p. 5 | A Spontaneous Movement by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 4, 1905

A Spontaneous Movement

By Arthur G. Daniells

It would seem ungrateful on the part of those bearing responsibilities in the work at Washington should we fail to make reference to the remarkable movement just now going on to raise funds for erecting the buildings at our headquarters, and for the great, unworked mission fields. This move is wonderfully encouraging to us. It is wholly spontaneous so far as any plan, or even thought, on our part is concerned. Those who inaugurated it called it a “Surprise Party Movement.” It is truly such to us.

Of course a movement of this character could not be carried on successfully without becoming well known to us all. The workers at Washington will not, therefore, be taken altogether by surprise by the delegates when they present their gifts at the conference; but their spontaneous, hearty, enthusiastic movement is a new and surprising manifestation of the profound confidence they have that God has led in the establishment of the headquarters of his cause at this place.

The experience of coming to Washington has been a series of surprises all the way along. The first suggestion by Sister White to investigate the advantages of Washington was a surprise. The conviction that stole over us, while investigating the city and District, that this was the place, was a greater surprise. The clear, positive assurance from the spirit of prophecy that we should come here, while not a surprise at the moment it came, has been a remarkable and surprising revelation of divine leading. The gladness that filled the hearts of our people the world over, as soon as they heard of the decision to come here, was a great surprise. The world-wide response for means to build has been a constant surprise, as the letters containing gifts have come month after month from nearly all the countries of the world. And now this spontaneous, sympathetic movement that started on the Pacific coast, and has swept to the Atlantic, to send by the delegates gifts for the work at headquarters, and for needy mission fields, is a delightful, heart-cheering surprise.

Letters of encouragement and assurance are coming from brethren in leading positions in all parts of the field.

Elder Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, says:—

With reference to the work undertaken by Sister White and Elder W. C. White and others, for the advancement of the work in Washington, I do not know what we shall be able to accomplish in the Lake Union Conference. The time is so very short after receiving the letters from them, that I fear we shall not be able to accomplish much before the time of the conference; but then it will be good at any time, and we shall do what we can to help you.

Elder Stone, president of the Indiana Conference, writes:—

I will write you a few lines this morning to let you know what we are doing to assist in the work in Washington. The next issue of our conference paper will be almost wholly devoted to the matter of raising funds to complete the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund. In addition to this, we are to make a special effort Sabbath, May 6, in all our churches in the conference. We shall write to all our church elders, and try to have them give the Washington work special consideration, and ask for just as large donations as our people can possibly make.

Elder H. W. Decker, one of our oldest pioneers, writes a warm-hearted letter from Portland, Ore. He says:—

I am in full sympathy with the Washington work, and have full confidence in the management. Recently I have been collecting money for the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund, and although the people have donated quite liberally heretofore, yet I find a ready response to the last urgent call. I have already collected several hundred dollars, which will be sent by our delegate.

In behalf of our good brethren who have inaugurated the movement, and the cause which it is designed to help, I desire to suggest to the ministers and church officers who do not come to the General Conference, to keep this good

work going while your conference president and some of your ministers are at the conference. It will not be necessary for the work of soliciting and making gifts to cease simply because a few of the brethren come to the conference. While this important meeting is in session, let the people of God bestir themselves. Let the ministers who remain on the field of battle show what God can do through them to forward this work. Let the church elders show that God can use them to raise thousands of dollars for this cause.

We should never forget the source from which this whole arrangement for establishing our work at Washington has come. It is not a pet scheme of any man or any committee. The General Conference officers are not responsible for it; but we believe in it with all our hearts. We gladly take our share of responsibility in carrying out the instruction that has come to us through the spirit of prophecy. We rejoice that thousands are with us in this stand. Let the good work go on.

A. G. DANIELLS.