"The New Era at Hand."

Manawatu Herald, 4 December 1894, Page 3

" The New Era at Hand."

A pamphlet (prica 8d) under the above title has lately been published in England by a Mr J. B. Dumbleby which has attracted considerable attention. He professes to to shew from Holy Scripture and from Astronomy (1) That " the Times of the Gentiles," or the present dispensation, will end in 1898 \ and " the Times of the Jews in 1928J A.D. (2) That between the dates 1898 and 1928 the judgments of Rev. VI. to XIX. will be poured upon the earth. (8) That believers in Christ will have been previously caught up before that time and enthrowned in heaven and crowned. (4) That " this rapture of the Saints " may be at any j time between the present moment and Easter 1898. To give weight to his authority, he adds the following titles to his name on the pamphlet : — " Premier Chronologist " " First Calculator of the Eclipses and Transits " and "Transit Medalist." A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society writes : — As Mr Dumbleby appeals to the public for £500 to enable him to publish his <( Historical Bible " or Bible with amended dates, and to assist him otherwise in his undertakings, I think it right the public should be warned against his alleged chronological and astronomical knowledge. His titles paraded on his publications of " Premier Chronologist," "First Calculator of all the Eolipses and Transits," " Transit Medalist," are utterly destitute of value. Having examined his writings I find them full of astronomical and chronologioal absurdities and blunders." This F.R.A.S further writes :— »• It is a sad pity that the Bible should be abused by attempting to make it teach the nonsense which Mr Dumbleby puts forth as astronomy."