West Philadelphia by J. S. WASHBURN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1914

West Philadelphia

By J. S. WASHBURN

WE began our tent meetings in West Philadelphia, Sunday, July 19, with the largest attendance for the opening night and with the best interest I have ever known in all my experience since I began holding tent meetings in Iowa thirty years ago. Our large tent was packed, and a great number stood on the outside. The interest manifested was really remarkable. We are situated in the heart of West Philadelphia, in one of the best and most accessible sections of middle-class people I have ever seen in any large city in this country or in England. We have the help in this campaign of a large choir of thirty voices from the West Philadelphia church, which enables us to hold quite an excellent song service. This has been a great help in attracting and holding the attention of the people. The Monday night service was also a remarkable one for attendance and interest, the largest Monday night attendance I think I ever remember. Our tent is brilliantly lighted with electric lights, and the street car facilities

for reaching the tent are good. The cordial and sympathetic support of the West Philadelphia church is very encouraging. It would seem that a new era is opening for the work in this great city, the second of the large cities of the East, and one specially mentioned by the spirit of prophecy as among those to which the work of God should return in power when the time should come in the providence of God for the message to turn again to the East. I believe that an abundance of appropriate music is an important part of our work, that the singing of real advent hymns with the spirit and understanding, and short, pointed sermons, will attract and hold the attention of the people.

Brother Harvey G. Gauker, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, renders efficient assistance in the tent work. Sister Laura Poch is having an excellent interest in the Bible work. We are of good courage, and hope to see greater results this summer in our work in Philadelphia than we have seen in any previous experience.

J. S. WASHBURN.