Washington, D. C by J. S. Washburn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 19, 1903

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

Two thousand five hundred dollars was paid, April 27, on the debt of the Washington Memorial Church. This makes a total of $8,700 paid since Nov. 1, 1902, and leaves a remainder of $4,200 yet to be paid, with interest at sixty-four cents a day. With the exception of Sunday, money has been received on the church fund every day since January 20, the smallest amount received on any one day was one dollar, April 29.

On April 27 I received five hundred dollars from a sister in St. Louis, who had previously given fifteen hundred dollars to this fund. If a few others would give two thousand dollars, as this sister has done, or proportionately, as they are able, how quickly this account would be closed! Yet we know many have sacrificed in giving the small amounts, and we are sure that they will receive joy and blessing in proportion to their sacrifice.

One sister in Ohio offered to give one hundred dollars if a picture of the church and the congregation standing in front of it was sent to her. An excellent picture has been taken, and we now have forty-two more of these photographs, which we will gladly send to other friends for the same consideration.

We shall then joyously sing the jubilee song of freedom, and appoint a time for the re-dedication of this church to the blessed work of proclaiming in the nation's capital and to the representatives and people of the nation, yea, more, from this “city that is set on an hill” indeed, to all the world, the saving truth of eternal life and light and the everlasting and glorious liberty of the sons of God. The church and our leading institutions established here will bring the great testing question of the ages to direct and final settlement more quickly and definitely than if established in any other city in the world. This city is the bridge between the North and the South. It is the one city that belongs to the whole nation.

One hundred dollars more than two

thirds of twelve thousand nine hundred dollars, the church debt, has now been paid. Surely it will not be long until the whole amount is raised. At the present rate August 1 will witness the payment of the last dollar, but we trust to see the day of freedom much sooner.

The attendance at the meeting, Sunday night, April 26, was the largest in the new church, the room being packed. We have been studying Christian science as a fulfillment of prophecy, and a deep interest has been aroused. Every modern delusion seeks to establish itself in Washington.

Abdul Baha, a man who claims to be Christ, living now in Acca, Palestine, has sent his teachers to Washington. They are having a good hearing, and are winning followers. It is said that he has fifteen million followers. It is a most astounding story, a part fulfillment of the prophecy of false Christs in Matthew 24. Surely we may understand, as we consider the modern delusions, the words of Isa. 2:6: “Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.”

Christian science, according to the statements made by its own authorities, is simply a dangerous revival of ancient heathen witchcraft from the far East, with its mysteries and incantations. I hope to write on this subject more fully at some future date. We are certainly living in the days when great signs and lying wonders are beginning to appear, when many have come saying, “I am Christ,” and these delusions are deceiving many, and testing the faith of even the elect. But the Lord is able to keep us faultless, victorious, till the blessed day, now so near at hand, of “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Below is given a partial list of donations sent directly to me, and not previously reported in the REVIEW:—

Previously reported, $2,211.20.

Hattie G. Weller, $500; Mrs. Sarah Higgins, $100; Atlantic Union Conference, $691.47; Pacific Union Conference, $166.72; Iowa Tract Society, $150; Hermy Grobe, $25; a friend, $10; S. M. Holly, $10; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Payne, $25; Arthur Henschel, $10; Levi Clinger, $10; John Ninpentan, $10; David E. Bell, $1; V. H. Lucas, $1; D. S. Haley, $1; J. T. Ransom, $1; T. M. Bradford, $1; G. W. Hickey, $1; Mrs. Anna Hamer, $1; Mrs. Joseph B. Springer, $1; Chas. F. Miller, $5; J. D. Hildreth, .50; W. C. Wright, .50; E. R. Matthews, .50; Mrs. Anna Lodge, .50; Joseph B. Springer, .50; Mrs. F. C. Rasin, .50; Sam’l J. Bradford, .25; Mrs. Anna Haley, .25; Miss Lulu Viagofski, .25; Clifford Swope, .02; Little Faust, .10; Brother Crawford, .50; Brother Faust, $1; Sister Faust, $1. Total, $3,938.77. J. S. WASHBURN.