marked out in these volumes. ideas only secondhand, this writer says that he The calculation was, that the electric fire which did not attach much importance to them, till

he saw the opening portion of them come of affairs, might be considered as equal to exactly true in the Italian campaign. That 200,000 now. With these, it was Louis' notion was Louis' second great move toward the unity to get a footing in Louisiana, which he claimed of the Latin race; that race whose empire the to be really the property of France, by virtue of Antichrist is in some manner to reconstruct. the non-fulfilment of the conditions of the cesHis first was his endeavor to raise Spain to the sion. He used to say, that the greatest mistake grade of a first class European power. "Now, his uncle ever made, was the sale of the vast as to the Italian campaign," says this writer, territory of Louisiana to the United States"I saw the programme come exactly true, and it should be the aim of France to recover that particularly saw that unexpected peace, which territory, and, by way of doing so, and of holdwas tendered in the full flow of triumph, laid ing it in our despite, the slaves were to be made down as a double victory, inasmuch as in addi- free and converted into soldiers. "I want no tion to feats of war, it conquered an alliance better material than is to be found in them," and friendship from a powerful and otherwise said Napoleon; "and so long as they are not implacable foe. The object of the war was to emancipated by the United States, there is an make an alliance with Austria, and bring Italy empire ready in that quarter for whoever can so under his control, that he might unify her when he would."

give them liberty and arms. Once mine, I shall never dread losing either them or the territory they defend."

Louis Napoleon's darling idea is to establish a dynasty. The Latin race is to compose the With these ideas in his mind over twentybody, and France the head. As early as 1857, six years ago, it is not difficult to believe that he commenced preparing the mind of France the Southern rebellion was in part inspired by for the union of the Latin race, by pamphlets Louis Napoleon, and that it has been through from various writers on that subject. And in some secret understanding between him and its all cases these pamphlets spoke sneeringly of leaders, that the latter have counted so firmly, the Anglo-Saxon race, and indicated that Ca- from the start, on foreign intervention. It was tholicity, properly applied, was the synthetic stated previous to the Rebellion, in two of the bond and impulse that would carry the Latin Richmond papers, and in one in Alabama, that race to the resumption of its early empire over Louis Napoleon would help the South in a war the world. "Without that synthetic idea," said against the North. one enthusiastic writer, in 1859, "we never can make France mistress of the world!"

To show how well settled this idea of divid ing the United States was with Napoleon, we have the word of Pierre Soule that Louis once seriously asked him "how he would like to be President of a Southern Republic!" He was then undoubtedly dreaming of its ultimate seizure for himself. The Napoleon manuscript, which was written more than twenty-six years ago, avowed, that as soon as he, Louis Napoleon, should obtain control over the South, he would abolish Slavery.

And what comes still closer home, this writer informs us that Müller frequently declared, that Louis Napoleon intended to divide this republic into two conflicting parts; and that after we had become so weakened as to be unable to assist England, which is our natural ally, he intended to attack her. That it was to be his first policy, to ingratiate himself with England-to show a continual unwillingness to act without her co operation, but always to deceive her. This idea The remark of Napoleon to Pierre Soule, was expressed in the Napoleonic manuscript which was made during a visit of the latter by the term of "flattering the old ox"-these from his legation at Madrid, to Paris, suggests words being chosen probably because Bull was that Louis, more than likely, gave impulse to at last to be slain. the Ostend diplomatic meeting. He certainly The number of soldiers set down in the Na-inspired the raid on Cuba, and incited the inpoleonic manuscript for our invasion was 75,- sult to our flag on the Black Warrior; but he 000-a force which, under the then condition did not press the matter on the Spaniards, be

cause events were not ready for his purpose. hand, stands at the head of European powers, It was necessary, before he began to wrestle with all of them obsequious to her, and ready with the Great Republic, that he should first and eager to recognize her new transatlantic secure allies, and, in fact, effect a great coali-empire, and do her bidding in regard to it. Obtion against it. His theory on this point, as serve also the following expressions concerning originally laid down in the manuscript, was, to Napoleon and his most recent developments. begin first with Russia, next Austria, next We have shown in previous articles, that the Spain-fighting each in detail, if it were neces- Antichrist is to have as one of his prominent sary to effect the kind of alliance he wanted, characteristics the attribute of impenetrability, but wheedling England all the while-to use inscrutability, reticence, cunning, secret craftihis own words-"feeding the old ox." Wit-ness, and a sphinx-like indifference of counness how he used England in the Crimean war; tenance. The Philadelphia Press, which was how he cajoled and quieted her, while he was disposed to ridicule our first article on this subreconstructing Latin Italy, and taking Savoy ject, has the following editorial observations on and Nice; and how, at every footstep of our Napoleon's recent address to the French Legistroubles, he has constantly put England forward lature:

