p. 22 | Another Calamity and Its Lesson by F. G.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

Another Calamity and Its Lesson

By F. G.

The book of Job is indeed beginning to mean more to us than ever before, and we are thankful for the comfort of its lesson in this hour of our losses. The burning of the Bethel Academy is a sorrow not alone to the brethren and sisters of the Wisconsin Conference, but to our whole people as well, for all mourn, and sincerely too, its great loss.

This school has been doing very excellent work, and to be thus interrupted is a most serious matter. It is certainly hard for us to understand why this must be. We all seek for the lesson which we are to learn, and this lesson is by no means alone for the brethren and sisters directly connected with the Pacific Press, the Huntsville school, and the Bethel Academy. It is a lesson for every man, woman, and child connected with this closing message of mercy. These institutions have each been endeavoring to walk in the light of the counsel of the Lord. The Pacific Press had just established itself away from the city, under the direct counsel of the Lord. The Huntsville school was planted and established by the Lord. We have had no school among us that has been endeavoring more earnestly to follow closely all the instruction which the Lord has been giving in the past few years upon education than has Bethel Academy.

Now as these calamities come upon us, we must not allow ourselves to feel that the Lord has abandoned us to the fury of the adversary. The Lord loved Job none the less because he permitted fire and destruction to come upon him. We also do well to remember that because of the faithfulness and trust of Job in the midst of the calamities that pressed upon him, God was able to give to him far greater mercies and riches. The Lord in great kindness has pointed us to the experience of Job in the midst of our troubles, and it is well that we read and learn and be comforted by the lesson.

One thing the Lord is certainly showing us in all these experiences, and that is that the message is not dependent upon buildings and institutions for its promulgation. It will go steadily forward to certain victory. It is not dependent even upon men; but we, in its giving, are dependent upon the power of the truth of the message itself. In this strength we are to trust, and move steadily forward.

We pray that there may be given to our faithful coworkers at Bethel an abundant supply of grace and wisdom in this affliction. There is here given us all an opportunity to help, not alone by our sympathy and prayers, but by our means as well, for the grand work of this good school must not stop, though it be hindered. F. G.