Western Washington by Daniel Nettleton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

Western Washington

By Daniel Nettleton

By invitation, I met with the church at Bellingham on Sabbath and Sunday, April 13, 14. It is pleasant, and I trust profitable, to leave the routine of sanitarium work for a few days and meet and worship with others of like precious faith. Our train arrived at Bellingham on Friday, at 7:50 P. M. Hastening to the church, I found a congregation awaiting my arrival. How encouraging to the minister, as he enters the house of God, to find a people ready and waiting to hear the word of the Lord, and singing the sweet songs of Zion as they wait. How blessed, as he kneels in the pulpit to ask help of God for the hour, to know that the people are also praying, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." Our hearts were made glad as we studied together the scripture, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

Sabbath was a good day for those who sang from the heart,—

"Welcome, delightful morn, Thou day of sacred rest."

After an interesting Sabbath-school and a short sermon, we all joined in a testimony and praise service. It is good to praise the Lord, and to hear God's saints witness for him and tell of his mercy to them. "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness," for by so doing I could at least hear his saints praise him. After our praise service, the ordinance of humility and the one that shows the Lord's death till he come, were celebrated. Why should not the people of God have frequent meetings of this character? Do you remember that "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another," and how the hearts of the disciples burned within them as the risen Saviour spoke to them and opened to them the Scriptures?

I also spoke on Saturday night and twice on Sunday in our church. These meetings were well attended by our brethren, and a few others were present. Our theme was the signs of the times and the preparation necessary for our soon-coming King.

On Monday I went to Lynden to visit friends and interested ones who had been here at our sanitarium. In the afternoon we had a small meeting at the home of Mrs. A. J. Cudney, the widow of Elder A. J. Cudney, who, in Nebraska, in the early days of my ministry was my yoke-fellow in the gospel. Brother Cudney was lost at sea on his way to visit the people on Pitcairn Island, in the year 1888. I found Sister Cudney hopeful and busy in her Master's service. We should not be full of sorrow, or without hope, but with cheerful, loving hearts should go on to help finish the work of God, expecting soon to meet all our dear fellow workers and the beloved church of God where there shall be no more sad partings, tears, nor death.

DANIEL NETTLETON.