to provoke our animosity. Notwithstanding the

"Fifty years hence he may be understood, similarity of faith and institutions between the but to his contemporaries he is a mystery. Of English and ourselves, he has so used the aris-all modern statesmen his policy is the most tocratic government of England, as to exaspe- dark and silent; his purposes are inscrutable; rate us with the deepest wrongs, and make the his principles are undefined. Would he aid the destruction of England the first wish of the Turks against Russia? No one knew till the American heart. On the other hand, he has Crimean war was virtually begun. The impronot permitted an iron-clad or Confederate pirate bability of a war with Austria was urged, and to be constructed in any of his ports; and we believed up to the very moment of hostilities. have heard of no blockade runner flying the And now all the world is wondering if France French flag. His diplomacy in the matter of will espouse the cause of revolted Poland, and our troubles has been complete; and while he for the third time this century make war upon has lulled our suspicions, by directing our at- the Czar. The Emperor seems to believe, with tention to "the old ox," he has been silently Talleyrand, that speech was invented to enpreparing, under the false cover of the Polish able man to conceal his thoughts. His recent question, to descend upon our coasts. address to the French Legislature, ostensibly

The Napoleonic notes provided, that after a declaration of his policy, is, in reality, anthis country was reduced, England was to be other veil drawn over that already hidden. It deprived of all her allies, and then, along with is an enigma which has a hundred solutions, of its religion, swept away. Germany was to be which ninety-nine are certainly wrong, and even deceived by him, with the offer of a throne in the one is in conjecture. It is positively afMexico or South America to some of its as-firmed that this speech means war; it is posipiring princes. Protestant and Catholic Ger- tively affirmed that it means peace. Who shall many were to occupy each other in exterminating judge between authorities equally intelligent strife—a thing that could easily be effected and and trustworthy? The Emperor has not taken prolonged, if England were too weak to side the French Legislature into his confidence, and with Prussia in the contest. Your readers can has not revealed to the world his purposes." judge for themselves, if England has not been He has, however, proposed a Congress of Euplayed almost to a point of helplessness already, ropean sovereigns, to settle the Polish question, when the Saturday Review, in its last issue, it is pretended, as the only means of evading lamented that, for some reason or other, Bri- war! An article, in the Paris Patrie, says, this tain stands to-day, among the nations, without does not so much mean peace, as the liberty of a friend in the world. France, on the other peoples. La France newspaper publishes, that

"The refusal of England and Austria to co- should come again, then we should be thinking operate actively in the Polish question engen- seriously about it, and be in a state of readiness ders a European question. Upon the table of for the event, when the time was drawing near." the Congress, the Emperor will open the great With as much propriety might he have said, If book of the liberty of nations, to establish pub- he had revealed to individuals the day of their lic right anew; to clear away ruins from Euro- death, then surely they would often be thinking pean soil; to reconstruct a new edifice, founded on it, and as the time approached, they would upon the well-understood interests of sovereigns often be thinking on it, and as the time apand nations; to blot out injustice and oppres-proached, they would be preparing for it. But sion; to constitute governments in accordance God hath wisely concealed from us the day and with manners, history, and civilization; to make and date, both of the one and the other. But a new Europe, like society itself. This pro- he has not left his church entirely in ignorance gramme is a justification of the words, 'the em- of the time. In great kindness to her, he has pire is peace.' given signs and tokens of his coming before he The Constitutionnel argues the necessity of does come. This is the method he has followed establishing a new public law, as peace does in reference to this great event. It would have not exist in the present day, but armaments interfered with the history of the world, and ruin all. The Congress proposed by the Em- with the freedom of human action, and have peror would accomplish the work of universal destroyed the design of prophecy, had he always progress and general civilization. revealed the precise time of future events. It The editorial of The Press, from which we is by comparing prophecy with history, that we have quoted, very well says, "It seems more become wise in regard to the future, while the probable, now that the Emperor has spoken, uncertainty that hangs over it, is highly calcuthat Poland, a blind Samson, will drag to the lated to make us wise unto salvation, and to earth the pillars that uphold European peace." hold us to our obvious duty at all times in a We believe that the approaching year will wise and humble walk, and always prepared develop wonders in the affairs of this world. for the future, and when the signs and tokens The day of God's judgment of the nations is at begin to appear, it is a stimulus to make us hand. Louis Napoleon seems every day to be doubly wise and watchful. approaching the moment of his revelation as The question here is, What are the signs of the great Antichrist. We are anxiously waiting Christ's coming? It is a long time, nearly to hear what relation he has with the great as- 2000 years, since he gave the church notice sociation recently organized in Paris by the of his coming again, but it was impossible in Jews, which is meant to extend to all the chil- the compass of the Bible to notice every small dren of Israel throughout the world, and which event. However, there were to be some great its framers announce as to be the great instru- events preliminary to his coming, and it is ment for the introduction of the reign of uniour duty to give attention to the progress of versal liberty and light. Let us not sleep as do these. We have not room in these brief papers others; lest in such an hour as we think not, the to give illustrations. We wish to crowd in as Son of man should come. many thoughts as we can, leaving it to the thoughtful reader to study these events as noticed in the Bible, and compare them with the history of the present day. The first event we WHEN SHALL JESUS "COME AGAIN?" notice, is the return of the Jews to their own

