An Alarm of Fire by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 8, 1907

An Alarm of Fire

By J. S. Washburn

J. S. WASHBURN

An alarm is to be sounded, an alarm of fire. The Lord has said, “Sound an alarm before the great day cometh, whose fire shall consume the world and them that dwell therein.” I doubt not that every reader who lives in cities has heard an alarm of fire. There is a call to the rescue, a quick ringing of bells whose rapid clang speaks of terror, of danger to life and to all that is valuable.

There is a sound of quick and heavy hoof beats on the street, and rushing wheels, a thrilling sight,—the fire company to the rescue! Great, powerful horses, whose energies have been saved for this occasion, are straining every nerve and muscle in the wild joy of a sudden call to that purpose for which they live and have been trained. See them with distended nostrils, with heads close to the ground, rush at utmost speed, with hot, quick breath, straining at the heavy weight behind them—engine, ladders, and the silent firemen clinging to the engine. What a soul-stirring spectacle is the rushing of a fire company to the rescue!

Have you seen them arrive on the scene of action? The silent men, who have clung to the rushing engine, waiting their opportunity, spring to the ground, and with wondrous speed is everything adjusted, and in an instant men are climbing the ladders to rescue, or are pouring upon the flames the powerful extinguishing element. Brave men risk their lives. There are children in danger of an awful death. See them climb to the dizzy heights against the tottering walls, rush into the windows and doors from which the smoke and flame is even now pouring.

What a sight to thrill, to arouse to action, him whose blood is stagnant, whose mind is befogged, and who has not earnestness or zeal in the Lord’s work! Seventh-day Adventists are the world’s fire company, and should be intensely in earnest, swift in their work, and yet so cool and calm that no effort may be wasted, as are the noble horses and the noble men who rush to save from temporal loss by the element of fire.

Destruction is impending. The forerunners have come in the awful ruin of cities, in the terrible fires, in the awful disasters. Have not many already gone unwarned, unready? O how earnestly should we rush to the rescue of those in danger of eternal fire, above whom is impending a ruin that is eternal! The very sight of such earnestness sends a thrill to the heart of every one who sees the rescuers from a temporal fire rushing to help and to save. How much more would an impression be made upon all mankind, were they to see in us the same spirit of earnestness in this infinitely greater work. Brother, sister, are you awake? Do you hear the alarm? Are you really one of the company who are to pull men out of the fire, pluck them as brands from the burning? Your own husband, perhaps, your wife, your children, your neighbors, are in danger, and you asleep!

Nashville, Tenn.