A Glorious Opportunity by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 10, 1904

A Glorious Opportunity

By J. S. Washburn

HAPPY is he who lives in this day, beholding the working out of God’s great purpose. Happy is he who sees with understanding eyes and believing heart the fulfilment of the word of prophecy.

It has been a blessed privilege in every time and age to have a part in God’s work. But how glorious the opportunity, not only of seeing the last great message rising to a position where it can finish its appointed work; not only of seeing, but, by voice or pen or by the God-given talent of money, of actually proclaiming that message at the very head of the nation that leads the world.

Our church paper, the REVIEW AND HERALD, is now issued from 222 North Capitol St., the old “Washington House,” the very house which the “father of his country,” the founder of American national liberty, chose as his capital home in the early days of the republic. Is it not significant that from this very building, now the headquarters of the representatives of the third angel’s message, is to-day sent forth the great proclamation of eternal liberty, not only to this nation, but to all the world?

From this building, looking south, as I write, the magnificent Capitol building, the actual seat of the United States government, less than one block away, fills all the vision. The bold statue of Freedom, with drawn sword, aloft on the towering dome, stands out against the southern sky.

Within a stone’s throw of each other are the headquarters of the—

Last Great Nation

on earth, and the headquarters of the denomination representing the last great proclamation of God’s message to a fallen world—the one representing the last, and the highest effort and attainment of human law, the other bearing aloft the law of God, the King of the universe.

Across the Capitol and Library grounds is the building used as the headquarters of the International Reform Bureau, the organized society, under the leadership of Mr. W. F. Crafts, to destroy American liberty.

This is not a dream. This is the actual, the literal situation. Does not this situation appeal to every Seventh-day Adventist who has read the thirteenth chapter of Revelation and the “Great Controversy”? We are here because we believe the Bible and the spirit of prophecy. We are here because God has seen that the time has come when his message must be brought to the front. He has not brought us here in vain.

The soldiers of the Lord are wheeling into line, literally taking position, securing vantage-ground for—

The Final Conflict

Here at the head of the nation that has been the cradle, the stronghold, of this great truth, a mighty conflict must be fought. Here on this battle-ground Romanism, Spiritualism, Christian science, theosophy, and many other ancient and modern delusions are strongly entrenched. Here where the legions of darkness will make a last desperate stand, the mighty God of battles, the Lord of hosts, is planting his banners, marshaling his forces to stand in the evil day, to conquer, to win the victory that shall be final and everlasting.

A Definite Prophecy

made many years ago is just being fulfilled. Note the Testimony: “I saw that when the message shall increase greatly in power, then the providence of God will open and prepare the way in the East for much more to be accomplished than can be at the present time. God will then send some of his servants in power to visit places where little or nothing can now be done.”

Never have I seen a place so free from prejudice as is Washington, D. C., at the present time. One of the leading papers of Washington stated that the “coming of the Adventists to Washington is to this city one of the most important events of the year.” The people have received us with open arms. God has certainly opened and prepared the way in the East. And notice, too, that the work shall go “in power.”

In a letter of instruction, written July 5, entitled “Our Work at the Nation’s Capital,” after quoting Acts 1:13, 14, and 2:1-5, 9-11, a parallel is drawn between Jerusalem and Washington as centers of influence, between the early and the latter rain of the Holy Spirit, in these words, “In the days of the apostles, Jerusalem was a great—

Center of Influence

and in this place, light from heaven was to shine in its most powerful rays upon the Lord’s witnesses who were to bear the gospel message.

“Read the whole of the second chapter of Acts, and see if you are not convinced that there has been a decided failure to understand that one of our first duties is to make at the nation’s capital a special presentation of the truth for this time.” Dear reader, study the significance of this statement.

We are sure that every loyal Seventh-day Adventist who keeps the commandments of God and believes the spirit of prophecy will rejoice to help in the establishing of the—

Sanitarium, School, and General Conference Offices

to be located here. Those who have read the articles by Elder Daniells in recent numbers of the REVIEW will fully understand that the General Conference council in Washington, October, 1903, without a dissenting voice fully indorsed the raising of one hundred thousand dollars for this purpose. We believe that the hearts of all our people who were represented at that council are with us in this work, and as surely as it is true that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” just so surely where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.

From all parts of this country, and from foreign lands, comes to our ears with united voice the testimony that this move to Washington is of God. This leads us to believe that our loyal people will respond to this call; for it means as never before in the history of this work, that God will do a new thing; that this money will be raised quickly, and that these institutions will be built without paying interest on borrowed money. The glorious opportunity is now given to help build these institutions, so that the item of interest will not enter into the expense account. You can help decide that this shall be.

The wonderful response to our appeal for help in paying for the Memorial church, assures us that vastly deeper interest will be manifested by our people in these institutions, which are of much greater importance. The church building was paid for Nov. 13, 1903, and almost enough has since that time been sent us to make the recent alterations. We believe the Lord will move on hearts to supply the amount yet needed, and more, so that a good balance may be left for the—

One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund

If all who have sent money to help pay for the church will send ten times that amount, the money will easily be raised. A few may not be able to do this; many can do even more. We believe that many who did not send money for the church will help these more important enterprises. We earnestly trust that the Lord will put it into the hearts of some who read this appeal to give from five to twenty thousand dollars. Surely there are a goodly number who will give one thousand dollars. Many will give from one to five hundred, and we trust that every man, woman, and child throughout our ranks will have something invested in these heaven-appointed institutions.

Let no one fear that the raising of this fund at once, will reduce the offerings to missions and other enterprises. When the health of the heart is sound, new, strong life will flow through every artery. When the work is established strongly, firmly, at the center, then the life-line will be thrown with sure aim to the sinking souls, far and near.

Mark this statement from the spirit of prophecy: “The Lord calls on us to awake to a realization of the opportunities presented before us, to let our light shine in the city of Washington by establishing there memorials that will hasten forward the proclamation of the third angel’s message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” This is truth.

O! who will help at once to light the light that shall shine to the ends of the world? Twenty-five thousand dollars should be raised by the first of May with which to begin the work of building economically these institutions directly indicated by the spirit of prophecy. While the Testimony has spoken plainly concerning the erecting of buildings that will rightly represent the work in this important center, it has also given plain directions concerning economy. Some statements from these Testimonies will be published later. Those who have the work in charge are adhering to these directions very carefully.

Will not our people look on it as a great privilege to provide the means now while we are waiting? The matter is in your hands to decide how much we shall be able to do. We believe that all our people will respond freely, quickly, and unitedly. The last call to give to the work will soon be heard; the door of the last glorious opportunity will soon be closed forever. A late Testimony says: “Ministers and people, wake up. Be quick to seize every opportunity and advantage offered in the turning wheel of providence.”

We trust we shall be able to start our published list with a donation of at least one thousand dollars from some brother or sister who believes that this message is of God. We wait with confidence. May God speak to hearts!

Send all money to W. T. Bland, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C.

J. S. WASHBURN,

Financial Secretary.