No. 3.

J. A. S.

land after all their dispersions. In the 12th It is a weak and foolish remark that a Rev- chapter of Daniel, the last in the series of his erend Brother made to us not long ago. "If," prophecies, there is a remarkable prediction resaid he, “Christ had told us plainly when he lating to the deliverance of the Jewish people,

extending forward even to the time of the first told you before, that we should suffer tribularesurrection. "There shall be a time of trou- tion, even as it came to pass, and ye know." ble such as never was since there was a nation, Again, in the second epistle, "So that we our even to that same time, and at that time thy selves glory in you in the churches of God, for people shall be delivered." Then see the Sa- your patience and faith in all persecutions and viour's account of the same event, in the 24th tribulations that ye endure, which is a manifest chapter of Matthew, almost in the very words token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye of Daniel. แ Then shall be great tribulation, should be counted worthy of the kingdom for such as was not since the beginning of the which ye also suffer.” Under these circumworld to this time, no, nor ever shall be." That stances, Christians in Thessalonica became these were the tribulations of the Jewish na-alarmed, as if the coming of Christ was actually tion, see the parallel passage in Luke 21st at hand. The object of the second epistle was chapter. Then see a few verses subsequent to to remove these fears. "The day of Christ the given quotation in Matthew. "Immediate shall not come, except there come a falling ly after the tribulations of those days shall the away first," or as it should be translated, until sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give the apostacy first come. Should an inspired her light, etc., and then shall appear the sign epistle be sent to the churches at this late day, of the Son of Man in heaven," etc. Keep in how different it would be from this! Then folview the idea that these tribulations are those lows a remarkable prophecy. Different opinions of the Jewish people. We can merely mention exist concerning this prophecy, we know, but the long-continued tribulations of the Jews, we write not for controversy, holding as we which every one skilled in history knows well, always have done, that it is a distinct prophecy and then we can only refer to a fact well known of the Papacy. Nor do we wait to show our to those who have given particular attention to reasons for this opinion. The features described the present state and feelings of the Jews, that are so like those of Popery, that they fully the prospects of their return to Palestine were satisfy us. Now the prophecy here is very disnever so bright as at the present day. The tinct and emphatic. "And then shall that character of their present literature, of their wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall congrowing spirit of nationality, and of the increas- sume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall ing numbers of them now flocking to Jerusa destroy with the brightness of his coming." lem and the Holy Land, are truly wonderful. This would seem to denote a gradual consumpThen read in connection with these the Saviour's tion, and a sudden destruction. Fifty or sixty parable of the fig tree, and understand by the years ago, Popery was at the height of its power fig tree the symbol or emblem of the Jewish and glory. Ever since then it has been being nation, a usage of language often found in consumed by the power of truth, and influence Scripture. "When it putteth forth leaves, ye of the true Gospel around it. This was a fitting know that summer is nigh, so likewise when ye figure of speech to denote the influence of resee all these things,”—the revival of Jewish vealed truth. But why should the apostle affairs, and their putting forth such signs of change the expression in regard to its final nationality,—“know that it is near, even at the destruction? the Epiphaneias parousias, the brightness of his personal appearance or the

doors."

The next sign or token we mention is the second coming of Christ? "The Wicked One" present state of Popery. Those acquainted is a personage, and probably refers to the Pope, with Scripture may see, that in the 1st Epistle as the head and representative of the apostate to the Thessalonians, Paul speaks more, and church. What is his power and glory now? in more particular terms, concerning the second A mere shadow awaiting its overthrow, together advent, than in any other portion of Scripture, with all false systems of worship and piety. Its using terms very similar to Daniel and Christ him- end will be sudden, like the throwing of a great self. "For verily when we were with you, we' millstone into the sea. How this shall be accom