Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/192

170 in former days. Astrology had worked up the cometary terrors into a regular system. Comets were divided into seven species, according to the number and nature of the seven planets. The colour served as the chief discriminating mark. Each species had its own special prognostication; but not only so, the house or constellation in which the comet was visible, had a modifying influence, and the complexity was so great, that the astrologer was never baffled in making the event coincide with the prediction. The Church of the middle ages, profiting by the superstitions of the times, reaped occasional advantages from the visitation of a comet. In the year 837, a great comet shone forth in the southern part of the heavens. All Europe was filled with consternation; but the comet took chief effect on the conscience of Louis I., King of France, who, to avert the impending judgment, founded many conventual establishments, which exist at the present day. The ringing of cathedral bells at noon, in Koman Catholic countries, can be traced to the influence of a great comet, viz., that of 1456, now known as Halley's. Pope Calixtus III., who then wore the triple crown, imagining that the comet was some demon come to shake his throne, ordered all the bells in Christendom to be rung—the ringing of bells being always considered a sovereign remedy against evil spirits. How strong a hold must that comet have taken of the popular mind, when four