Washington, D. C by J. S. Washburn

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

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

THE dedicatory services of the Washington, D. C., Memorial church were held on Sabbath, May 7. The principal address was given by Sister White, which was followed on Sunday, at 3 and at 7:30 P. M., by special sermons by Brethren A. G. Daniells and W. W. Prescott. A full report by Elder Daniells will be found on page 19. Not only the church, but the cost of all repairs and furnishings necessary, had been paid, and there was still a balance which was turned over to the fund for building the sanitarium, training-school, and General Conference offices in Washington, D. C. These accounts will be audited by the General Conference auditor, and then a financial report will be published, and the amount of the surplus in hand from this fund will be stated. Thus an era has been marked in the history of the work in Washington; and as in the days of the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness the people brought more than enough, and Moses sent word restraining them from giving; so in this day and in this place is that remarkable example of willing and generous giving repeated, and we now send this request with deepest thankfulness to all who have sacrificed to help build this first memorial in the capital city: “Bring no more for the house of the Lord.” However, the funds that are still coming in for this purpose will be turned over to the $100,000 fund. We praise the Lord for the wonderful providences that have attended this work, and believe it is an excellent omen that the $100,000 fund will also soon be filled to overflowing.

Surely God is in this place, and the Lord is with his people. It has been our earnest prayer each week that large donations might be sent in for the $100,000 fund. A most remarkable answer to our prayers has been given. For four weeks our list of donations has been headed by a single personal donation of $1,000. Last week the first donation did not quite equal that, but was only a few dollars short. This is the hand of God. This is God’s Spirit moving upon the hearts of the people. Surely more than one who reads these lines at this moment is led by the Spirit of God to give a large donation. There are those who will joyfully yield to this divine influence. We believe that before this fund is completed, there will be gifts, not only of $1,000, but larger,—from $5,000 to $20,000. There are many among our people who have money that is not absolutely needed. There must be at least one million and a half dollars that could be turned into the work of the Lord in one day. Who will trust in God for his future needs and the needs of those dependent upon him, and help us to finish this work at once? But remember that the sacrifice is the measure of the gift. Those who can not give large donations may know that the Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed the poor widow who gave to the cause of God two mites, all the living that she had,—the same blessed Christ will reward those who make with him a covenant by sacrifice. The books will soon be opened, and the divine Auditor will give to every man according to his works, according to his gifts. Now is our day and opportunity.

J. S. WASHBURN.