blown down, and their wretched inmates killed. Junks from Hainan, Siam and Singapore, in the neighbourhood of Lintin and Macao, were caught in the gale, and dismasted or lost. In some instances they threw' overboard a great part of their cargo, and notwithstanding were lost. A junk of 12,000 peculs, bound for Amoy was driven on shore near Cabreta point, the cargo plundered and the vessel lost. Several war junks were lost, and both officers and men in some of them were drowned. An officer of considerable rank, named Pwan-gan, was among the number. We have heard of many passage boats that were lost, and great numbers of persons drowned in them. On shore at Canton, Macao, and other places, many persons were killed or wounded by falling walls, tiles, &c.
A native heathen correspondent calls this tyfung, a tempest-angel, sent from Heaven, in anger: for the ancient Books have said,
Jin tso shen, Teen keang ketseang:
Tso puh shen, Teen keang ke yang.
If men do what is virtuous,
Heaven sends down prosperity;
If they do what is not virtuous,
Heaven sends down calamity.
He describes the tiles of houses as flying without wings; the walls falling, however strong; trees felled without the application of an axe; and man dying without disease;—what crime, he exclaims, had these men committed that Heaven should inflict such punishment!
That the Almighty Creator of the universe regulates all its physical agencies, and causes them to operate either for "correction or for mercy" to human beings, is abundantly taught by divine Revelation. There is a fulness and clearness of expression, on this subject in the Holy Scriptures, which is in general, too much disregarded. Our Saviour has indeed taught us, not to point the bolts of the Almighty, nor to imagine that those who actually suffer in the midst of general calamities, are sinners above others who are spared. But he has at the same time taught us, that we are all sinners, and unless we repent we also shall perish.
The unknown writer of CVII Ps. has beautifully painted the situation and the feelings of the mariner, when God "commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind,"—which "fulfils his word." To disregard the "operation of His hand, " and look only at second causes, is an impiety to which the scepticism of the present age is lamentably prone. It is not superstition, but true religion, to have a constant regard to Divine Providence, even when there is nothing unusual in the course of events; this is the Christian's duty and his happiness. But when sword, pestilence or famine, walk the earth; or when the earthquake or the tempest shake the solid globe, or convulse the surrounding atmosphere—"whoso is wise, will observe these things; even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord," and stand in awe of his "terrible Majesty."
The Prophets of the old Testament are very copious on the dispensations of Divine Providence in respect to physical occurrences, to the end that, when God's "judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants thereof should learn righteousness." But the Prophets also lament the blindness of understanding, and the hardness of heart, of many in their day; some of whom simply disregarded, others scoffed at, and some even defied the judgments of the Almighty; till the day of their repentance was past, and God rained upon them "fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest".—This was the portion of their cup; and this will be the portion of all those who "forget God."
Having said so much on this subject, we will only once more remonstrate against the idea of deferring religion till a fortune is accumulated, and the individual shall return in affluence to his home. We have known some who have avowed acting on this principle; than which, it is difficult to conceive one more fallacious. It is like the resolution which is formed in many a mind, to sin on, and repent afterwards. One might say much on the unreasonableness, ingratitude, impiety, and mockery implied in such a course;—but at present, from passing occurrences, we notice only the futility of it, in respect to the very thing aimed at—the accumulation of property. Let
