Earlier text: To All Readers of the ReviewTotal Destruction of the Review and Herald Printing Plant
By L. A. S.
The following is a statement of the facts concerning the fire which destroyed the main building of the Review and Herald plant, so far as inquiry has been able to ascertain them:— The alarm was first given at 7:30 p. m., Tuesday, December 30. A number of the employees were at work in the building at the time, but no one was in a position to see how the fire originated. It is agreed by those who were first on the spot that the fire started in the basement, at a point nearly under the dynamo room, which is a part of the first brick building erected, having been originally the engine room. The first indication of disaster was the smell of smoke, and hardly was this discovered and an investigation begun, before the electric lights went out, leaving every room in darkness. Immediately following that the smoke became so dense that immediate escape from the building became imperative, and the employees who had been at work sought safety by the fire escapes, exit by the stairways and entrances having been already cut off. As was to be expected from the nature of the building and its material and contents, the fire spread from the first with almost incredible rapidity. The city fire department was promptly on the spot, and made heroic exertions to subdue the flames, but the difficulty of the task was too great. So dense was the smoke, that it was utterly impossible to get inside the building to attack the fire from within, and the13 size of the building, giving the flames a wide sweep through highly inflammable material, largely nullified the effectiveness of the streams of water directed upon it. Within half an hour from the first alarm, the whole structure was a roaring furnace, and attention was given to saving near-by buildings, which were seriously threatened by the fierce heat. Fortunately the direction of the wind was such that the flames were blown away from the west building, comprising that portion of the plant where are located the bank, the book depository, and the offices of the General Conference. This building was uninjured. A block of buildings eastward from the main structure was more seriously threatened, but the direction of the wind, which was nearly from the south, saved it from serious damage. The cause of the fire is a mystery. The very day on which it occurred the chief of the city fire department, in company with the office electrician, made a tour of inspection throughout the building, examining the wiring for the lights and other possible sources of danger, and pronounced everything in satisfactory condition; this being done with a view to a renewal of the insurance on January 1. The night watchman was on duty at the time, and only a few moments before the first alarm, had passed through that part of the building in which the fire originated. It would seem that the fire must have started and gained a strong hold upon the surrounding material in hardly more than a moment of time. The presence of the combustible material necessary to the operation of a printing office would make this possible. Only a few people were in the building when the fire broke out, and these, with one exception, made their way out with little difficulty. An employee named James Mulcahy had a narrow escape, finding his exit cut off by fire and locked doors, and being obliged to creep through the passageways on account of the dense smoke. He was rescued by help from without. The building and contents were totally destroyed. The loss is partially covered by insurance of $100,000. A meeting of the employees was called the next morning at nine o'clock, at which the situation was considered, with particular reference to the effect of the calamity upon those who were dependent on their weekly wages for support. The assurance was given by the management that no one of the employees would be permitted to suffer for the necessaries of life; and plans were suggested by which it was believed employment could be furnished to all. Some will go out to scatter our publications, and some will be employed by the Sanitarium, and some may connect with our publishing houses elsewhere. All face the situation calmly, courageously, hopefully, confident that victory will yet come out of seeming defeat, and the scripture will again be proved true, that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Other publishing houses of the city kindly offered assistance through the use of their facilities, and many telegrams of sympathy were received from firms with which the Office has sustained business relations. It is too early at this date to attempt any statements with reference to the question of rebuilding. L. A. S. Tokio.—On Monday, November 24, two sisters were baptized, one a physician. A young man has recently decided to keep the Sabbath, and has resigned his position as clerk in the police department, and another man has been secured to take his place. This brother expects to engage in the canvassing work. He now desires baptism. There are several others who we expect will soon decide to obey the Lord. We are truly encouraged with the prospect that our people at home are realizing more and more the needs of the great work beyond the home field. We would assure them that we are of good courage, and that the work is steadily progressing in Japan. England
