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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 13, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 24.

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District of Columbia

By K. C. Russell

The Lord has been richly blessing his people in the District of Columbia, who have been faithfully and loyally co-operating with him in seeking to advance the third angel’s message in this important center. We are assured that Satan will focus his efforts at the very heart of our work, with the hope of defeating the purpose of God. We have already experienced something of his evil designs in overthrowing some who had not been building upon the “sure foundation.”
Owing to the fact that we had no minister to labor for the white race in Washington during the past winter, and our general men were loaded down with their various lines of work, we did not conduct any public effort in the city as heretofore. Brother Geo. A. Stevens conducted a series of Sunday evening services in Georgetown, and the writer conducted a few Sunday evening meetings in the Memorial church as time and opportunity permitted. During the winter months our aggressive work in the District was confined principally to Bible work and the distribution of our literature—the two ways that we believe a most effective work can be done in a city like Washington, where it is difficult to secure an outside attendance.
Brother Stevens will do missionary work at the Jamestown Exposition (Va.) this summer. Brother G. H. Clarke will spend a portion of his time this season in the canvassing work in the District.
In view of our great need of a minister who could devote his entire time to pastoral and aggressive evangelistic work in the city of Washington, we succeeded in securing Elder B. L. House, of the Ohio Conference. He began his labors the first of March. He has been holding Sunday evening services in the Memorial church for several weeks, and at this writing the outlook is very encouraging. As soon as the weather will warrant, he, with a corps of workers, will begin a series of tent-meetings in the city.
The District Committee are encouraging, in a material way, consecrated students to connect with this effort, in taking up the sale of our literature, doing Bible work, and also in doing Christian visiting. This is a work that every conference should take hold of more heartily than many have. Daily studies will be held for the workers by those in charge of the meetings.
Elder M. C. Strachan has been secured to labor for the colored race in the District of Columbia. He will also begin a series of tent-meetings in the city of Washington, as soon as consistent. Pray that the Lord will signally bless his efforts to bring the light of this precious truth to this dear people, whom Satan is seeking to deceive and keep in darkness.
It is the policy of those in charge of the work in the District of Columbia not to consume any more money than is necessary for the best interests of our work, thus placing the surplus tithe in the hands of the General Conference to be used in carrying on the work in othermore needy fields. At our last annual meeting, held March 3, 1907, we voted a surplus of $3,697.58 to the General Conference. Why should we not economize in our home field with its superabundance of facilities, and send on our surplus funds to the needy fields in the regions beyond?
It has been gratifying to note the willingness and dispatch with which some of our churches in the District have taken hold in responding to the different calls which have been made of late. It will be remembered how readily they raised their share of the $150,000 fund.
Recently two educational conventions have been held in the District—one in the Takoma Park church, and the other in the Memorial church. At the latter, a call was made for donations and pledges toward an educational fund with which to help worthy students in obtaining an education, and there was raised in cash and pledges the sum of two hundred and fifteen dollars. Why should not every church do likewise? What object could be more worthy than to aid earnest and consecrated young men and women in fitting themselves to carry this message to those in darkness?
The special Signs campaign was entered into heartily by most of our people in the District, and about seven hundred copies of the Signs were pledged to be taken.
The Takoma Park church has decided to erect a church building, and also a building in which to conduct a church-school. It is hoped to have these ready for occupancy this fall. These buildings have been a dire necessity for a long time, as our people in Takoma Park have been obliged to hold their church services in a hall that is used for various purposes, and is also located so near the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad that it is often necessary for the speaker to pause several times during an address because of passing trains.
Pray that the Lord may bless every effort put forth in harmony with his purpose to build up the cause here at the center of his work in the earth, and paralyze every effort which is exerted against it. K. C. RUSSELL.