Loss of our Meeting House.
By Stephen E. Sutherland
THINKING the brethren might wish to learn more of the particulars of the burning of our house of worship I send the following statement: On the morning of July 21, between the hours of 1 and 3 o'clock, A. M., the Seventh-Day Advent meeting-house in Ithaca was burned to the ground. Had there been conveniences at hand when the fire was discovered, the house might have been saved; but before a ladder could be got, and a sufficient number of persons to combat it, the fire had made such progress that it could not be extinguished. This house was built in 1865, soon after the organization of the church, being the first meeting-house of any kind in the county. It cost about $2000, and was insured in the Hartford Insurance Co., for $1300. The situation of the house, and location of the fire when discovered, leaves no doubt in the mind of the public, that it was the work of an incendiary. The church had scarcely recovered from their burden of building, when they were deprived of the house of worship. But the citizens of the place kindly opened the school-house for us, for which we feel grateful to them, and thankful to God that we have a place in which to worship. We should be glad if we could have a visit from some of the messengers in this time of affliction. STEPHEN E. SUTHERLAND.
Ithaca, Gratiot Co., Mich.