Newspaper Page Text
No. 36 Vol. IV.
From a late English paper.
TERRIBLE ERUPTION OF MOUNT
VESUVIUS.
[Private Letter.']
Naples, Oct. 25.
1 mentioned in my last that the volcano
was io great activity, and I shall now en
deavour to give you a slight de.scription of
the grandest eruption I have ever seen,
and except that of J 794, so well described
by Sir William Hamilton, the grandest that
has happened within the nipmory of man.
Since the eruption of February last, the
mountain, with the exception of a few tri
fling discharges, has been very quietl ob
served on Sunday evening that a good deal
of fire was issuing from the top of the cone,
and that a small stream of lava had been
thrown out; on Monday it seemed rather
quiet, but in the middle of the night the
ppople in the neighbourhood were awaken
ed by a tremendous explosion, and the vol
cano presented to their affrighted eyes, the
spectacle of an immense body of fire, aris
ing high in the air from the summit of the
mountain, and a broad and uousually rapid
stream of lava rushing down the hill, to-
Nvnrds Potici and Resina. The scene was
so appalling that many people hurried into
Naples, and orders wore given to remove
the most valuable objects from the Royal
Falaces of Portici and the Favorita.
On Tuesday morning the mountain was
enveloped in smoke.and intermitting volleys
were discharged from the cone; but it was
about two o’clock that it displayed the most
wonderful picture; l happened to he on
the open terrace of Santa Lucia a Mare
about that lime j on a sudden 1 heard a long
roar, like thunder, and saw a body of
smoke, of immense volume, rise from the
crater; presently it extended itself over
the city, and presented for 3ome minutes a
spectacle of unparalleled grandeur—a spec
tacle of which the pen can give no idea,
and which the boldest pencil would scarce
ly attempt to portray. All the mountain
was veiled with a dark grey smoke, and the
atmosphere behind it was almost black;
but this body of smoke was of a silver white,
and took the most beautiful forms. When
it rose up from the cone, it had very much
the figure of those curious pine trees, with
long stems, the branches of which spring
out from the summit; as it rolled over to
wards Naples, it wasj if such a thing may
be supposed, like the billows of the stormy
Atlantick, divested of (heir fury and rapidi
ty, but preserved in their shapes. This
exlraordinary and beautiful spectacle lasted
for e everul minutes; the smoke then spread
itself in the atmosphere, and soon veiled
from my view all the opposite coast and
mountains. About four o’clock I rode some
way along the Portici road to observe the
eruption ; but the smoke prevented ray dis
tinguishing any thing. I met a great num
ber of gentlemen’s carriages coming in, for
at (he beginningofthe eruption Dearly all of
the Neapolitan gentry were at their casini
at Portici, Resina, and other places round
(he mountain this being the season of their
villeggiatura.
It was not till night came on that I felt
all the sublimity and (error of the scene;
then indeed, the eye saw a mountain of fire
under a heaven of smoke. The discharge
from the crater did not cease for a moment,
and five broad streams of lava rolled down
in different directions. The electricity
communicated by the volcano, produced,
at every instant, flashes of brilliant and very
peculiar lightning,and at limes the electrick
fluid played low down the cone, in the
midst of the volcanick file and smoke.—
TThe roaring of the mountain was heard
distinctly in Naples, and many times the
shock produced by its violent throes was
felt all over the city. The open parts to
wards the sea were crowded to excess, the
theatres were all deserted, and a silent awe
prevailed, except when interrupted by the
loud prayers end cries of the lower orders,
who seemed persuaded that the hour of
their destruction was fast approaching. I
was ninth struck with one circumstance as
I was driving round Santa Lucia about 9
o’clock; I passed a numerous procession
of poor people, who were carrying an ef
figy of the Virgin and a few wax candles,
and crying and singing their prayers with
deafening loudness. Among other expres
sions of grief and fear, I heard them say
more than once, ‘ Ah, this is because our
King has left us, not to come back any
more.’
I set out about ton with the intention of
ascending the mountain as far as possible ;
u fine dust which had been falling the great
er part of the day, had at this hour of the
day much increased, and was very painful
to the eyes. The immense quantity of
smoke had hid the streams of lava, and no
thing was visible but the bursting fire of the
crater, whence proceeded the only light of
the atmosphere; for the crescent moou &
the stars were concealed behind the dingy
vapours the volcano had created. On my
road to Resina, I saw an immense number
of poor families going towards Naples, hav
ing fled from their houses in the town of the
Torre del Greco, the village of Bosco, the
town of the Torre del Annonziato, etc.
