The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-30
DESTRUCTION OF CITIES.
Rev. Mr.. Mott Quotes Holy Writ in
Commenting Upon Paris Disnster.

Commenting Upon Paris Disaster.
Editor The Washington Hsnld:
In your eloquent editorial in which you
personify the city Of Paris, you con-
sciously or unconsclously follow an Illus
trious precedent as witness the follow
ing passages:
o Jerusalem, thou that killed the prophets and
stanest them that are sent unto thcep> how often
would I have gathered thy children together even
as hen Eathcreth her chickens under her wing
but ye world not: behold Jour house Is left unto
yav dasl.4ty.
And ,Lou Cspsr7laura which are exalted TO heaven
shalt he uIusJ down ID hell II the mighty works
that have been done IN thoc had been done IN
Tyre and >dgn-ttey had long ago re4euted sitting
iu sacacioth and ashes r. shan he more t0lerable
tar SaiCm and Gom0rah in the day q Judgment
than for thee.
One OF the most remarkable OF all the
passages Of Holy Writ Is that which re-
fers to ancient Rome: as Mother Of Mar
lots and OF all denominations OF the earth
The personihcation Of cities: the recog-
milton in them Of a unity OF spirit. Of
character. Of social. political. and per-
sonal life, aims, habits ideals. is not only
found in the sacred writings. but is
recognized al through history and par
ticu!arly in the life Of our own beautiful
city.
When Bishop Satterlee happened once
publicly 90 suggest that the terrible dis
aster Of san Francisco was perhaps IN
the light OF Scripture teachings a vista
ton. and a warning. he was overwhelmed
with the most bitter and insulting letters
from inddels and skeptics. In the light
OF such terrible catastrophes. unparalleled
in history. as this generation has seen:
Chicago, Boston. Baltimore. San Fran
cisco. Galveston, Valparaiso. Martinique.
Jamaica, Key West, Reggie, Messina. aud
others, and last and peculiarly terrible
this visitation OF the most beautiful and
exquisite Of cities. men may well pause
and reflect. Nor IS It inconceivable that
the Calamities which have befallen these
great communities are symptomatic OF
the worlds present unrest. the terrible
greed for gain which possesses the rich
of our land, emphasized by the exposee
OF that lowest Of the low. vilest Of
the vile. tho stealing by the rich sugar
trust from the people Of the land. the
grinding cf the poor by the increased
cost Of common foodstuns. the Internal
wickedness partly disclosed In the adult
Grafton Of foods. the corrupting Of the
poor by the rich, emphasized by the ex-
posture Of political methods Of the rich
in Colorado; the possession OF a high
place in the United States Senate by the
tools and emissaTies Of the rich: these
facts, undeniable and evident. are just
as portentous as the great physical
catastrophes referred 20.
Your correspondent has reflected more
than once upon the peculiar situation Of
New York City, and one Of the recent
peculiar growth there of the skyscraper
building. 1t IS not past rational belief
that the imposition of so many millions
Of tons upon the Island OF Manhattan
may in time develop 4 fault in the earth's
crust and another great commercial en-
pOrium be devastated by a calamity such
as befell Charleston or San Francisco.
And 50 a natural cause, combined with
possible greed OF gain and Divine vista
ton Of wrath upon covetousness might
bring about a calamity unparalleled IN tho
record Of the race.
EDWARD VI. MOTT.
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