Your ShelfYour Projects

Good News From West Pennsylvania

11%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 30.

Read the full edition

Good News From West Pennsylvania

By C. S. Longacre

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” Ps. 110:3. I was forcibly reminded of this text while in attendance at the Oil City (Pa.) camp-meeting, and again at the dedicatory services of the church at Erie, Pa., as I witnessed the liberality of our people in response to the needs of the message at this time. Surely we have reached the day of God’s power, and the willingness of the people to co-operate with the mighty power of God to carry the third angel’s message to final triumph.
On July 5 I had the privilege of assisting in the dedicatory services of the first Seventh-day Adventist church of Erie, Pa. I felt deeply impressed, as I looked over the past year’s work in Erie, that the day of God’s providence is not in the past. The lease was about to expire on the ground upon which our church stood, and as it was impossible to move the building, the brethren were forced to sell it. It was sold for seventy-five dollars. This was all the capital the church had in sight one year ago. Just at this time the providence of God presented a comfortable church building that was for sale, together with a fine pipe-organ. The congregation were forced to sell this comparatively new church, which cost five thousand dollars, on account of an increase of membership from two hundred fifty to six hundred. Our people bought the whole for the small sum of $470. This was only one of many providences that might be mentioned as the work progressed till the dedication.
The church had to be moved at once, so a house and lot were purchased in the central part of the city, on one of the finest thoroughfares, for $2,350. We excavated for a cellar and foundations at the rear of the lot, moved the house over it, and put new walls under the whole house, which was also painted, papered, and plumbed for gas and water. The front of the lot was excavated for the basement of the church. The excavation cost $180. The moving of the house and church cost $235. The basement floor was laid in cement, and is well suited for a large church-school room, 66 x 34 feet.
The interior of the church is well finished, and presents an artistic appearance. The pipe-organ is as good as new, and has been refinished and gilded. The old pews were polished, and four large pulpit chairs were purchased second-hand at less than the price of one. The church is carpeted and painted, and the wood-work is grained. The yard was leveled, fertilized, and sown, and is now a beautiful lawn. The exterior of the church was also painted, and looks fresh and new. Nearly all this work was done by the pastor, Elder F. H. Robbins, whom the Lord sent to this place to carry on this work. I am confident that he has saved the church at least two thousand dollars by his personal labor and his ingenious planning.
It is conservatively estimated that the property is worth over eight thousand dollars. Until the dedication the debt on the property was $2,830. Over half this amount was raised in cash and pledges at the dedication. Our brethren and sisters responded beyond our expectations. The Lord has done wonders for the church in Erie. A year ago they were worth only seventy-five dollars; now they own a piece of property that is worth over eight thousand dollars, with a monthly rental of fifteen dollars, and a debt of only fourteen hundred dollars stands against it, after the pledges have been paid in.
The Erie church has nobly supported the pastor in this great undertaking. Some with whom the Lord has entrusted much of this world’s goods have taken evident pleasure in helping at every step of the way; others have sacrificed comforts that they might have a part, and some have solicited from the public. The money received in this way, together with donations of material, amounted to nearly a thousand dollars. Besides the financial prosperity that has attended, the Lord has greatly blessed the presentation of the Word, and precious souls have been added to the church.
The dedicatory services were well attended. Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, of Washington, D. C., delivered the dedicatory address. Elders L. N. Williams, F. H. Robbins, and the writer assisted in the services.
C. S. LONGACRE.