ST. JOHNS.—Notwithstanding a considerable falling off in the number of treatments given during the last two months, we have been able to close the books at the end of the year with a small amount of cash on hand, and with all bills paid. Since opening this institution seven months ago, there have been given 1,619 treatments, besides visits and consultations and laboratory analyses. In the same time the medical services of charity have amounted to $327, besides the donations of food and clothing which the workers gave.
We are devoting a definite time each morning immediately after breakfast to the study of the Bible and the Testimonies. Every member of the family is expected to be present. Elder Farman is with us, and conducts the study. Our nurses are visiting among the people in the city part of the time.
In this field the truth is moving steadily forward. The seed is being sown, and prejudice is melting away. The Spirit of the Lord is poured out for the closing effort. I believe that many here will accept the message and be truly converted. A. E. LEMON.
STELLA B. LOWRY
By Stella B. Lowry
Alberta
PONOKA.—Our hearts were made very sad by the report of the burning of our publishing house. We thought the good old REVIEW would not be able to reach us for a time at least; but to our glad surprise, it came, and seemed so hopeful and cheerful, it did our hearts good. We never before appreciated the weekly visits of the REVIEW as we do since the fire. It seems more dear to us than ever, although we always did appreciate it very much, and felt that we could not afford to miss the precious truths which it contained each week. The buildings may burn, but thank the Lord, the truth of God still lives.
We have been here for over a year, but it has seemed to us that the work opened up very slowly, until of late. It has now, as it were, taken on a new form, for which our hearts are made glad. The outlook is encouraging. We have had several opportunities to administer treatments, and the Lord has blessed our efforts with good success. We have given some instruction on healthful living, and have held Bible readings, etc.
One lady with whom I have been studying the prophecies, the main points of the message, and to whom I have given treatments, has fully decided to keep the Lord’s Sabbath, and has accepted all the truth thus far presented. Another lady is much interested in the Sabbath question, and went home loaded with literature. Both of these ladies have been reading The Signs of the Times for over six months.
We are of good courage, and by the help of the Lord mean to do all we can to advance the message in this new and needy field. The truth never seemed more dear to us than it does at this time. Pray for the work here, and for us, that we may be consecrated instruments that the Lord can use to his glory.
STELLA B. LOWRY
J. L. SHAW
By J. L. Shaw
India
CALCUTTA.—As workers in this field, we have great reason to thank God for the degree of prosperity that has attended the work. Not less than fifteen have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath since the beginning of 1902. An encouraging interest has been aroused in Burma. Six or seven have begun the observance of the Sabbath there. I thank God that the light of present truth is being given to the native people in Burma, and that some of them are obedient to the faith. Brother Watson, who has just come from there, brings a good report. He has been canvassing.
The circulation of The Oriental Watchman has had a good effect in stirring the minds of the people and pointing them to the truth. Our tithe receipts will show a material growth this year. The outlook for the sanitarium and health food factory is encouraging. All things considered, we have great reason to thank God and go forward. The work is growing, and we must have help to keep pace with it.
J. L. SHAW
The South German Meeting
By Guy Dail
BEFORE speaking of the meeting proper, we will consider the territory embraced in the South German field. It includes the states of Bavaria, Wurttemberg, Baden, Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, Hohenzollern, and of Hessia, the provinces of Starkenburg and Rhenish Hessen. It contains over fifty thousand square miles, or is about the size of Alabama, while its population is fourteen17million, or more than nine times that of Alabama.
The meeting was appointed to be held in Carlsruhe, Dec. 31, 1902, to Jan. 4, 1903. Carlsruhe means “Charles’ Rest.” The city was founded by Charles William, margrave of Baden, who erected a hunting seat here in 1715. It is stated that its unique, fan-shaped appearance is due to a dream which Charles had, wherein he was shown that he should build a city whose streets should radiate from his castle, as the rays of light emanate from the sun; the result is very pleasing, for no matter on which of the thirty-two streets of the inner city one may be walking, he can always see the palace. Behind this large building lies a nicely arranged park, with beautifully laid out gardens and walks and drives,—a perfect haunt for the lover of nature, as one may enjoy a quiet and a peace here that are not to be found in the midst of every large city. Carlsruhe has a population of about one hundred thousand, the larger number of whom are Protestants.
