It is in God's hands, and in
God's hands we must leave it.
All we can say is, that when one comes, it is likely to be least
severe in this part of England, and most severe (like this last) in
the coal and iron districts of the west and north-west, where it is
easy to see that earthquakes were once common, by the cracks, twists
and settlements in the rocks, and the lava streams, poured out from
fiery vents (probably under water) which pierce the rocks in many
places. Beyond that we know nothing, and can only say,--It is of the
Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Why do I say these things? To frighten you? No, but to warn you.
When you say to yourselves,--Earthquakes are so uncommon and so
harmless in England that there is no need to think of them, you say
on the whole what is true. It has been, as yet, God's will that
earthquakes should be uncommon and slight in England; and therefore
we have a reasonable ground of belief that such will be His will for
the future. Certainly He does not wish us to fold our hands, and
say, there is no use in building or improving the country, if an
earthquake may come and destroy it at any moment. If there be an
evil which man can neither prevent or foresee, then, if he be a wise
man, he will go on as if that evil would never happen. We ever must
work on in hope and in faith in God's goodness, without tormenting
and weakening ourselves by fears about what may happen.
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