Washington by O. E. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1905

Washington

By O. E. Davis

SEATTLE.—At the time of my last report I was laboring among the Indians of Port Simpson, British Columbia. Soon after this Elder T. H. Watson was sent to take charge of the work among the Indians, and I was assigned the work in Vancouver.

At this place I found the church in great need of help, and their house of worship, which was erected three years ago, was still unfinished. The brethren and sisters responded heartily to the call to reconsecration, and to arise and finish the Lord’s house. The means flowed in freely, and willing hands gladly took up the work, and soon the building had received the needed alterations and improvements. We built a neat vestibule and belfry, and purchased a sufficient quantity of paint to paint the entire building outside; this part of the work was unfinished when I was called to another field.

I began Sunday evening services in Vancouver in the church where it was said by some that “the people had been preached to death;” but right in the same block with the church we found people who had never heard the message, and some came to the meetings who had never been inside the church before. At first the attendance was very small, but it steadily increased until we had a fair number at every service, notwithstanding it was during the rainy season. I took up the house-to-house work, and soon had on my list the names of about thirty families who were receiving literature and weekly Bible studies. Many became deeply interested in the truth, and one lady, who had held a position in the Methodist mission and had a wide influence in the city, began to observe the Sabbath; later she was baptized by Elder Johnson, and united with the church. But here, as at Port Simpson, I was not permitted to bind off the work, or to see the results of my effort, for in the midst of the work came the call to unite with the Western Washington Conference, and Elder Johnson was sent to take the work in Vancouver.

I arrived in Wilkeson, Wash., February 26, and united in labor with Brother D. Dodge, who had already awakened an interest among the people. We began meetings in the little church, which had practically been abandoned for more than a year, and of which only eight members could be found in the community. Brother Dodge was soon recalled to take charge of the mission boat on the Sound, and I continued the work alone. It is evident that the kind providence of God was still hovering over the scattered flock, and as the members of the fold were once more called to the house of the Lord, their spirits revived and their hope was strengthened. As a result of the effort here, April 2 Elder E. L. Stewart was called to conduct baptismal services, at which time nine persons were buried with their Saviour in the watery grave. At this time it was evident that others were halting in the valley of decision, and being advised by Elder Stewart to remain longer, I continued to labor, and June 10 Elder Stewart was recalled to baptize five others. Later, July 8, Elder Ward was called to rebaptize one sister. A young man of Tacoma who was visiting relatives at this place during these meetings became interested in the truth. Although he had been labored with before by others, and had strongly resisted all efforts put forth for his salvation, at this time he surrendered to the Lord, yielding himself to the voice of the Saviour, and was later baptized by Elder Martin, of Tacoma, and united with the church at that place.

Thus at Wilkeson, the services of the house of the Lord have been re-established, and from Sabbath to Sabbath voices of prayer and praise arise once more to our Heavenly Father for his matchless love and tender mercies to the children of men. From here I went to Lake Tapps, where I found two families who had accepted the truth several years ago, but had never been taken into the church. Calling these brethren and another family that had recently moved into the neighborhood, we organized a Sabbath-school and a class meeting. I held a short series of meetings here, and at its close six persons were baptized by Elder Stewart, including two who took their stand for the truth for the first time, and one who had wandered from the fold and had returned.

We now have at Lake Tapps a company of ten adult members and a few children. There is evidence that a few others may unite with this company soon. Six of this company and one sister from Buckley united with the Wilkeson church, making a total membership of thirty. My heart flows out in praise to our Heavenly Father for his condescension to use human instrumentalities in proclaiming the gospel of salvation. I am now holding services at Columbia City, a suburb of Seattle, in company with W. J. Boynton, with fair prospects of some fruits of our labors. Unto God be all the praise, honor, and glory.

O. E. DAVIS.