Earlier text: The Menace of IntemperanceA Visitor Embraces the Adventist Message
At the camp meeting in Leeds, England, one Sabbath a testimony meeting was held, and opportunity granted for all who wished to speak. Near the close of the meeting an elderly gentleman spoke as follows: “I have been sitting here with a fire burning in my bones, and I have risen that I may at least let you know that this fire is burning. I was here on Sunday night, came again on Monday, and have not been absent since. Although I came in feeling as a visitor not altogether in sympathy with you, I now feel that I am one of you. There has been a marvelous transformation going on in my mind during the week. I have listened and criticised, and been in a hurry to know what is the next chapter. I feel so perfectly at home with you that I do not want to go away. If this be the work of the Lord, I want to devote my energies to it; and there may be yet in my healthy bones twenty years more of hard work. To-day I can say with you, ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made,’ and I am rejoicing in it. To me ‘this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ It delights me to find a people who exercise common sense with regard to health and the common matters of every-day life, who look after health, education, and the cultivation of all the faculties of mind and body. But I must suppress the residue of fire that is still burning in my bones.” Maryland
By Harry S. Weaver
Baltimore.—Reading about the great refreshing which was experienced in Battle Creek during the week of prayer, made me want to tell something about our dear little church in Baltimore during the same period. Church Number 2, of Baltimore, had a most helpful experience with the week-of-prayer readings. Souls that doubt and fear had long kept from engaging in the work of God were liberated, set free in Christ, and these rejoiced in expressing themselves as being willing to go where the Lord should indicate that he would have them go. Praise God for his power that can move souls out of their lethargy into the glorious work of spreading the last warning message to this benighted and dying world. We have quite a goodly number among our little band who stand as minutemen for the army of God. They are ready to leave home, mother, father, brothers, sisters, and all else for the kingdom of God's sake. These are not old and decrepit men and women who cannot do anything else, either; but they are those who have left positions, and who have stood many reproaches, for our Lord's sake, and now are willing to throw their young lives, with all their manhood, womanhood, and vigor into the work of saving souls, wherever God the Father and Christ their captain commands them to go. These are some of the fruits of the readings. A word in reference to what made our church a lively missionary band would perhaps be helpful to others. We cultivate a missionary spirit among us, by all, as far as possible, taking some part in missionary work each week. Quite a few of us sell The Signs, distribute tracts, and do similar work, which brings us in contact with those of the outside world, and gives us a chance to give them some phase of the truth we all love so dearly. In short, we work on the principle of doing the first thing that comes to us to do. We believe that we shall never be fitted for greater work until we do that which is at our doors. May we and all other Adventists always work on this blessed principle until the work is completed, and the Lord comes and finds us all at our post of duty, with many sheaves for his garner. Washington’s Appeal to Every Seventh-day Adventist in the United States
By J. S. Washburn
The church at the corner of Twelfth and M Streets, N. W., formerly known as the Central Methodist Protestant church, was purchased by the Second Seventh-day Adventist church of Washington, D. C., Nov. 1, 1902. The location is excellent,—one square from the highest point of the city, in the very heart of Northwest Washington, by far the largest and most important part of the nation’s capital. Here is the chief business section of the city. Here are the principal hotels, the government department buildings, the residences of senators, congressmen, ambassadors of foreign governments, and the president of the United States. This church is but one square from the Eleventh Street car-line, two squares from the Fourteenth street line, and can thus by these two systems of car-lines be reached by one fare from any part of the city. The land alone, without the building, is valued at $2.50 per foot, and is actually priced at nine thousand dollars. The plat of ground is 57x80 feet, and would thus permit the building later, if desired, of a much larger church than the present one. The church building is 33½x70 feet; it is well built of brick with a massive brown stone front, has a seating capacity of at least three hundred, and an excellent schoolroom below. It is heated by two first-class furnaces, and is most comfortably furnished throughout. There is in the church building, a library room, kitchen, living rooms, and in addition a three-story brick annex, containing living rooms. The church was built fourteen years ago, and is in an excellent state of preservation. The cost of the building was $14,000; furnishings, $1,500 additional; so that, including the cost of the land, the whole would be worth considerably over $20,000. The Central M. P. church is now building a larger church, and they were willing to sell this church to us for $12,000, with the privilege of immediate possession. Terms, $500 cash, $2,500 in