Disasters by Flood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 22, 1874

Disasters by Flood.

THERE has been a perfect epidemic of sad disasters by storm and flood during the present summer. First came the Mill River calamity, in which by the bursting of a reservoir one hundred and forty-five persons were swept into eternity, an immense amount of property destroyed and hundreds of families left destitute. Then occurred several minor calamities from a similar cause, until it seemed that our reservoirs generally were about to break away. Then came the Salisbury disaster, by which another valley was devastated, and which was accompanied by storms and floods in various parts of the country. A fortnight since, we had an account of the bursting of a water-spout in Nevada, which swept through the town of Eureka, killing twenty persons and causing great destruction of property. Last week we published the accounts of the fearful storm at Pittsburgh, by which portions of that city and Allegheny city were inundated, and from one to two hundred lives lost. We give further particulars of the calamity this week. The number of bodies of the dead which had been recovered at the last account, was one hundred and thirty-three, and many persons were still missing. The Atlantic cable now brings the intelligence that the damage done by the recent storms in Moravia, of which we had previous accounts, far exceeds the first estimates. Eleven villages and two towns were devastated. Numerous storms and floods, only less destructive to life and property, have occurred during the present summer, making an unusual record, and one full of sad particulars.

Some of these calamities might have been prevented, and would have been by an honest construction of the works which gave way, and so far they are attributable to human negligence. But others may be regarded as a direct visitation from God, who holds the winds in his fists, and the waters in the hollow of his hand. And they are not to be regarded merely as casualties; as accidental occurrences. They should be looked upon as solemn lessons to our whole people not to set their hearts upon uncertain possessions which may be swept away in an hour—not to be too confident of the continuance of life, when there are so many perils surrounding us whether we wake or sleep.—N. Y. Observer.