p. 12 | WASHINGTON, D. C by J. S. Washburn

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 4, 1903

WASHINGTON, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

ALL the readers of this paper must surely see right before us the tremendous crisis that confronts the nation, the result of which must be world-wide in extent and eternal in its effects. The Lord is shaping matters here very rapidly to prepare a people to meet the great issues which must be met here at the head of the nation. We earnestly appeal to every reader of the SIGNS to help us in the work here now, when so much is at stake.

Interior of the Second S. D. A. Church of Washington.

The great issue of religious legislation is constantly to be met here. It is even now impending in the District of Columbia, where no man has a vote, but where the laws once made by Congress must be accepted by all. The great labor question, the question of combinations of money and unions of labor, under which the very central government of the nation is even now swaying and bending, in its desperate endeavor to stay the tide of a revolution infinitely worse than that of France 110 years ago,—the question of the foreign policy of this country,—all these living, burning questions must be met here.

Are not the readers of this valuable paper,—believers in the nearness of the coming of Christ,—are you not all interested in seeing the work established here on a strong, a sure foundation? The Lord has given us many indications that He is leading us on more rapidly than we dared to hope. Shall we not, then, with a ringing shout of men rallying to the last charge, unite to place the banner of the coming King here in a position where it can have the opportunity to represent the great truth which the SIGNS OF THE TIMES stands for—here—here in Washington, where all these great issues which decide the fate of the nation and the destiny of the world must be met?

Among the present needs of the friends of the cause of truth and liberty is a suitable house of worship, a place free from debt, where can be proclaimed the Gospel of liberty without fear, “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” God has, in His goodness, opened the way for this.

Satan knows the value of this local influence on the national life. Here in this city the Roman Church is mighty, everywhere, influential in the government itself, in the departments and in the press—has her marble churches, her colleges and her universities. Here Spiritualism is surprisingly strong, aggressive, and bold. Washington is honeycombed with Romanism, Spiritualism, and other delusions more modern, and, if possible, more dangerous. The enemy is here before us, strongly entrenched. Here, as in no other city, those who stand for the whole truth of God need a respectable, comfortable house of worship, so situated that we can reach the men that make Washington what it is.

For several years we have had a small church building in Northeast Washington, practically out of the reach of the Washington that is Washington—that is the northwest part of the city. But a church

was needed nearer the center. The old one, the First S. D. A. Church, is still in existence, and is going forward, we trust, in prosperity. But a larger and more representative church was needed in central Washington. A new organization was formed, and the church shown on the first page of this paper, the interior on this page, was purchased. It was once offered for sale at $30,000, but was purchased for $12,000. Surely, it seemed the direct providence of God. The young and not large, but growing, congregation there, which occupies that church, will do all they can; but, on account of the importance of the work, they feel free to most earnestly appeal to every friend of the cause to send from 25 cents upward to help in this enterprise. Rather, to put it the other way, we ask if there are not those who will contribute at once from $1,000 down. If you are interested in this matter, help now. All who so desire, may send their funds to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, which will duly receipt for all sums received, and forward them to the board of trustees. The treasurer of the church is Carl Olsen. The chairman of the board of trustees is J. H. Neall, M. D. The address is 1728 Fourteenth Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. J. S. WASHBURN, Pastor.