ninety days from date, the remainder to bear interest at 5½ per cent. The value of this property must increase as long as Washington stands. We most earnestly request you to give toward this purchase any sum your generosity may prompt you to contribute. This money can be sent to the pastor or given to any of our agents, who will also accept subscriptions if it is not convenient to pay cash. Washington, D. C., is the capital of the United States, and all Seventh-day Adventists realize, to a certain extent at least, the vital importance of having our work rightly represented where our national life centers. For many years we have known by the positive statement of inspired prophecy that this nation which has stood in the past for political and religious liberty, would turn back to Egyptian darkness and bondage, to a tyranny and despotism worse than that of the Middle Ages. In years past we have seen many indications that the great crisis was approaching. Of late there has been a lull, an ominous quiet,—the hush before the storm,—and our people have lost much of the interest they once felt in “the United States in prophecy.” But the enemy has not slept. Silently, while we have slumbered, the mighty forces of evil have been wheeling into position, fortifying their camps, and preparing to strike the final blow when the moment shall have arrived; and we know it is very near. Near the close of the last session of Congress a strong attempt was made to pass a stringent Sunday law for the District of Columbia. I had the privilege of appearing before the commissioners of the District to oppose this measure in a public hearing. The head commissioner of the District of Columbia is committed to this Sunday legislation. The ministers of the city strongly urged the13 passage of the law, but there was much opposition by the Jews, the Secular Society, and others, and it was evident that for the time the strong local opposition killed the proposed law. But this effort will be renewed at the first opportunity, and must finally succeed locally and nationally. Local influence here does have an effect on congressional legislation, district and national. Local laws for the District of Columbia are made by the national Congress. There is no other lawmaking body. Consequently when a law is made for the District of Columbia, it is a precedent for the same law, the same principle, to be applied to the whole nation. Sunday-law advocates realize this, and for years have been seeking to get Congress to pass a district law which would be an entering wedge, a precedent, for a national Sunday law. Here in Washington we must have a strong church that shall be as a city set on a hill—a light shining brilliantly, showing the dangers and pointing the right way, and acting at least as a living witness to the eternal truth. The Lord will not permit the last terrible step in the fulfillment of his warning prophecy, he will not bring the work to a close in this country and in the world, until his truth is rightly represented here before men who shape the destiny of this nation. 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, Seventh-day Adventists need a respectable, comfortable house of worship, so situated that we can reach the men who 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. There were conditions in this church organization that made it impossible, and increasingly so, to reach those who make this city what it is. A report by Elder H. W. Cottrell in the Review of October 7 has made the present position clear to all who have read it. Following their own convictions and the advice of the General Conference Committee represented by two of its members, a good number formed a new church, meeting for a time in our tent, then in a small hall. October 19 it was first publicly stated that the time had come for us to plan to build or buy a church. This church, which has been fully described, suddenly came into sight, and on November 1, thirteen days after the matter was first mentioned, the church was purchased ready furnished, and November 8 we held our first meeting in the new church. The first payment, five hundred dollars, has been met, and in all about fifteen hundred dollars subscribed. The church has now sixty-six members, but nearly all are poor. They are willing to sacrifice to do their utmost to secure this place that is so wonderfully situated and suited for the very work that must be done here in the heart of the nation’s life. To this place men in the highest positions, of the mightiest influence, can be invited. It will be an ideal place for our work till the end of time. It is a very modest, but a most comfortable and pleasant church. Several years ago Sister White suggested that a memorial church be built in Washington; that is, a church toward which all our people should contribute, as was done when the Tabernacle was built in Battle Creek. But the conditions here were such then, and have been for years, that it could not be done. Just as soon as we were ready, the Lord provided a most suitable place ready built and furnished for our immediate use. And it seems this church has been waiting for us a year. It was once offered for thirty thousand dollars, but is now sold to us for twelve thousand nine hundred dollars—a direct providence of God. Now we will do all in our power here, but we most earnestly appeal to every Seventh-day Adventist in the United States to send us help. If every member of the church, young and old, in this country would contribute twenty-five cents, the church would be clear of debt at once. But as we fear all will not do this, we ask