The following is from the 'Times and Seasons' for April 1st, 1842.
"Another letter has just come to hand from Elder Hyde, dated Jaffa,
Oct. He was then on his way to Jerusalem, the date being much
earlier than the one inserted in another page. We have only room for
the following extract, which we publish as among the most
extraordinary signs of the times. 'On my passage from Beyroot to
this place (Jaffa) the night before last, at one o'clock, as I was
meditating on the deck of the vessel as she was beating down against
a sultry wind, a very bright glittering sword appeared in the
heavens, with a beautiful hilt, as plain and complete as any cut you
ever saw. And what is still more remarkable, an arm with a perfect
hand, stretched itself out and took hold of the hilt of the sword.
The appearance really made my hair rise, and my flesh, as it were,
crawl on my bones. The Arabs made a wonderful outcry at the sight.
Oh, Allah! Allah! was their exclamation all over the vessel. I
mention this, because you know there is a commandment of God for me,
which says, 'Unto you it shall be given to know the signs of the
times, and the sign of the coming of the Son of man.'
Yours, in Christ,
ORSON HYDE."