A Great Earthquake

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 9, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 35.

A Great Earthquake.

WITHIN the past ten days a large portion of the earth's surface has been shaken. August 28, Greece was visited by an earthquake, in which the loss of life was about 300 souls. Philiatra, in Southern Greece, was demolished. On the same day violent shocks were experienced in Italy and Egypt. At the same time the United States received a shock which for severity and extent exceeded anything ever before known in the history of this country. The shock affected nearly the whole of the country east of the Mississippi; but the center of disturbance was at Charleston, South Carolina. No less than a dozen distinct shocks of earthquake were felt there from August 28 to September 3, and the beautiful city is in ruins. It is stated that there are not a hundred uninjured houses in the city. Fifty-eight persons are known to have been killed, and many more are injured, some of them fatally. Immediately after the greatest shock, fires broke out in different parts of the city, adding greatly to the damage, yet so great was the terror caused by the earthquake, that the fires were scarcely noticed. For two nights the people lodged in the commons, fearing to return to their shattered houses. When they did return, another shock sent them to the streets again, more terrified than ever.

The fright, however, will be but temporary. Already preparations are being made for the resumption of the usual business; and instead of regarding these things as premonitions of the fast approaching mighty earthquake which shall cause the earth to reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall remove “every mountain and island” out of their places, people are saying “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation;” and scientific experts are flocking to the scene of the disaster in order to discover the cause of the earthquake. Certainly these who are so quick to discern the face of nature ought to be able to discern the signs of the times.