Organization of Takoma Park Church
By H. E. Rogers
In establishing the work in Washington, it has been the settled policy not to organize one large church, of which all the believers in the city would become members, but rather that small churches should be formed as the necessities might arise and the needs of the cause demand. This plan affords better opportunity for individual effort on the part of the members of the churches than any other plan that could be followed, and also avoids some of the ill effects which have resulted from the collection of large numbers in one organization. Accordingly, when the number of those who were called to take up duties in connection with the institutions and organizations in the city seemed to make advisable the formation of another church in the District of Columbia, such a step was at once undertaken, and plans laid for its proper execution. A hall had been secured for holding meetings, and Sabbath services were begun in Takoma Park. It was on Sabbath, August 20, that the brethren and sisters met for the purpose of effecting a church organization, which was completed the following Sabbath. Elders W. C. White and W. A. Colcord were asked to take charge of the services and assist in the organization of the church. At the first meeting there were forty-one persons who presented letters from other churches, and who thus banded themselves together, and by prayer gave themselves anew to the work of the Lord. The membership has constantly increased, until the congregation now numbers considerably over one hundred.19 In selecting officers, it was deemed advisable to leave free from local responsibilities the ministers who are living here, and to choose those who are not bearing such heavy burdens, thus distributing the responsibilities to be borne. The following-named brethren were elected elders of the Takoma Park church: J. L. Prescott, A. J. Bristol, and S. N. Curtiss. A full complement of other officers was selected, and thus the burdens were distributed as widely as possible. In this way ample opportunity is given for all the members to engage in active duties in connection with some line of work. Owing to the presence of a large number of young people who were engaged in work upon the school buildings being erected here, there were soon begun regular meetings by the young people. This effort crystallized into the formation of a Young People's Society, which now has an attendance of about fifty at their regular meetings Sabbath afternoons. Members of this society had for some time been engaged in holding Bible readings with different persons whom they had interested in the truth by means of the printed page and otherwise, and the result of such effort has already been realized in the acceptance of the truth by one family, and the deep interest manifested by many others. The general interest shown in our work and message led the officers of the church to plan for a series of public meetings in the town hall, to be held each Sunday evening, which began October 23. It is planned that each member of the church shall assist in every way possible in carrying forward this work, and it is confidently expected that the result will be seen in the acceptance of the truth by many who are living here.