p. 14 | Washington, D. C by J. S. Washburn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1903

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

My first work in the capital city was begun June 20, 1890, and closed July 6, 1891. Through all the years I was in England, I looked back upon that year as one of the pleasantest and most successful in all my experience. I was impressed then that a great work was to be done in the nation's capital before the end should come. After I had lived more than a quarter of my life in England, I reached my old home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Feb. 1, 1902. I had hoped to work for a time in my native State, but a few days after my arrival I was requested by the General Conference Committee to resume labor in my last American field, Washington, D. C. I reached this city, May 8. The tent meetings held here have been quite successful, notwithstanding some of the greatest difficulties I ever met in my work were encountered here. Had I not believed in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting, I should have been strongly tempted many times to leave the work. Nevertheless, after every conflict the Lord has given victory, for which we thank him, and take courage.

A visit from Elders H. W. Cottrell and W. A. Spicer, which was reported in the Review of recent date, greatly helped the situation here. We feel absolutely sure that a thrilling, a tremendous crisis in the work here and for the nation, is opening up. The cords are being more tightly drawn around our people in government employ. I have just heard (January 5) that the Sunday law which failed during the last session of Congress is again to be pushed forward.

After the hearing before the District Commissioners on May 27 last, the Secular Society invited me to address them at some future date. The address on the United States in prophecy was given January 4, before a full representation. Among those present and taking part in the discussion which followed the address was General Birney, who at one time several years ago presided at a mass meeting held to oppose the Blair Sunday Rest Bill and the Breckenridge Sunday law. He spoke of the position of Seventh-day Adventists on religious legislation, and of Elder Jones's hearing on the Sunday Rest Bill, in the highest terms, and said he had received more help from the Sentinel than from any other publication. The discussion as a whole was most friendly, and I can but believe that in this society, professedly agnostic and infidel, there are many liberal, honest souls, who will yet see the light of the saving truth, and accept it.

Among the members of this society was a venerable gentleman who had been for seven years a believer in the advent message of 1844. Like so many others disappointed, he had given up all hope, and was drifting toward eternity without the chart or compass or the anchor that reaches to that within the veil. He said that he regretted that he could not believe as he once did. Others expressed regret that the simple faith of childhood had gone out of their lives. Never have I felt a greater interest than in these unbelievers, and never have I realized the Lord's help more than on this occasion. In my closing talk in reply to their criticisms, I told them that they would remember that the old Book had warned them of the impending danger, and when they were writhing in the terrible grip of the coming religious monopoly, they would remember what God's Word had said to them that day. After the meeting there was the utmost good will manifested. One gray-haired man, with a strong pressure of the hand, said, “That's right, hold to the old Book, the only hope.” Several said that they realized the great crisis before us, and that it was very near; others asked where our church was situated, and promised to come to our services. I rejoice to believe that the seed sown here is not lost, but will some day bear eternal fruit.

On the same day at our church I learned that a gentleman who has often attended our meetings, and is deeply interested, is a daily personal attendant of President Roosevelt, and was assured that thus a personal interview with the president on almost any day would be possible. Should necessity arise, as it surely will soon, this open door would prove to us most valuable. I am sure this providence is significant. The Lord is certainly going out before us in many ways, and he will give grace and wisdom to us to follow on into his eternal light and glory. J. S. Washburn.