Philadelphia—The Third City in America
By WM. J. FITZGERALD.
Much has been said in the utterances of the spirit of prophecy, during the past few years, about giving the message of the “third angel” to the great cities in the eastern part of the United States. The evident purpose has been to turn the attention of believers in present truth who reside in less densely populated portions of the country to the teeming millions of humankind crowded into a comparatively small territory bordering on the Atlantic Coast of our own country. Some financial support has been extended to New York and Washington. The work in those cities has been greatly encouraged. Our hearts all rejoice in this. We believe it has been and will continue to be a great blessing to the general work as well as to the local. For more than a year, hundreds and thousands have freely sent contributions to aid the work in our national capital. This has been because all appreciate the importance of Washington as the national headquarters of this great republic. Within a few hours’ ride of Washington, is the city of Philadelphia, the third city in America, which embraces within its own limits, at the present time, almost one and one-half millions. Add to this the population of the cities, towns, and villages within twenty miles of Philadelphia, and the total population is increased to more than two millions. All must be impressed at once that this presents a great and important field for the operations of the various phases of the last message. In the central and western portions of the United States, a city of several hundred thousand inhabitants stands by itself, a long distance from any other large city. Our work in such cities receives aid from the believers in a very extensive territory surrounding. But it is not so with the Eastern cities. Philadelphia is only two hours’ ride from New York City. Baltimore is about the same distance away in another direction, and Washington is only a little farther along the line, while many other large towns and cities lie within a few miles of its borders. Thus all can see that Philadelphia, as Washington or New York, stands in a position which pleads earnestly for aid from the central and western portions of the country, where there are many more believers in present truth proportionate to the population than there are in the eastern section. This is evidently why our loyal people in the different parts of the United States have been urged to contribute means toward a strong campaign to be waged among the multitudes of the many great cities of the East. This principle applies to all the very populous eastern portion of the country, but in a special sense to such great cities as Philadelphia. While other cities have been aided more or less liberally, scarcely a dollar has been contributed to the work in Philadelphia from any source outside of the local conference. Philadelphia is a very important city for other reasons than its great population. It served as the cradle of liberty, both civil and religious, which all Americans have ever enjoyed. It was here that Jefferson wrote the great Declaration of American Independence, and here that far-reaching document was signed by the noble fathers of our country. The Constitution of the United States was also drafted and adopted in this city. American citizens from every quarter of this vast country visit the many points of historic interest in Philadelphia,—notably the old Independence Hall. We have long believed that we have an unparalleled and unequalled message of liberty to proclaim throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof. Should not, and will not, our people gladly contribute something toward an offering for the work in Philadelphia, that this glorious last-day message may be properly sounded here? Philadelphia is doubtless the most important medical center in the United States, when the number and prestige of the medical institutions and the distinguished physicians and surgeons are considered. For this reason the need has long been felt of having a properly equipped health institution established and conducted here. About two years ago a small institution was started entirely with borrowed capital. Scarcely a dollar has been donated to the enterprise. It has had a hard struggle for existence, in meeting its current expenses, besides the interest on money invested. The work is promising, the outlook is bright, if help can be extended. But aid in the form of donations must soon come, if the advantages already gained are to be maintained. Are there not many brethren and sisters throughout the United States who will gladly aid the work in this great city by contributing from one to ten dollars? And will not some who read this statement of the situation here feel impressed to make contributions of even hundreds of dollars? There are doubtless many who feel a special interest in the city of Philadelphia. Now is the opportunity to send aid. May God stir up many hearts.