p. 15 | New York by R. B. Clapp

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 9, 1914

New York

By R. B. Clapp

WATERTOWN.—We came to this city early last January. This is not a new field, work having been done here more or less for the past quarter of a century. A church company has been here for years, and the general impression prevails that this is hard territory. Notwithstanding all this, we felt led of God to locate here, and, with much prayer and seeking God, began the work. Our first problem was to secure a suitable place to hold meetings. Our people had a good church building, but it was located in such an out-of-the-way part of the city that it could not be utilized for aggressive work.

CHURCH BUILDING RECENTLY PURCHASED AT WATERTOWN, N. Y.

The Lord met us in our extremity in a very clear way, and brought us in touch with a church building well suited to our use. After counseling with the conference president, Elder W. H. Holden, we bought the property. The price paid was $4,600, which was just about one half the amount put into the property when it was built, about ten years ago. The spirit of devotion among the people here was so strong that some borrowed the money to help meet the payment. The conference furnished $500, and the church raised $1,100, and by securing a loan from the savings bank of $3,000, we secured the property. It is a nice church building, with seating capacity for about 250 persons.

It has with it a fine corner lot on Clay and Academy Streets, with no building, which we plan to use for a tent meeting for the summer effort. The bank appraised the property at $6,000, which, you understand, must always be a very conservative estimate.

Elder Holden preached the opening sermon of the present series of meetings, on Tuesday evening, February 24. We have been holding six meetings a week since. Elder F. C. Gilbert was with us March 17-22, and rendered valuable aid. The interest has been developing slowly but surely. Precious souls are beginning to show deep interest, and we are getting into the solid, testing truths of the third angel's message. One, a young man, has given his heart to the Saviour; old Sabbath keepers have been reclaimed, and all have felt a special blessing. We expect to see persons taking hold of the Sabbath in the immediate future. We especially rejoice that when we were at our extremity for a place to hold meetings, God gave to us just what we needed. Our church members here have been very loyal in all the work and plans. United in God, we shall see many souls saved to the Master.

R. B. CLAPP.