The Pacific Press by H. W. Cottrell

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

The Pacific Press

By H. W. Cottrell

SABBATH, July 21, as the brethren and sisters at the Oakland (Cal.) campground were assembling in the large pavilion for the morning services, word came that the entire manufacturing plant of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, at Mountain View, Cal., had been burned to the ground the night before. The awful news was whispered to a few, but those who heard were at first inclined to disbelieve the report; and not until the sad fact was publicly announced from the stand, at the beginning of the service, did the people realize that a terrible disaster had befallen our work.

Monday forenoon at the camp was devoted to the interests of the publishing work, and particularly to the needs of the Pacific Press in view of the fire. Elder W. T. Knox, chairman of the meeting, made a few introductory remarks, and referred to some preliminary plans to meet the present emergency, and also to plans of a more permanent character. He then asked the writer to make a general statement of the existing conditions and of the future work of the company.

In brief, I dwelt upon the lessons that may be learned from the burning of our publishing house, and upon the plans that have been suggested for the continuance of its work. History repeats itself. As in the days of Elijah, so now; after beholding manifold manifestations of power, including an earthquake and a fire, Elijah heard a still, small voice, the voice of the Lord to him individually. Significant, indeed, is the message that came to him: “What dost thou here, Elijah?” Then, in tender compassion, the Lord manifested himself to Elijah, showing him that those who in quiet trust place a firm reliance upon God will ever find him a present help in time of need.

From every outward appearance, the manufacturing plant of the Pacific Press is totally destroyed, with the exception of two or three office desks and typewriters, and the vault and safe containing plates and valuable papers. This loss is variously estimated at from two to three hundred thousand dollars. The insurance is about one hundred thousand dollars, and it is hoped that this will be paid in full.

But far greater than any monetary loss, is the loss that comes to us from the inability to give the truth to the people by means of the printed page. And in all our planning, this is where our chief interest should center. The people must not be lost sight of. Our periodicals must be sent out as heretofore. Our canvassers and other workers must be supplied with publications. Arrangements are being made by the board of directors to meet these imperative demands.

One of the problems to be solved is that of rebuilding. After much prayer and careful study, we have thought that if the town of Mountain View assures us of ample fire protection and sufficiently liberal monetary inducements, if our brethren and sisters at the Oakland encampment approve of our plans, and if we should not be turned to some other way by the spirit of prophecy, we would rebuild on strictly economical lines. Of course, were everything else favorable, we could not rebuild unless we realize some return from our insurance, and unless our brethren and sisters in California and in many other places rally nobly to our support. But we feel as if we ought, as one man, to arise and move forward in the name of the Lord.

A Statement From Brother C. H. Jones

Brother C. H. Jones, general manager of the company, followed with a heart-to-heart talk regarding the present situation. “It is with sorrow of heart,” he declared, “that we appear before you this morning. We are cast down, but not discouraged; for we know that God lives and reigns. Our buildings are in ashes,—the material things have gone,—but the institution remains; for it is in the hearts of our people, and in the hearts of our employees. The work of the institution will go on; for it is God’s work, and he still has a work on the earth to be done by us.

“This morning I, for one, desire to stop and listen to the still, small voice; for God is in the voice. I desire to hear what he has to say to me individually, not what he has to say to some one else. I believe that from this calamity I can learn a lesson that will be a blessing to me. And more than all else, I believe that God is able to turn this calamity into one of the greatest blessings possible to the entire cause. I look forward to the next two years, and I firmly believe that if we take the right course, we shall see this work moving forward as we never believed we could see the truth going to the people. Though we are temporarily disabled, I believe that God is able to bring things around so that the truth will go more rapidly and with greater power than ever before.

“One great encouragement to us,” the speaker continued, “is the fact that no lives were lost. Our lives have been spared, and we are all of good health, and of good courage in the Lord. Four persons came very near being killed. It seems a miracle that they were not; but not a soul suffered any bodily injury. God in his mercy cared for us all.

“Our hearts have been touched by the telegrams and letters that we have received. The managers of several small printing plants have said, ‘Our place is at your disposal. If you so desire, you may send your men here to work it at night, and we will work during the day.’ Some of the San Francisco representatives of the largest type-foundries in America, have sent their men to us with the offer to furnish our company with a complete outfit of type and machinery, and leave us entirely free to pay for it at such time as we might choose. Bankers have proffered liberal assistance. Other offers have come to us, in various ways.

“As stated before, I am thankful for the privilege of laying before you our present situation and needs. Above all, I hope we may do a great deal of praying that God shall guide in this time of need. In all our afflictions he is afflicted. We know we have a kind, loving Heavenly Father, and that his hand is ever extended to help his children in their extremity. If we all take hold courageously and earnestly, we can lift this thing out, and God will turn it into a great blessing for this people.”

