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The Open Court of Inquiry.
THE EDITOR.
Phenomena in the Hollow Globe.
Editor Flaming Sword:— Will you please explain why the rays of the rising sun touch the top of a mountain before the base; and why the rays of the setting sun leave the top of the mountain last? According to the Cellular Theory it should be directly the opposite.— M. W., Ottumwa, Ia.
Editor Flaming Sword:— I have sat many times at my window in the city of Colorado Springs, in the early morning, and watched the rays of the rising sun gilding the snowy top of Pike's Peak, two miles above the plain, several minutes before they had reached the level; and as that line of gold stole steadily down the mountain side, I realized what a beautiful confirmation of the scientific theory of the globular earth was there being wrought.— Prof. W. F. P., St. Louis, Mo.
The modern mind has been so long used to interpreting the phenomena of the physical world from the basis of popular astronomy, that it seems difficult for most people to conceive how the facts of phenomena can possibly find place in any other system. We sometimes wonder what the people, especially the astronomers, would do with the simplest phenomena, if they should suddenly become aware of the fact that the earth is actually concave! Judging from arguments urged as against the Koreshan System, we conclude that they would be wholly unable to account for the multitude of the facts of observation. Modern astronomy has developed from the basis of mental and optical illusions; that is, popular conceptions concerning world-relations have been made to conform to appearances. This method is the reverse of the true method—that of first determining absolutely and unquestionably, the direction of the earth's curvature, and then relating and interpreting all phenomena from the absolutely demonstrated basis. We know that the Koreshan premise of the earth's concavity is true, and that all observed phenomena occur within the hollow globe.
The facts given in the above communications are correct; but the conclusion that they are contrary to the Koreshan System is not true. Many minds presume to be able to determine how things in general would appear "if the concave theory be true;" at the same time they manifest their inability to interpret the phenomena which do actually occur in the cell. The question at issue is not whether certain phenomena would be possible in the concave earth. The demonstration of the premise of the Koreshan System furnishes a new basis of interpretation; from such a basis, the explanation of all phenomena is easy.
We have observed not only such facts as above referred to, but many others in the same line. At the time of the rising of the sun we have observed clouds in the west beautifully illumined on the under side, by rays extending from the eastern horizon to the cloudy veil apparently arching westward. Many times we have seen the dividing line between sunlight and shade extending through the clouds from beneath. Such facts seem to be in harmony with the popular conception of the earth's convexity, because the system has developed from the basis of appearances; but they do not prove the system to be true.
We illustrate in diagram No. 1 how these phenomena are usually accounted for. Let DOC represent the arc of the supposed convexity; O, the point of the observer at sunrise; M, the mountain; AB, rays of sunlight. The clouds are represented by the irregular lines running parallel to the arc DOC. The solar rays shining through an opening in the clouds in the east, just escape the earth at O, pass the top of the mountain M, and strike the clouds in the west on the under side at A. Now, if we assume that the rays of light are straight, we must, of course, relate them to a convex arc; but assumption contains no elements of absolute proof—and assumption is the only kind of "proof" that the advocates of modern astronomy have to offer to the world.
The earth's surface is tangible and susceptible of direct test; we have applied the tests, and demonstrated it to be concave. Then what relation must the rays of light at sunrise sustain to the concavity in order to produce the phenomena in question? We relate the facts of the phenomena to the demonstrated premise—to the concave arc DOC in diagram No. 2. AB represents the curving solar rays; they sustain the same geometrical relation to the concave arc that the straight rays sustain to the convex arc in diagram No. 1. The curved rays shine through the opening in the clouds in the east, just escape the earth at O, gild the top of mountain M, and strike the clouds on the under side at A. The sun is moving westward; a few minutes later, the rays will have crept farther down the mountain side. At sunset the rays leave the top of the mountain last. The concave arc at O proves to be as effectual a barrier to the sun's rays below BO, as it does to corresponding rays in the first diagram.
We have applied the facts of the observed phenomena to both systems; so far, the results are the same. The difference of application is due to difference of premise; convexity is assumed, concavity is demonstrated. In the above explanation from the Koreshan standpoint, we have assumed nothing, and the conclusions are correct; in the other case, the explanation begins with assumption, and logic forces false conclusions.
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The Flaming Sword · Vol. 16, No. 19 · Mar 28, 1902 · PDF p. 12