By H. R. Salisbury
London.—Eight of the company who came over from America two weeks ago have entered the school. Seventeen in all have now joined our school from America. Of this number, when school closes, three will go to Spain, two to Africa, one at least to India, one to Italy, and one or two to France, the others planning to make Great Britain or the colonies their field of labor. The enrollment of the school has reached seventy-one, and we are therefore very much pressed for proper rooms in which to carry on our work. We have added Spanish to our other classes, and have been fortunate in getting a teacher who is a native, and with many years' experience as an instructor in the Spanish language. The students are planning to take eight thousand of the Christmas number of Good Health, and the same number of Present Truth to sell during the holidays. H. R. Salisbury. III—Plagues of Murrain, Boils, and Hail
The Lord told Moses to go again to Pharaoh with the same message,—“Let my people go, that they may serve me.” The plague that was threatened this time would come upon the favored gods of the Egyptians. They had the sacred bull, and ram, and heifer, and goat, and many others. You have heard of their sacred bulls, and will remember that when the Israelites fell into idolatry in the wilderness, they made a god in the form of a calf—a golden calf. Both the sacred animals and the beasts of burden were destroyed by this plague. In this God showed them the folly of their idolatrous worship. “All the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the14 children of Israel died not one.” This had been foretold, and Pharaoh sent messengers into the land of Goshen to learn if it was true. Still he hardened his heart. The Egyptians sometimes offered human sacrifices to the god of evil, whom they called Typhon. The victims were burned alive, and then the ashes were thrown up into the air by the priests, who supposed that evil would be kept away from every place to which the ashes were carried by the wind. God told Moses to take some of the ashes from the furnace, and cast it into the air, and the dust would be carried all over the land of Egypt, and make boils and blains upon all the people. No doubt the priests had used this means to try to protect themselves from the plagues; but now this in itself became another plague, and brought trouble instead of help. So again they were shown that there is no God but the God of Israel. But the heart of Pharaoh grew harder. A plague of hail was next threatened, and this time opportunity was given for those who feared the Lord among Pharaoh’s servants to gather in their cattle, while those who despised his warning left theirs in the field. Rain seldom fell in Egypt, and such a storm as was foretold had never before been witnessed. The Egyptians supposed that the sun and the moon, their chief gods, had control of the elements. But when the storm came as Moses had predicted,—thunder and hail and fire mingled with the hail, “such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation,”—it was demonstrated to the Egyptians that the elements were under the control of the living God, and their only safety was in obedience to him. Desolation reigned everywhere but in the land of Goshen. Here the storm had not fallen. Pharaoh hastily called for Moses and Aaron, and for the first time said, “I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” He urged Moses to entreat the Lord for him, saying that he would let the people go; they should stay no longer. Moses knew that Pharaoh would not do this, but that his promises were the result of the terror which he had suffered from the plagues. But in order to give him another opportunity, he told the king that the storm should cease, that he might know that the earth was the Lord’s. As soon as the storm abated, Pharaoh sinned yet more, and his servants also, for he would not let the children of Israel go, just as Moses had said. It was easier for Pharaoh to refuse obedience now than at first. When one has once yielded to temptation, he will yield more readily the second time. “Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance, blinds his eyes, and stifles conviction.” “To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 4: 7) is the admonition of the Lord. To-day is the day of salvation. 1. What request were Moses and Aaron to make of Pharaoh? What plague was threatened if he refused? 2. What evidence have we that Pharaoh gave some thought to what Moses said about the cattle in the land of Goshen? 3. What was the significance of this plague? How did it affect Pharaoh? 4. What came next? How did Moses bring the plague of lice? 5. What was the custom of the Egyptians in regard to the ashes of the furnace? For what was this furnace used? 6. Describe the next plague. Why was this a strange thing in Egypt? 7. How do we know that some of the Egyptians had been led to believe in God because of the plagues? 8. Who were exempt from the storm? How severe was it? What was the result of the storm? 9. How did it affect Pharaoh? Did Moses believe his promises? 10. What did Pharaoh do as soon as the storm abated? 11. What practical lessons can you draw from the course of Pharaoh? When only are we safe from evil? III — God's Care for His Creatures
