Another Calamity-Its Lesson by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

Another Calamity—Its Lesson

By F. G.

It is undoubtedly known to all who will read this, that Union College, at College View, Neb., recently suffered from a twenty-five-thousand-dollar fire. The cause of this fire, resulting in the loss of the college power-house, which contained a boiler room, laundry, printing plant, bakery, blacksmith shop, and carpenter shop, is not known.

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to this institution in this great affliction. Prosperity has been attending this school in a marked degree for the last two or three years. There has been a material reduction of its debt. The attendance at the school has been increasing, and the work which it has been doing seems to have been in every way most commendable. It is, perhaps, impossible to point out those lessons which are to be learned from this and similar calamities. However, these disasters must be permitted that we may be taught lessons of value. The lesson to be learned from this calamity is not one that is confined to Union College. The work is one, and the lesson applies to all.

If our institutions of learning which are established for the purpose of preparing men and women to take an intelligent and strong part in the closing conflict between right and wrong are doing well their work, they must of necessity be the especial attack of the evil one. We have no defense in ourselves against his malicious power. Our sole help is in the protection of the Lord, in whose cause we fight. He alone can protect us and our work. But we often fail to look to him as constantly and earnestly as we ought, for this most necessary care. Here certainly is a lesson which we all should learn. Union College has been blessed this fall with not only a remarkable attendance, but with

a most marvelous revival period. This in itself would naturally arouse the anger of the enemy of souls. Without doubt many thousands of prayers have been ascending from parents and from all who are deeply interested in the school, for the salvation of the unconverted. But the query naturally arises as to whether there have also been the same earnest prayers offered for God's protection of the school itself against the attacks of Satan.

The Lord has set his hand to finish his work. Our schools are full, and the Spirit of the Lord is at work. All our people must remember that Satan is now coming down in great wrath, and, as never before, must we flee to our great Tower of Strength. F. G.