Births  Marriages  Deaths  &c. &c.

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1845 continued

Two families whose houses were adjacent to the ravine removed their household goods, fearing the foundation of their dwellings might become undermined, and overwhelm them in the wind[?] but in a few hours the stream ceased to flow and confidence was in a measure restored.

We had now time to turn our attention to other parts of the Island. At Bounty Bay a great quantity of earth had been washed away, a yam ground containing a thousand yams totally disappeared, several fishing boats destroyed, the Bounty's guns washed to the edge of the surf and large pieces of rocks so incumbered the harbour that if a ship should come it is doubtful, if a passage could be found for her boats to pass through. In the interior all the plantain patches are levelled, about four thousand plantain trees are destroyed, one half in full bearing, the other half designed for the coming year, so that this very valuable article of food we shall be without for a long time to come. The fact is from this date untill August we shall be pinched for food, but 'God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.'

I humbly trust the late monitions of providence viz. Drought Sickness and Storm which severally have been inflicted upon us this year may be sanctified to us, and be the means of bringing us one and all, into a closer communication with our God. May we remember the rod and who hath applied it, may we flee to the cross of Christ for safety and for succour in every time of need always bearing in mind our heavenly Father doth not willingly afflict