if there are not those who will contribute at once any amount from one thousand dollars down. This may be sent directly to us or through your local church elder or conference secretary. Instead of making a payment of only twenty-five hundred dollars at the end of ninety days, we desire and intend to pay the whole amount. This can be most easily done if all will help, as we fully believe the Lord will lead them to do. If possible, send immediately, as every payment will stop the interest on the amount paid. It would be a glorious thing if Washington could have a place of worship free from debt, and a representative church prepared to do a representative work. Just now the Lord is greatly blessing us in the work here. I am certain the great consummation, the glorious coming of the King, cannot take place until the work is rightly represented here in Washington. God is guiding in his own wonderful way. May all realize the glorious privilege of having a part in this work which is so soon to triumph. It will be a blessing to all to have an actual interest in the work in the national capital. We have not acted in this matter without advice, the purchase of the church having the sanction and authority of Elder O. O. Farnsworth, president of our local conference, the Chesapeake. We also consulted Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, who has sealed his approval by a donation of one hundred dollars. The situation here is fully understood by the president of the General Conference, the president of the Mission Board, and other members of the General Conference Committee, to whom we refer any one who may desire to understand the situation more fully. As a business matter alone, this property is a wonderful bargain, and will increase in value to the end of time. As our fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to build up and to free this nation, shall we not accept this God-given opportunity to let the light of the last saving truth shine here, and thus to all the nation and all the world? What a testimony to the reality and power of the faith we profess if the church here, free from debt, can go forth to do a representative and an aggressive work on this high mountain top. You are interested in this matter, help now, and thus hasten the coming of the King. Nothing has ever more clearly shown me the imminent nearness of the great day than the resurrection and the new life that is coming into our work in Washington with this clear providence leading toward the great things he is about to do for his people. The situation here at the present time is most encouraging. A doctor and his wife have lately begun to keep the Sabbath, and are doing all they can to bring the truth they have found so beautiful, to the notice of their friends. This has brought to the regular readings held every Tuesday evening at the home of this doctor, a number of doctors, who have listened with the deepest interest to the great truths of the second coming of Christ “in this generation,” the great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, the sanctuary, the state of the dead, the Sabbath, and the preparation necessary to meet the Judge at his soon coming. I have never seen people more ready to receive the truth than are these people of education and influence. Their deep interest has14 been most encouraging. This interest so aroused the pastor of the wealthiest church in Washington, and one of the most influential, that he preached in his church three times against the commandments and the Sabbath. A personal interview with this pastor at the home of these friends completely settled their minds on the great Sabbath truth. This opposition, as usual, has helped us in the work of arousing minds to the importance of the truth. We all feel that a great future is just opening before the work in this most important city. There are people here from every part of the United States, people of education and influence, also representatives of nearly every country on the globe. Washington is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and is constantly visited by Americans and foreigners, and is thus a most excellent place for missionary work of the highest class. There is an air of freedom here, and less class distinction and religious prejudice than in almost any other place where I have labored. When all this is considered, and also the fact that here is largely shaped the destiny of this great nation which in a measure leads the world, surely it is of the utmost importance that the work here should be on such a basis as shall rightly represent the great truth of the third angel’s message. Right here the great conflict in large measure must center. Here a faithful witness must stand. Right here there must be a mighty influence for the commandments of the Ruler of the universe and for the true Sabbath as the sign of his power when this country shall directly make void his law, and seek to exalt the false sabbath, the sign of the power of a world in rebellion. As every part of this country and all its citizens have contributed toward the expense of the government seated here, toward the erection and maintenance of the national Capitol and other great public buildings, so surely every believer in the third angel’s message is interested in the work here, and will rejoice in the privilege of helping to pay for the church that has come into our hands in a manner so directly providential. The city of Washington belongs to the whole country, to every citizen. The church here must be a representative church, and belong to every member of our church in the United States. A payment of twenty-five hundred dollars must be made January 29. The interest is now $1.81 a day. I am certain that our people everywhere will gladly respond to this appeal by sending help immediately. Lynchburg.