The mass of t hese Unfortunate people were
on foot, and heavily laden; some, as the
richer, or the old and the sick, had gofr.Cfj-
Jpysi, little cars, horses and asses; sqme of
THE missionary.
the groups were deplorable, and consterna
tion was imprinted on the faces of all.
Here and there along the road I saw troops
of poor wretches, who had probably no
place to go to,either in Naples or in any oth
er part ol the world, crouching round wood
fires. When I reached Portici, I found
other crowds, wherever they had been per
mitted to stop; and the portico of a church
near the royal palace, was strewed with
men, women and children, huddled promis
cuously together.
When I began to ascend the mountain
from Resina, the noise of the eruption was
like the roaring of the tempestuous sea
rushing into deep rocky caves, and the la
pilli or cinders fell around me like a shower
of rain. I could not see the courses of the
lava, but every moment a broad wall of fire
was thrown up before me from the crater
with such violence, and to such a height,
that it seemed to threathen, distant as I
was, to overwhelm me in its fall. As I got
higher up, the noise was of course greater,
and, at intervals, tr?mendons crashes broke
the monotony of the roar; at those mo
ments, 1 felt the mountain tremble beneath
me; the lapilli fell thicker, and pattered on
my hat and on the vines like a heavy fall
of hail, and 1 felt the heat very great. Af
ter a fatiguing climb I reached one of the
most considerable streams of lava; I found
it very broad and glowing, but much slower
in its course than it had been. Here 1
could see nothing but the burning stream
to which I was close; the other streams,
the fire from the crater, every thing was
hidden by impenetrable clouds of smoke,
and the noise and the trembling of the
mountain continued as indicating that the
work of violence bad not ceased. There
was something of mysterious awe and of
terror in standing thus near the scene of
action without the possibility of seeing its
effects.
Near the lava I met our minister, Mr.
Hamilton, with his lady and two eldest sons;
the Duke and Dutchess of Leeds, with their
beautiful daughter Lady Charlotte Osborne ;
Lord and Lady Kinuaird, and several other
English. I was rather surprised to see the
ladies. By a sudden change of wind they
might have been placed in some danger,
and the lapilli which fell thickly even then
were quite sufficient to hurt a delicate hand
or cheeks; hut I have had many opportu
nities of observing the spirit of my fair
countrywomen when any thing curious or
grand i9 to be seen.
As the road to the Hermitage of St. Sal
vador had been crossed by a stream of la
va, and as the darkness was very great I
did not attempt going farther. On my re
turn 1 met the Austrian Ambassador, Count
Figuelmont, with his lady and her mother,
the Countess Hidroff, and her sister, ascend
ing to the lava.
The next morning the mountain was con
cealed in smoke and the whole atmosphere
darkened ; the sun scarcely appeared at
Naples during the whole day. 1 went down
to the Torre del Greco, which town I found
almost entirely deserted by the inhabitants,
and guarded by some Austrian troops. —
From Torre del Greco I thought of going
on to Pompei; one of the most considera
ble streams of lava had taken that direction,
aod I thought it would be striking (o wade
through that disinterred city during the ac
tivity of its ancient enemy ; but on going
about a mile and a half from Torre del
Greco, I found the roads so deeply covered
with fine dust or sand thrown out of the vol
cano, that the horses dragged the carriage
with difficulty; and here I learned that a
little farther on it would be impossible to
pass, the sand being three feet deep. From
this situation I saw the mountain throwing
up immense stones from the crater to an
extraordinary height.
The flight of the dismayed people was
almost as numerous as on the preceding
night.
Towards evening the mountain was more
tranquil, and the smoke concealed every
thing during the night.
Ou Thursday morning appearances were
much the same from Naples, but a most an
noying fall of the dust began and continued
(he whole day; it was so fine that it was al
most impossible to defend the eyes from it;
it penetrated into the houses, and covered
the streets in some parts of the town to the
thickness of a quarter of an inch. At the
Torre del Aununziata it is said to hare fal
len four feet deep, and to have stopped the
road entirely for carriages. It hadals# fal
len thickly at Castel a Mare and Sorento.
It was discovered on Thursday morning
that a large piece of the cone had either
fallen or been blown away; that which was
the higher point is now the lower. Noth
ing but smoke was seen during the night.
To-day the immense volumes of smoke
continue; the mountain is hid, and the at
mosphere oppressively overclouded; but it
is believed that the sources of (he lava are
stopped, and little matter certainly is thrown
from the crater. There is still a trifling
fall of dust. The danger 1 hope has ceas
ed—but the damage already done, though
oothing to what was threatened, is consider
able.
