A Thank Offering for the Washington Publishing Work
WRITING under date of Oct. 22, 1903, and enclosing a donation of one hundred dollars to assist in establishing the publishing work in Washington, Elder D. T. Bourdeau says:— I have felt anxious to do something to assist our new publishing plant in Washington, that at so important a center it may far exceed in influence our former beloved publishing house in Battle Creek. . . . As I look up to the date of these lines, I see I have special reasons for sending the inclosed pittance as a thank offering. This is the fifty-ninth anniversary of the ending of the twenty-three hundred days, of Christ's entering upon his closing work as a priest in the heavenly sanctuary, and of the investigative judgment of God's people, beginning with the righteous dead. Also, about fifty-nine years ago I was converted under the influence and through the miraculous workings of God's Spirit that attended the proclamation of the first angel's message. I have cause for gratitude to God, since he has kept me from falling during these many years, and in view of the encouraging fact that we are fifty-nine years nearer the coming of Christ than we were in 1844. I might also add the fact that twenty years ago to-day our lamented brother, Elder J. N. Andrews, died, having desired that he might fall asleep in Jesus on this the greatest day in his experience in the second advent cause. And have I not in this another reason for gratitude for God's sparing mercy? It is blessed to die in the Lord under this message, and it is also blessed to labor on in this the best of causes, and witness the opening heaven revealing the glory attending the Redeemer coming in the clouds of heaven and with all the holy angels. Courage in the Lord, brethren! We are almost home. May love and union prevail among us, and the work soon close in triumphant victory. We appreciate the assistance rendered to the work here, and unite in the desire expressed that the work may “soon close in triumphant victory.”