A VISIT TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO.
By F. D. Starr
DOUBTLESS the readers of the SIGNS are aware of the fact that this city was visited last spring by a devastating fire. It was my privilege a few days ago to pass through a portion of the "burnt district" of this unfortunate city. It is said that the territory covered by the fire extended about two miles and in places nearly half that width. It would be difficult to imagine a more impressive object lesson on the transitory nature of earthly possessions than a view of this burnt territory presents. To see the ragged stone walls pointing in their mute and irregular manner away from earth, and the desolate door-yards, where once had been luxury and beauty, was a scene to awe the mind and touch the heart with tender emotion. It is even advertised as an object of special attraction for the railway excursions to visit the "burnt district" of the city. Many of the people were at their midday meal when the fire commenced, and before night the holocaust was pretty much over. The fearful work had been done; ten thousand or more people were homeless, and fifteen hundred dwellings were in ashes. Their destruction came as a traveler, with rapid march, and their want as an armed man. Friends, where do you want your treasure? All this world is soon to be known to the universe as the "Burnt District," to lie waste 1,000 years, and the inhabitants of other worlds are going to accept the invitation to come and see the impressive and horrid sight. The Bible says to all, "Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He hath made in the earth." Ps. 46:8. The prophet Jeremiah looked forward to this scene: "I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger." Jer. 4:26. How foolish to lay up treasure here to be consumed away into smoke! How wise to lay up treasure where the fires will never burn it! Where are your treasures? The great day of destruction and fire is right before us. One of the peculiarities of this fire was the bewilderment and lack of sense manifested by those whose homes were consuming. This is but a shadow to the confusion and dismay of the worldling in the great burning day.