Pandemic

1849 cholera prevention poster by NYC Sanatory Committee, under sanction of the Medical Counsel, Source New York Historical Society (PD)

In the course of human history, hundreds of millions have died of widespread infectious diseases.

In the mid-1300s, the bubonic plague or “Black Death” killed 20 million.  In the 1600s, smallpox wiped out an estimated 70% of the Native America population [1].  In 1918, influenza a/k/a the Spanish flu killed 50 million worldwide [2].

Yellow fever, typhus, typhoid, malaria, measles, and HIV have all taken their toll [3A].

During the 19th Century, the scourge of cholera, a water-borne illness, swept the globe [3B].  Two pandemics occurred in the United States in 1832 and 1849 [4].

• 5000 died in New York City.
• 3500 died in Chicago.
• 8000 died in Cincinnati.
• 3000 died in New Orleans.
• 12,000 died on their way to the California Gold Rush.

In total, an estimated 150,000 American died of cholera.

On July 3, 1849, President Zachary Taylor proclaimed a National Day of Fasting:

“At a season when the providence of God has manifested itself in the visitation of a fearful pestilence which is spreading itself throughout the land, it is fitting that a people whose reliance has ever been in His protection should humble themselves before His throne, and, while acknowledging past transgressions, ask a continuance of the Divine mercy.

It is therefore earnestly recommended that the first Friday in August be observed throughout the United States as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer…

It is recommended to persons of all religious denominations to abstain as far as practical from secular occupations and to assemble in their respective places of public worship, to acknowledge the Infinite Goodness which has watched over our existence as a nation, and so long crowned us with manifold blessings, and to implore the Almighty in His own good time to stay the destroying hand which is now lifted up against us.”

While drastic measures are being taken to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is difficult to imagine such a proclamation being issued today.  Yet we are still in God’s care.  Ultimately, He will determine our fate.

^“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7; 14).

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[1]  Healthline, “The Worst Outbreaks in US History”, https://www.healthline.com/health/worst-disease-outbreaks-history#1.

[2]  Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “1918 Pandemic (H1N1 virus)”, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html.

[3]  TCT Network, “Faith in History” c/o William Federer.  See, https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Cholera-Epidemic-President–recommended-a-Day-of-Fasting–Humiliation—Prayer—Zachary-Taylor.html?soid=1108762609255&aid=gbBTPNChobQ.

[4]  Wikipedia, “Cholera outbreaks and pandemics”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholera_outbreaks_and_pandemics.

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