beds of some of them are elevated above their former banks several feet, producing an alteration of ten, fifteen, to twenty feet from their original state. And lately it has been discovered that a lake was formed on the opposite side of the Mississippi, in the Indian country, upwards of one hundred miles in length, and from one to six miles in width, of the depth of from ten to fifty feet. It has communication with the river at both ends, and it is conjectured that it will not be many years before the principal part, if not the whole of the Mississippi, will pass that way. We were constrained, by the fear of our houses falling, to live twelve or eighteen months, after the first shocks, in little light camps made of boards; but we gradually became callous, and return

fled from the country in the time of the hard shocks have since returned home. We have since their commencement in 1811, and still continue to feel, slight shocks occasionally. It is seldom indeed that we are more than a week without feeling one, and sometimes three or four in a day. There were two this winter past much harder than we have felt them for two years before; but since then they appear to be lighter than they have ever been, and we begin to hope that ere long they will entirely cease.

7th, at about four o'clock, A. M. a concussion | part of the country were nearly dried up. The took place so much more violent than those which had preceded it, that it is denominated the hard shock. The awful darkness of the atmosphere, which as formerly was saturated with sulphurous vapor, and the violence of the tempestuous thundering noise that accompanied it, together with all the other phenomena mentioned as attending the former ones, formed a scene, the description of which would require the most sublimely fanciful imagination. At first the Mississippi seemed to recede from its banks, and its waters gathering up like a mountain, leaving for a moment many boats, which were here on their way to New Orleans, on the bare sand, in which time the poor sailors made their escape from them. It then rising fifteen or twenty feet perpendicularly, and expanding, as it were, at the same mo-ed to our houses again. Most of those who ment, the banks were overflowed with a retrograde current, rapid as a torrent :-the boats which before had been left on the sand were now torn from their moorings, and suddenly driven up a little creek, at the mouth of which they laid, to the distance, in some instances, of nearly a quarter of a mile. The river falling immediately, as rapidly as it had risen, receded within its banks again with such violence, that it took with it whole groves of young cotton-wood trees, which ledged its borders. They were broken off with such regularity, in some instances, that persons who had not witnessed the fact, would with difficulty be persuaded that it had not been the work of art. A great many fish were left on the banks, being unable to keep pace with the water. The river was literally covered with wrecks of boats, and 'tis said, that one was wrecked in which there was a lady and six children, all of whom were lost. In all the hard shocks mentioned, the earth was horribly torn to pieces-the surface of hundreds of acres was, from time to time, covered over, of various depths, by the sand which issued from the fissures, which were made in great numbers all over this country, some of which closed up immediately after they had vomited forth their sand and water, which, it must be remarked, was the matter generally thrown up. In some places, however, there was a substance somewhat resembling coal, or impure stone-coal, thrown up with the sand. It is impossible to say what the depth of the fissures or irregular breaks were; we have reason to believe that some of them were very deep. The site of this town was evidently settled down at least fifteen feet, and not more than half a mile below the town there does not appear to be any alteration on the bank of the river; but back from the river a small distance, the numerous large ponds or lakes, as they were called, which covered a great

I have now, Sir, finished my promised description of the earthquake-imperfect it is true, but just as it occurred to my memory; many of, and most of the truly awful scenes, having occurred three or four years ago. They of course are not related with that precision which would entitle it to the character of a full and correct picture. But such as it is, it is given with pleasure-in the full confidence that it is given to a friend. And now, Sir, wishing you all good, I must bid you adieu. Your humble servant,

The Rev. Lorenzo Dow.

ELIZA BRYAN.

There is one circumstance which I think

worthy of remark. This country was formerly subject to very hard thunder; but for more

than a twelvemonth before the commencement

of the earthquake there was none at all, and but very little since, a great part of which restill continue, but are growing more ligut, and less frequent.-E. B.

sembles subterraneous thunder. The shocks

1010. The vibration of the carth, shook down trees; thousands of willows were snapt off like a pipe stem, about wrist high, and the swamps became high ground, and high land became the low ground, and two islands in the river were so shaken, washed away and sunk, as not to be found.

After speaking once, descended to the Iron | Warrington, Natchez, and many country parts, Banks, acres of which had been shaken down, saw some of my old acquaintance, bought me the effects of which were awfully impressive! a horse, and thought to return by land, sold Being very high, some trees, the tops just above him again, being unable to endure the ridewater; others just ready to fall and slide off. so I went down the river visiting such places There are many sawyers in this river, i. e. as God gave me access unto. On the island trees fastened by the branches or roots in the of Orleans, I find the influence of the Clergy bottom of the river, which saw up and down is going down hill-many of the people came by virtue of the pressing of the water; while to some of my meetings. others are so firm as not at all to yield to the current. Those things make it dangerous going at night or in the fog.

