“For the Times”

Creator

Francis Ward

Date

2-19-1812

Newspaper

The Times

Newspaper Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Serial Number

553

Abstract

Long article on earthquake theory.

Transcript

FOR THE TIMES. EARTHQUAKES are produced by subterraneous fires; and these are caused by abundance of pyrites, a combination of sulphur and iron, which may be decomposed by the action of water or air, by which means the caloric, of matter of heat, being disengaged, a conflagration takes place in the bowels of the Earth, seizing all combustibles with which it comes in contact, and which contributes to its power; and struggling to escape from its confined situation swells and rumbles within, and heaves up the ground, sometimes for thousands of miles, shaking whole Continents, and threatening, and even, in various instances, producing very dreadful and extensive ruin. The wide chasm opening, hills, large tracts of land, and towns and their inhabitants, sink in; rivers and smaller streams are dried up, while other hills and lands are raised; at sea new islands rise, and old ones disappear; and rocking mountains tremble to their solid bases. This has been the case in great Earthquakes; until, bursting out with tremendous noise, louder than thunder, the awful eruption of the Volcano has been known to overflow whole villages, and even whole cities, with the melted mass of metallic and other fossil substances, in rivers of burning lava. And thus, the subterraneous fire finding vent, the terrible convulsion of the Earth abates and causes A small artificial Earthquake may be produced, by mixing sulphur and filings of iron, wetting them, and burying them in the ground. From the very nature of the thing it will appear, that although the lateral shocks of Earthquakes may be felt more sensibly, those which are perpendicular generally indicate the most danger; because the horizontal motion may be excluded much farther than the internal volcanic matter lies, but the perpendicular motion would manifest it to be working immediately under us. From the direction of the lateral shocks we may also form a pretty correct idea which way to look for the greatest agitation and the greatest destruction. The activity and power of the electric fluid, may have more influence in the production of Earthquakes, than we are aware of. This much is certain, that all metallic substances are high conductors, and the electric fluid is universally diffused. The circumstances of magnetism may assist our conjectures, if they do not furnish data for specific proofs. The load-stone is a species of true iron ore; every piece of it is possessed of an atmosphere, formed by the magnetic fluid; it is remarkable for its polarity-if fine filings of steel be strewed round it, they will be carried from the north to the south pole of the magnet; and from this it is concluded, that the fluid is in constant circulation, emitted from the north, and returned to the south magnetic pole. Also, the north pole of two magnets will display a repulsion, and the north and south poles an attraction. May not all this be the case with the Earth, emitting the magnetic fluid at the North, and taking it in at the South Pole? And may not the course of the general magnetic atmosphere, taking the stream of emission from the north poles of smaller magnets in its course, and carrying them on the south, be the reason why the north and south poles of smaller magnets are inverted? May not the phenomena of magnetism be better accounted for, by supposing the nucleus, or internal body of the Earth, to be mainly composed of iron, than by supposing mountains or mines of load-stone at the Poles? And may not the changes which take place in iron and coal mines, and those which are occasioned by the discharge of Volcanoes, and the dissolution of metallic matter thereby, better account for the variation and dip of the needle, than they can be accounted for on the other hypothesis? Let this be as it may, iron is one of the most general bodies in the world; it is diffused not only in the mineral, but also in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. These things being considered, may not electricity and magnetism both take place from one law in Creation. Iron may partake of the magnetic power by other means, besides being touched or rubbed with the load-stone; by remaining long in an upright position in the open air; by being tempered in certain ways with heat and cold; by hammering; and particularly by electricity and lightning. Coal is a composition of pyrites, bitumen, and schisters, or state; and those are the best, which have least of the latter. Vast forests would not deposit sufficient vegetable matter to form the extensive strata of this mineral, which are found in the earth: it is therefore supposed, that large quantities of marine vegetables must have contributed to their formation. From a variety of circumstances, such as great bodies of shells and other marine substances, in a concrete state, being found in high mountains far inland, we have room to suppose, that our world has formerly undergone some very great changes, by the overflow of waters. And how can we tell, but it may yet undergo a destruction by fire? If this solid Globe, which is 7954 miles in diameter, should possess a quantity of sulphur in proportion to the iron it probably contains; and if these should be combined in pyrites, all the waters of the ocean, so far from being sufficient to prevent a general conflagration, would perhaps be no more than requisite for the decomposition of the mass, by the law of chymical affinities, whereby the caloric of the world would be disengaged, and our Universe be wrapt in flames. Away with that puny Philosophy, which only traces the laws of Creation, disregarding the Almighty hand which grasps them all, and guides, and impels, and can restrain them-We are told by the Apostle St. Peter, 2d Ep. 3d chap.-"That there shall come in the last "days, scoffers, walking after their own lusts, "and saying, Where is the promise of his "coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, "all things continue as they were from the "beginning of the Creation. For this they "are willingly ignorant of, that by the word "of God the Heavens were of old, and the "Earth standing out of the water and in the "water; whereby the World that then was, "being overflowed with water, perished: But "the Heavens and the Earth which are now, "by the same word are kept in store, reserved "unto fire against the day of judgment and "perdition of ungodly men. But beloved, be "not ignorant of this one thing, that one day "is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a "thousand years as one day. The Lord is not "slack concerning his promise, as some men "count slackness, but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish; but "that all should come to repentence. But the "day of the Lord will come as a thief in the "night; in the which the Heavens shall pass "away with a great noise, and the elements "shall melt with fervent heat; the Earth, and "the works that are therein, shall be burned "up. Seeing then that all these things shall "be dissolved, what manner of persons ought "ye to be, in holy conversation and godliness?" It is cause of gladness to me, and I doubt not to thousands, that the Clergy of the city have stood forward to ask the Council for the appointment of a day, in which the people might humble themselves, and fast, and pray, before the Lord: and that our riding men show their prompitude with their compliance, His Excellency, Governor Middleton's proclimation is likeley to be more extensive in its influence; and that influence stronger, as it is clothed with the highest authority in our State. How ought all our citizens to rejoice, when such characters give their support to the cause of Virtue and Religion? This they would discover, could they appreciate the power with which the rich and the great can direct the public mind. There is a disposition in most men to imitate their superiors and when we reflect on our fallen state by Nature, we shall allow, that this disposition is more ready to discover itself in relation to their vices, than to their virtues. When those who fill the higher circles of society, are proud, and vain, and dissipated, and profligate, the examples descends through all the lower grades, and the mass of society is corrupted, calling down the judgments of God upon a guilty land. But when, from exalted stations, the holy light of Virtue shines, and the cause of God is advocated; let us hail with joy the auspicious day, when the tone of public morals is raised and strengthened, and with it the social happiness of multitudes; and those multitudes are directed to the fountain of purity and peace, the spring of everlasting life. But in vain we fast and pray, and conform to the outward rites of devotion, while the radical evil is not radically cured. Then, let the rich and the great break off their sins, by repentance, and seek salvation by faith in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the world-let all the subordinate ranks of men do the same, even down to the servants and slaves. Let us "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of "God, and he will exalt us in life times. For "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a "reproach to any people." Let a general reformation in heart and in life take place in the Citizens of the United States: then would that God, who commands all the laws of creation, and all the empires of the world, guiding our national councils by his wisdom, guarding our foreign relations by his power, crown us with great prosperity in his mercy and beneficence; "as the dew of Hermon, and "as the dew of that descended upon the mountain of Zion, where the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." FRANCIS WARD. Charleston, Feb. 18.

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