1. What is said of the works of Jehovah? 2. With what is the earth filled? What else does the psalmist say is filled with the riches of Jehovah? 3. What is found in the sea? What things does he mention? 4. How does the sea serve the purposes of commerce? 5. What sea-monster sports in the water? 6. What is the attitude of all these creatures toward their Creator? What do they expect from him? 7. What part does God act in the matter? What part do these living creatures act? 8. How fully does God supply the needs of these creatures? Verse 28. Mention an experience of the children of Israel which illustrates this text. 10. Should our attitude toward our Creator in this respect be different than that of the other creatures which he has made? Matt. 6: 25, 26. 11. What more is required of us than of these? Matt. 6: 33. 12. What is the condition of God's creatures when he hides his face? 13. What causes their death? Is this true of man? Eccl. 3: 19. 15. How enduring is the glory of Jehovah? How much power is there in his look? 16. How was this illustrated during the wanderings of the children of Israel? 17. How much power is there in his touch? What illustration of this power is found in Luke 8: 43-48. 18. What vow does the psalmist make? What pleasure does he find in thinking on God? 19. What experience awaits the wicked? 20. With what words of praise does the psalm close? To what time does his mind especially seem to be drawn? 21. What will bring this same experience into every heart. IV — An Exhortation to Make Known the Wondrous Works of God
1. With what exhortation does this psalm open? 2. What are God's people urged to make known? 3. How are his praises to be expressed? 4. What is to be the subject of conversation? 5. In whom alone should glorying be done? Verse 3; Gal. 6: 14. 6. What will be the experience of those who seek Jehovah? 7. For what should Jehovah be sought? 8. What is the exhortation concerning the works of Jehovah? 9. What memorial has God given of his wonderful works? 10. Who is especially called upon to remember Jehovah? 11. How many are included in his exhortation? Gal. 3: 29. 12. What relation is declared between us and God? 13. Where are his judgments to be found? 14. How does God regard his covenant? 15. With whom was it first made? Where is this recorded? Under what circumstances did he make this covenant? 16. With whom was the covenant renewed? 17. Where do we find the record of this covenant with Jacob? 18. What promise did this covenant embrace? 19. What was their condition when this covenant was made? 20. What experience did Israel have even after this covenant had been made with them? IV — Locusts and Darkness
The plague of thunder and hail had led Pharaoh to confess that he had been sinning, and that God was righteous. But when the Lord showed mercy, it hardened his heart again. God was working these signs and wonders in Egypt to let the people know that he was the living God, able to save and deliver his people from the bondage of sin. These signs of his power were to be remembered, and told by parents to their children in all after time. Again Moses and Aaron were sent to warn the king that if he still refused to humble himself before God, a plague of locusts would come upon the land. At this Pharaoh's servants besought him to let the people go. Then the king tried to escape the judgments of God by following the Lord's command in part, and having his own way in part, just as many now try to do. He said he would let the men go, but not the women and children. Because Moses and Aaron would not say that this was right, they were driven from his presence. Then Moses stretched forth his rod at the command of God, and an east wind sprang up. In the morning the wind brought clouds of locusts. They rested down upon all the land, and ate every green thing that the hail-storm had left. The Egyptians had a god called Serapis, who was supposed to protect the country from locusts. Thus again the people were shown the folly of trusting in false gods and defying the living God. Pharaoh confessed his sin again, and begged Moses to ask God to forgive him just once more. The Lord heard the prayer, and in his mercy sent a west wind, which swept the locusts into the sea. But Pharaoh had not given his heart to God. He forgot his promise, and his heart was hardened. When God's mercy and goodness lead men to sin against him the more, it is a sad case indeed. Now the Lord told Moses to stretch forth his hand toward heaven, and as he did so, darkness came down upon the land. It was so thick that men could not go about their work. The chief gods of the Egyptians, as of all other