— Since my last report I have labored most of the time in Lynchburg, and the blessing of the Lord has rested upon the work. I have held five regular services each week in our church, besides a number of services in West Lynchburg in following up the interest awakened at the camp meeting there the past summer. I am also doing all I can in house-to-house work, selling our good books, and taking orders for our papers. December 6 I baptized two persons in the Christian Church baptistery, which was kindly furnished us for the occasion. Three others are now ready for baptism as soon as we can arrange for it. Two others have recently begun to keep the Sabbath, and many are deeply interested. There is much work to be done here, and I am earnestly seeking the Lord to guide in it all to his own honor and glory. I am of good courage in the Master's cause, and wish to fill some humble place in the good work till it is finished and the sheaves gathered into the garner. Truly, the end of all things is near at hand, and earnest, faithful work should be done by all who have a part in the closing message. — Germany, Great Britain, and Italy have denied a request made by President Castro, of Venezuela, that the blockade of the Venezuelan coast be raised pending the settlement of the Venezuelan controversy by arbitration, but it now seems probable that the difficulty will be adjusted by agreement between the parties, without recourse to the action of The Hague tribunal. — Chicago manufacturers claim to have discovered abundant proof of a conspiracy on the part of the large coal dealers to hold up the supply, and produce a coal famine such as now exists, to keep up the high price of this fuel. All over the country, indeed, there are accusations heard which point to a conspiracy somewhere, though it is not clear just who is the thief. Meanwhile the tendency of the price of coal continues upward. — President Roosevelt appears determined to secure anti-trust legislation from the present Congress, even if an extra session should be necessary for the purpose. Attorney-General Knox has outlined the plan of the administration on this subject, recommending a law forbidding discrimination in freight rates, with penalties for either giving or receiving advantages in transportation. Action by Congress in the matter is regarded as an uncertainty at this date. French Health Journal in Montreal
Brother E. P. Auger, who is laboring in Montreal, has had good success in placing the French health journal in the homes of even the Catholics. The priests have told him that he could sell these in every house in their parishes, but that he must not try to sell the books to the people. He has found it very difficult to sell the books. Since the disaster which obliterated our printing plant, some idea of the esteem in which the institution was held by those acquainted with it has been given us, by the telegrams and letters of sympathy we have received not only from our brethren in the denomination, but from outside sources in the business and religious worlds. These expressions of sympathy constitute a bright spot in the dark cloud of misfortune. Many of them are worthy of publication, but our limited space permits of only two or three selections, which we here present. The following is from Rev. I. L. Kephart, editor of the Religious Telescope (United Brethren), Dayton, Ohio:— “President Seventh-day Adventist Association, “My Dear Sir: Having just seen in the Chicago Chronicle of to-day an account of the great loss that has befallen your association, in the destruction by fire of your great publishing plant, I drop this line to assure you of my personal sympathy, also to assure you of the sympathy of our entire denomination. “Praying that out of the great calamity there may come to your association, through the inscrutable providence of God, some great compensatory blessing, I am, “Cordially and fraternally yours,
“I. L. Kephart.” Mr. J. M. Hall, editor of the Bay View Magazine (Mich.), speaks of the moral influence of a business establishment conducted upon the principles of business and personal conduct which prevailed in our publishing house. He says:— “I believe your denomination has a moral work that can be done only through the touch and influence upon the world through your business. In no way can the highest standard of Christian living be so well enforced as the world’s great need, as for people to illustrate the golden rule and Christian faith by their daily business conduct. My own case is probably only one out of hundreds. “Twelve years ago I visited Battle Creek. . . . I had had much experience with printing, offices, and had long been heartily sick of all I had seen. I had seen offices filled with tobacco smoke, filled with drinking the printers, whose management was full of tricks, and whose premises were foul with dirt. It was a great relief to find your sweet and clean premises, the conversation and conduct of Christian employees, and a place where the square dealing taught by Christ was the rule. For twelve busy years I have been with you, and every year my satisfaction and pleasure have deepened. You have taught me and the large world you touch in your dealings, the beauty of business conducted on a Christian basis. We are of different denominational associations, but I want to say that through business relations you have taught me to respect your denomination and its members higher than any denomination and people I have ever known.” The following is an extract from a letter from Elder J. N. Loughborough, one of the few remaining pioneers in the publishing work:— “Just as I was completing the copy [for the Review], I received the news of the burning of the Review and Herald Office. It is a sad calamity on all our people, and not simply on the workers in Battle Creek. May the Lord guide the managing board there as to just what should be done in this emergency, is my prayer.” L. A. S. Important Announcement
