A STORM IN CHURCH TIME.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 99, 23 November 1868, Page 282

A STORM IN CHURCH TIME.

Illinois papers have accounts of great devastation, with loss, of life, occasioned by a recent storm. In Chicago darkness fell upon the city with such mysterious swiftness as to cause indescribable awe; and the mist and startling chillness led the people to infer that a tornado was whirling over the city.. In other parts, of the State ii descended and proved very destructive; At Shanghas service was proceedings the Second Advent Church,. a new building completed last autumn. The Rev. G. W. Hurd ascended the pulpit, and his discourse was not interrupted until it was nearly through, when it was brought to a stand by the evidence of the coming disaster. First it was perfectly still, and then a noise was heard in the distance as of the roaring of a mighty cataract. The windows began to shake, and some one called out from his seat, —“ Mr Hurt!, a bad storm is coming up.” The minister answered, “Never mind the storm; there is a day coming when there will be- a storm compared with which this will be nothing. 1 will be through soon. Just then the hail and . wind commenced breaking in the window lights, and in almost an instant the windows of the church, sash aDd all, were torn out. The only two persons who succeeded in getting out were' George Vern and Harrison Wixer, who were instantly killed. The building reeled like a drunken man, but none could get out. Wives clung to their husbands, children to their parents, brothers and sisters’ to each other, and despair was depicted upon evety countenance. -• Suddenly the crash came, - and.-: with :a . deafening sound, mingled- with the shrieks of the pent-up "people, timber; scantling and all, came down with a sudden crash upon the devoted heads of the congregation—men, women, and children. Some had : their skulls broken, = others arms, others, receiving injuries from 1 which they can never recover.. Nearly all .were more., or;less injured. - ;