It is a great reproach to a Christian to quote a
passage of Scripture to sanction an idle remark ,
or to give a point and jest to witticism.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, FEBRUARY J 7, 1823.
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND fREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
—* - _ ‘..vdjik-v- ‘ A’
From the London Christian Guardian, Nov. 1822
REVIEW.
Essays on the Recollections which are to sub
sist between earthly Friends reunited in the
World to come. By T. Gisborne.
I here are, probably, few persons of
warm hearts and reflecting minds who have
not, at some period of their lives, felt more
than ordinary anxiety on the subject of the
mutual recognition of friends in a future
state of existence. And even pious charac
ters, of a subdued and chastened curiosity
as to the objects of research, while they
would shrink from any approach to that
rashness, which seeks to pry into those
things which are not revealed, may be sup
posed to feel a pardonable solicitude on a
topick 9o nearly connected with their best
affections and tendered sensibilities. It is.
however, a theme os which divines of a
sober and judicious cast have touched very
lightly; particularly from a dread of the
spirit of which has been the
great bane of religious inquiry', from the
ancient Gno9tick to the modern Unitarian;
partly from the difficult nature of the sub
ject itself, whose subtility eludes their
grasp at every turn; and partly from the
want of any de.ta in Scripture on which to
found a theory.
Notwithstanding the salutary caution,
which has kept the theological writers from
publicly committing themselves on this del
icate subject, the fact we believe would
turn out to he, that most Christians have
cherished the idea in their confidential cor
respondence ; have found solace in the re
flection, that separation on earth, from pro
vidential causes, would be abundantly com
pensated by particular ißtercourse io hea
ven; and, above all, in the prospect o!
eternity, have so expressed themselves t;>
their dearest connexions, as to leave an im
pression on the minds ofsurvivers, that for
their own parts they have felt little doubt,
that with identity of person, at the grand
resurrection, there would be recognition of
peculiar relation. They have regarded
their course of affection as the confluence
ot streams which, however divided for a
moment by the pier of a bridge, have natur
ally reunited their waters on the opposite
side. At the same time, we do not deny
that there have been wise and solid believ
ers, who imagined such an absorption of
affection in the person of Christ awaiting
the redeemed in glory, as would be incom
patible with distinguishing regards to fellow
saints, and consequently with the remem
brance of earthly ties. VVe feel a respect
for both opinions; considering, that, on
such a questionable point, each party may
be allowed to retain his persuasion, without
any impeachment either of his understand
ing or piety.
The doctrine of mutual recognition is in
teresting in its nature, but indifferent in its
character, nor can it ever be required to
be received as an article of belief, because
it is grounded on probable conjecture rather
thau moral certainty. Mr. G. has therefore
done wisely in not pushing his theory be
yond what the argument will hear. He
divides his inquiry into two distinct branch
es: “1. The presumptions which reason,
whether by its natnrul powers, or as enligh
tened by the general truths of the Christian
revelation, may suggest. 2. The conclu
sions which may appear to be incidentally
involved in passages ofScripture remotely
bearing on the subject; or to be implied or
affirmed in passages, of which the bearing
is close and Jirect upon it.” In his second
chapter, he argues, that the concurrence
of mankind, from the philosophers of
Greece and Rome down to the Gentoo wid
ow and North American savage, in the per
suasion that (be personal and mutual knowl
edge of individuals will be extended in a
future world, is a presumption suggested
by reason in support of the opinion: and
he considers it as analogous to (he general
persuasion of the existence of a Deity,
which is usually brought forward by divines
in defence of that faadameotal article of na-
tural religion. We confess we do not at
tach much importance to the supposed anal
ogy. It may be fair reasoning, to deduce
the existence of the Supreme Being from
general consent; because, though enlight
ened men have judged him too much such
ao one as themselves, yet all have argued
a posteriori , and looked through nature up
to nature's God, till they arrived at a First
Cause. The process has been uniform,
and the conclusion has been concordant.
