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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 13.

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Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

The time of the final test on the great Sabbath truth is rapidly approaching. Our people who are employed in government departments in Washington are beginning to realize that the cords are tightening. One brother who for many years has not only been free to keep the Sabbath, but to work on Sunday, was suddenly informed that he would be promoted if he would work on the Sabbath. If he refused, he must accept an inferior position with no Sunday work. The brother was true to principle, and bravely suffered the consequences. Another brother in the Treasury Department had his salary reduced one third because he refused to work on the Sabbath.
The case of Brother W. M. Lewis, formerly of Lincoln, Neb., has attracted much attention in the papers. Employed in the Post Office Department, he was allowed Sunday work in addition to a free Sabbath previous to June, 1902, when he left for California. On returning Jan. 1, 1903, and seeking reinstatement in his old position, he was informed that he would not be allowed to work on Sunday, and must work on the Sabbath. He would have been shut out entirely had not Hon. E. J. Burkett, M. C., of Nebraska, made an earnest effort to secure a place for him with Sunday work and Sabbath free. The case was under advisement for some time before the postmaster general and the first assistant, and it was finally decided that Brother Lewis should hold his position with no Sunday work, and that he might be called on at any time to work on the Sabbath. On his refusal to work on the Sabbath, he would be called up for breach of discipline, and be subject to immediate dismissal. If this should occur, he will appeal directly to the president. The Nebraska congressman, Mr. Burkett, certainly deserves credit for the earnest effort made by him for liberty of conscience and equal rights.
On account of these cases the Sabbath question has evidently been discussed by the president and his cabinet more than once. The great crisis must come very soon. O that all may realize this, and work with intense earnestness while the shadows are lengthening and the sun of liberty is setting forever!
The deep interest nearly all our people have manifested in the work here during the last two months—since the appeal for the Memorial Church was issued in the REVIEW of January 13—has been very encouraging, and yet it has to me a most solemn significance. Upon the minds of many of our people there seems to be a profound conviction that something of deepest interest to us as a people and to all the world is about to occur in Washington, the capital of the United States. What can it be? In just what way it will be brought about, we can not say; but just before us is the fulfillment of the last part of the prophecy of the United States, as recorded in Revelation 13. God is bringing his work into a position where it can be closed up quickly. He is making his people willing in the day of his power.
Since January 20, except on Sundays, when there is no mail delivery in Washington, I have daily received money for the Memorial Church. Some days the amount has not been large, but every day without exception has brought something. The sum of $6,200 has been paid on the church, and $6,700 is still due, but we have in hand over nine hundred dollars toward another payment, which we expect to make as soon as we receive another one hundred dollars. We are certain that soon all will be paid, and that those who desire to have a part in the work in the nation's capital must act quickly, or they will lose the opportunity.
“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This is so clearly expressed in the appeal by Sister White in the REVIEW of March 10, that I will quote a few words: “Those who share in this missionary enterprise by making gifts, large or small, according to their ability, will ever after feel a deeper interest in the progress of the Lord’s cause in Washington. Those who respond to this call, making gifts to the Lord for the purchase of this church property, will receive a rich blessing for so doing.”
A very neat little leaflet with a picture of the Washington Memorial Church, and also of the great Washington Monument, containing the whole of the appeal by Sister White, also the appeal of the president of the General Conference, the General Conference resolutions relating to this matter, the appeals of the editors of the REVIEW and of the Signs of the Times, and other appeals,—a very convenient memento of this work,—will be sent to every one who sends further help to us, or, in fact, to any one who may apply for the same to me.
Only the names of those who send money directly to the REVIEW and Herald are published in the REVIEW fund. Therehas been a misunderstanding in this matter, and some whose gifts have been sent directly to me have been surprised that their donations did not appear in the REVIEW fund. To such we trust this explanation will be satisfactory. We may be able later on to publish a partial list of donations sent directly to me.
J. S. WASHBURN.