Some Earthquake Lessons by GEO. F. ENOCH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

Some Earthquake Lessons

By GEO. F. ENOCH

GEO. F. ENOCH

Protection

“THE Lord . . . forsaketh not his saints.” Ps. 37: 28. In the experience of our people in the recent earthquake in Jamaica our hearts are impressed with the fulfilment of the preceding scripture. With more than four hundred of our people in the wrecked city, but one was missing. It was not that they are more worthy than any others; we felt that it could be only the direct providence of God. Our hearts are full of gratitude to him for the wonderful deliverance. Yet are we humbled, as we think of the one that is missing. No credit is due us because of the deliverance, but all praise is due him who did not forget those who had put their trust in him.

Guidance

“The Lord shall guide thee continually.” “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. . . . Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.” Isa. 58: 11; Prov. 3: 6, 23.

In the events clustering around this experience, we had unmistakable evidence of God's guiding hand. The unexpected decision that the committee should visit the school farm the fateful day was made at the very last moment. Also, had the meeting not been appointed for the hour it was, many would have been in the business portion of the city. Then there was the preserving of those in the church from a panic, and the upholding of the walls of the church building.

Kept From Fear

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Ps. 46: 1, 2.

While the great majority were dazed by the awful calamity, and as quake after quake came, many were filled with a terror beyond description, yet those who knew the Bible teaching on these subjects, whose hearts had received God's message for this time, were calm in the midst of the ruin, and were kept from the dreadful fear that seized upon so many. The delegates of the conference voted unanimously to go on with the conference business, and it was the desire of all to complete the institute work. But the gaunt specter of famine, and perhaps pestilence, caused us to separate to our fields of labor as soon as all business was transacted. How different are the view-point of the world and of the child of God at such a time!

Prophecy Will Be Fulfilled

Earthquakes are frequently mentioned in the Bible. They are given by the Saviour as one sign of his coming. Luke 21: 11. A great earthquake shakes the earth at the time of the great hailstorm that closes the seventh plague. Rev. 16: 18-21. The higher critics and others question the literal fulfilment of these prophecies. To some they are simply symbolical, to others they mean nothing at all. In connection with that earthquake the record reads, “And the cities of the nations fell.” We believe this to be a statement in advance of events that shall be literally fulfilled. That this can be fulfilled, no one who has seen the city of Kingston since the disaster can doubt. The city of Kingston literally fell. Not two per cent of the houses were left habitable. The

entire business portion was a total wreck. What has happened to Kingston will happen to all the cities of the nations when the time comes. These fulfilments of prophecy should cause our hope to grow brighter, and strengthen our faith in the Word of God.

Insignificance of Man

In connection with that last great shaking of the earth, the prophet exclaimed, “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isa. 2:22.

I know of nothing in this world that can make puny man realize his utter insignificance more than to have the old earth quaking and heaving under him, and the buildings he has erected falling in every direction to the ground. It is a humbling experience. And the lesson is needed. We are too many times influenced in the wrong direction by our fellow men. It is hard to stand for principle alone—with God and his Word. Standing in the midst of such ruin, surrounded by hundreds of his fellow men, mangled or dead, who but a minute before were in the full enjoyment of all their senses, one can but exclaim, What is man, after all! We should learn this lesson from the daily procession to the cemetery, but we do not. Will we now learn it as we see sudden death coming to so many thousands? Man aside from God is vanity. All his works, all his reasoning, are vanity. It is only as we link up with God, and through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ join our life to his life, that we really amount to anything at all.

Neglect of the Unevangelized World

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” These last words of our Saviour formed the charter for the early church. Each one of those apostles became a missionary. From the beginning, every convert was imbued with the missionary idea. And the gospel message went to the world with power. But what is the attitude of the world to-day? There are hundreds of thousands of professed Christians, enjoying the benefits derived from Christianity, and the comforts and luxuries of modern civilization—what do these last words of Jesus mean to them? As the Saviour to-day beholds the great unevangelized portions of our earth; as he sees the misery, disease, and ignorance of those who are groping for the light as they perish in the darkness, and all the time those who profess his name, to whom he has committed the work of spreading his gospel message, are engrossed with the fleeting pleasures of this life—what more can God do to arouse men from their carnal security?

The Wrecked Lighthouses

OFFICES AND WAREHOUSE OF HAMBURG-AMERICAN STEAMSHIP LINE

The two lighthouses that marked the approach to Kingston Harbor were completely wrecked. By their friendly light many a ship had been guided safely into the harbor on a stormy night. On Wednesday night, January 16,—two days after the earthquake,—the “Prince Waldemar,” a large Hamburg-American steamer, from the south, approached Kingston in the darkness. They knew nothing of the great calamity. In the darkness the dim outline of the island could be seen; but the captain was looking for the lighthouse, and not seeing it, supposed himself still far out to sea. Suddenly the watch cried, “Breakers ahead.” The engines were reversed, but it was too late. The beautiful ship, with its living freight, went onto the rocks.

There are many professed Christians like this lighthouse. Once there was a light; but some earthly shaking caused it to go out, and many a craft lies wrecked at their very feet. The professed Christian whose light has gone out is a greater factor for evil in this world than the infidel or the unbeliever who has never made a profession. My brother, my sister, how is your light?

Kingston, Jamaica.