But the general persuasion assumed in the
present case, would be alleged with great
er effect as an argument in favour of the
immortality of the soul, and the disposition
to believe in a future stale. That Cicero
should rejoice in the prospect of saluting
Cato under such circumstances, is perfectly
natural. Indeed, before life and immortsJ
ity were brought to light by the Gospel,
those who believed in a future state at all
could only have, so to speak, carnalized
views of the subject. They could not but
regard futurity as a change in the mode of
existence, to which they transferred the
same passions, prejudices, feelings, and pur
suits. But the state of the question before
us is, not so much whether friendships will
be remembered as such, or whether there
will be a recognition of the pastoral, paren
tal, and conjugal relations; but whether
theft vyill be a distinct and particular re-
membrance of the instances in which certain
individuals have been made to each other
instruments of spiritual benefit? And
whether, connected with the doctrine of
communion of saints, there may not be io
fact such a connexiou between endeared
parties in the visible and the invisible world,
as that a departed believer shall feel an in
terest in, and become a channel in the con
veyance of blessing to, his friend yet re
maining in this sublunary sphere? And
whether on their reunion ors the other side
of the grave, such spiritual connexion may
not he the subject of mutual congratulation
to all eternity ? Such inquiries as these are
not incompatible with the purest religious
profession ; nor do they necessarily tend to
unlawful inquisitiveness, though it must be
allowed, and lamented while allowed, that
Talmudists, and Papists, and injudicious
Protestants, have indulged in idle and un
profitable speculations on these metaphy
sical abstractions.
Passing by, however, the difficulties of
the subject, we certainly feel that there is
something which recommends itself, as it
were, to our notice and approbation, in
the persuasion (innocent, at least, even if
groundless,) that persons who have wor
shipped in the same congregation, edified
through a long life under the same pastor,
shared in the same dispensations, partaken
of the same consoling or afflicting providen
ces, and found their affections more imme
diately drawn out towards each other,
should find their heavenly joys enhanced
by some recollections of events in this neth
er orb, in which they were mutually con
cerned ; and that there may so far be a
bond of special character between them,
without however interfering with that exal
ted love, which will undoubtedly fill their
glorified bosom, certain other persons who
passed through life under different circum
stances.
In the third chapter, our author enters
on the more important branch ofhis inquiry,
and considers the testimony from Scripture.
He refers, first, to that notable passage, 2
Sam. xii. 22, 23, where David consoles
himself for the loss ofhis child by the re
flection, “ I shall go to him, hut he shall
not return to me.” This text affords a
strikiog proof of the belief of ancient sainl3
in a resurrection, and evidently implies the
salvation of infants, but we doubt the pro
priety of its application in the present in
stance.
Nor do we think the next quotation, from
1 Cor. xv. 54 —57, strengthens the case.
Mr. G. argues, that if death is to be swal
lowed up in victory, the association of hu
man friendships, with all their endearing
consciousnesses and recollections, must he
placed on the basis on which it would have
rested for ever, if the ruin of man by the
fall had not been effected. That earthly
attachments would have remained unbrok
en, if man had not sinned, is certain; and
that sanctified amities may be continued in
a better state, is extremely probable ; but
very slender premises for such a conclusion
are afforded by the passage before us,
where the Apostle is setting forth io glow
ing but general terms the victory obtained
for believers over sin and death by the fin
ished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is much happier in his third quota
tion; Mat. xxrii. 52, 53. This passage
may have more connexion with our subject,
than appears on a cursory view. There is
no occasion to suppose, with Flemming, (hat
the bodies of holy men, which came out of
their tombs and entered into Jerusalem, and
appeared unto many, were the Old Testa
ment saints. We rather agree with Pierce,
that they were persons who died hut a little
before, perhaps disciples of Christ, who
went to attest the truth of our Lord’s res
urrection to their near and dear connexions,
and declare their own rescue from the
grave, as a kind of first fruits of his power
over death, which should at length accom
plish a general resurrection. (Doddridge
in loc;) Now, if this be the case, and they
were not mere apparitions, as we incline to
think they were not, then we give the au
thor credit for the whole force of his argu
mentation on this subject. Here was actu
al recognition of person, and show of par
ticular interest in the case of certain indi
viduals; and we think with Mr. G. that it
is a fair presumption, that this circumstance
will be a matter of congratulation between
those individuals hereafter; not, observe,
because they simply were friends, but be
cause, under the sweet relation of friend
ship, spiritual benefit was conferred by one
party on the other.
In referring to Matt. xxii. 31, 32; Matt,
viii. It ; Luke, xiii, 28; our author justly
inquires,—“ Is it compatible with the low
est degree of probability to suppose, that
when Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, are
sitting together in the kingdom of heaven,
Abraham shall have no conscious recollec
tion (bat he is actually beholding his belov
ed Isaac, the child of promise, (lie ordained
father of many nations, the appointed an
cestor of the Messiah, in whom all the na
tions of the earth should be blessed; that
Isaac shall have no consciousness that he is
dwelling in glory with his revered earthly
father, before whom he submissively placed
himself to be bound as a sacrifice upon the
altar; that Jacob shall have no knowledge
of his own pafe-nt. nor of the father of the ‘
Price $ s 3 i so P r - nn. or, >
i I $3,00 in advuncelf
faithful; tbat.the three patriarchs sballibe
each to the oilier as three individuals impi
dentljr brought together into an abode of
happiness from three different quarters or
periods of the globe, or from three different
planets?
