Litchfield enquirer., 1852-08-26

which we had special interest. We
hoped their was some mistake we trust
ed it was Q false announcement, yet
feared that it was but too trQe. Not
more than tvO weeks ago, Mr. William
N. Ray, with his wife aud Two children,
left the city to revisit the home OF their
parents. 1t IS but yesterday since !
said good bye to Mrs., Ray, and watched
the lighting up Of her countepapce as
she spoke Of revisiting her fathers house
in tbs neighborhood Of Katskill. They
had visited the parental mansion, and
with the father, Mr.. Cook, took passage
on board the Henry Clay, fer New York,
intending 70 pass on to the neighborhood
of New Haven, and join their brother
Lemuel, of whose death they had not
heard at the house of Mr.. Rays father.
They had not been on board but short
time, when the vessel caught fire, and was
driven on shore. The raging flames IN
the middle of the vessel prevented their
reaching the bow which was on shore.
while the stern, ON which were most oil
lhe passengers, was in deep water.
They must swim or die. Mrs. Ray ex-
horted her father to leave thea and try
and save one of the children. He en-
tered the water, now black with strug-
Cling and drowning men and women :;
tEe boy was dropped into his arms with
great exerlions be cleared himself from
those around him, and brought the child
safe 10 shore. He locked behind 10 see
them follow but he saw them not. The
father, mother. and daughter seem TO
have gone into the water, to be saved or
die together. | shall not attempt to
paint that awful scene the wild and
horrid cry OF fire;' the <erRations Of
hope and fear; the frenzy and the des-
pair which seized upon multitudes, as
in a moment, when they thought not Of
it. they we're brought fase TO face with
death, That scene Of agony and terror
no man can mirror forth, no man can
understand, until he has been called to
witness it. May neither my eyes nor
yours ever behold such q scene! may we
never be called to witness such anguish
learn from enc of the elders of this
Church, who visited the boat the next
morning. that the bodies Of Mr.. Ray nd
his wife and little daughter were soon re-
moved from the water, and in charge of
Mr.. Cook, the father of Mrs. Ray, wei
conveyed to his residence. thus sud
denly were three Of our number remov
ed from earth, to join the people Of God
in heaven. Mr.. and Mrs. Ray were mem
bers of this Church; they sought to a.
dorm the doctIine OF their Savior by a
quiet. noiseless, and pure life. They
loved Gods house and his people, and,
we have no doubt a! all, were prepared
for death, whether he came by disease.
by fire or water. The two brothers,
amiable and lovely in their lives, within
few hours of each other passed into
eternity, and, meeting before the throne,
learned for the first time OF each other
departure. Their father waited, evening
after evening, for the coming OF his son
William, until stranger placed in his
hand the paper containing the fatal
intelligence which robbed him of anoth-
er son, daughter. and a grand daugh-
ter. One brother remains with US to-
day, on whom the hand of the heavenly
Father hath fallen SO heavily. Yet to
him in his sorrow, we doubt not, gra.
cious SAVIOR will he present, TO comfort
him amidst this great affection. and pre-
pare him for a life Of great and constant
usefulness. Let US think of the desolate
Preside, and the desolate hearts Of the
aged parepts~let US remember that lit
Tie son baptized at this alter. now faith
erless and motherless and while We
sympa.hize with the many hear,a that
have been stricken with g'ief by the
terrible calamity, let US bear those. thus
directly connected with these members
OF our Church. before the the throne Of
grace.
This solemn providence has q most
affecting voice for the young Of this con.
gregation. Young men. young fathers
and mothers, behold how in an instant
your task on earth may be finished. and
in a moment. when you think not of it,
ON' SO"'S "4"y Ao ouu5AAVuSN ~ MSOt
your God. Are you members Of the
Church =? Put NOT off until tomorrow
the work Of laboring FIR Christ, Go
into the SaSbath>scAool. the prayer.
room begin afresh at your great work.
and. in view Of this mournful ca:astro.
pho. while the voice Of God is ringing
in your ears. consecrats your souls afresh
to his service. Be We also ready; for
in such an hour as ye think it not, the
Son Of Man cometh. Who will step
forward and take the vacant classes in
the Sabbath School? Who has been
negligent in attendance upon the evening
meetings.. shall we see filing these SO
recently vacated seats? o. Joung man.
young woman, come out, do you whole
duty. il you would be filed with Gods
peace. and sipen for his rest. ss
Rn1t:aanrD lam IA 1870