The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-14

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE
The fire spread from the Tabernacle to
this hotel, and then tc the dwelling house
ON Greene avenue and Waverly avenue
opposite the church. The wind carried
the blazing cinders in such quantities in
q southeasterly direction that dwelling
houses on Washington avenue, two
souares away, and also the Summerfield
Methodist church, were set on fire by
them; but the greatest loss on any one OF
these structures did not exceed $4,000.
The total loss, however, reaches over ST.
o00. 900.
Dr. Talmags's story.
DIR. Talmage held quite a reception at
his home during the afternoon, so great
was the stream of sympathizers who
called. In response to the request fire.
uuently repeated, DIR. Talmage made
statement OF the incidents connected with
the fire. He said:
AT the close of the church service /
was standing at the foot Of the pulpit
shakfnR hands with hundreds of people
from all lands. / was about through
and walked toward the center OF the
church. where my wife stood, when she
called my attention to fire springing out
from the top Of the organ. / saw at once
that IL was under full headway, and my
nrst impulse was to look around and see
how many people were then in the house.
Az there were only about 20 people and
Is doors TO get out through, felt that
they would all escape.
II went into my study back Of the plat
form. passing under the blazing piping,
20 9eb my hat and coat. While in n sort
Of study friend rushed into tho room
and saids Get out of this room imme-
diately or you'll not get out at ALL We
went out into the church, one-half of the
organ was down and the fire had leaped
to the roof / saw that nothing could
save the building and came out"
''There II mercy on top of disaster. One
half hour before the church and all the
adjoining rooms wero packed with people,
and the panic would have left the whole
scene one Of indescribable horror Or, il
it had occurred two or three hours later,
when the Sunday school was in session,
there would have been a thousand house.
holds bereft in Brooklyn. Personally, ]
feel not the least bit of disheartenment,
nor less faith In God, nor less of hope fol
the future.
"Our church has been burned three
times, and 1t has always occurred on Sun
day. 1t IL mystery that adjourn til
the next world let us know"
When asked for his own opinion as I,
cha cause of the fire. he said emphatically
Electric lights; electricity caused thi,
6re as il did that Of the last tabernacle OF
Schemerhorn street.
Continuing. DIR. Talmage said: 9Th
nre may change my entire program, an,
do not think / will start on my tril
around the world as i intended tomorrow
night.
The Tabernacle has a mem bership O
. over 1000 on the pastors books, but tn
congregation Is only bounded by the ca
pacity OF the building. In the Sunda
school there are 1900 scholars registered
the attendance varying with circun
stances and seasons from zoe to 1900 an
when In session the children are controlle
by Just 100 officers and teachers.
Work Was swift.
The fire was the most destructive, rapi
and furious that has visited this city fS
years. 1t started shortly after noon, whe
fortunately nearly all OF the 1000 mornin
worshippers at the Tabernacle had d
parted. and at time when the guests
the big hotel were somewhat prepar ed I,
such an emergency. 1t spread with ligh
ping-like rapidity, and before sunset hs
destroyed property to the value of near
q. .000, 1000.
John II. Reed, who was rehearsing Wi
the choir ia the Summerfeid NJ. f. chur'
at Washington and Green avenues, ty
blocks in the rear of the Tabernacle, a
covered that the building was on fire al
vsnt in an alarm 10 Ere headquarters.
was nearly % minutes before the firem
arrived on the scene, and then DO strear
Of water were turned upon the blszil
pile But the church WAS doomed, al
every effort was devoted to saving a
joining property.
In three hours only the bare walls
enc Of the costliest structures Of Broo
lyn remained. Long ere this, howev'
n became evident that the Hotel Rege
wss slso doomed The fire started hs
on the second story. but was speedily ,
tingulsbed. This proved only TO he
temporary relief. for little later nau
were discovered In an upper story, bio
Ing fercrly mp the air shaft
The infiammable nature of the ma
v1sl and the great open an nphitheatrr
the Tabernacle gave such draft that 3
IRE was forced into the air In columns
glowing flames that made fearful pi
ore Of destruction. Flakes of burnt
wood and rsd-hot cinders were shot mp
from q volcaao, and. carried by stro
breeze they swept through the air
every direction.
The heat blistered the fronts Of
hsuses % the opposite side Of the stree