Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-10-15

LOT SIOrH AZ ScdS dbtOt "u'N'I1 s"~
communion office. The terrible cOnn'ci
of the elements which ragged without'
was rendered vet mnre striking by the
impressive Stiffness which pervaded that
company of Christ's disciples within.
Gathered around the table, they re-
ceivcd into hearts deeply moved, the
consecra.ed emhlems Of the Redeemer'S
body and blood. All felt CoIntorted by
the blessed ordinance of grace. Many
bosom before tossed wi h tear, was now
tranquil through faith. Once more, all
renewed their vows, and realized the
peace of God shed abroad in their hearts,
and felt, with IL vividnrss perhaps never
before known, "Ynur life is hid with
God in Christi o! it was a night and
communion long to be remembered.
After the communication, | returned to
my state room The gentleman who Shar-
ed it with me. had gone below to die, as ne
expected, in company with his daughter and
son-in law Left therefore alone, taking
last look at the pictures of my little family
and commenting them, and all dear to me,
to the grace and protection of God, laid
down and slept peacefully.
At half-past FIVE O'Clock on Monday NOR
ming, we were in the greatest possible dan
ger.
Mr.. Stevens, one of the passengers who
was an eve witness, says of it-"a peculiar
lifting of the haze in the east, with the ap-
pearance of an amber colored belt of light,
low down on the horizon, warned US OF, an
approaching blow. Presently it came. a
perfect tornado, driving before tho clouds OF
spray, and as it Ms AIRED us. fairly lifting up
the white foam from the waves, like show.
err frain. AS the squal, struck us, tlc ship
careened over and buried her gunwales in
the ocean. aud lay for few moments slrick.
en- powerleSs, ana apparently al the mercy
of the savage waves that threatened to en-
gulf us. This was the trial, the last round
fought between the elements and our gal
liant vessel. At this critical moment, the Ell
CINE was true to her duty. Still went on its
revolutions, and round and round Numbered
her iron water wings. Gradually recover
ing her upright position, the good ship, with
head quartering the sea, came up to her
course and all was we'll. 1t was the climax
of the storm. The last great effort of the
whirlwind king, to send US to the sea giants
cave blow"
On Monday, about l2, the storm had aha
ted sufficiently to admit of standing on the
upper step of the companion with safety -
1t was sublime, but an awful spectacle -
The ocean still labored under the effects Of
the hurricane The wind veered 20 points
in So hours; it is impossible to imagine or
describe the wild and tangled confusion Of
the waves. Rising to a hight apparently
greater than that of the mainmast, they
leaped aud roared around the ship, as if hun
| tbo loss of hair pro
AT times the Great Western seemed as if
lowered by unseen spirits into her watery
grave; and every moment you expected o be
| filled in, and her requiem sung by the winds
amidst the wildncsS of waters. 90
But our danger was past, and with CRATE
full hearts on Tuesday morning, all assem-
bled in the cabin 10 render an act of common
PRAYER and thanksgiving.
Rev DR. Schumacher read psalm, and
made some appropriate introductory re-
marks, and Rev, DR.. Beecher addressed the
passengers atlcnglh and with much force on
the mercy we had experienced, and prayer
was offered.
After the religious services were ended,
Archibald Grace, Esq. of New York, was
called to the chair, and Rev. Mr.. Marsh
appointed secretary. On motion it was
Resoloed, That committee be appointed
to draft a resolution expressive of our graf
itnde to Almighty God for his great good
ness in our almost miraculous deliverance
| from destruction: and also to the captain,
officers, aud crew OF the ship, for their ar
duous labors, and their skill, firmness, aud
perseverance, in carrying the ship through
her late perilous condition.
The same committee were charged with
the duty Of reporting suitable memorialof
our gratitude to the captain, Off GERS and
crew.
The Chairman, Secretary, Rev. DR.. Bee
cher, of Cincinnati, Rev. Mr.. Balch, DIR.
ashington, and DR.. De,mold, of n. Y,
Mr. Hutchinson, of Geo., Mr.. F. Mather
of Geneva, and Mr.. Rawlings, of England
constituted SAID committee.
The Rev. MIR Balch, at the request of the
committee, stated at a subsequent meeting
of the passengers, the conclusions at which
the committee had arrived, when subse
quently i, was resolved that Two subscrip
ton papers, be obtained, one for the purpose
If giving suitable testimonial to the cap
tain, officers, and crew, The other to form the
| nucleuS of fund for the relief OF the fami j.
I lies of those whose heads and supporters
have been lost at sea, and 10 be called
'rhe Great Western Fund.-" Said money
in the meantime to be deposited in the hands
of James Boorman. Pelatia Perrit, Rev.
Lewis =. W. Balch, James Lennox, and
r b Minturn, of New York, as Trustees.
So closes The record OF this menora
ble storm. But never can it's rrcollrc-
ton he ctface,i from the minds Of those
vino were exposed TO lis per'ls.
When the danger hadall pissed. said
the Captain TO mt., "Thrice on deck ]
though destruction inevitable. Each
time u SEA of such magnitude and power
came at The ship, that though, il WAS all
over with u. But unexpectedly each
broke Just ut the side Of the ship. Sir,
tine hand Of the lord was in IT," Yes.
the hand of The Lord was IN it-mny W.
never forget twas the hand Of the l. 'rd.
Thu above narrative, correspondence,
letters and resolutions, having been sub.
mitted by the Committee, and unani.
mousIy authenticated at q public meet
ing OF the passengers. held On board The
n NH