The Cape Anne Earthquake happened in 1755, and it was fuel to the many preachers of the time. Here’s a link if you’d like to know more.
Cape Anne Earthquake
Strong Puritan measures,
judgments against
frivolity and paganism,
snaked into each household
and held on tightly to what was
regarded as God’s law—
until the earth could
no longer uphold this structure.
Earth unlaced her corset strings,
untied her boots,
and began to dance,
unheeding everything aside for
the need to break restrictions.
Earth rumbled awake,
danced down chimneys
and churches to the last steeple.
Trees swayed to the percussion.
Deep in their woody bones they pulled
back their roots from searing heat
and tossed their leaves
in the scorching winds.
The worshippers held on
or they fell,
flabbergasted,
frightened.
Who has never sinned?
Who has never danced?
Elaine Reardon 