Words of Counsel and Encouragement From Sister White

At this juncture of the meeting, Sister E. G. White spoke, as follows:—

“I am so glad that we have for our God One who judges righteously, and who understands the human heart. He knows just how to deal with every human being; and for this we ought to render to him grateful, heartfelt thanksgiving.

“We are distinctly denominated as a people that keep the day which the Lord gave man in Eden in commemoration of the creation. After God had made the world in six days, he rested on the seventh day, and was refreshed; and he blessed the day upon which he had rested, and sanctified it. By observing this day, we are to be reminded continually of the creative power of our God.

“The world’s inhabitants have lost sight of the holiness of God’s law, and have set aside the day that he has sanctified. In its place, they have substituted a day of their own choosing. As a people, we are bidden to restore that which has been broken down. The breach that has been made in God’s law, must be repaired. In directing the attention of the world to the light of the truth for this time, preparatory to the second coming of Christ, we are to use every agency possible for the proclamation of our message.

“It is for this purpose that our institutions have been established. The world is filled with subjects of Satan’s kingdom. We thank God that we have many institutions wherein are carried forward various lines of work.

“How thankful we should be that we have a God who can preserve and sustain us in the hour of trial! We can not always understand his dealings with us. His providences may at the time seem strange; but he has in view something that is for our good and for the glory of his name.

“In the book of Job we find recorded a narrative that throws considerable light on things otherwise difficult to understand. [Sister White then read the first chapter of Job.]

“From this scripture we may learn much regarding God’s dealings with his people. And when calamity comes, unless the Lord indicates plainly that this calamity is sent as a punishment of those who are departing from the word of his counsel; unless he reveals that it has come as a retribution for the sins of the workers, let every man refrain from criticism. Let us be careful not to reproach any one.

“The enemy is often permitted to try God’s people in just such a way as Job was tried. And when Job’s friends came to him and began to remind him of his sins, and to urge that he was suffering because of divine displeasure, they were doing a work that was wholly uncalled for.

“Job endured the test; he proved true to God. And after his trial, his blessings were manifold. The prosperity that attended the closing years of his life gave the enemy no opportunity to exult over the former misfortunes of God’s faithful servant.

“The Lord desires us to labor for the benefit of one another. Let us all, ministers and people, be careful of our words. The power of speech is a talent; the mind, the voice, the strength,—all these are precious talents. Let us keep them wholly sanctified for service in God’s cause. We must sanctify ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, unto God, that he may use us effectually as evangelists for the carrying forward of his work.”

Elder S. N. Haskell’s Talk

At the close of Sister White’s talk, the chairman called upon Elder Haskell, who responded as follows:—

“I hardly know what to say, brethren and sisters. You all know what we want. We expect you will help raise some money to rebuild the Press; and this is the beginning and the end of my plea.

“I should like to add one thought, however, about Job, and about another man, too, brought to view in the Bible. You know that those who came to comfort Job were miserable comforters. The Lord had said that there was not another man like Job in the earth; but these self-appointed comforters tried to show the afflicted man his sins. They were satisfied that they knew exactly how to correct him, and so they set their hands to do it, and labored to this end for some time. They thought they could tell him exactly why he was sick, and why he had lost all his property. To the very end, Job held fast his integrity; and finally, when they came to make an offering to the Lord, he responded by directing them to ask Job to pray for them. Job was more acceptable in God’s sight than were these men who thought they could discern his mistakes.

“There is another scripture that throws some light on this matter. It is the word of the Lord at the time Balaam was trying to curse Israel. Speaking of God, Balaam declared: ‘He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.’ But what had the Lord been doing all along?—He had been reproving Israel for their sins; and yet, just as soon as the enemy rose up and began to curse Israel, God came to their defense. I suppose the righteousness of Christ made them all right in his sight.

“I think, dear friends, the very best thing we can do now, under the circumstances (and I know you will all think the same way), is to put our hands in our pockets, and give willingly for the restoration of our printing plant. It has been thought by our brethren who are in a position to know, that a hundred thousand dollars, at least, will be required in order to place the manufacturing plant on vantage-ground. If you make a good start here, you will have to give until you feel it. The Californians know how to lift when they find themselves in a tight place. I know this; for I have seen them try it in the past, and very successfully, too.”

A Generous Response

Elder Haskell then called for gifts, large and small. The brethren and sisters responded nobly, and over nine thousand dollars, in cash and pledges, was raised in a short time.

By a rising vote, as well as by their offerings, the congregation signified their desire to see the Pacific Press plant re-established at Mountain View. It is hoped that as the needs of the publishing work are brought to the attention of the churches throughout the State, California’s offering will be largely augmented.

We are sure that in this, our great loss, we shall have the sympathies of the people of the entire denomination. May we not expect a manifestation of sympathy in a very material way?

H. W. COTTRELL.