Washington (D. C.) Memorial Church
By J. S. Washburn
THE anniversary of the purchase of our church passed, leaving about four hundred dollars still due. The debt now stands at $31; but money is coming in quite rapidly, and we hope all will be paid within the next few days. One interesting feature of the work of paying for this first “memorial for God” in the capital city has been the large number of aged veterans in the work who have sent in contributions. Among these are a sister of eighty years of age, the widow of one of the ministers who first used tents in our ministerial work, old soldiers in soldiers’ homes, inmates of the Battle Creek home for old people, and many others. Some have sent quite large contributions, making real sacrifices in order to do so. Among these there seems to be a general belief that the move to Washington of the headquarters of our work means that the end of the journey is in sight. Is there anything more pathetic than the joy that moistens and brightens the weary eyes so long strained to behold the eternal day’s dawn,—the joy that has thrilled every loyal believer in the message because of the marvelous leadings of God during the last few months in this great step,—the joy of the soldier who sees through the conflict certain victory,—the joy of the traveler who sees beyond the breakers the headlands of home? Whence this universal thrill of joy that has pulsed through the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists?—It is of God—the touch of the Spirit, which is the earnest, the foretaste, of the purchased possession, the blessed land of eternal light. I shall never forget the many touching letters from those who have truly given the “widow’s two mites.” A tiny parcel containing nineteen cents, dated October 30, had enclosed these words: “I am a poor man, and have not much money, but I read the Testimony, and wished to have that blessing for my own, so I send every cent I have at the present time, every cent I can get. God21bless you and the work. You need not reply, as it will cost a stamp, and God knows it.” Surely those who thus sacrifice will not lose their reward. After the church is free from debt, and the expense of the baptistery, alterations, etc., is met, as explained in the last REVIEW, in a manner satisfactory to the General Conference officers located here, the surplus will be turned at once into the fund for establishing institutions located here, so nothing will be lost. If the Lord should move on some one to send one thousand dollars, the remainder above the needs of the Memorial church would be used at once to help build a lighthouse here from which the light would shine out to all the world. A sure foothold would be given to the workers here, that with strong hand and sure aim the life-line might be thrown out to perishing souls, even to the ends of the earth. The church is not simply receiving; it has given largely, and some have not yet fully recovered from the effort made at the first, and more will yet be given by the local church, which is deeply grateful to God and to the many friends who have helped establish this monument of the third angel’s message in the nation’s capital. Below is given a partial list of donations sent directly to the writer, and not previously reported in the REVIEW:—
Previously reported ............ $4,854 22
Mrs. D. B. Foster .............. 2 00
Mr. & Mrs. S. J. Hersum ........ 1 00
Alonzo J. Huntington ........... 1 00
Willa Grant .................... 1 00
Cora Andrews Webber ............ 1 00
J. E. Huffman .................. 1 00
Mrs. Amos Fish ................ 1 00
Margaret Wilson ............... 1 00
Mrs. Susan Johnson ............ 50
Mrs. E. M. Stone ............... 1 00
Ann M. Johnson ................ 5 00
Mrs. C. P. Wood ............... 50
Mrs. A. Fetter ................ 1 00
R. C. Spohr ................... 2 50
R. W. Province ................ 2 00
Mrs. Bessie Anderson .......... 25
W. E. Arnett .................. 5 00
Mrs. D. Sterling .............. 1 00
Mrs. J. W. Arnold ............. 1 00
C. E. Tift .................... 1 00
Thomas Bickele ................ 1 00
Melissa Cookendorfer .......... 1 00
A. E. Smith ................... 2 00
Bettie Osgood ................ 1 00
A friend ...................... 19
Mrs. S. D. Curby .............. 2 00
Nina L. Edgerton .............. 5 00
Knoxville (Iowa) church ....... 4 45
Octavia Bowman ............... 2 00
A. R. Hiatt .................. 10 00
Mrs. M. C. Crawford ........... 5 00
Uretta M. McEwen ............. 10 00
W. E. A. Aul ................. 10 00
G. W. Edwards ................ 10 00
Henry Ferris ................ 20 00
T. E. Bowen, treasurer ....... 21 85
Johnstown (Pa.) church ........ 24 00
H. W. Saxby & friends ......... 15 00
A. D. Benton & friends ........ 13 00
Woodburn (Iowa) church, per
Jacob Shively ................. 14 75
H. C. Matthews & friends ...... 13 00
T. S. Whitelock & friends ..... 13 00
College View church ........... 37 10
Hattie Adams .................. 25 00
New York Tract Society ........ 69 45
Total reported ............ $5,214 67 J. S. WASHBURN.
1728 14th St., N. W., Washington,
D. C.