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THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

storms, and have thought to seize the forceswhich belong to the Almighty; but the resulthas been death—death unforseen, unexpected,appalling, heartrending. Men have found byhard experience that it is dangerous to lav holdot these grand elements of nature. Until theyhave become more reverent, conscientious, God-fearing and unselfish, they are not fit to enter thedangerous precincts where the Almighty dwells.In some way, even if knowledge is attained, thesin and selfishness of men will bring the light-nings and the fire out of the mountain, and menshall surely die.

The great forces of nature have a sacrednessabout them, and the laws of the universe an in-violability, which will admit of no wantonness orcareless handling for selfish ends. But until asense of accountability to God prevails, the safetyot property and of human life cannot be secured.No coroner’s jury, no legislative committee, nocongressional enactment, will make men realizehow sa-red are many of these responsibilitiesof life. The haste to get rich and the de-sire to make men serve the purpose of money-