Washington, D. C by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 1, 1904

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

AN excellent interest is being manifested in the tent-meetings conducted by Elders G. B. Thompson, W. A. Colcord, and others. Several are receiving the truth.

We desire to thank the friends who have sent in dried and canned fruit for the school. Remember in shipping to mark all freight, Takoma Park, D. C., via B. & O. R. R.

We publish on page 19 a list of donations to the $100,000 fund which is truly encouraging. The amount has now reached the sum of $32,600.80. This is only $732.53 less than one third of the whole amount. An interesting feature of this week's list is that a very large part of it is given by friends outside of the United States,—one thousand dollars from the International Tract Society, Ltd., of London, England, and three hundred dollars from a brother in Canada. There is nothing since the beginning of this work of raising the $100,000 fund that has been more encouraging than these donations. Surely our brethren and sisters in the United States will now make one grand, united, determined effort to close up the work before the week of prayer. This can easily be done if all will work systematically, and continue to help.

In this connection I will call attention to the following letter:—

PORTSMOUTH, VA., Aug. 15, 1904.

DEAR BROTHER: I am glad to see the money come in, and will do all I can to help. I will lay aside five per cent of my income for this work, and will do more if I can. I believe this was the right move, and my prayers will be with the work there.

Your brother in Christ.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL., Aug. 4, 1904.

I have been watching the growth of the $100,000 fund with much interest for several weeks, and I truly rejoice to see the columns grow larger and the fund rapidly increase. And as this is truly a great work that must be finished, that much be accomplished quickly, why not let a generous appeal go forth to those who have donated to again give all that they consistently can, that this work may though it be quickly finished and God's will obeyed? Let each Seventh-day Adventist encourage the spirit of sacrifice, and a burning enthusiasm for the speedy accomplishment of the work in Washington. Let them lay plans whereby they can lay aside even five or ten cents a week, and send it in. Ten dimes sent in by ten persons will make a dollar as large as Vanderbilt or Gould ever had, and with the blessing of God it will be many times more powerful. Why should not those who have once donated to the fund make another effort which God will bless, and by so doing be the means of influencing others to come forward and quickly close up the great work? I send the enclosed to be placed in the $100,000 fund. I wish I were able to make it more at this time, but my expenses are heavy, and I have a heavy burden even in my small business. My heart is with you, and I trust that great good will follow the efforts in Washington. Have faith in God.

We receive many letters from our aged brethren and sisters who believe that this move will hasten the coming of the Lord, for whom they have waited so long. Here is one among many:—

RIVERSIDE, BERRIEN CO., MICH.

DEAR BROTHER: Enclosed find — toward the $100,000 fund. Push the work as fast as possible, and may God bless you all. We are old pilgrims, and poor, but we desire to see the end of this message. Thank God we know in whom we have believed. We know he is leading his people. We know that we are where the Lord would have us.

The following extract from the testimony written in Nashville, Tenn., June 4, is very definite. “We know that we are where the Lord would have us, and we greatly desire that the work should be established at once, and in accordance with his will. The message must be proclaimed in Washington, and must go forth from that place to the other cities of the south.” We should be very thankful if we could head the list each week with a donation of at least one thousand dollars. Who will come up in this great crisis “to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty”? J. S. WASHBURN.