At the Nation’s Capital
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An Advance Step
“The removal to Washington of work hitherto carried on in Battle
Creek,” wrote Mrs. White to those who had ventured to make the
transfer, “is a step in the right direction. We are to continue to press
into the regions beyond, where the people are in spiritual darkness.”
The Review and Herald, October 1, 1903
.
Those who had advanced by faith were richly rewarded; and as
they labored on, they could see more and still more clearly the wisdom
of the step they had taken. “As the months go by,” wrote the editor of
the Review, in a last-page note, bearing date of February 25, 1904, “we
are able to see more clearly the meaning of the removal of the head-
quarters of our work to Washington, and to appreciate the opportunity
offered here to establish such memorials for the truth as will exert a
wide influence in behalf of this message. From the instruction given
through the Spirit of prophecy, it is plain that each line of institutional
work—publishing, educational, and medical—is to be established here
in a representative way, and that a continuous evangelical effort is to be
carried forward, so that at the capital of the nation and at the headquar-
ters of our denominational work there may be a proper representation
of this message as a missionary movement.”
Words of Encouragement
Early in 1904 Mrs. White decided to go to Washington herself, to
spend some months there while foundations were being laid. In the
course of her first sermon, on Sabbath day, April 30, 1904, she said:
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“In the city of Washington there is much to be done. I am thankful
to God for the privilege of seeing the land that has been purchased
for our institutional work in this place. The securing of this land was
in the Lord’s providence, and I praise God that our brethren had the
faith to take this forward step. As I look over this city, I realize the
magnitude of the work to be accomplished....
“God now calls upon every believer in this center to act his indi-
vidual part in helping to build up the work that must be done.”
The
Review and Herald, May 26, 1904
.
A few days later, Mrs. White wrote: