THE COLLIER'S TALE: A True History.
BYJAMES BRIDGES, ESQ.
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him." —NAHUM, i. 7.
NEW YORK:
ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS,
No. 285 BROADWAY.
1853.Preface.
MR. LEGH RICHMOND'S Tract of "The Collier Boy and his Candle-box," contains an account of the destruction of seventy-five persons in the Heaton Main Colliery, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the 3d of May, 1815. Of these sufferers, a portion remained alive for a time after the occurrence of the accident. But of their experiences during that interval, no record remains save the Candle-box of William Thew, on which were found scratched these interesting words: "Fret not dear Mother For we were singing while we had time and praising God Mother Folow God more than ever i did."
"It is probable, however," adds Mr. Richmond, in speculating upon the occupations of these imprisoned souls, "that the pious men would employ their time in exhorting those who were irreligious, to repentance and faith in Christ."
What in that instance was considered probable, we shall find in the event here related to have actually occurred; for here the sufferers, after thirty-six hours' burial in the bowels of the earth, were delivered from that death of which they had been, during this long page: iv-v[View Page iv-v] period, in continual expectation, and their actual experiences are accurately known and set down. Peter Hay, one of their own number, and the leader of their religious exercises, has given an account of them, which is verified by all the rest. He still lives in the village of Millerhill, where he is now an elder of the Kirk; and it is interesting to add, that, by the choice of the people, he has recently been set apart as Catechist of that village and the adjoining ones of Adams' Row and Old and New Craighall, the residences of the colliers in the employment of Sir John Hope, of Pinkie, Bart., M.P.
Should this record of his subterraneous teachings prove useful to any one suffering under affliction, or exposed to danger, the Collier will be recompensed for his hardships, and the Editor for his trouble.