A VIEW OF CARLSRUHE
It was on New Year’s eve, while the world was drinking its wines and making merry, that about one hundred of the believers in southern Germany met in the neat but unassuming hall, temporarily secured for this occasion, and listened to the opening sermon, by Elder Conradi. He also occupied the time of the three succeeding evenings, dwelling largely on the signs of the times, as presented in the prophetic word. Although the outside attendance was not very large, yet it was quite constant, and a deep interest was manifested. The meeting was pre-eminently for our own people, of whom there was a good delegation. Elders Erzenberger and Schuberth were blessed in their efforts to awaken the people to greater earnestness.
In 1899 there were one hundred and fifty-five members in the South German field. The report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1902, shows that we have a membership of two hundred and fifty-six, seventy-two of whom were added during the year, and churches or companies in Darmstadt, Heilbronn, Kaiserslautern, Carlsruhe, Mannheim, Munchen, Neustadt, Nurnberg, Pfullingen, Strassburg, Stuttgart, and Worms. Their annual tithe was $3,256.32; Sabbath-school donations were $266.85; First-day offerings, $31.92; and the week of prayer collection was $58. With the money in hand, the auditing committee was able to pay the workers.
On New-year’s day the first business session was held, and one of the initiatory steps was to organize the South German Mission into the South German Conference, making the fifth conference in the German union. The officers are as follows: President, C. W. Weber; Secretary, R. Schillinger; Treasurer, B. Severin; Secretary of Sabbath-school and Missionary department, K. Laubhan; Canvassing Agent, A. Kolhosser. Conference Committee: C. W. Weber, O. Lindenmeier, H. G. Baumann, A. Kolhosser, and H. Zercher. At the same time a committee of fifteen was chosen from the floor, to take charge of the routine work of the conference.
A missionary spirit was manifested in the various sessions of the meeting. The subject of the proposed German East African Mission was considered at some length, and our debt to the heathen was forcibly brought home to us by the Spirit of God. Although this is a young and struggling field, with but few laborers and a small income and a large and undeveloped home territory, yet the twenty-five delegates representing the South German churches were heartily seconded by the entire congregation in voting to augment their First-day offerings, and to dedicate them to the German East African Mission the coming year, and besides that, about one hundred dollars (three fourths in cash and one fourth in pledges) was raised toward this worthy enterprise during the meeting.
Owing to the lack of laborers, our people here had not received so much light on the principles of health reform, as had those in the older conferences. Elder Schuberth’s lecture on that subject was listened to with marked interest, and the questions that followed indicated that this is a live issue with the friends of the cause in Southern Germany. That they might more emphatically show their love for this branch of the message, they voted to do all in their power to adopt the right principles of living, and seek to circulate our health literature more widely.
Our educational work is coming into greater prominence. No field can be successful without its quota of properly educated native laborers: this is true not only of heathen lands, but also of civilized countries. The crusade with “Christ’s Object Lessons” will continue to enlist the energies of the South German Conference, until there shall have been sold within its territory an average of five copies per capita, and the brethren and sisters are determined to raise their proportion of the means for the Material Fund, and to choose and encourage suitable young persons to attend the Friedensau Training School, where they may be better prepared for missionary work. The conference also voted to take steps toward securing a tent for summer tent meetings.
The present working force is composed of two ministers, four licentiates, five missionary licentiates, and twelve colporteurs.
Five candidates were baptized at the meeting, and they will unite with the Carlsruhe church.
