A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
IT is impossible for us to print all the kind expressions of sympathy that come to us from our business acquaintances and friends, and our brethren all over the field. We are sure they have not been uttered in order that they may be printed. They have been sent us from hearts of sympathy for those whom they felt to be in need, and we appreciate them more than words can say. We glean a few sentences from various letters that our readers may join with us in the good thoughts that have been expressed in these messages of love and condolence.
One of our faithful laborers, Elder T. Godfrey, of Montesano, Wash., writes:
"Dear Brother and Co-laborer: The news of the burning of the Pacific Press, and the complete destruction of all the machinery, has caused sadness to fill all our hearts. Sad indeed was the news. We were too sad to weep. We asked one another, Why is this? Why has God's protecting hand been removed? Why should our dear SIGNS OF THE TIMES be utterly consumed? We loved the SIGNS because it was one of our greatest missionaries. Thousands of copies were going to the world every week. Thousands of men and women were hearing the voice of the last great message in this silent messenger. Many precious souls have been led into the truth through the reading of its columns. But now it is in ashes! Then the question rose, Will it ever be built up again? Will we ever see another copy of the good old SIGNS OF THE TIMES? We were swept away with a wave of sympathy that seemed to submerge all other things. And we said, How do these our brethren feel, who had worked almost day and night to keep the work moving, and who no doubt wept over the piles of ashes?
"There is a great lesson for us all to learn by this sad experience. So let us listen for the 'still, small voice,' and as Elijah of old, let us bow in submission to His holy will.
"In the midst of our sorrow we were made to rejoice. We had waited patiently to see what would be next, so the next thing was a copy of the SIGNS. Then we wept for joy! Now I hope and pray that all the readers of the SIGNS will do as Job's friends and relatives did, when they gave him a piece of money or an earring of gold, so that his last estate was greater than the first, and precious souls were added to the family. And I do pray that this may be true in the case of the SIGNS."
Mr. T. E. Bowen, Secretary and Treasurer of the New York Conference, writes:
"The SIGNS which came to us—the first since the fire—seems the most precious of any one issue of the SIGNS. Then to see the spirit of courage and faith in God breathed through all this that is said in it surely is a good illustration of the Christian's hope, and that there is an anchor within the veil which holds. Who knows but this experience of itself thus brought out before the world will be one of the means in the hands of the Lord to turn many to righteousness?"
Prof. J. L. Shaw, who has charge of our mission in India, but who is now in this country for a little time, writes:
"We are glad to hear of the splendid courage and zeal of the brethren in the Pacific Press in arising to rebuild that which has been laid in ashes. May the good hand of our God rest upon you and greatly bless you in this valiant undertaking."
Elder W. A. Alway, Twin Falls, Idaho, writes:
"I have read to-day with much pain the sad news communicated by your letter to the Review of the complete destruction of the Pacific Press plant. It certainly seems like a severe blow, coming as it did so closely upon the heels of the earthquake loss. Yet I believe that if we as a people, generally, can become fully possessed of the Gospel principles as expressed so forcefully in your letter it will prove an inheritance cheaply purchased."
Elder Geo. M. Brown, Chairman of our Mission Board in Mexico, writes:
"Your letter received. Am sorry that you have met with such a terrible loss."
Mr. C. M. Snow, our old co-worker on the SIGNS, writes from Washington, D. C.:
"My sympathy and prayers have been with you in the terrible affliction that has come to the cause on the Pacific Coast particularly; but we feel that it is our loss here as well. The work is one, and we are one in this sorrow."
Miss Estella Houser, Home Secretary of the General Conference, writes:
"I can assure you that our sympathies are with you in this great calamity, and you can depend on us here to do anything we can to help you in your work."
Mr. Charles Mente, whose work as an artist has so often illustrated, embellished, and beautified the SIGNS, as well as other of our publications, writes from Congers, N. Y.:
"About the time I received your letter I also had one from Mr. White telling me of the great loss you have sustained, and I can imagine how you all feel about it. You have my fullest sympathy, and if I can be of any service I will gladly do all I possibly can."
Miss Katherine B. Hale, one of our best school teachers, writes:
"I can not say how sorry I am about the Pacific Press calamity."
Sister Carrie Kingston writes from Bangor, Mich.:
"SIGNS received this morning, and I feel myself one with you as with tearful eyes I read pages 7 and 8, 'Our Sabbath Service.'"
One of our esteemed contributors, Mr. L. A. Phippeny, of Battle Creek, Mich., writes:
"My Dear Brother, we want to express our sorrow also with the Press in its calamity. We have wondered what we could do to help. The only thing besides praying for your welfare that we can think of is to promise something in literary lines. We hope your courage is reviving, and that you may be prospered in whatever right lines may be indicated before you. The Lord overrules yet in the affairs of men. At times we do not appreciate this, when the course of living runs on about us as usual. Now and again His hand appears unmistakably, and we see with clearness of vision that He is leading."
We certainly shall appreciate what Brother and Sister Phippeny may be able to do for us in a literary way, and we are sure our readers will.
Mrs. Mary M. Brown writes from Auburn, N. Y.:
"I sympathize with you in this trouble. It seems to be my trouble, too. Whatever hurts one of us should hurt the rest, as we are all brothers and sisters of the same family."
Mr. L. D. Eversole, contractor and builder, of Topeka, Kansas, writes:
"Editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Dear Sir and Brother: I am profoundly sorry to read of the great loss of your printing plant. As I read and look upon the picture of the burning that this week's number contains it brings tears to my eyes and sorrow to my heart. I, with the many thousands of readers, will look upon the disaster as the greatest13loss that this country ever sustained. While the great foundation of God's Word is still flowing full, yet we are sorry to have one of the greatest streams that the world ever knew destroyed. Remember that the sun shines just as brightly as ever, and I, for one, trust that your march will be onward, and that ere long you will be installed in a more beautiful building, decorated with the blessings of our God, fitting you still better for the great work which is in store for those who are His own. Accept my heartfelt sympathy."
A. A. John, M. D., one of our old co-laborers in Great Britain, writes from Mexico:
"Dear SIGNS, All deeply sympathize for you in the loss with sadness of heart. Look up. Yours fraternally."
One sister who does not wish her name to be mentioned closes a sympathetic letter with these lines:
"I hope you will often recall the following:
'Some day all doubt and mystery will be made clear,
The threatening clouds which now we see will disappear,
Some day what now seems punishment, or loss,
or pain
Will prove to be God's blessing and our everlasting gain.'"
This cut appeared in our issue of August 8 as "Our First Sabbath Service." This was wrong; it should have been Our First Sunday Morning Chapel Service, after the fire, July 22, 1906, held in front of our boarding house.
Our New Cottrell Press, on which the SIGNS was printed last week. The foreman of the press room in front.
