Dedicatory Services at Washington by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 19, 1904

Dedicatory Services at Washington

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

THE Washington, D. C., Memorial church of Seventh-day Adventists, located at the corner of 12th and M Streets, N. W., was dedicated to the service of God in the cause of the third angel's message, Sabbath, May 7.

The weather was all that could have been desired. The brethren and sisters of Washington had looked forward to the occasion for weeks with much interest. The house was filled to its utmost capacity.

Sister White gave a discourse very appropriate indeed for the occasion. She based her remarks upon the words of our Saviour as recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, verses 1-8. She dwelt principally upon the fact that Christ's believers are branches to bear fruit to his glory, and showed that to fail to bear fruit is to fail utterly to meet the one great purpose for which the church is placed in the world. Her sermon was fresh and vigorous, and deeply impressive.

It was a great privilege to all to hear these words of instruction and encouragement from this aged servant of the Lord. At the close of the discourse, Elder Washburn made a brief historical and financial statement of the church. He related how the attention of the little company of believers was first called to this building in the fall of 1902. At that time there were only about thirty members meeting in the tent that had been used for meetings during the summer. The winter was approaching, and they had no suitable place for worship. They were poor; and the price of the church was $12,900. The task of paying for such expensive property seemed utterly impossible to them, yet they felt so deeply impressed that they ought to secure the property that they ventured, even though it seemed altogether unreasonable.

No public effort was made to secure help outside of Washington, until January, 1903. With the exception of one or two articles written by members of the General Conference Committee, the funds had been raised through efforts made by the Washington church; that is to say, they had done the corresponding and general writing required to communicate with our people. As soon as the first announcement was made through the REVIEW, money began to come in, and it continued steadily until the church was paid for; and then of their own accord, the brethren and sisters sent in funds for repairing and improving the church, until $16,180.49 had been received.

Brother Washburn related many touching incidents in connection with his experience in securing this money. He expressed the deepest gratitude in behalf of the church to our brethren and sisters throughout the world who had so cheerfully and so generously contributed to the purchase and the furnishing of the church.

At the close of his remarks Elder Washburn handed to the writer a deed of the church, made to the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. Every heart present must have felt profoundly grateful for the signal blessings of God that had attended this enterprise, and every one must have realized that there was a special providence in securing and paying for this church building. More money had been received than was required to pay for the church and furnishings, and the surplus will be turned over to the Washington fund.

Many felt exceedingly grateful to their pastor, Brother Washburn, who had devoted himself so whole-heartedly and untiringly to the raising of this money. He started in with the strongest confidence that God had led them to purchase the church, and that he would give them means to pay for it, so that not a cent of indebtedness would be standing against it. The Lord honored his faith, and gave him the desire of his heart.

It was a pleasure to bow before the Lord and dedicate by prayer this house to his service. We felt that he accepted the gift from our hands, and we understood that we were returning to him his own.

A reporter of the Washington Post was present, and published an excellent report of the service.

The dedicatory services were continued Sunday afternoon and evening. At three o'clock in the afternoon the writer gave a statement of the history and mission of Seventh-day Adventists as a denomination, and their object in making Washington denominational headquarters.

In the evening Professor Prescott gave an address on the Third Angel's Message. We believe that what has been accomplished in this city is only the beginning of what is before us. It has become perfectly clear that the purchase of this church was in the direct providence of God, and that we shall soon see much greater things. May the Lord teach us how so to walk before him that his approving smile can rest upon us until his work in the earth is finished.

A. G. DANIELLS.