The Memorial Church, Washington, D.C.
By J. S. Washburn
ON September 23 a payment of one thousand three hundred dollars was made on the Memorial church, and only twelve hundred now remains to be paid. This church was purchased Nov. 1, 1902, for $12,900. Now that more than nine tenths of the entire amount has been paid, we feel sure that all who have not yet given, as well as those who have, will unite in one last effort to close up this account before Nov. 1, 1903. Every State and Territory in the United States, also Canada, British Columbia, the Hawaiian Islands, the West Indies, and England have contributed toward this Memorial church. Now let us unite to “finish the work” immediately. Surely a year ought to be long enough in which to establish in the capital city this first memorial of the last message, that the way may be clear for the building of greater memorials of the same work—the Review and Herald Publishing Office, the offices of the headquarters of the General Conference, a school, and a sanitarium. There may be some one who reads this appeal who may be able and anxious to send the whole amount still due at once. It may be that there are twelve readers of this paper who will send us one hundred dollars each, but probably the larger part of the amount still due will be sent in, in smaller sums, by the many friends interested. To those who fear that more than enough will be sent for this purpose I will say that any surplus above the needs of the Memorial church building will be turned over to the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the Washington Seventh-day Adventist sanitarium, etc. Once more I plead that this first work be finished at once, preparatory to the complete establishment of our work in the nation's capital, a step which by the light of the spirit of prophecy we know to be the beginning of the end, the immediate forerunner of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain, the finishing of the work, and the coming of the King. O, let us hasten! for we are even now many years behind in this work. All money in the hands of tract society or conference treasurers, as well as personal donations, should be sent at once to the office of this paper, or to J. S. Washburn, 1728 Fourteenth Street, Northwest, Washington, D. C. In a Testimony written July 5, 1903, are these words:— “Our brethren in Washington have been favored in finding properties suitable to use in carrying on various lines. This is a fulfilment of the light given me, that in different sections of the country we should be able to secure, at low prices, properties that could be utilized for our institutional work. In Washington a few months ago a meeting-house, in good condition, and admirably adapted to the needs of our work, was offered for sale at a price much below its first cost, and was purchased by our people there. I am glad that this church is so nearly paid for.” “What a work might have been accomplished, if we had done our duty years ago! Can we stand clear in the sight of God, if we now fail of understanding our duty? The Lord calls on us to awake to a realization of the opportunities presented before us to let our light shine in the city of Washington, by establishing there memorials that will hasten forward the proclamation of the third angel’s message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” “Let us take hold of the arm of infinite power. Let us walk humbly before God, but let us be giants in meeting discouragement and difficulty. We must have increased faith. Let us praise God. He is our strength, our shield, and our defense, our front-guard and our rearward.”