District of Columbia by H. E. ROGERS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

District of Columbia

By H. E. ROGERS

The delegates representing the churches in the District of Columbia held their annual meeting in the church-school building in Takoma Park, March 1. Two new churches were received into the organization, having a present membership of eighty-two. There are now five churches and one company, having a total membership December 31 of four hundred fifty-five. Other Sabbath-keepers living here bring the total number to about six hundred.

The report of the treasurer, I. H. Evans, showed that in 1907 the tithes paid amounted to $10,652.83; contributions to foreign missions from all sources, $1,788.15. There was surplus tithe on hand December 31, amounting to $3,484.88, which amount was voted to the General Conference for foreign missions, making the total contributions to foreign fields from the funds received during 1907, $5,272.03.

The regular staff of laborers at present consists of one minister and six Bible workers; but the general laborers living here, as well as the students at the Foreign Mission Seminary, all take an active part in the work, so that the number engaging in the work is much greater.

The usual committees were appointed, and their reports carefully considered. The resolutions adopted relate to plans for effectively circulating our large subscription books in the city, the carrying forward of systematic efforts in the circulation of Life and Health, Liberty, and the REVIEW AND HERALD. A committee was appointed to consider and formulate plans for securing a place of meeting for the colored brethren and sisters in Washington, and another committee to consider plans for assisting in the erection of a church in Takoma Park.

Resolutions were also adopted favoring the passage of the bills now before Congress looking toward the abolition of the liquor traffic, and remonstrating against the passage of the Sunday bills now before that body.

Other resolutions were adopted expressing approval of the plan which made the District of Columbia and Takoma Park General Conference territory, and recommending that the same be continued; and that a constituency be selected on the following basis: That each church appoint one delegate for its own organization, and an additional delegate for each fifty members, and that the General Conference be represented by an equal number. An executive committee of seven members was provided for.

It was also arranged that one third of the tithe be used in the work in the District, the remainder to go to the General Conference for work in foreign mission fields. The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows: Chairman of the constituency, I. H. Evans; Vice-Chairman, the chairman of the executive committee; Treasurer, the General Conference; Secretary, H. E. Rogers; Executive Committee, K. C. Russell, G. B. Thompson, J. H. Neall, B. G. Wilkinson, M. C. Strachan, D. W. Reavis, J. N. Gillis.

The outlook before the work in the District never seemed brighter, and the cause is moving forward encouragingly.

H. E. ROGERS, Secretary.