Battle In The Heavens

Ia the way of seeing sights and viewing visions a Dickinson county farmer has laid claim to first prize. He has a statement that is not only unique in every respect, but is told with startling attention to detail. H. W. J. Smith, a long time resident of the county, living aeven or eight miles from town, publishes in The Bvangelical Visitor, the church organ of the Brethren in Christ, printed here, this week over his own signature and attested by an affidavit a story of his strange visitation. He says that in company with B. W. Blue, a neighboring farmer, a few nights ago he stepped out of the house at Andrew Thompson's, three miles from Manchester and 1 5 from Abilene. As they looked at the sky, which was clear, suddenly something like a large luminous ball appeared in the northeast about 30 degrees above the eastern horizon. "Is it a cornet?" "Is it a méteor?" The questions were asked simultaneously. "But, " eays Mr. Smith, "there was no time for answer. Just then it shot westward, meteorlike, about three degrees and immediately returned on the same line to its first position. We had ouly time to say, 'It merits watching, ' when it oponed as a casket with a hinge, presenting on its right a cross - most beautiful, golden, corrugated and furbished. At the left of this was a living man ciad in citizen's style, with a plain ctowm on his head. His form was symrnetrical, his countenance bright and permisfive - a perfect son of man. "The casket soon closed, and away it went to the eastern horizon like a meteor. There itoscillated asif for time to be err.ntiert and refilled, returning on the same path to its original place. It opened, presenting a portly man, with sword and scabbard on his thigh, a cross on his brcast and on his head a crown of many glittering jewels, like stars. He looked beautiful, but was partly hidden by an obtrusive rider on a black or dark horse. "These were hidden or overshadowed by a haughty woman in costly royal attire, who seemed to rule over both. Then these were eclipsed by the coming of a military leader with sword in right hand, elevated ready to strike, the scabbard cast away, a cross on his right breast and a square and coinpass on his left. On his head was a military hat, the crown blended with the man 's hair. On each side of the man's head was a horn, and a cross was erect beliiud him. He stepped out ar:d forth and began action, never stopping to rest or training his back on the enemy. He retreated eastward to within about five degrees of the horizon, then began to advancewith heavy martial tread, like onc tramping the wine press and wielding his sword. "About 11:40 p. m. as we stood watching the pheuomenon, blood was seen to stream forth from the casket and spread far and wide, apparently 200 miles in extent. Mr. Blue, who is a veteran of the war, said it was like the blood of the battlefield, only a deeper red. The warrior seemed at times to be in blood to his knees and above. "At 12:15 I retired, but Mr. Blue remained watching until 2 a. m. and says the warrior was yet parading the skies and was joined by another, who advancp.rl to meet him from theeast. The casket vanished af ter this warrior stepped ont. Myself and Mr. Blue saw the first and second sceues. Others saw part of the second. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Blue saw all the second. " Mr. Smith adds to his statement, "morally sworn, " as he says, as follows: "I hereby certify the above to be given as penned as seen by me. Others may have seen more or less points. ' ' The VÍ8Ítor, usually very couservative on such matters, calis attention the