WE give in this issue a few more of the many expressions of sympathy which have come to us from our friends and subscribers in different parts of the world. This is probably the last instalment which we will publish, but it is typical of many others. We would like to say, also, in connection with it that those who have written these letters have not written them for publication, but simply to express to those who are directly connected with the loss their sympathy in the calamity which came to our publishing house.
From Isadore L. Green, M. D., director of Black River Sanitarium, Watertown, N. Y., come these words:
“I am very sad over the recent loss of our institution at Mountain View, but I believe that God is leading His people. Some day the veil will be lifted and we shall understand more of His providence. I am glad that we are nearing home and the work is soon to close victoriously. May God give wisdom and courage to you in all your present difficulties.”
R. C. Pettingell, Germantown, Philadelphia, writes:
“I am very sorry for your misfortune. I certainly admire your courage and faith to take up the work and start all over again. May the good Lord bless your efforts and cause you to have great success.”
A. C. Brown, of Albany, N. Y., says:
“You have my sincere sympathy in your recent calamity. May the Lord sustain and give you wisdom in your future plans.”
From Elder O. S. Hadley, Indianapolis, Ind., come these words of cheer:
“I can but express my appreciation of your energy, faith, and trust in getting the messenger, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, on its way again, for I confess that my heart went down a little when the earthquake ‘hit’ you, but when the awful fire burned you out entirely, my heart was down sure enough, for how could the dear brethren get on their feet again? But after all, only one issue was missed, and here comes the SIGNS better than ever—if possible—in fine, plain, large type, bearing the straight, sweet, and saving message as usual. I am glad that you are made of the ‘sterner stuff,’ and that you look unto God as your sufficiency. Brethren, God will bless, is blessing, such efforts and faith. I am more than pleased with the ‘new’ SIGNS—right up out of the fire. I want to read it as long as it bears the message. May God be with you all, brethren.”
Sister Hannah Mott, one of our old California workers, secretary for some time of our state tract society, writes from Estherville, Iowa:
“Since reading of the destruction of property at Mountain View, and especially of the stock of books and valuable libraries, and that notwithstanding all this God is putting it into your hearts to rise above every hindrance and to continue the spread of the Third Angel’s Message, I feel impelled to let you know that my heart is knit with yours in this glorious work. My prayer is that in following the guidance of the ‘still small voice’ we may be blessed with such a pouring out of the latter rain as our present situation seems to demand.”
Alice E. Culver, Yale, Iowa, writes:
“I am so sorry for the loss you have sustained in having to see the publishing house burn to the ground and could not save it. How cruel it must have seemed, but there must be a lesson in it all which I believe all will be anxious to learn, and as ‘all things work together for good to them that love God,’ may we all take it. I truly sympathize with you all, and pray God to richly bless you all, and may such assistance be rendered quickly that you may build a still better office, and with better equipments for work than before.”
From Mrs. Eakley, Roseville, N. J., come these good words:
“As I was reading in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES of your great disaster, it seemed as if my eyes were turned into a fountain of tears. I lifted my heart to God and said, ‘Thy word is sure, Thy word, O God, will not return unto Thee void, but it shall accomplish that whereunto it is sent. Tho fires may devour Thy word, earthquakes may plant it beneath, tornadoes may hurl it hither and thither, yet Thy word will live forever.’
“These are three lessons; I would write
The words as with a burning pen,
In tracings of eternal light,
Upon the hearts of men:
“Have hope. The clouds environ now,
And gladness hides her face in scorn;
Put thou the shadow from thy brow,
No night but hath its morn.
“Have faith. Where’er thy bark is driven,
The calms disport, the tempest’s mirth,
Know this, God rules the host of heaven,
The inhabitants of earth.
“Thus grave these lessons on thy soul,
Hope, Faith, and Love, and thou shalt find
Strength when life’s surges cease to roll,
Light where thou else wert blind.”
From our brethren in Lima, Peru, comes the following letter to Elder W. T. Knox, president of the California Conference and ex-president of our publishing company:
Lima, August 25, 1906.
“Mr. W. T. Knox, President California Conference, Mountain View.
“Dear brother in the glorious hope of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,—The peace and the compassion of our heavenly Father be with you and with all of our brethren in the Lord, for we are fellow-servants through the love of God.
“We, brethren, who subscribe our names, were appointed by our congregation of Seventh-day Adventists to express our sentiments of brotherly love toward our brethren in North America.
“Beloved brethren in Christ our Lord, we confess our lukewarmness in not being more solicitous under the circumstances of the great tribulations, found in the terrible warning of our All-powerful Lord, which has fallen upon San Francisco and adjacent towns. All our congregation unite in their prayers, calling on our Lord and Redeemer, that He may crown us with abundant grace to repent of all our sins.
“We unite in sympathy with our brethren in North America, remembering the inspiring words of the apostle: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or the sword?’ And may we be firm in the faith of our loving Lord and Master.
“Your brethren in Christ. Amen.
(Signed) Pastor F. L. Perry,
Superintendent.
Bernard Aguilar,
Secretary.
Isolina Hinojosa,
Elder of Church.
Julius Espinoza.”
From Pastor Chas. T. Everson, in charge of our work in Italy, come the following excellent words:
“My dear Brother,—You can well imagine that the burning of the Pacific Press came to us as a great shock as we supposed that the calamities for you were over, at least for the time being. And then to think that the publishing house that was doing the most aggressive work of the denomination should be stopped in the midst of its greatest activity seemed a great mystery. But may it not be that your famous text about the earthquake and the fire has also an application here? ‘After the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice.’ Now you have passed through the earthquake and fire experience, and from this time forth you will enter in a special way into the still-small-voice experience where God can speak to you in a new way. You will remember that this still-small-voice experience for Elijah worked wonders, for it removed his discouragements and gave him power to go forth into a new experience that culminated in his translation. And may we not believe that it shall be so also with you of the Pacific Press and California? First the earthquake, then the fire, followed by the still small voice which prepares for greater usefulness and culminates in translation. I am sure that we all here at Rome feel deeply your loss, which we reckon also our loss, and we wish to send you our heartfelt sympathy and love to encourage you amid the severe trials through which you are passing.”
The printing plant is only a part of our publishing work. The sympathy, the support, the prayers, the union of our fellow-workers throughout the field are mighty assets in our work. We thank them, and pray that God may speedily give that experience of which Brother Everson writes. We are of good courage, for God is blessing. Where He leads we may safely follow.