New Madrid had been designed as the metropolis of the New World, but God sees not as man sees-it is deserted by most of its in-swering a good conscience the ancients used habitants; the upper Chickasaw Bluff does not wash like the others, and probably will be fixed upon one day as a proper scite for to convene the portage up and down the river, which now is inconvened by the Indians owning the soil, or the inundation of the water.*

ness had been entrusted, betrayed the confidence reposed in him, by not attending to the same; but spoke against the work by action and reaction from others, to prevent the sale; which became a source of trouble to me; as the only way to discharge the expense and cost of the work was, to make one hand wash the other.

to New York, and so to Coventry, and found to be lost; as the person to whom the busimy Peggy and father still on these mortal shores. Thence I got me a horse and wagon, and with my Peggy came to New Yorkwent to P., came back, and am now visiting through Jersey, and verging towards my fortieth year; the DAY of my LIFE is advancing away fast, and the evening shades come apace; the night of death draws near, and now to be in a state of readiness is my chief concern-so I may not be called from the stage of action unawares, but fully prepared for the scene.

1013. Whether those INFIRMITIES with which I am AFFLICTED may necessitate and compel me to leave the field for want of BODILY POWER to continue, I know not; to lay up treasure on EARTH is not my desire, not yet to be a BURTHEN to my FRIENDS: but the prayer of Agur, "for neither RICHES nor POVERTY”—for

66

"Man wants but little here,

Nor wants that little long."

1017. Here then I was in a strait, exposed to difficulty, out of which I saw no way to escape, unless the SUPERINTENDING should undertake my deliverance.

HAND

However my tide of fortune began to turn, as in a glimmer, step by step. Found my boxes and most of the contents. For some time I knew not what to do or how to get along. But sent off about a hundred appointments in all directions-was enabled to keep up with them; first, by the assistance of friends, and then by procuring me a horse.

1018. In a few weeks I sold a sufficiency to meet my exigency; the rest of the work became as the "omner of manna," much or little, it would come to the standard of necessity, and there stop! the remainder were LOST

to me!

In a few weeks I expect to start for the WEST again, but where I may be this time twelve months, is very uncertain with me; whether in England, Sierre Leone in Africa, 1019. Two men who had followed me from West Indies, or New England--or ETERNITY; but the CONTROVERSY with the NA-meeting to meeting, day after day, and were TIONS is not over, nor will it be until the very urgent and inquisitive to know the rout Divine Government be reverentially acknow- I intended to take on my return over the ledged by the HUMAN FAMILY.

mountains; which circumstance, on reflection, 1014. Nov. 1st, 1816. Finding the season caused me to suspect their intentions, and a so far advanced that I could not accomplish secret impulse of mind occasioned me, when my object in the west, started to return to the last of my meetings were accomplished, to New England; but was attacked at Bridge-alter my mind, and suddenly to turn towards port with a severe sickness, which confined the Lake, and return by the northern route, me for some weeks; but by the kind attention which gave me quietude of mind and a settled given me at the house of Mrs. (Col. Blanch- peace! ard's widow,) B., so far recovered as to reach my father's in January.

1015. March 4th, 1817. By request I attended meeting in Mansfield—İ was conveyed there; but after the fulfilment, was permitted to be conveyed off as well as I could. Thus many find it convenient to have their own ends and desired objects accomplished, at the inconvenience and expense of others, and then leave them in the lurch to paddle their own canoe! But I found a conveyance from place to place until my arrival at Shippensburg, and so on to the west.

1016. My books of Journal had been sent across the mountains in the fall, and exposed

October 4, 1846- I have just returned from a tour through Genesee, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut, to Philadelphia-find the spirit of inquiry increasing, and heard of revivals among our different Societies-saw three of my sisters whom I had not seen

1020. Returned to Hebron in July, where I found my father had removed to, a little before with my Peggy.

1021. In September I visited several camp meetings in the interior and near Cayuga Lake; thence to Vermont, to attend the removal of Joseph Bridgeman's and my sister's families down to my father's house!

At the close of the year, I visited the south as far as North Carolina and Virginia, where H. HARDY attempted to show his zeal in be half of Episcopacy.

1022. 1818. Towards spring, returned to New England and prepared to depart for Europe!

TO THE PUBLIC.

COURTEOUS READER-As there is but one for eight years. Left my Companion at my Fathers true Church, which is the Family of GOD; until my return in the spring. Hard judged by man, and but one true Religion, which is ever imbut which must and will finally be decided by the judgmutable, so there can be but one worship ac

ment of GOD only.

ceptable with the MOST HIGH-which ACT | For there is but one way of salvation, and of worship must be "in Spirit and in Truth," there will be but one song in the Happy therefore, there is great need of caution, not World-"THOU wast slain; and hast Reto be partaker of party spirit of the times, but deemed us to GOD by thy blood, out of every to have views expanded worthy of the King- kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." dom of GOD, that the Kingdom of Righteous- Rev. v. 9. ness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost may be set up in the soul, and so expand your heart with Love to GOD and Man; whereby you may say with Peter: "Of a truth I perceive that GOD is no respecter of persons: but in every nation [or denomination] he that FEARETH HIM and WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS, ing. Amen. is accepted with him." Acts viii. 34, 35.

Therefore attend to the influence of the Spirit of GOD on the mind; and be careful to obey its dictates, that you may be under its guidance, and so be renovated and regenerated, as to become the New Man in Christ Jesus, walking in the Light to Life Everlast

Philadelphia, December 10th, 1822.

L. D.

RECAPITULATION.