heathen nations, were the sun and moon, which they worshipped under the names of Isis and Osiris. They were supposed to rule the light and the elements, to give good or bad weather; and the plagues of hail and darkness were especially against them. For three days and nights the sun and moon were hidden from the Egyptians by a veil of thick darkness. But the Israelites had light in their dwellings, because the true Sun of righteousness, whose glory is but dimly reflected in the sun and moon, was with them. Pharaoh now called Moses and proposed to let the people go, but not their flocks and herds. Moses told him that the cattle must also go, not a hoof was to remain behind. When the king saw that the people intended to escape his power, he sent Moses away, and threatened him with death if he came before him again. Now he had filled the measure of wickedness. Moses had no more messages of mercy for him. One more plague remained to be visited upon the land, and God's people would be delivered. 1. What confession did Pharaoh make after the seventh plague? What effect did God's mercy have upon him? 2. Why did God work with signs and wonders? To whom did he wish the story told? 3. What was the eighth plague? What did some of the Egyptians say when it was threatened? What did Pharaoh think to do? How did he treat Moses and Aaron? 4. How were the locusts brought upon the land? What did they do? How did this plague rebuke the false worship of Egypt? 5. What did Pharaoh now do? How was his prayer answered? Was his heart humbled? 6. What was the ninth plague? How was it brought upon the land? How long did it last? Were all the houses in Egypt in darkness? What were the chief gods of Egypt? 7. What next did Pharaoh suggest to Moses? What threat did he make? What did Moses say? In 1785 Dr. Coke gave a tract to a family in Virginia. The family numbered fourteen, and that tract was the instrumentality used in the conversion of the whole family. A tract distributor, passing through a sparsely settled country district in Canada, gave away many tracts. One of them, entitled “Repent or Perish,” was found floating in the Frazer River. A man saw it, took it out, dried it, read it, and by it was converted to God. A preacher invited a man to attend meeting. The man refused, but he consented to take a tract. A few weeks afterward that same man stood up in meeting and confessed that that tract had led him to Jesus. During the American Rebellion a chaplain was passing through a hospital, and he left in an empty bed a tract which was a copy of the hymn, “Will You Go?” The soldier came to his bed, picked it up, read the title, and dropped it. A second time he picked it up and read,— “We are traveling home to the heaven above;
Will you go?”
He then threw it down again. Soon afterward he picked it up, and read it through. Then, after deliberating over the matter in his quiet hours, he finally wrote on it, “By the grace of God I will go,” and signed his name. Some months later he was killed in battle in Virginia, but he was saved by the tract. It is often the case that a man who will not enter a church or listen to the preaching of the gospel, will read, when alone, a tract or a paper, which may be more effectual for his salvation than a sermon. There are many cases where a tract has been the instrumentality which has restored from despair a precious soul. Passing through Switzerland, a tract distributor presented a tract to a man in a town notorious for gambling. On his return some days later, he met the man, who exclaimed, “I thank you for saving my soul and body.” He then explained that on that day when he received the tract, he had lost heavily in gambling, and was contemplating suicide, but the tract arrested his attention, and led him to Christ. Instances of this sort could be multiplied, for these little printed missives have been known to prevent crimes, to save lives, to heal the broken-hearted, and to bring discouraged, disheartened, and despairing ones to Jesus. We never know, nor can we realize, the good we are doing in distributing tracts. Our Swedish Paper
By A. Swedberg
In the recent calamity that has befallen the Review and Herald Publishing House, we were fortunate enough to save the subscription list of our Swedish paper, Sions Vaktare; but everything else, including our files, quite a valuable library, and the business letters received during three days previous to the fire, were lost. As soon as the necessary arrangements can be made, the work of publishing our Swedish paper will be resumed in as complete a manner as circumstances will permit. We trust all who have been readers of this paper, or who are interested in the Swedish work, will remember this branch of the cause, for now more than ever we need aid and co-operation to get a new start. Silent Messengers
By Editor
Our Books, Tracts and Periodicals E. R. PALMER :: :: :: Editor Saved from Drifting
By A. E. Bates
If on the surging stream of life,
No treacherous shoal nor rock,
No boisterous waves nor stormy tide,
Disturbed our fragile bark,
I fear we then would slumber on,
And drift upon the shore;