As in every field, so here, there were perplexing questions to deal with; but we believe that God’s Spirit was present in aiding to solve the knotty problems that came up for consideration, and expect to see more rapid advancement than ever, in the future. To this end, we would ask those who are anxious for the work to close up in triumph, to remember the cause of God in this newly organized conference. GUY DAIL.
JOSEPH C. BROOKS
By Joseph C. Brooks
Colombia
BOCAS DEL TORO.—I am glad to report that our company are all of good courage, and are finding God a very present help in time of trouble. The removal of Elder Hutchins from us by death, just as we were planning for church organization, was a heavy blow, and it seemed as if it would prove fatal to all our past labors. But what has been our experience?
As a company, we realized that we drew near unto the gates of death. Unitedly we cried unto the Lord in our trouble, asking him to send us quickly a minister to take up the work. He has not done this yet, but has, nevertheless, sent his Word and healed us; he has saved us out of all our distresses, and delivered us out of all our destructions. We forget our sorrows and our griefs and fears as we feed upon the Word in our meetings and at home.
The fact has been emphasized before the company and the interested ones who have not yet identified themselves with us, that in the Word we are to look for the immediate help we so much need. We are still praying and longing for a minister to be sent; but while we wait, we realize that the word of his grace is able to build us up, and to give us an inheritance among all them that are sanctified; that this word is nigh us, even in our mouths, and that it is only for us to let it dwell in our hearts richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. Doing this, we are truly able to declare his works with rejoicing, and to sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving.
We are making arrangements for a general gathering of all our isolated ones for the week of prayer, when we expect rich blessings from the Lord.
JOSEPH C. BROOKS
Week of Prayer in Quebec
By Mrs. J. C. Graves
Quebec
FULFORD.— During the week of prayer we enjoyed the blessing of the Lord in a marked manner. We are few in number, yet we claim the Saviour’s promise to meet with the two or three gathered in his name. O precious name of Jesus! how much it means to the believer! We read the readings for the week of prayer, and prayed, and all felt that they were drawn nearer to the Lord. May Heaven’s rich blessing attend every one in Christ Jesus. MRS. J. C. GRAVES.-
Jerusalem
By S. Jespersson
THERE has been considerable prejudice against our work here, not only as Sabbatarians, but also as vegetarians; but this is being removed little by little. The physicians are also becoming more and more in favor of our work and a vegetarian diet. In speaking with one of them on the subject of diet, he said: “bouillon is wholly insufficient to nourish the system of a sick person.” He also said that well-prepared gruels are far superior to it in case of disease.
Last Saturday evening I was invited by the Good Templars to speak on the subject of hygiene. At the close of my lecture they expressed themselves in favor of, and in harmony with, all that I had said, and unanimously voted to invite me to speak again at another time. The next day a pharmacist, who had attended my lecture, came to see me about treatments, stating that although he sold drugs, he did not believe in that way of treating disease.
One day Mrs. Jespersson and I went to call upon a school-teacher who is a subscriber for Good Health (German), and to whom we had given other papers to read. In regard to our German religious paper, he said: “It contains glorious truths. I would like to subscribe for it, and I must come to see you about it sometime.”
A fortnight ago we went to visit an old lady who keeps the Sabbath, but does not belong to our denomination. She had a few persons gathered for worship, and invited me to speak to them. I gladly accepted the invitation, and spoke on the first chapter of Joshua, referring especially to the faithfulness of Moses and the courage of Joshua, drawing the lesson that we must be faithful in keeping all the commandments of God, and like Joshua and Caleb have perfect faith in God and stand firmly for the truth, knowing that our General can and will lead us into the promised land. She was much pleased, and asked us to come again. S. Jespersson.
Our School in Raiatea
By Anna M. Nelson
Since coming to this place, I have often thought of a remark made to me before I left home. It was this: “I should want to be sure that those people have a soul to save, before I went there to labor for them.” As these words dropped from the mouth of the speaker, I could not keep back the tears; for has not God told us that the gospel is to go to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people”? This excludes no one. Christ died for all the world.
