Judgment Day
Story★★★★In the history of New England, May 19, 1780, has become known for its supposed foreshadowing of the Judgment Day. At noon the skies were turned from blue to gray, and by mid-afternoon they had become so black that men fell on their knees and cried out to God for mercy ere they went to their doom. On that day the Connecticut House of Representatives was in session. When darkness fell by day, some began to shout and plead for mercy.
Others demanded an immediate adjournment. The speaker of the House, Colonel Abraham Davenport, called for silence. Then he spoke: “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not.
If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish, therefore, that candles be brought.”
The point
During an unexplained May 1780 darkness that covered Connecticut, Colonel Abraham Davenport chose to be found at his post of duty rather than flee in fear.