Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-15
Protection and Preventive.

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citizens in daily peril.
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Protection and Preventive.
The enormous destruction of property
by fire ought certainly to have long ere
this aroused the inventive genius of the
country to a remedy of the evil by the
construction Of fire-proof buildings. We
know no reason why these great losses
are so quietly submitted to, unless it is
to be found in the cost of fre.proof erec.
tions and the facility with which insur-
ance companies protect property owners
from severe loss. These companies have
no interest in securing fire-proof build
inss because their profits come from the
risks they take, and property owners
find it cheaper TO pay heavier premiums
than to build so rs to put fire at defiance.
For fire-prOOf structures can be built, and
in Europe we believe ordinarily dwell
ings arc made comparatively indestructi-
ble. We seldom hear of great fire on
the continent. But such building is
costly and in this country where lumber
is comparatively cheap we are not ready
to pay the price that would give us pro-
lection. Brick and mortar will not burn
and if floors, as well as walls, were made
OF them we would secure safety. 1t
seems that there should lie some way
of putting down a cement floor that
would be efficient, at reasonable cost.
One great difficulty we believe is in the
weight of such material. OF course if
it has to he supported by brick arches it
will he practically useless for general
building. But why can it not be laid on
hemlock joists Is it too heavy or
will it not endure the shaking of the
building ? or why else is it that such a
| fire-proof covering cannot be given to the
wood timbers? The plaster coating of
ceilings does not crack if we'll put on
why, then, cannot similar floor cover
ing be laid in water lime, if necessary to
secure the desired hardness. Does
any one know: We have often asked
experts and never could find the reason
why; which has seemed very strange.
For it is a practical question that must
often have come up before builders. We
cannot account for it at all, except upon
the idea that fire insurance makes the
builders Of our country practically re-
gardless of fires, and deprives them of
any care to know or follow or improve
the tire.proof devices of the Old World.
THE sermon of Rev. J. Max Hark, which
We print to-day, deals with the relation of
the Moravian and the Lutheran churches,
and has an interest not only for both of
these denominations, but for the entire re-
ligious public. Tomorrow Mr.. Hark will
preach on the relations of his church with
the Presbyterian and the concluding ser.
mon of this interesting course will deal
with the Methodist and Moravian churches,
THE Catholics are making material ad-
vances in Africa, particularly in Algeria,
where they have 1S5, 900 adherents and a
missionary society for Central Africa.
During the past three years they have
obtained firm footing in the interior of
the continent, and have sent forth several
missionaries into the equatorial regions.
Tney arc accustomed to begin their work
by buying heathen children and educating
them 50 as to form Christian villages of
them.
A WRITER in the Christian Instructor
N. j., has been at celebrated summer
resort, and listened to six Constructive
and interesting sermons from two grad
uatcs of Princeton seminary, both able
men, one ID. d. He says "From all
the six efforts no one could have learned
that man is a sinner or Christ the Saviour,
Had there been any stray sheep present,
nothing was said that would either drive
or cntice them back to the fold" And
thou, too, o Princeton.
j. L. WICKERsHAM, of the School Jour-
aal has sold his entire interest in that publ
cation to ]. p. McCaskey, his associate in
its editorial and business management, and
who was with the late Hon. Thos. H. Bur-
rowes in conducting it during his lifetime.
Mr.. Wickersham has given a good deal of
vigor to the journal and will no doubt
continue to contribute to it, but ho knows
that he leaves it in good hands in transfer
ring it to his experienced associate, whose
Iabors in the cause of education aud gen.
cral culture have distinguished him far be-
yOnd the borders of his own state.
THE reproof SO gently proffered by our
esteemed friends of the Easton Erpress to
tho intellectual person who performs the
arduous task Of searching through the
columns Of that journal for items of inter-
est, is accepted in the same kindly spirit
that prompts it. The correction is there
fore cheerfulIy made that it is the school
boar! of Phillipsburg, across the river,
and not that of Easton, which is now