Prof. H. R. Salisbury by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 20, 1916

Prof. H. R. Salisbury

By Editor

WE are deeply pained to be obliged to admit that all the information we have been able to glean thus far points to the fact that Prof. H. R. Salisbury was drowned in the Mediterranean with the sinking of the “Persia.” We had hoped against hope either that at the last moment he took passage from England to India on another boat, or that if he was on the “Persia” when it went down he was among some of the survivors who were late in reaching some port from which he could cable of his whereabouts and safety. But with the passing of the days these faint glimmerings of hope have been dissipated, and we are forced now to conclude that our dear brother was lost with the sinking of the steamship. This conclusion is confirmed by the cable which reached the General Conference office last week from Elder J. S. James of India. This gave the simple message: “Salisbury officially reported drowned.” We do not know whether the report was from the government or from the steamship company.

It was Brother Salisbury’s purpose on leaving America to take a Dutch vessel. Newspaper reports state that arrangements had been made to convoy by cruisers and submarine destroyers the “Persia” as far as the Suez. It is probable that Brother Salisbury felt that these precautions would guarantee safe passage on the British liner. It was his great desire to return to his field in order that he might visit a number of the mission stations before the cool season was over, that led him to take the hazard of going by the East instead of waiting for several weeks to secure passage across the Pacific.

This blow will fall with crushing weight upon our dear Sister Salisbury. She herself, as the result of very arduous study in learning the language and preparing herself for the work, is far from well. She needs our prayers that God will sustain her by his comforting grace.

The question of some one to take Brother Salisbury’s place in the India mission field is being considered, and it is hoped that in view of the great needs of that field an early selection will be made.

A suitable sketch of Brother Salisbury’s life will be given later; also any further information with reference to his untimely death. Suffice it to say here that in his death there has passed away an efficient laborer, a devoted, sincere Christian, a true and loyal man. His loss will be felt, not alone by his relatives and friends, but by the church of God throughout the world. We can only say in this experience that God knows best. Our times are in his hands. If we cannot fathom his unsearchable wisdom, we can trust his infinite love. God buries his workmen, but his work still lives, because in it is his own enduring life.