The Evangelical Work in the District of Columbia
By K. C. Russell
SINCE our last report, a hall has been secured in Southeast Washington, in which services are being held with a growing interest. Our workers have been largely engaged in personal work from house to house, and they report more openings than they have time to fill. The Lord has blessed their efforts by adding to the church precious souls. Among those who have embraced the truth here during the past few months are three government employees, one in the Post-Office Department, one in the Treasury Department, and one in the Navy Department. We visited the head of one of these departments for the purpose of prevailing upon him to release the brother from Sabbath labor, and had an interesting interview. At first he seemed quite decided that he could not release him, but we emphasized the thought that it was a matter of conscience with the man. He expressed forebodings as to the result upon the department of our efforts to get people to observe the seventh day. He actually seemed to fear that, if our work continued, he might not be able to secure sufficient help on Saturdays to perform the necessary work of his department. We assured him, however, that we did not expect that our work would seriously affect his department, as there is too much of a sacrifice involved in the observance of the seventh day. We are pleased to say that all three of these government employees are left free so far to observe the Sabbath. I would add in this connection that the stand which these souls have taken has not been without a real test of faith; and even now there is one of these, a noble sister, who does not know what the outcome will be in her case. It appears that it may be made a test case by the department; and, should they decide against allowing her the Sabbath, it would be a precedent that would prohibit any others who keep the Sabbath from employment there. Let those who read this report pray that God will overrule in this matter to his glory, and for the advancement of the truth. We endeavor to impress upon the minds of our people here that it is in the Lord’s providence that he calls people to take their stand for the truth where they are, for there are souls in that very place whom he desires to warn, and hence he calls them to stand boldly for the truth, that others may see the light, and follow it. Soon after the week of prayer, we began a series of health studies in the four churches in the District. These are held one evening a week in each church. The following is a general statement which appears on the neatly printed program used in advertising the studies to the public:— “Temperance: In eating, drinking, working, sleeping; the drug habit; alcohol and other intoxicants; causes of intemperance. “Healthful Diet: Food elements; chemistry of foods; food combinations, adulterations, etc.; digestion; what, when, and how to eat. “Dress: Artistic dress for children and adults; protection of body; quality of dress; harmony in dress; how adjusted to body; evils of improper dress. “Physical Culture: Best kinds of exercise; physiological effect of exercise; exercise and rest; physical culture in the home; esthetic value of physical culture. “Rational Medicine: Home treatment of common diseases; hygiene in the home; evils of patent medicines; uses and abuses of drugs; heat, light, and water as curative agents.” The “Ministry of Healing” is largely used in these studies. The program each evening usually opens with a fifteen-minute study from the “Ministry of Healing,” which is frequently conducted by a minister, and then one of our doctors follows with the lecture of the evening. The lecture is sometimes followed by demonstrations of various treatments. It is being demonstrated that the evangelical and medical lines of work can be carried on harmoniously together. Dr. Patience Bourdeau-Sisco is chairman of the committee which arranges and directs these studies. Religious Liberty Campaign
Our people are enthusiastically engaged in earnest efforts to defeat the Sunday bills now pending in Congress. They are circulating the petition, distributing the tracts which explain the Sunday bills, and placing our new publication, “Liberty,” in the hands of the leading citizens of the city, besides writing letters of protest to the District Commissioners. We believe that our people here, in the main, feel that we who are here in the providence of God at this time, are under solemn obligation to work earnestly in defense of the third angel’s message. K. C. RUSSELL,
Chairman District Committee.