p. 6 | A Fire and a Voice by H. W. Cottrell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 16, 1906

A Fire and a Voice

By H. W. Cottrell

ON the night of the 20th ult., about eleven o’clock, a fire broke out in the building of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, located at Mountain View, Cal. Soon the entire plant was enveloped in a solid flame. A desperate fight was made by the fire company to extinguish the flames, but, with poor water facilities, it was to no effect. The entire plant—including every machine, all office equipments (except a few typewriters and two desks), and the large library of choice reference books (the fruit of years of ingathering)—was, from every outward appearance, entirely destroyed, and lies in ruins as complete as does the burned district of San Francisco, the Western metropolis, where the scenes remind one of the ruins of ancient Babylon as given in Biblical history.

The Pacific Press was the largest and best-equipped publishing house west of the Missouri River.

The cause of the fire is not known. There may have been an explosion of chemicals in the photo-engraving department. It may have been the work of an incendiary. Perhaps the real cause will never be known, as there is nothing left to tell the story.

We do not understand why the Lord permitted this great disaster to come to us, but we bow at his feet in humble submission, with the blessed assurance in our souls that he will turn this great loss, as he does every calamity that comes to his work or his people, to his own glory and to the more rapid advancement of his work.

Ever since the earthquake, we have had more denominational work than we were able to handle, notwithstanding the fact that much of the machinery was kept in operation both day and night.

Our loss exceeds two hundred thousand dollars. There was one hundred thousand dollars insurance on the property, and there certainly is no reason why this should not be secured by the company. But, even then, we shall be very heavy losers.

In the days of Elijah there was a great and strong wind; “but the Lord was not in the wind.” Then there was an earthquake; “but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” That voice was the voice of God to Elijah, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”

Our Pacific Coast publishing plant suffered severely from the earthquake, and went down as already stated, in the fire. But “an enemy hath done this.” History has repeated itself. The Lord is doubtless testing his people. He is evidently speaking by the “still small voice” to each soul, and we are anxious to know his will.

It is sad to see our plant in ruins. We are cast down, but not discouraged. A great and noble work lies at our doors; for the Lord has entrusted to us the third angel’s message to bear to all people, and the printed page containing the message should and must be scattered as the leaves of autumn.

Institutions may burn; men connected with the denominational work may die, or may deny the faith; but the truth of God can not fail, nor can it deny itself. In the very near future it will triumph gloriously. In view of the responsibilities resting upon us, we must arise and move forward.

The trustees have arranged to have The Signs of the Times, Our Little Friend, and the Pacific Union Recorder printed at San Jose, a near-by city, for two or three issues, until we are re-established in temporary quarters, which are already being constructed. Invitation has been given the Review and Herald Office to handle the book, “Great Controversy,” until we are in permanent quarters; while the printing and binding of an edition of “Heralds of the Morning” will be arranged for, most likely, in Kansas City. These books are having a very large sale on the Pacific Coast.

We have had personal conversation with each employee, and, in all cases where necessary, have provided for their support until such time as our plant is again regularly installed and in operation. A large number have been secured work in near-by offices, to return to us at call. Our employees, almost to a man, are loyal, faithful men and women. They are willing to go anywhere, or do anything they are able to do. There is no complaining over their lot, or fault-finding because of conditions.

In counsel with other leading brethren, the Board decided to rebuild, on certain conditions. If the city will give the proper encouragement by way of fire protection and monetary consideration; and, further, provided the spirit of prophecy does not direct otherwise, we can do no less than to arise and build. We must move forward with renewed faith, with redoubled energy and courage, and thus defeat the movement of the enemy.

At the Oakland (Cal.) camp-meeting, a statement was made of the financial loss caused by the burning of the Pacific Press, after which the people made a free-will offering, in coin and pledges, to the amount of $9,468.70, to apply on the rebuilding of the Press. This amount will doubtless be greatly augmented by contributors in this field.

Shall we not act as minutemen, and so bear ourselves, so multiply our forces in the spread of the truth, that the enemy will never regard it as wise to bring another such disaster upon God’s people?

H. W. COTTRELL.