p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 15. (4/13/1905)

Encouragement for Washington Religious Liberty Work

FROM across the continent there come to us from our fellow workers, words expressive of their hearty interest in the work now being done in Washington, and of their purpose to co-operate with us in bringing before the people the issues involved. The last number of The Signs of the Times to reach our table contains two articles dealing with the movement to introduce religious instruction into the public schools of this city, and announces its purpose to deal fully with the question in future issues. The closing paragraphs of one of its articles are as follows:—

To meet the perverted principles of truth, which would put man in the place of God, and dethrone Divinity, the Master sends to Washington, to America, to the world, his simple message of protest against error, his glorious, uplifting truth, mighty to save.

God keep the heart, and nerve the mind, and strengthen the physical man, of all who are engaged in this struggle for liberty, by whatever name called. We bid them Godspeed. We say to them, “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” May your burning words and ardent work melt hard hearts and win souls to God.

We greatly appreciate these earnest words of encouragement, and we are confident that the many readers of Signs will be both interested in, and benefited by, its future articles upon this movement. If this effort to unite church and state in Washington, the capital of the nation, should be successful, its influence would be made to extend to all parts of the country. It is therefore, in a very proper sense, a national question, and the Signs does well to deal with it.

Dr. Margaret Evans Returns

After a somewhat extended vacation, Dr. Margaret Evans, of the St. Helena Sanitarium, returned to her professional duties the first of the present month.

Plans for the General Conference

IN his article in the Editorial Department Elder A. G. Daniells mentions in detail some of the plans for the General Conference, now so near at hand, which will be of interest to all.

A First Cuban Church

Brother T. A. Zoller, of Minnesota, called at Washington on his return from Cuba, where he assisted in the organization of our first Cuban church. He intends to return with his family erelong, to engage in business in Cuba.

An Open Letter to Christians

WE have received from Rangoon, Burma, an eighteen-page Burmese tract, with cover, entitled “An Open Letter to Christians,” printed in the peculiar circular script of that language. We still understand that it deals with the Sabbath question particularly.

Letters to the Workers at Takoma Park

By Editor

WE print this week a letter from Mrs. E. G. White to the workers at Takoma Park, and next week we shall print an appeal by the same writer in behalf of the institutions to be established at this important center. We commend both of these articles to the attention of all our readers.

Religious Instruction in Washington Schools

WE do not feel that any apology is necessary for occupying so much space from week to week in reporting the progress of the movement for the introduction of religious instruction into the public schools of Washington, as we know that all our people are deeply interested in this matter. The local feeling over this question has been more intense than ever during the past week or ten days, and the decision of the Board of Education is awaited with the greatest interest.

The Gift Horse

ACCORDING to the story as told by Virgil, the Latin poet, the Greeks, who were besieging the city of Troy, appeared under rather suspicious circumstances to donate a huge wooden horse to the Trojans. While some protested, saying, “We fear the Greeks, even when bearing gifts,” others welcomed the apparently friendly attitude of their wily foes, and with much shouting the gift horse was drawn into the city, and then the gates were closed as securely as ever. The “real inwardness” of the donation was revealed when, under cover of darkness, the Greeks concealed within the roomy horse, sallied forth, and opened the gates to their companions in arms, who then sacked the city. The ancient Greeks and Trojans have long since passed away, and the mythical wooden horse does not openly play any important part in the affairs of men, and yet the memory of the story still lingers, and we sometimes wonder if human nature is not much the same now as in the days of Troy. Strange reflections; but these are strange times.

Circulating the Full Message

THE publishers of the Bible Training School are preparing a special issue of that publication, which will contain “the full message” as far as the space will permit. Writing of the prospects for a large circulation of this number, Sister Hetty H. Haskell says:—

We have already received orders for forty-five thousand copies, and several others are talking of ordering. These are all in large orders. One man has ordered fifteen thousand, and says he may increase the order. Three men have ordered ten thousand apiece. They expect to devote their entire energy to selling them this summer. They are all hustlers, and we hope and pray that God will richly bless them. A good seller can dispose of two thousand a month, and I think they expect to get others to work with them. One of the brethren who ordered ten thousand worked last summer at six dollars a day in an iron foundry, in charge of work, and could earn his five or six dollars a day this summer; but he says he wants to work for souls.

The homes of many thousands will be visited by this bearer of “the full message,” and eternity alone will reveal the results. We hope many others may decide to assist in circulating this messenger of the truth.

Washington, D. C.

By J. S. Washburn

We are thankful to state that there has been an encouraging increase in the amount of donations to the Washington building fund during the last week. The list at present stands at $63,492.01, leaving $36,507.99, yet to be raised, which we hope will be furnished by the time of the meeting of the General Conference on the eleventh of May.

We have just received also a most earnest appeal from Sister White for the work in Washington, from which I will quote a few words. The whole article will probably appear later:—

“‘ELMSHAVEN,’ SANITARIUM, CAL.,

“March 30, 1905.

“DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I am greatly burdened because the money needed for the completion of our school building and sanitarium at Takoma Park, comes in slowly. The Lord has said that these institutions should be put in working order as soon as possible. We have no time to lose.

“And I address all our church-members. Not merely to a few, but to all, has the Lord entrusted talents, and from each one, according to his several ability, he expects returns. The rapidly increasing wickedness in the world testifies plainly that the end of all things is at hand.”

J. S. WASHBURN.