In the sixth chapter are considered the
objections to the theory. The two princi
pal are, 1. Tat if it be true, recollections
calculated to disturb the bliss of a glorified
a pirit may intrude themselves; and 2.
1 hat he will not be free from forebodings
concerning pain to be excited by discover
ing the absence of former associates from
the kingdom ol God. The author answers
the objection, by observing, that if the re -
membrance of the sins of others would di
minish heavenly felicity, much more griev
ous would be the recollectiou of our own.
To which may be added, that, after all, it
does not follow that we are to remember
every particular of human intercourse ; for
we find, that in fact we forget many circum
stances here upon earth, which perhaps it
is a merciful provision that we do not rec
ollect. Nor should we omit the reflection,
that if we have a distinct impression of a
friend’s transgression, yet it is tians
gression washed away by the blood
of the Lamb, and so will be attended
by a feeling that divine grace has been
magnified. To the second objection it is
replied, that we may not remember those
connexions who are punished with everlas
ting destruction; and that, if we do, the
recollection will be accompanied with such
a sense of the justice of God as shall com
pletely absorb every other consideration.
Anecdote of Luther.
An anecdote relative to Luther shall fin
ish our critique. A lit tie before his death,
discoursing of several things at supper, he
put the question, “ Whether in the life to
come, we shall know one another?” His
friends were more desirous of hearing his
opinion on the subject than of giving ‘heir
own. “ What was the case,” said he,
‘•with Adam? lie had never seen Eve;
but when God made her, lay fast asleep ;
yet, as soon as he awoke, he did not inquire
who she was, or whence she came, but said,
This is flesh of niv flesh, and bone of my
hone. Now, how came he to know that ?
but being foil of the Holy Ghost, and endu
ed with the true knowledge of God, he so
spake. After the same manner, we sirali
also he renewed by Christ other
world, apd shall know our parents, wives,
children, and every thing else, much more
perfectly than Adam knew Eve.”
Religious Intelligence.
Good behaviour off Vest India Slaves.
“It is exceedingly gratifying (says Mr.
Evans) to hear the excellent character
which their masters and mistresses give to
the slaves who have been baptized. One
gentleman, five of whose slaves I have bap
tized, said, that he wished the Society had
hepn established many years before, for
since bis slaves have been instructed, he
has not had the least trouble with them.
Before, he was obliged to be in his wine
cellar from morning to evening, when the
slaves were working there, and even then
he had the mortification to see that they
got drunk ; hut since that time, not only
those who have been baptized, but other
slaves, having respect for their advice and
example, are so improved, that he has not
sen one of them intoxicated for the last
six months, nnd he can leave the cellar at
any time, under their charge. He also
told us, that it is delightful to see them in,
the evening, teaching each other to read,
singing hymns, and having family worship
together. Many others have given a simi
lar testimony, even some who were for
merly inimical to the instruction of their
slaves.”
ENLARGED LIBERALITY.
A nobleman of South Prussia, feeling a
deep interest in the missionasy exertions
among the Hottentots, and in the success of
the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall
transmitted a handsome donation to his cor
respondent in England, (die Rev. Francis
Cunningham,) with directions that it should
be equally divided between these objects—
The sum appropriated to the school at
Cornwall was 431. 12s, and Mr. Cunning
ham generously made it 50/. authorizing
the Cor. Sec. of the Am. Board of Com. for
For. Missions to draw on him for (hat
ntuouot.
rftOM THE BOSTON RECOKDER.
THE JEWS.
A Society has recently been formed for
promoting Christianity among the Jews at
Breslau, Silesia. The Inspector, of Bisb
op, is President; Rev. C. Rath Gass, aftt,
O. Rath von Winlerfield, Vice Presidents-
Rev. Professor Sf.eibel, Secretary and Lb
brarian; Mr. Starek, Treasurer. “This
last gentleman,” say the missionaries “j s
the most active in Breslau in every thin?
that concerns the promotion of vital'Chris
tianity, arid is a treasure, as well as Treasn
rer, to every Society to which he belongs *
rnrec ot the member*, R ev . Mr. Edward.
I . ofesuir Pischer and Dr. LiohtenStuh n
‘• converted Israelites, wd.o (laying taSleJ ,
stand font) tooff*
it to Their brethren stft%r the fi.-sh,”