Lt 36, 1903

Brethren and Sisters

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

February 22, 1903

This letter is published in entirety in RH 03/10/1903.

An Appeal in Behalf of the Washington, D.C. Church

Dear Brethren and Sisters,—

I have been pleased to learn, through reading the Review, and from letters from Elder J. S. Washburn, that a church building in Washington, D.C., formerly known as the Central Methodist Protestant Church, has been purchased by the Second Seventh-day Adventist Church of this city. A house of worship was greatly needed by our people in the section of the city where this property is situated. The purchase of this church will provide a suitable place in which witness can be borne to the truths we advocate. The building will stand as a memorial for God.18LtMs, Lt 36, 1903, par. 1

This property must now be paid for. Some payments have already been made, but a large sum must yet be raised to complete the payments. We therefore ask those who have means to act as the Lord’s helping hand by doing something to help to free this church from debt. Every penny given will help. If all will give what they can, the indebtedness will soon be liquidated. We pray that those who can help in this enterprise may be constrained to do so by their love for Christ. We regard the purchase of this church property as a wise step, and your co-operation in assisting the brethren there to pay for it will bring you into harmony with the beneficent purposes of the gospel.18LtMs, Lt 36, 1903, par. 2

Let those who have means use it wisely. It is a talent lent them by the Lord to be used when called for to advance His cause. In the place of spending money for selfish pleasure, let every one deny self and lift the cross. God’s blessing will follow.18LtMs, Lt 36, 1903, par. 3

Do not all of our people desire to share in the privilege of paying for the house of worship in Washington, D.C.? If every one of the many believers in this country would give something, the necessary sum would be raised, and the amount given by each would scarcely be missed. Let us help our brethren in the national capital; for they are too poor and too few in number to bear the burden alone. Those who share in this missionary enterprise by making gifts large or small, according to their ability, will ever after feel a deeper interest in the progress of the Lord’s cause in Washington. Those who respond to this call, making gifts to the Lord for the purchase of this church property, will receive rich blessing for so doing.18LtMs, Lt 36, 1903, par. 4

NOTE: All gifts should be sent to Elder J. S. Washburn, 1728 Fourteenth St., N.W., Washington, D.C.18LtMs, Lt 36, 1903, par. 5