THE disaster that has befallen the city of Papeete, is a wonderful fulfilment of our Lord's great prophecy, given us in Matthew 24, and Luke 21.
Last night, the night of February 7, saw the inhabitants of this place going to bed as usual, in their homes, many of which are only a few yards from the waters of the beautiful Bay of Papeete. In one instance, two ladies, the mother and sister of the American consul—who was with his brother, away at another district of the island—with their serving woman, fearing that the rising waters might prove dangerous, sought a place of shelter nearer the foot of the hills. It was well they did.
The main street in Papeete is shown in the photograph, with the custom-house in the middle of the street, where it was swept from its location seventy-five feet back by the tidal wave. The building with the wreckage in the front of it contains the offices of the Oceanic Steamship Company.
An hour or two after darkness fell, the word was passing that already some of the houses nearest the sea were in danger of being swept away, and that the inmates, alarmed at the incoming of the waters, had gone to seek some safer place to spend the night.
At ten o'clock the rush of water had so increased that wreckage from the wharf and the houses lying near was floating about in the streets.
Men, women, and children gathered in groups to watch the waters rise higher and higher, and to see, too, how the vessels in the harbor were faring.
There was scarcely a breath of wind, while the roaring of the billows as they broke over the reefs could be heard a great distance.
Still the dreadful sea rose, sweeping a quarter of a mile inland, and bearing, in its resistless advance, roofs of houses that had fallen, flooring, spars, small boats, and everything else that could float.
Well might such a scene inspire men's hearts with terror, as the question was passed, “What is the meaning of all this?” To the child of God, there is but one answer.
As the waters increased, many had to flee for their lives, and the endeavor to do so was, in some cases, most dangerous, as the water was rushing with mighty force through the streets, and the floating wreckage threatened death.
At the hour of three, the solemn tones of the cathedral bell awoke the inhabitants who might be still sleeping, as it rang a call to prayer; for “men's hearts [were] failing them for fear.”
While it still lacked an hour till daylight, the alarm call of the bugle sounded on the air from a man-of-war stationed in the harbor.
All through the night, the frightened people had been seeking some safer place, those at least whose homes are near the sea.
Morning broke, and what a scene of devastation met the eye. Most of the business houses had become wrecks, while the peaceful homes that lay near the bay had broken to pieces. All that man could do, while the water held sway, was to stand by and look hopelessly, helplessly on, while the fearful havoc that the sea was making went on before their eyes. The Chinese storekeepers worked hard to save what they could from the destructive element, wading waist-deep through the water, carrying on their backs loads of what their stores contained. In several instances the destruction of the stores was complete. The post-office was swept away, and many other buildings were broken down.
At about nine o'clock the dreadful calm gave way to a hurricane, whose fury did not last long, and which also had the much-desired effect of breaking the force of the terrible sea.
Were it not that a reef belt extends around a large portion of the bay, thus breaking the force of the waves, doubtless most of the city of Papeete would have been swept out of existence.
It is while participating in such scenes as these that the soul realizes the full meaning of the words of the psalmist in that soul-comforting forty-sixth psalm: “God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, tho the earth be removed, and tho the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; tho the waters thereof roar and be troubled, tho the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
A Scene in Papeete Where the Post-office Stood.
“Let mountains from their seats be hurled
Down to the deep, and buried there,
Destructions shake the solid world,
Our faith shall never yield to fear.”
