District of Columbia by W. S. Connolly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1909

District of Columbia

By W. S. Connolly

WASHINGTON.—The writer recently had the privilege of presenting in Howard University, the sacred obligation of the Sabbath commandment, and the satisfaction and restfulness of soul experienced by all who yield their lives to God.

Four defenders of the Sunday sabbath were allowed to give their views first, each of which was, in the main, a duplicate of the others; then I presented the claims of the true Sabbath. I stated that I believed that every one who spoke, and all who had not spoken, were honest in their observance of the Sabbath as they understood it. I told them that I stood precisely in their attitude eight years ago, but when I was led to investigate the foundations of my faith, I saw that I was sacrilegiously desecrating the Sabbath of Jehovah. By using the most positive texts, the subject was discussed with increasing interest. The professor of the chair of political economy and elocution was present, and after my remarks, which lasted until the bell for dismissal rang, he rose to say that he respected my views, but he was afraid that I might be classed along with those whose views drew from Paul the statement, “Ye observe days . . . I am afraid of you.”

I, however, am not afraid of the effect his views had on the audience; for after the meeting, while standing in his presence, a promising young Spaniard grasped my hand, giving me the warmest hand-shake I have had for many a day, saying, as he did so, “You are a man. That message will move the world.” Others also expressed an interest in what they had heard.

On my return home, when I knelt to present to God those in whose hearts the seed had been sown, the first thought the Spirit suggested was, that God might let sin die out in me, that his words might always have free course.

W. S. CONNOLLY.