Funds for Our Washington Enterprises
By Arthur G. Daniells
We are now ready to give our people an opportunity to make offerings for suitably establishing the headquarters of this cause in the city of Washington, D. C. The communications that directed us to the capital of our nation clearly pointed out the course we should take to establish our work here. We are to establish a printing house, a sanitarium, and a school. We are also to make a strong public proclamation of the truth in the city. We are to train workers for all parts of the great harvest field. During the Washington Council last fall this instruction was placed before the delegates. They looked the location over, and studied the general plans. After the most thorough, deliberate consideration of all the features of the situation, the following decisions were unanimously agreed to:— First, That we look to the proceeds that should come from the Review and Herald assets in Battle Creek for the necessary funds to build and equip the printing house in Washington. Second, That we call for $100,000 with which to provide the General Conference offices, the sanitarium, and the school. The amount specified is not more than will be needed, but it is more than we who were located in Washington had dared to think of asking for. But the delegates, one and all, looked at the conditions and needs of the work in a most practical and courageous way, and refused to allow a smaller sum to be named. As stated in a former report, this splendid manifestation of confidence, good judgment, and courage lifted a great burden from my heart, and gave me hope for much regarding this enterprise. We now have the various departments pretty well organized, and the general plans quite clearly outlined. The publishing interests are represented by a legal corporation with a large and wholly denominational constituency, a good board of directors, and experienced officers. Its work is moving along as encouragingly as could be expected under the circumstances. Larger facilities are needed, but they can not be provided at present. As has been reported recently, the medical work is being looked after. The board of trustees has elected officers, appointed department committees, and begun preparations for opening city treatment rooms, and for building on the Takoma Park site. A provisional school board has been appointed, and officers elected to develop the school interests. The members of the board are Prof. W. T. Bland, W. A. Spicer, J. S. Washburn, A. P. Needham, and A. G. Daniells. The officers elected are: Chairman, A. G. Daniells; Secretary and Treasurer, W. T. Bland; Financial Secretary, J. S. Washburn. Steps have already been taken to secure the services of one of our brethren to act as architect and builder, for the school board. The board of management have agreed on the following division of the $100,000: for the General Conference building, land, and expenses in moving the headquarters to Washington, $10,000; for the school, land, buildings, furniture, and improvement of land for cultivation, $30,000; for the sanitarium, land, buildings, and city treatment rooms, $60,000. Those who have had experience in establishing school and sanitarium enterprises will say at once that the amounts named for these are not enough. It is not all that will eventually be required if the blessing of God attends the work. But it is all that has been voted, and it is sufficient to start with. We shall thank God for this much. Now, brethren and sisters, we are prepared to begin operations. Our first step will be to give all our people in the United States an opportunity to make an offering to these enterprises. While the money is beginning to come in, we shall begin preliminary arrangements so that we can proceed to purchase material, and build as soon as we have the means. Our first great pressing need now is money. The sanitarium and school boards have thought it wise to arrange for Elder J. S. Washburn to take the responsibility of soliciting funds. His whole soul is in this Washington work. The Lord has laid the burden on his heart. He will place the situation in all its phases before all our people by articles in our papers, and by correspondence. Brother Washburn will be pleased to answer questions and give information to all. Please note that all offerings should be sent to the treasurer of the General Conference. Brother Washburn does not wish to receive the money. His duty and burden is to do what he can to solicit the funds. The General Conference treasurer will apply the offerings exactly as requested, and return receipts. An acknowledgment of funds received will be made through the REVIEW. The Lord has commanded us to establish his work in the nation's capital. He knows we must have means. We believe he will send us what we need. I suppose we have but little realization of what all this means, and the part it will play in the closing scenes of this work. Let us all respond quickly and liberally to this call.