Already I have seen something of some of these people—what they are, and what they are capable of becoming when taught to believe in the Saviour. To the human eye, it is true, some of the natives do not look very promising as one sees them lying around their huts, half naked, idling away their time, caring for nothing but to gather enough food (which nature provides without their aid) to satisfy their own hunger. But it is our privilege, as workers together with God, to look further than the outward appearance, and discern what these people may become through the power of God, who saves to the uttermost.
It is chiefly through ignorance that the natives of these islands are in their present condition. They are not capable of thinking deeply, because they have never been trained to think at all. They can read the Bible, but do it mostly as a matter of form. Nearly all of them belong to the church, not because they have been converted; for their lives are not materially changed. They are quite satisfied with this easy way, and do not realize the need of a truth which requires self-sacrifice. Still the arm of God is not shortened that it cannot save even some of these.
There are here intelligent young people, who, if educated to apply their minds to love God and to serve him, may not only be saved, but may become efficient workers to labor for their own people. It was for the purpose of helping this class of young people that Brother and Sister Cady gave this plantation, and that this building has been put up. It is also for this work that I came here. While the building was being erected, I spent my time in teaching18in two other places, in that way doing what I could for the people till I could begin here.
We began our school on the plantation with only a small number, but the future prospects are good. We are much pleased with the students we have. They are very promising. It is their desire to prepare for the work of God. We have in our number two boys who are learning the English language. They are making remarkable progress. One of them understands the French language well. He is an earnest boy, as apt to learn as any American boy. The girls that we have are no less intelligent. We hope through the strength God gives us to do much for these young people, and for the cause of God. And we beseech you who are at home that you will not forget this new work, and that your prayers may frequently go up in our behalf. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
ANNA M. NELSON.
New Jersey and New York Annual Conference Sessions
By H. W. Cottrell
The New Jersey Conference held its first annual session at Camden, Jan. 14-18, 1903, forty-one delegates being in attendance, together with quite a goodly number of other persons. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and directed in all the affairs of the session. The usual routine business of the session was done with dispatch, thus much time was devoted to the consideration of aggressive work. The laborers, together with the people of the conference, are of good cheer, and are ready to enter upon advanced movements. The State, with its 1,900,000 inhabitants, affords an excellent opportunity for extending the definite message into unoccupied sections. This State has two cities with a population of over 200,000, seven cities with a population of over 50,000, and one hundred and forty-five towns with a population of over 1,000.
This conference has thousands of people of various nationalities, with a large German population in the northern part of the State. Our church membership is three hundred and eighty-six, with fourteen churches, three ordained ministers, and two licentiates. There has been an increase of fifty-eight in church membership during the conference year. In this field, as well as throughout all the densely populated eastern country, we need men, and means for their support, in order that the work may be accomplished which the Lord has seen fit should rest upon us.
Elder J. E. Jayne was again elected president of the conference, and Mrs. J. W. Rambo was chosen secretary and treasurer.
The forty-first annual session of the New York Conference was held at Rome, Jan. 19-26, 1903. The churches throughout the conference were well represented by delegates, considering the season of the year the meetings were held. All the ministers and other conference employees were in attendance, except two or three of the more aged ministers whose health is impaired with the infirmities of age, and for these tried soldiers of the cross, prayers were offered daily.
Elder Haskell was present, and gave a Bible study each day, which was highly appreciated. E. E. Miles, S. N. Curtiss, and F. C. Gilbert were in attendance a portion of the time. The Spirit of the Lord was present from the first, and took the lead. The business meetings were harmonious. The various departments of the work were carefully considered.
The conference is working on the last half of its quota of "Christ’s Object Lessons," and a decision was reached by it to close off the entire sale if possible by April 1, 1903. There was an encouraging report presented of the sanitarium work in Buffalo, one interesting feature of which was that they are endeavoring to carry on this department on a cash basis.