By Editor
After giving the question careful consideration, the trustees of the Review and Herald Publishing Co. have decided to call the annual meeting of the stockholders, to be held the latter part of April. This will be after the next session of the General Conference, which will be held March 27 to April 13, and will give opportunity to counsel with representatives of the work in all parts of the field. In the meantime the trustees are making provision for carrying forward the denominational printing without any serious interruption. At the earliest possible time such machinery and material will be purchased and installed as will make it possible to print our periodicals, the tracts, pamphlets, and books, also to bind the books, which will be needed in addition to the large stock now on hand. It is difficult to secure machinery promptly now, as nearly all the manufacturers are behind their orders, but the prospect now is that a good share of this machinery will be in place by the first of February. Until that time, it will be necessary to issue the Review as a sixteen-page paper, but we shall return to the usual number of pages just as soon as our facilities will permit. We believe our readers will appreciate our efforts to issue the paper without interruption, although under trying circumstances, and will bear patiently with us until we can secure the necessary machinery with which to produce a twenty-four-page paper. Many appreciated letters expressing Christian sympathy and pledging substantial support and co-operation are being received by the managers and editors of the Review and Herald, and this acknowledgment is made to assure those who have written that their expressed interest has proved a strong support in a very trying time, and that these kind and thoughtful acts are a source of great encouragement, and are greatly appreciated. There is also a noticeable increase in the number of renewals and new subscriptions for the Review coming in since the fire. This is a practical demonstration of a genuine interest in this old-time friend, which has come message-laden to the homes of our people for the past fifty years. Now that it has had a great loss, and is in the midst of a severe trial, every cheering word and every new subscription is of great importance, and is much needed. It is hoped that the people throughout the entire field will now come to the support of the Review and send in their yearly subscriptions, that this loss occasioned by the recent fire may not in any way hinder the work of this denominational organ. Summary of the Canvassing Work Reported for November
Atlantic Union Conference
New York ........ 6 319 $ 491 15 Vermont .......... 3 118 275 25 Maine ............ 3 55 81 10 New England ...... 8 371 555 85 Chesapeake ...... 2 33 38 75 Pennsylvania ....16 350 1,234 00 Southern Union Conference
Georgia .......... 3 76 116 35 Tennessee River.. 7 432 571 72 Alabama .......... 8 116 183 20 Florida .......... 2 42 47 75 Cumberland ...... 4 85 206 95 Carolinas ........ 2 115 189 00 Louisiana ........ 7 106 150 15 Northern Michigan 1 23 30 00 Ohio ............. 6 105 358 50 Indiana ..........10 133 478 15 Northern Illinois.. 2 89 158 20 Southern Illinois.. 7 168 343 15 Wisconsin ........ 4 68 130 00 Superior .......... 2 48 134 00 Northern Union Conference
Iowa ............. 4 179 186 60 Kansas ........... 8 466 553 80 Missouri ......... 5 35 141 30 Nebraska .........13 87 485 00 Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas ......... 3 366 1,061 63 Texas ............13 245 365 45 California .......15 184 391 20 Western Oregon ..10 11 17 50 Utah ............ 2 67 282 00 Canadian Union Conference
European General Conference
Great Britain ....69 1,884 3,094 08 Germany .......... 1,508 3,276 63 South Africa ..... 7 147 796 48 Australia ........65 1,269 6,318 60 A. U. C...........38 1,246 2,676 10 S. U. C...........33 972 1,465 12 L. U. C...........32 634 1,632 00 C. U. C...........30 767 1,366 70 S. W. U. C.......16 611 1,427 08 P. U. C...........27 262 690 70 Australasian U. C.65 1,269 6,318 60 E. G. C...........69 3,392 6,370 71 Africa ........... 7 147 796 48 Grand Totals....317 9,300 $22,743 49 Wanted.—Adventist with team and tools to farm on shares (sixty acres). This land is for sale, or would exchange for property in Battle Creek. Address Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, 232 Wash. Ave., N., Battle Creek, Mich. Wanted.—To hire good S. D. A. to work in nursery, care for small fruit, and do farm work. Good wages; employment the whole year. Man of some experience in nursery preferred. S. D. A. church and church school within one-half mile. Address J. B. Weaver, Union, Ore. The next regular issue of the Instructor, dated January 22, will be mailed this week, in season to reach all the Sabbath schools in time for distribution on Sabbath, January 24. Meanwhile, do not fail to remind the children and young people who study the Intermediate and Junior lessons that these lessons for that Sabbath were printed in the last issue of the Review.