Light in the Darkness

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1903

Light in the Darkness

Since the disaster which obliterated our printing plant, some idea of the esteem in which the institution was held by those acquainted with it has been given us, by the telegrams and letters of sympathy we have received not only from our brethren in the denomination, but from outside sources in the business and religious worlds. These expressions of sympathy constitute a bright spot in the dark cloud of misfortune. Many of them are worthy of publication, but our limited space permits of only two or three selections, which we here present.

The following is from Rev. I. L. Kephart, editor of the Religious Telescope (United Brethren), Dayton, Ohio:—

“President Seventh-day Adventist Association,

“Battle Creek, Mich.

“My Dear Sir: Having just seen in the Chicago Chronicle of to-day an account of the great loss that has befallen your association, in the destruction by fire of your great publishing plant, I drop this line to assure you of my personal sympathy, also to assure you of the sympathy of our entire denomination.

“Praying that out of the great calamity there may come to your association, through the inscrutable providence of God, some great compensatory blessing, I am,

“Cordially and fraternally yours, “I. L. Kephart.”

“Dec. 31, 1902.”

Mr. J. M. Hall, editor of the Bay View Magazine (Mich.), speaks of the moral influence of a business establishment conducted upon the principles of business and personal conduct which prevailed in our publishing house. He says:—

“I believe your denomination has a moral work that can be done only through the touch and influence upon the world through your business. In no way can the highest standard of Christian living be so well enforced as the world’s great need, as for people to illustrate the golden rule and Christian faith by their daily business conduct. My own case is probably only one out of hundreds.

“Twelve years ago I visited Battle Creek. . . . I had had much experience with printing, offices, and had long been heartily sick of all I had seen. I had seen offices filled with tobacco smoke, filled with drinking the printers, whose management was full of tricks, and whose premises were foul with dirt. It was a great relief to find your sweet and clean premises, the conversation and conduct of Christian employees, and a place where the square dealing taught by Christ was the rule. For twelve busy years I have been with you, and every year my satisfaction and pleasure have deepened. You have taught me and the large world you touch in your dealings, the beauty of business conducted on a Christian basis. We are of different denominational associations, but I want to say that through business relations you have taught me to respect your denomination and its members higher than any denomination and people I have ever known.”

The following is an extract from a letter from Elder J. N. Loughborough, one of the few remaining pioneers in the publishing work:—

“Just as I was completing the copy [for the Review], I received the news of the burning of the Review and Herald Office. It is a sad calamity on all our people, and not simply on the workers in Battle Creek. May the Lord guide the managing board there as to just what should be done in this emergency, is my prayer.” L. A. S.