EMERSON INSTITUTE, MOBILE, ALA., BURNED.
Emerson Institute is lying in ruins. For the second time in her history she is smoldering in ashes, and we are in mourning for the destruction of our little church, made dear by so many sacred and hallowed associations, and our beautiful school building, in which so many happy hours of toil have been spent and labors of love performed. November 21 a vain attempt was made to burn the little Congregational church at Mobile, but the fire, being set at an early hour in the evening, was discovered and soon extinguished. The insurance company repaired damages at an expense of $30. Now, when our minds were relaxing this tension, and lapse of time was giving us a degree of security against further molestation, the enemy approaches again and applies the torch—this time with marvelous success.
The fire was discovered about two o’clock on the morning of January 23 by one of the teachers, who was startled by the crackling sound of the flames. Arousing her room-mate and looking out to make sure of the evidence, they discovered the flames and gave the alarm of “fire” to the household. It was set at the northwest corner of the church, facing toward the house, and when discovered the whole end was a sheet of flame. In an incredibly short space of time Mr. Crawford was throwing an acid stream from our “Babcock Extinguisher” into the devouring flames, but they had gained so great an advantage before discovery that the “Babcock” alone could not avail. The alarm boxes being out of order the tower bell could not be struck. The Hook and Ladder Company were early on hand, but had no fire buckets. When we found ourselves powerless to quench the consuming flames on the church, we turned our attention to the school building standing near. Danger to that did not seem great as the building was of brick, the night was still and damp and the engines had arrived. But thinking it better to err on the safe side, most of the movable furniture was carried out. Before this was fully accomplished, however, the cornice had caught and the flames rapidly spread over the roof, leaping higher and higher in mock derision of the little shower bath from the hose. Not until the roof had fallen and the flames had spread to all parts and our hopes were buried in despair, did the engines succeed in getting water enough to throw a respectable stream. Help delayed was unavailing. It seems almost incredible that our school building should burn down before our very eyes, under such circumstances. Was it an enemy did this foul deed? Who can tell? God only, who reads the hearts of men, can answer. The expressed sentiments of the best people of the city are in severe condemnation of the act, and a reward of $300 has been offered for the arrest and conviction of the incendiary.
The question which presented itself to us, even before the smoke had died away, was, “What shall we do?” For a time we felt constrained to utter the language of Gideon: “O, my Lord! if the Lord be with us, why, then, is all this befallen us?” The answer came clear and unmistakable: “Go, in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hands of the Midianites; have not I sent thee?” The way was made plain to us at once, when Rev. Mr. Owen, pastor of the Third Baptist Church (colored) threw wide open its doors and said: “We gladly make room for you here.” The offer was as thankfully received as it was generously given. Scholars, patrons and friends seem as anxious that the work should be continued without delay as we ourselves. So that we re-open school again on Monday, Jan. 30, with three departments, at the Third Baptist Church, about one mile from the “Home,” and two departments in the basement of Little Zion Church, about three blocks distant from the Home. Of course, the accommodations now will be in sad contrast to those enjoyed in our well-arranged and convenient school-room, and our labors will be much more arduous and trying; but the Lord has said, “As thy days so shall thy strength be,” and we go forward relying on His strength. Our school seemed in a most prosperous condition, over two hundred pupils enrolled, and everything moving on to the satisfaction of all. The Sunday-school has not had a larger attendance for three years than now. There seemed to be a constantly growing interest manifested, and the outlook was very encouraging.
Nothing at all was saved from the church. The cabinet organ, the Sunday-school library of over two hundred volumes, a valuable chart used by the primary department of the school, together with Bibles, singing-books, etc., all perished in the flames.
In our now pressing needs we cannot close this article without an appeal to the earnest, hopeful and sympathetic friends at the North. “Come over and help us.”
Miss Emma Caughey.