RLDS Church History Search

Chapter Context

RLDS History Context Results


Source: Times and Seasons Vol. 4 Chapter 12 Page: 179

Read Previous Page / Next Page
179 have had the good fortune to escape the disaster. Yes, sire! you will come to the aid of that population without an asylum-rich yesterday, and to-day ruined, without bread, without clothing. Sire, God has preserved your image here, as he has preserved your days elsewhere, so that you may send succor to a whole people, as you have brought a remedy to the evils of our country; for God, in his terrible justice, has wished to leave to you the noble mission to relieve so great a misfortune, and your picture, preserved in the midst of this frightful catastrophe, was there to warn the unfortunates that they had not lost their all-that they still had a father.

Here I stop. It is still under the deep impression of all those dreadful recitals of calcined bodies, drawn from under the ruins, still smoking, three days after the event; of unfortunate people whose voices are begging for succor that no human power could bring to them, that I write these lines. Pressed to give these details, I do not know how my pen ruus [runs]. Here is no pretensions to the elegance of style; there are still so many things to be said. Must we speak of the admirable conduct of Mr. Barmont, in the midst of this population, without an asylum, and dying with starvation; must we show you some wretch sucking a piece of sugar can to allay his thirst! Shall I retrace the picture of that deputation of Point a Petre, coming to meet that of St. Pierre, the Mayor covered with a sailor's jacket, and in the middle of all this, the Governor in tears, trying to impart to every body a resignation which he himself probably had not; so much he felt the enormity of the evil, and the impossibility of repairing so great a disaster. I shall say nothing either of Rear Admiral De Moges, whose destiny seems to be to carry help to great misfortunes. A singular casuality [casualty]! This same man, who, four years ago, was present at the destruction of the capital of the island of which he was the governor, annihilated by an earthquake, is called on to-day to bring help to another city, overthrown likewise by the same scourge! I cannot describe such scenes. These are only the principal facts that I give you here. Time presses. Another may write a longer article. L. B.

Proclamation of the Governor of Martinique.

Citizens of Martinique,-

The earthquake of the 8th of February has laid Point a Petre in ruins, and such as remain of her unfortunate inhabitants, are without bread and without shelter. We thank Providence that we are permitted to send them help in this awful calamity. On the receipt of the news of this distressing event, the inhabitants of Part Royal and other villages, repaired to the spot with food and clothing. The nights of the 9th and 10th were passed in loading the steam frigate Gomer with provisions and other necessaries belonging to the government, and she was immediately dispatched in aid of the distressed. A subscription is now opened for the sufferers, and all receipts will be placed in the hands M. Liot, Treasurer.

Du Valdailly,

Governor of Martinique,

(Correspondent of the Richmond Palladium.)

Eight miles below this place, on the other side of the river, is Nauvoo, the city of the Prophet. It is beautifully situated, on a point formed by a broad and sweeping bend of the river. The ground rises in successive benches of several feet in height, each bench extending back some distance, forming a level piece of table land to the next bench. On the last and highest bench, which is level with the surrouding [surrounding] country, stands the Temple, which is to be a magnificent building. The basement only is raised. The town site is six miles long and two or three wide, being a circular strip following the curve of the river. Nothing can be more beautiful than the situation of the city of saints. It contains at least 10,000 inhabitants, and as motley a crowd as you can imagine.

There is but little of the prophet or saint in Joe's exterior. He is a large, powerfully built man, and I believe is reckoned to be a social, good natured, good hearted, clever fellow, with a nerve of iron, an eye of fire, a heart of stone, and a head full of all sorts of things. Let him alone and he is your friend, but it is dangerous to trifle with him. Much has been said about the Mormons, but after all they are like other men, and their prophet is a man like unto us all. There is nothing in their belief that is incredible, except it be the inspiration of their prophet, and that I must be permitted to doubt. The greatest difference between them and the Methodists is , that they have more of the spirit than the followers of Wesley. When a Methodist would shout, a Mormon would prophesy, when the former would cry "glory," the latter would speak in unknown tongues. When one would pray over a sick brother, the other would lay on his hands and heal him-if he could.

[When the Methodist faith fails him respecting some parts of the Bible, and he has recourse to the spiritualizing system to get along, the Mormon swallows all down, just as it stands, like the whale swallowed Jonah, hat and shoes; the former worships a God without body, parts or passions, while the latter worships the same being

(page 179)

Read Previous Page / Next Page