The Cities Shaken by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 31, 1904

The Cities Shaken

By L. A. S.

RESIDENTS of Boston and other New England cities and towns experienced an unpleasantly novel sensation in the early morning of March 21. The ground beneath them was shaken by several earthquake tremors, which vibrated across New England from northeast to southwest, in some places rocking buildings, shaking pictures from walls, ringing bells, and frightening those who realized to what cause the disturbance was due.

An event so unusual in that section of the continent, so little anticipated or provided for, has naturally caused considerable discussion of a speculative character, the possibility of other and more serious visitations of the kind not being a pleasant one to contemplate. Especially in the large cities with modern “skyscraper” structures might it be supposed that the results of a severe earthquake would be appalling. It is interesting to note that men consider these modern architectural “triumphs” to be earthquake proof. The head of the department of geology in Columbia University is quoted as speaking very reassuringly as regards the possibilities of danger from this source. To the question, “What would happen if an earthquake should hit New York?” he is quoted by the Sun as saying in reply:—

Owners and tenants of the big steel structures need have little fear. If the shock that Boston felt should be transmitted here, the damage would be very slight.

The large steel-framed structures, such as the Flatiron Building, the Park Row Building, and the like, would undergo an experience similar to the snapping of a whip. The top only would be affected, and that perhaps only so far as to lose a bit of ornamental coping. A great deal, of course, depends upon the structure of the foundation. There would be trouble if a structure, based partly on either silt or mud, should be affected by an earthquake.

The effect on such constructions as the subway, the two East River bridges, the North River tunnel, and the Statue of Liberty would be small. They are too stoutly constructed to be in any danger. The elevated and surface railroads would not be weakened nor twisted as they were in Charleston in the earthquake there.

This is published by the Sun under the heading, “We Needn’t Fear Earthquakes.” Thus do men reassure themselves on the basis of confidence in their own works, without taking into account the only sure basis of confidence, which is the Word of God.

In the information given by that Word a very different prospect is presented. The message given us to-day is, “Out of the cities”! And the reason follows: “The time is near when the large cities will be visited by the judgments of God. In a little while these cities will be terribly shaken.” (Italics ours.) This language points very strongly to the conclusion that in addition to the usual agencies of destruction with which we have become familiar—storm, flood, and fire—the judgments of God are soon to employ another and the most terrible one of all,—the earthquake. The proud builders of the modern towers whose tops “reach unto heaven” are preparing themselves for a grievous surprise. No works of man can withstand the touch of the finger of God.

L. A. S.