The Work in Washington, D. C.
By Arthur G. Daniells
SINCE the removal of our offices to Washington, we have endeavored to keep our people informed regarding the development of the work here. We have been very much cheered and encouraged by the many letters that have come to us expressing confidence that the Lord is leading in this movement, and deep interest for the prosperity of the work here at headquarters. And we are more grateful than words can express for the gifts of means that have accompanied many of these letters. We would rather have the confidence, interest, and prayers of God's people back of this movement than the power and wealth of the nation. Encouraging progress has been made since our last report. Brother A. S. Baird, with a force of workmen, has begun work on the school buildings. At this writing the foundation of the gentlemen's dormitory is finished, and the walls are going up. Ground for the foundation of the dining-hall has been broken. Timber, sand, and stone are being brought to the ground as fast as our teams can do the work. The gentlemen's dormitory will be a two-story building with a basement about two thirds above ground. The basement and first story will be built of cement; the upper story will be of wood. This building is to accommodate about forty students, and it is estimated that it will cost from five to six thousand dollars. We are studying and working to our utmost to provide what we require at the lowest possible cost. The school board are endeavoring to secure a strong faculty, and are planning to open the school by the first of the coming November. They have secured Prof. J. W. Loughhead as principal, and are in correspondence with others to take important places in the school. We find it very difficult to secure the help required. The Mt. Vernon Academy board found it difficult to consent to release Professor Loughhead, but they did so in behalf of the interests of this new institution. Sabbath, July 9, we are to begin Sabbath meetings in Takoma Park. There are enough members in that place to form a good church. That will be the fourth church in the District of Columbia, or the city of Washington, with a total membership of about three hundred and fifty. Our plan is to organize churches in different parts of the city, and thus prevent the building up of one large congregation. Active work is being done in the city this summer. Elder Lewis Sheafe has begun a series of tent-meetings in the southwestern part of the city, and is having an excellent hearing. The Lord has blessed Brother Sheafe's work in this city. The new church he formed last fall with fifty members now has a membership of over eighty. Plans are laid to begin another series of tent-meetings, Sunday night, July 10, in the northwestern part of Washington. Elders Washburn and Colcord and other general laborers in the city will assist in this tent work. Three young ministers from Iowa will spend the summer in Washington before proceeding to foreign fields. They will join in the tent effort about to open. Plans are being laid to do an extensive work in visiting, giving Bible readings, and selling literature from house to house. We hope to go out into the suburbs and country settlements around Washington. Now is our time to work here. I need scarcely request the prayers of our people, for we have them already. A. G. DANIELLS.