They are doing good work in the way of church schools. Efforts were made to revive the general canvassing work. The value of the leading periodicals of the denomination, such as THE REVIEW AND HERALD, The Signs of the Times, and The Sentinel of Christian Liberty, was considered, and measures were taken to increase their circulation.
The conference voted to support one or more of its workers in foreign fields, and two of its best workers offered themselves for service in other countries. It was decided to furnish a tent to Elder W. A. Westworth, of Scotland.
Although the New York Conference has passed its forty-first mile-stone, there are many large cities in the State whose people have not yet been warned of the soon-coming King. This is a noble people, and a fruitful field, if only proper efforts could be put forth to shed abroad the rays of divine truth.
The third angel’s message was presented at the conference in clear and distinct terms. The Lord blessed those with freedom whom he called to act a public part in the presentation of his word. Elder G. B. Thompson was re-elected president of the conference.
H. W. COTTRELL.
Important Meetings in the Southern Union Conference
By George I. Butler
HAVING received a kind request for a report of recent meetings in this union conference, I will endeavor to present a few of the most important items as briefly and comprehensively as possible.
Meetings of general interest were begun at Graysville, Tenn., January 7, and were continued until the 12th. These were followed at once by meetings at Nashville, continuing through the 18th. The meetings at Graysville were those of the Cumberland Conference, alternating with the executive sessions of the Southern Union Conference Committee. There was a very general attendance of the members of the executive committee, and also of delegates to the Cumberland Conference, which embraces the eastern portions of Tennessee and Kentucky. There was quite a general attendance of brethren and sisters from the surrounding country. The commodious meeting-house was literally packed on the Sabbath, and at night meetings. We were favored with the presence of Elders A. G. Daniells, W. C. White, and W. W. Prescott, and Dr. J. H. Kellogg.
As to the order of the meetings, Elder Prescott held interesting and instructive Bible studies every morning at eight o’clock, and religious services were held in the evening, the day being devoted to business meetings. The spiritual atmosphere seemed free and good, and the business sessions were harmonious and encouraging. Such meetings are necessarily wearing because of the pressure of so many interests which demand careful attention.
Graysville, though but a village so far as population is concerned, has become quite a center in our Southern work. Our training school for workers is indeed an important institution, and is the central one for education among the white population of nine States. All our candidates for instruction in gospel work are sent there. An interest is taken in this school in all the States, even in those farthest away. Louisiana sends this year seventeen students, Florida eleven, while those nearest send large delegations. The school seems to be flourishing as never before, the present main embarrassment being where to put any more students. The religious interest among the pupils seems to be excellent, nearly all who have come being converted. The present season the school has undertaken practical work by sending out perhaps twelve of the best-trained pupils, under the charge of one of the faculty, to the flourishing city of Chattanooga, to engage in canvassing, Bible reading, nursing the sick, etc. It is thought that this kind of training will thoroughly qualify those about to close up their school life, to enter at once upon their work in the great harvest field. Prof. J. E. Tenney has endeared himself to his pupils and to our people generally all through this Southland by his earnest, devoted services in our training school.
Our sanitarium, which is being built high up on Lone Mountain, perhaps a quarter or half a mile distant from the school, is becoming quite a conspicuous building. It looms up above the surrounding trees, and can be seen from afar. It was enclosed at the time the meeting was held, and the work is being rapidly advanced toward completion. In building it the policy of not running in debt has been followed. This had made progress slower than it would have been with borrowed capital, but many think the end is sweeter. However, though funds are short, the building is surely going to be completed. It will meet a long-felt want. One thousand dollars or more was subscribed for it with considerable enthusiasm. If our people generally felt free to contribute to its completion and efficiency, it would prove an excellent investment, as it is a worthy enterprise.
