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Fire Loss in Mississippi

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 30, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 16.

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Fire Loss in Mississippi

By C. S. West

ON Sabbath afternoon, March 11, the Mississippi Conference building, situated at 932 Union St., Jackson, Miss., was destroyed by fire. The origin of the fire is not known, but it is evident that it began in the room where all our tent and camp meeting equipment had been stored. This building was erected a few years ago as a dwelling place for our workers, and was also used to store our tent and camp meeting equipment.
When the fire started, all the inmates of the house were at home. Henry Balsbaugh and I were living on the first floor. Brother Ben C. Marshall, the secretary and treasurer of the conference, was living above on the second floor. Before any of us were aware of the fire, the whole roof was in flames, and those who were on the second floor narrowly escaped with their lives. Everything on the second floor was destroyed. Brother and Sister Marshall lost all their furniture and personal belongings, escaping with only the clothing they had on.
The total loss, personal and to the conference, amounts to about $6,000. There was insurance on the building of $2,000, which will practically cover that loss, but there is an entire loss of at least $1,500 on our tent and camp meeting equipment. We have had an insurance on this of $500, and we hope that the insurance company will allow us the full amount. Brother Marshall's loss was entire, having no insurance; Brother Balsbaugh's loss was slight, and my loss amounted to about $360, which, however, was covered by insurance.
We do not know how to replace this loss to our conference, but hope, and have confidence in God to believe, that this seeming catastrophe will be turned into a blessing. We do not know how we can raise sufficient money to buy the tent and camp meeting equipment that will enable us to carry on our summer's work and also the camp meeting, but we have hope in God that his work will not be hindered during this summer's campaign. C. S. WEST.