Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/197

 ALONG THE SOUHEGAN. 171

In seventeen hundred seventy-three,

September, seventh day. In Wilton did Almighty God,

His anger there display.

A very great collection met,

The meeting-houso to raise. Wherein to speak God's Holy Word,

Also to sing his praise.

God did their labor prosper in

Erecting of the frame. Until it was almost complete,

And joyful they became.

They thought the worst was past and gone,

Aiad they were bold and brave ; Poor souls they did but little think.

They were so near the grave.

All of a sudden broke a beam

And let down fifty-three ; Full twentj^-seven feet they fell

A shocking sight to see.

Much timber with tliese men did fall

And edged tools likewise ; All iti a heap together laj-,

With groaues and bitter cries.

Some lay fast bleeding on the ground.

All bathed in crimson gore, Crying to Jesus, strong to save,

His mercy to implore.

Some la}'^ with broken shoulder bones

And some with broken arms; Others la}^ senseless on the ground

With divers other harms.

One in an instant then did pass

Through deaths dark shadowy way. Who now is in the realms of woe,

Or in Eternal day.

Two more in a few minutes space ^- Did bid this world adieu, Who are forsaken of their God Or with his chosen few.

��The remainder of this poem was not preserved, though it is probable that it went on to describe the sufferings of the wounded and mangled. After many mishaps the church vvas finally completed near the end of the year 1774, and dedicated the next January, when Mr. Livermore preached a sermon from the text: "But who am I and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort." In July, 1804, the house was struck with lightning, and the middle part at the end rent from top to bottom. In former days, before people had become so delicate and luxurious as now, there

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