The work of advancing the sanitarium and health enterprises is onward in various places — important centers — in the Southern Union Conference. The building in the beautiful city of Atlanta, Ga., one of the finest cities in the South, once occupied by the Review and Herald Publishing Company, will, we expect, be put to sanitarium uses immediately. The Review Board has made a contract to deed it for that purpose on the payment of two thousand dollars. This is a very great concession, as the property is really worth two or three times that. This act on their part should be highly appreciated by our people. Through the faithful labors of Brother and Sister Curtis a great interest in our methods of treatment has been awakened among some of the most influential citizens of Atlanta. A fine building has been rented in the city of Nashville by Brother Hansen, and is being used for bath rooms, restaurant, and health food supplies. I19expect this will continue to grow until it becomes at last a full-fledged sanitarium. Also in the great city of New Orleans, the metropolis of the South, a restaurant and food supply store is in successful operation. These are some of the beginnings of an important series of health institutions in important centers of the South. I think another is being developed at Louisville, Ky., and another at Hildebran, N. C. May the good work go on. No part of the country needs these health influences more than the South.
The executive committee of the union conference, with all the leading brethren in attendance, traveled from Graysville to Nashville in the night, and so were ready for business the next day. Six busy days were spent in Nashville, crowded with business meetings, some of them of great perplexity. Everything passed off pleasantly, and valuable work was done. Elder Prescott stayed during part of this time, but had to leave for other important duties. Dr. Kellogg was with us nearly to the end of the series of meetings. A Medical Missionary Association for the South was organized as a department of the union conference, unifying the medical missionary forces in the South, solidifying these important forces for good, and providing for the holding of property designed for the uses of the health work.
As our young printing house in Nashville has been something of a storm-center for a year or two in the past, as it has struggled for a bare existence against many difficulties, it may be proper for me to speak more fully concerning its past, and concerning its present and future prospects. It is a young institution, having had an existence for only two or three years. It was built under great stress and difficulties. It has never had a proper equipment, as sufficient funds were never obtainable. Being in such a condition, it labored under great disadvantages in doing its work. These difficulties added to the cost of production. The number of Sabbath keepers in the South formed a meager constituency for its support. Added to this was a lack of proper organization of our people to carry on our work energetically and successfully.
When I became its president last April, I had little acquaintance with this immense, unworked field. I knew very few in it, and of course labored at great disadvantage. The office at that time seemed in great danger of utter collapse. At times we hardly had funds to issue our periodicals, and had not some furnished their own private funds, we could hardly have kept running. I feel certain that had not vigorous efforts been made to raise funds among our people, the office would have been obliged to shut down. As several thousand dollars was generously contributed, this disgrace was prevented, and the office has struggled through till the present time, and is indeed at this moment in a much more hopeful condition than last April. Some pressing debts have been paid off, and some improvements in equipment added. But it is a fact that the office has been running behind, not having constant receipts of earnings equal to expenditures. Our credit has been maintained, and is excellent, but we do not propose to use it beyond a very limited extent. We could easily get trusted, if we had any wish to do so, to the extent of many thousand dollars. A careful investigation of the financial condition of the publishing house has been made by competent persons, and it is demonstrated that we have a capital above all liabilities of over twenty thousand dollars. Surely this is not so bad as it might be. The question will naturally arise, Are we going to continue running under forever? I think not. Plans are being laid which I trust will put our office on a self-supporting basis. I firmly believe another year will show that we not only have not run behind one cent, but that some money has been earned above expenses. We shall see.
Some changes have been made, or are in process of being made. At our late meeting, Brother W. O. Palmer resigned his position as business manager, and his resignation was accepted by the Board. All who know the facts are well aware that he has suffered greatly from ill health the past year, and that it was utterly impossible for him to devote that time and attention to the office that were really needed. It was a great relief to him to lay down the responsibilities of his position, and give place to a man of strength and competency. At the invitation of the Board, Brother John N. Nelson, long in the employ of the Review and Herald, and one of its most confidential agents, has accepted the position, and at a recent meeting was elected as trustee and business manager. This gives us all great encouragement. We know from his reputation of business sagacity and careful management that he is the very man the place demands. He is already at his post, hard at work. Plans are being considered which we believe will add greatly to the productiveness of our office. Elder C. P. Bollman has also announced that he will leave in a month or two because of his health. The pressure and perplexity of the past year have told on those who have had them to bear. I hope they will yet have strength given them to do much valuable work for the Lord.
