Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-10-22


January. We will send (in a club) the
.Atantic with the Chroaicle for $3.50 in
cash, and are now making up list. We
desire to complete it within October.
The Sau OCeno VA tic n,Ia-.i.-
rOn TIE LEwIsBuKG CHRONICLE.
On the morning of the 18th of Se2tem-
Der last, the sun arose from its eastern bed
in all its effulgence, shedding the rays Of
light and joy throughout creation. The
birds sang their morning praise swcetly
together, as they leaped from bough to
bough. The little lambs skipped and
played upon the grassy lawn. The milk
maid caroled her accustomed lay as she
wended her way toward the dairy, well
coming the newborn day. The plough
man had turned to the field with light
heart and cheerful countenance, to renew
his labor. The merchant and mechanic
alike felt the invigorating rays of that
lovely mornings sun. All nature seemed
to have received new impulse. A new
life seemed to have been infused into the
world, with the new born day. How
many bright anticipations were cherished,
and hopes revived in the hearts of the
desponding! To none, perhaps, more SO
than to the six hundreds souls that had
committed their all to the ill-fated "Aus-
sri.-" Upon that beautiful morning could
have been seen the noble vessel, plowiDg
the mighty deep, laden with her precious
burden, her sails unfurled to the breeze,
whilst her engine could have been heard
plying its powers amidst the noise and
hustle of surrounding machinery. The
huge wheels obeyed the sturdy arm of the
engineer. making its revolutions proudly
amidst the foaming billows of the great
Misunderstanding the gallant vessel
toward her destined port. All was calm
and serene around. No cloud appeared
along the horizon to mar the scenery of
that delightful morning. The heavens
looked down aud smiled upon the assem-
blsd multitude that gathered upon the
deck. Hearts we're made joyous and light
at the thought of meeting near and dear
friends, in few more days, within the
walls Of home. The emigrant who had
left his home, relations, and friends, to
try his fortune in a strange and distant
land, was there, anxiously looking forward
to the time when be should see tho objects
of his desires realized. The mother was
there, longing for happy union with her
family. The father, the brother, the sis
ter, the lover, aud friend were there, all
joining in with the prayer and supplica.
tions offered up to throne of grace for
their safe return to home and friends.
The time to cast anchor, was long and
aDxiously looked for. But alas how soon
are the hopes and anticipatioas of mortals
blasted 'In the midst of life, we are in
death" is saying strikingly verified in
this instance.
When all seemed safe and prosperous,
the appalling sentence fell upon the ears
Of the happy multitude, far from land,
home, and friends, with no other hope left
them than watery grave" The ships on
fire." 1t fell upon their ears like a thun.
der-bolt. "We'N all be lost" was the re-
spouse of every one. Terror seized upon
man, woman, and child, and in moment
all was wild confusion The cries and
shrieks of the poor unfortunate victims
sounded far and wide over the blue waters,
and cries for help ascendod heavenward.
No help was nigh, no refuge, but the cold
embrace of death. The flames increased
until they overspread tho entire vessel.
The last ray Of hope had died away Oh.
what heart rending scene followed
Sisters, ,clasped in each others arms, plunged
into the fathomless deep, the waves closing
quietly over them. The father compelled
his wife to cast herself into the deep, whilst
he pronounced blessing upon his chill
dren, and with them sank beneath the
waves to rise no more until the last day.
The lover and friend, taking last long
look towards their native land, with
prayer upon their lips for dear ones, re-
luctantly plunged and sunk beneath the
boiling sea. The Austria and her gallant
crew, save the few that were rescued BY
timely assistance, are no more they sleep
beneath the pillows of the Atlantic. All
is now silence, where, but few hours be-
fore, all was joy and gladness. The hearts
that beat with warm emotions, now lie
cold and silent in the embrace of death.
How many homes have been made DESC
late by this disaster. how many hearts
have been caused to bleed and break by
this almost unparalleled catastrophe !! Ne.
gligence has been attributed as the sole
cause of this; but, whether such is the
case, We are not prepared to say. God
deals with His people in mysterious way.
May this not have been His way of ad.
monishing those who were left behind ?