And thus in drifting from our God,
Be lost forevermore. But God permits upon the stream
A wave of trouble dark,
To threaten, though not overcome,
Our helpless, feeble bark;
If then we'll turn our faces up,
And say, “Teach us thy will,”
He’ll stay the raging of the wave
In saying, “Peace, be still.” Institutes for Canvassers
By J. B. Blosser
In the Lake Union Conference: — West Michigan, Grand Rapids, Jan. 13-22. Indiana, Jan. 29 to Feb. 15. Wisconsin, Feb. 12 to March 1. Northern Illinois, beginning March 1. Southern Illinois, March 5-22. Ohio, March 5-22. Northern Michigan, Soon after General Conference. J. B. Blosser, General Agent. Training Canvassers for Missionary Work
Our union conference general agents, and many State agents report that their work is constantly developing on a stronger missionary basis. May the Lord greatly bless our canvassers, and make them true missionaries during the year 1903. The Lake Union Conference general agent writes that an important part of the instruction in each institute will be practical canvassing work under the direction of the instructors; and he further states that all the new canvassers will go into the field with experienced workers, who will be able to give them the help they need in beginning. This is good; and if all our new workers are thus properly instructed and looked after, our efforts will show better results. Our German Papers
By Editor
As the latest subscription lists of the German papers, the Hausfreund and the Arbeiter, which were in the safe, were not burned, though a little scorched, a small paper in that language will be issued at once, explaining the situation, and setting forth plans for the future. We shall not waste time in mourning, but go to work at once, full of confidence and courage, that our work will not be retarded, but be hastened more than ever. We would ask those of our subscribers who have within the last week of the old year sent in new subscriptions, renewals, or change of address, for either of the two German papers, to repeat their orders. (All State papers are requested to copy.) Editor of Christlicher Hausfreund. Special Notice!
By C. A. Thorp
In the big fire that destroyed the Review and Herald building the 30th of December, the latest revised subscription list of our Danish-Norwegian paper, the Evangeliets Sendebud, was burned, but fortunately we had an old list in the safe, that was found intact, and that will be a great help to us in restoring the list complete. To accomplish this, we earnestly ask assistance from all the Review readers who are also readers of the Sendebud. Will every one do his best to make known the embarrassing circumstances in which we are placed, and have as many as possible of our subscribers send us their names and addresses promptly, stating the time the subscriptions expire. The date of the next issue of the Sendebud cannot be definitely given now, but it will be out as soon as circumstances permit. We know that we shall have your sympathy and help in this great calamity. We are of good courage, trusting in the Lord. Address all communications to Evangeliets Sendebud, Battle Creek, Mich. Editor of Evangeliets Sendebud. Books and Records Preserved
The safes in the business office were opened on Friday, and the contents were found in good condition, although they showed the evidences of the intense heat to which the safes had been subjected. The vaults containing a large stock of cuts and plates had not been opened up to the time of going to press. Review Subscriptions Begin With This Number
By Editor
All new subscriptions to the Review must begin with this number. On account of the fire, we shall be unable to furnish back numbers. Missionary Workers Return and Depart
Brother C. B. Hughes and his family have returned to America after a stay of over five years in Australia. During this time Brother and Sister Hughes have been connected with the Avondale School for the Training of Christian Workers. They will take up school work again in this country as soon as arrangements can be made. On their way from Vancouver to Battle Creek they made a short call upon the teachers and students of Walla Walla College. Brother W. A. Spicer, the secretary of the Mission Board, left Battle Creek, Tuesday evening, December 30, the evening of the fire, for New York City, expecting to sail on the following Thursday for the West Indies. He was planning to hold a general meeting in Jamaica and also in Trinidad, and it is probable that a conference will be organized in each place. Brother Spicer will also visit British Guiana. This trip will occupy the larger part of the time between this and the General Conference. We hope it will bring encouragement and blessing to the workers in these fields. To Correspondents and Contributors
By Editor
All articles and reports which have been sent in for the Review and have not appeared in print were destroyed in the fire. The same is true of all unanswered letters. It will therefore be necessary for correspondents and contributors to duplicate their unanswered letters and unused articles, before we can deal with them.