Altogether, hope is springing up in our hearts. We have faith in the final success of this office. Our experience of weakness and lack of facilities has been the experience of every institution among us. When we read Testimony after Testimony in which the Lord has said plainly and emphatically that this institution was established by his direction, that it was needed, that it was to be sustained by the contributions of our people, I for one have not the least doubt that it will be a final success. Brethren and sisters, let us have faith in God and in the Testimonies of his Spirit. They have always been justified in the final outcome.
This article is already too long. The field is too great to do it justice in an article of reasonable length. If I have any ability to discern anything, we are going to have better days in this great Southland. God has been pleading with us for a long time to interest our people in this great field. I see a new and glorious movement ahead of us. Things are beginning to swing into line. It takes time for the great ocean steamer to swing itself around into its dock in proper shape. The little rowboat can do it in a minute. This great Southern field is a little world of its own. Our Northern people are not prepared to do the best kind of work for this peculiar field till they have become acquainted with it. I expect to see a great work done here, and that not far ahead. Brethren and sisters, prepare for good news from the South.
GEO. I. BUTLER.
Washington, D. C.
By J. S. Washburn
We would assure all our people who have realized the call of Washington as a great opportunity, and have responded so liberally, that the Washington church appreciates the gift, and the great responsibility that comes with it. The following resolutions were unanimously passed Sabbath, February 7:—
“Whereas, The Memorial Seventh-day Adventist church in Washington, D. C., has received much help from the friends in the United States, outside of the capital city, therefore,—
“Resolved, That we express our sincere thanks to God, who has moved upon the hearts of believers in the third angel’s message to establish a memorial of the saving truth for this time in the nation’s capital; and,—
“Whereas, It is of the utmost importance that the memorial church be absolutely free from all debt, therefore,—
“Resolved, That we as a church pledge ourselves to do all in our power to clear this church at once from all indebtedness; and while deeply grateful to our brethren who have enabled us to much more than meet the decisive payment due February 2, we earnestly request their co-operation in a determined effort immediately to raise the remaining amount due on this church, and thus establish in the heart of the nation a FREE memorial, rightly representing the everlasting gospel of the kingdom, that from this church may be proclaimed to the men of the nation the truth that makes free indeed; and that thus from this city, set upon a hill, may be published abroad the coming of Him who brings the eternal, the glorious liberty of the sons of God.”
The praise meeting that followed was one never to be forgotten. Not only had God helped us in a very remarkable way financially, but above all, the Holy Spirit, with its tender influence, was wonderfully revealed, convincing of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment now already begun and soon to be manifested. The solemn, terrible responsibility that had been realized in a measure before, but now much more because of the trust reposed upon us by the donations, the sympathies, the prayers of our brethren in the field,—this solemn responsibility pressed upon us, and brought the closest heart searching. We realized that we had come to the kingdom for such a time as this, and that if we altogether held our peace, then there should enlargement and deliverance arise from another quarter, but that we should be destroyed.
We are sure that in every way this investment will prove a great blessing to the work. Those who give will receive the greatest blessing; for “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Seven thousand nine hundred dollars yet remains to be paid on the church. Two brethren—one in Massachusetts, the other in Maryland—have each given one hundred dollars. “A friend” gave $144.34. A sister has donated five hundred dollars. A few more such donations and all will be paid, and our people will have manifested not only their faith, but will have established in the capital20city the credit of our work in a way that will prove invaluable. We are very thankful for the donations, but we are still hoping that some one will be glad to invest one thousand dollars in this enterprise of national importance. We are certain that those who wish to have a part in this work must hasten; for the work will surely be cut short. The crisis is very near; “the ends of the world are come” upon us.
