Washington, D. C by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 17, 1904

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

The work is onward. The most successful meeting we have ever had in all my experience in Washington was held last Sunday evening, March 6. I am certain there was the largest outside attendance I have ever seen here, and when the character of the people is considered, and the deep interest manifested, it was certainly most encouraging.

Brother W. A. Spicer spoke on the subject of Russia in prophecy, the coming Armageddon, and the sealing work, and we believe that all saw the old truth in a new and startling light.

Our public meetings are held in a very good hall, located in a most central position, accessible to all parts of the city. For fourteen weeks, from ten to twenty thousand leaflets have been placed in as many homes weekly. These leaflets are large, four page, and contain a comprehensive summary of the last discourse, and an announcement of the subject for the next Sunday. These are also given to the people at the close of the meeting, so they may take home with them a very complete statement of all they have heard, with scriptures quoted and indicated, historical extracts, etc. These leaflets are doing good work. Many desire the whole set from the beginning of the series.

A number of lawyers and professional men are deeply interested. One of the lawyers has not missed a meeting. They seem nearly ready to obey. There are more openings for visiting and Bible work than can be filled. This field is ripe for the harvest. Great opportunities

Unlimited Possibilities

are before the workers here. I believe that every one who reads this article is deeply interested in the prosperity of the work in Washington. But very few can come to this city personally. And we earnestly hope that those who come to work will first have a definite understanding with those in charge of the work. W. T. Bland, secretary of the school board, J. R. Scott, secretary of the sanitarium board, and A. P. Needham, business manager, are the brethren who have a special oversight of this department. No building is as yet in progress. Plans are being laid, and we are hoping that a good amount of money will be sent in before a —

Foundation-Stone

has been laid or a nail driven. We have often been told that our people much prefer to pay for our institutions before they are built rather than after. We believe it is so. You who read this article have the privilege of proving this to be true.

Very few will come in person, but all can send that which represents their love and sympathy for the work, and their faith in this move. You can send the representative of your strength, your energy, that which stands for your very heart; your treasure, the “sinews of war.”

Up to the present date, March 8, the actual amount of money sent in for the purpose of paying the expense of the removal to Washington, and of building the institutions to be erected here, is $3,144.57.

We are glad for this good beginning; but there will need to be the giving of large sums by a goodly number to make up the twenty-five thousand dollars needed by the first of May.

Consider the number of institutions to be built here,—training-school, sanitarium, and General Conference offices,—and that these institutions must be representative; consider the cost of the land, the laying out of the grounds, the furnishing of these buildings, and all who have had any experience in building up such institutions will say that one hundred thousand dollars is a very small amount. We do not intend to erect expensive or extravagant buildings. We thank the Lord that he has sent to us special directions in regard to the character of the buildings to be erected in Washington. We quote from a letter of instruction written February 15:—

The instruction that has been given me in regard to the buildings to be erected in Washington is that it is not the Lord’s will for an imposing display to be made. The buildings are to show to believers and to those not of our faith, that not one dollar has been invested in needless display. Every part of the buildings is to bear witness that we realize that there is before us a great, unworked missionary field, and that the truth is to be established in many places.

When I was last in — [one of the great cities], I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify the owners. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom the buildings belonged were not asking themselves, “How can we best glorify God, that we may enjoy him forever?” God was not in their thoughts. I thought, O that those who are thus investing their means could see that this display does not give them one iota of advantage with God! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising! They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind what they may do to glorify God, that they may enjoy him forever. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man. . . . The scene that next passed before me was an —

Alarm of Fire

Men looked at lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings, and said, “They are perfectly safe.” But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire-engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.

I am instructed that when the Lord’s time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that has been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. . . .

The buildings that you erect must be —

Solid and Well Constructed

No haphazard work is to be done. The buildings are to be thoroughly presentable, but no extravagance is to be seen. We are not to make it possible for worldlings to say that we do not believe what we preach,—that the end of all things is at hand.

The buildings should be put up at as little cost as possible. No money is to be spent on them merely for show. We are living in a time of fearful depravity. The whole world has thrown off the restraints of religion. Worldlings and church-members are making void the law of God. We are to bend every energy to the proclamation of the message of warning.

These directions will be most carefully carried out. You will note that the buildings are to be “solid and well constructed;” that “no haphazard work is to be done;” that while “no extravagance is to be seen,” yet “the buildings are to be thoroughly presentable.” This surely can not be done for less than one hundred thousand dollars. There are not a hundred thousand Seventh-day Adventists in the world. Some can give but little; therefore many will necessarily make large donations.

We are waiting for a gift of one thousand dollars, with which to start the list of donations. We shall not wait in vain. Send all gifts to W. T. Bland, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C.

The sun is sinking in the west, but I see that its last beams are shining brightly on the beautiful Capitol building. O brother, the sun of mercy, of divine opportunity, is setting forever on millions of souls, yea, truly, on all the world, but its last rays are shining brightly, tenderly, mournfully, on all the beautiful, empty plans and works of men, and for those who know the truth these last moments of sunlight are moments of destiny. This is our opportunity.

O, hasten! for soon the night cometh when no man can work, when no man can give. NOW.

J. S. WASHBURN. Financial Secretary.