OUR TABERNACLE AT BATTLE CREEK.
By George I. Butler
We have long been desirous of saying a word through the REVIEW concerning this edifice. It meets a want so long felt, and does it so perfectly and satisfactorily, that it merits more than a passing notice. As the work increased, church after church had been built in Battle Creek; and as the numbers called here by the Sanitarium, Office, and College became greater, it was absolutely necessary to erect a building of very large dimensions. As the church numbered several hundreds, and there were hundreds more at the school, and other hundreds at the Sanitarium and Office, besides occasional visitors, and large gatherings of our people at general meetings, how to meet the emergency became quite a problem to solve. If a building just large enough to meet the present wants was erected, it would require an outlay of many thousands of dollars. In the light of our past experience, we had every reason to expect another would have to be built in a little while, for, by the natural growth of the work, we should be as badly crowded as now. Should one sufficiently large to meet our probable future wants be built after the ordinary style, it would be uncomfortable, and too large for present purposes. If it were built for the accommodation of the Battle Creek church alone, it would not accommodate our large general gatherings. If built for these, it would not be suitable for the uses of the church alone. While these matters were being carefully considered, the present plan was presented by a capable architect of Detroit. It was a plan of his devising to meet such circumstances as we have stated, and it seemed every way feasible and worthy of acceptance. It was adopted, and our present Tabernacle is the result. I shall not attempt a particular description of this edifice, as it has been given by abler pens, but will merely refer to some general items. By means of sliding doors, which may be raised or lowered at pleasure, the large space beneath the roof may either be thrown into one room, which, with the gallery overhead, will hold upwards of 3,000 persons, or it may easily be divided into four rooms, separate one from another. The central space in front of the pulpit, and nearest to it, will hold any ordinary congregation, and when necessary it can be made into one of the largest rooms in the country. Heated by steam from the office boilers, it is in no danger from fire; and it is so arranged that any or all the rooms can be heated at pleasure. Here the large Sabbath-school of forty or fifty classes, comprising our young people attending the College from all parts of the country, can have the benefit of excellent opportunities of learning how to manage this important branch of the work, and thus be able to help the schools in their own churches. Without such facilities, the size of the Sabbath-school would be embarrassing; with these, every want is met, so far as room is concerned. Large funerals and public gatherings are here accommodated. Some of the vestries can be and are used to accommodate classes when the College is crowded, and thus the necessity of erecting an addition to that building is avoided at present. We have never had a building erected in Battle Creek which seemed to me to be so completely adapted to the requirements as our Tabernacle. The plan adopted by the builders was a most happy thought, if not a real providence of God. Our people all over the field, who have any interest in the cause itself, are interested in it. Considering its size and finish, we think it remarkably cheap; costing only a little over $26,000. Many persons intelligent in such matters who have examined it, estimate the cost at about $40,000 or $50,000. The building is every way creditable to us; and though nothing to be proud of (for pride should never enter into any work of man's device), yet it does furnish occasion for gratitude that we have such a building at that most important center. It has been called the “Dime Tabernacle,” because the original plan contemplated the giving of one dime each for one year by our people everywhere. Had they really done this, the dimes, with the larger donations which have been made, would have paid for it long ago. This, like other good plans, failed because not fully carried out. Many who started in on this plan, virtually pledging themselves to pay the whole $1.20, never paid but one or two of the twelve dimes pledged. The consequence is, this noble edifice stands thousands of dollars in debt to the Publishing Association, thus embarrassing another important institution. It would be a disgrace to our people everywhere to allow this debt to remain any length of time upon it. We need the building all the time. Our recent General Conference found it most convenient. Every State Conference should feel an interest in having this debt raised. Our T. and M. societies should take measures to collect, as far as possible, those original pledges of one dime each month, which are still back. Individuals throughout the cause should send in their donations, till the few remaining thousands of the debt are paid off. This would be a great help to the Publishing Association. Come, brethren, this is a prosperous year. Crops have been good, and prices good. Let us send up a thank-offering to God and set free from debt our Tabernacle at Battle Creek. God will hear our prayers, if we honor him with our substance. Geo. I. Butler.