Washington, D. C., and Battle Creek
By R. C. Porter
It was my privilege to be present at the council, and to look over the grounds selected for our institutions in Washington. The Testimonies giving instruction about the location of the various institutions had been carefully studied; and the selection of a location for each was made as nearly as possible in harmony with the instruction given. The soil is not so fertile in this vicinity as in some places; but it is well adapted to fruit raising. The site at Takoma Park for a sanitarium and a school building is on the banks of a beautiful stream. It is high, and as healthful as can be found in the vicinity of Washington. The price was also very reasonable. The location for the General Conference offices and the Review and Herald building, just inside the District of Columbia, is nicely elevated. It lies near the railway station, and is connected by street car with the city of Washington. Its surroundings are quiet, and of a20rural nature. I was convinced of the importance of the removal of the Review and Herald and General Conference headquarters as I saw the impression it made upon the people of that city, and the welcome extended by the business men with whom we came in touch. If our work is now established upon the right basis, I am sure we shall have reason to be grateful to God for his counsel that directed our steps in locating at Washington. I am confident that our people throughout the denomination will be glad to join in the effort to establish the work in this place free from debt. The time is near when we can neither buy nor sell except we have the mark of the beast. The Lord is now proving his people with financial prosperity; but his calls for his work indicate his pleasure in the use of our means. Shall we be wise in the use of earth’s treasures? On my way from Washington I spent the Sabbath in Battle Creek. This was my first visit to this city since the fires. I could but feel sad as I looked upon the ruins of the great central publishing house of the denomination. This place from which for years the light had gone forth to all parts of the earth is now a silent testimony of our departure from the Lord’s plans for his work and his kindly judgments of correction. The new Sanitarium which occupies the place where the former building was destroyed in testimony of God’s displeasure, stands with the opportunity of shedding the glorious light of the message throughout the world, if those in charge will be instructed by the counsel given of the Lord. I was pleased to note on Sabbath evening that all business ceased before sunset, and the Sanitarium family of physicians and nurses, associated with Elder G. C. Tenney, assembled during the evening to study how they could be most instrumental in carrying the third angel’s message to the world in this generation. The decided keynote of the meeting was that under Christ “we can do it if we will.” The prevailing sentiment was that they stood surrendered for service in any part of the world where the Lord could best use them for the proclamation of the message. On Sabbath forenoon about four hundred of the Sanitarium family and patients gathered for worship in the gymnasium. I was pleased to see a goodly number of patients uniting with the family of workers, eagerly studying the truths that make us a distinctive people. Elder Tenney told me of one lady who had just accepted the faith, and said that enough had accepted the message within the past six months to form a good little church if they were all together. On Sabbath afternoon, in company with Elders Tenney and Jones, I attended a meeting with the heads of departments. They had come together to study the recent Testimonies with reference to the medical missionary work. The interest manifested in the study of these Testimonies gave me assurance that these brethren and sisters wish to follow the instruction the Lord is giving in order that the medical missionary work may be placed upon the right basis, and accomplish all that the Lord designs in the spread of the message. This visit has given me fresh reason to hope that soon all departments of our work shall glow with the brightness of the third angel’s message. A united people, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners,” will then go forth to victory. R. C. PORTER.