THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 271, 15 November 1867, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

To the Editor of the Nelson Evening- Mail. Sir — Tn the course of the weary debates which have taken place in Nelson from time to time as to how much money the Fire Brigade must have, or how little it could possibly do with, the extravagance of helmets for the firemen has been sometimes cast in their teeth. I could not help wishing on Thursday night that one of the objectors had to stand in front of the blaze at Everett's with his head in one of our black glazed caps ! I am, etc., One of the Fire Brigade. November 9, 1867. To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Maii.. Sir—' Behold, is it-not of the Lord of Hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire ?• (Ilab. ii. 13.) These are among the words which our church read to her assembled children in her appointed first lesson on the Sunday morning, after the late fire. As a practical way of carrying out their teaching, I ask all tliehonest aud orderly men of Nelson, gentle and simple, young and old, to get themselves sworn in as special constables in case of fire — to preserve order — save and guard property — and organise and serve bucket lines. Let them have a broad distinguishing badge F.C. (Fife Constable) to wear on the left arm at such times, and recollect that it will be their bounden duty as Christian men on the first alarm of fire to drop knife and fork in the midst of eating, or rise from their knees in the midst of prayer, and, with a short commendation of themselves to God, rush ofi to the assistance of their fellows — at their best speed so long as the fire bell sounds, only the ceasing of that to be the signal that sufficient force is on the ground. For my own part, though not resident in Nelson, I shall be most happy to be enrolled as F.C. and to join with the rest in their labor, should occasion unhappily arise during any future sojourn of mine in the town. And, above all, let us not, in our wooden houses, forget that it is only by the protecting, ever watchful care of the Lord of Hosts that we are kept on any night from • laboring in the very fire,' and therefore need in common to pray Him evening by evening to preserve us from the perils and dangers of the night; and morning after morning to thank Him for bringing U£ in safety to the beginning of another day.. I am, etc., C. Henry J. EUlcombe. Nelson, November 12, 1867.