The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-18
ADVENTISTS keep
SATURDAY HOLY
Four Thousand Believers, in
Attendance at Conference,
Observe the Day.
MANY VISITORS HERE
Day Is Devoted to Special Services
Conducted by High Men in
the Church.

The sacred hours Of the Sabbath were
observed yesterday with impressive
solemnity by 1900 Seventh-day Advent
lists in attendance at their worlds con-
ference. which is convened in a twenty
four day session at Takoma Park
In addition to the 5000 people who are
encamped upon the grounds of the
Washington Foreign Mission Seminary
who have come from all parts of the
Garth to be in regular attendance at this
conference, there were about 1000 who
came in for the Sabbath services from
nearby States.
The observance of the Sabbath began
with an opening-Sabbath service at the
going down of the syn Friday night, at
which time. in harmony with the teach
ing Of the Bible, Seventh-day Adventists
begin their observance of the day.
At G o'clocl. yesterday morning the
campers were called from their tents
TO early morning worship by the ringing
of a bell. Before breakfasting they
gathered in the great canvas Pavilion,
coming by hundreds from the streets
and lanes of the 800 tents to unite in a
devotional service. which opened the'
worship of the day.
This meeting continued until the ring
ing Of a bell calling them to breakfast
in the big. white dining tent. which is
operated on the cafeteria plan, and at
which strictly vegetarian meals are
served.
God Manifest in the Flesh.
After breakfast the campers gathered
again in the assembly tent for Sabbath
School, at Q o'clock. which was conduct
ed by Elder George b. Thompson the
secretary OF the Sabbath School depart
nent of the general conference After
the review Of the previous Sabbaths les
son. the great audience was divided into
numerous classes and teachers were ap-
pointed TO take charge Of these classes
from among the large number OF BloIe
teachers who are on the grounds
The Sabbath School lesson was upon
rhe subject, God Manifest in the tlesh
Adventists are earnest believers IN the
Divinity and Deity of Christ, ana many
Scripture passages were brought out IN
the lesson yesterday substantiating this
belief.
Ar the close of the study of the les
son. a few remarks were made concern
ing the custom of the Sabbath Schools
of the denomination in giving all the
offerings to missions. after which the
Sabbath School offering was taken. all
If which will be devoted to foreign mis-
sion enterprises.
At the Sabbath morning preaching ser
vice which followed the Sabbath School.
Elder l. H. Evans, of Shanghai China
vice president of the General Conference
for the Asiatic division, delivered pow
erfuI sermon in which he told or the
power of the message of Christs soon
return to this earth, the meeting de-
veloped into an impressive revival serN-
ice A strong appeal was made by Elder
Evans for every person in the great
audience to definitely forsake their sins
and open their hearts to the influences
of the spirit of God. As the appeal was
made. a wave of religious fervor swept
over the entire camp.
After dinner the campers again as
sembled in the large pavilion to attend
another preaching service, at which the
sermon was delivered by Elder E Z.
Andross of Oakland. Cal. the president
OF the Pacific union conference or
Seventh-d Adventists, which also par
took Of a strong revival character.
These interesting Sabbath services were
brought to end at the going down OF
the sun by a closing Sabbath service
in which praise and gratitude were rem
dered to the Creator for the blessings
Of the day.
Conditions in Russia.
Instead of the regular preaching serv-
ice last night the campers were taken
on an interesting trip through the con-
ferences and mission stations OF Russia
hv means of stereopticon lecture on
that field nv Elder J. T. BoettCher, of
Rigs. Russia. president of the Russian
Union Conference of Seventh-day Ad-
ventists He told some of the hardships
which Seventh-day Adventists workers
have had to meet in their operations in
the Russian field. stating that it was
against the law of Russia for members
of any church to change their church
a utilization to another denomination I'M
less the change was TO enter the fold
OF the Greek Orthodox Church, which Is
the established church OF Russia. Not
withstanding the great obstacles which
Seyenth-day AdventiSts missionaries
there have had TO contend against. the
work has grown from a small begin
ming until the mighty Russian empire,
with its barriers of intolerance and
higotry, fOstered by a state and church
has been entered and its people are hear
ing the message of the Lords return.
Elder Boettcher said that one union
conference one union mission with 100
workers. 1872 churches. and 5000 believers
in Russia tell their tale of love and
loyalty.
Today the regular business sessions of
the conference will he held usual-at
10 o'clock in the morning and 2:So O'Clock
in the afternoon. For the first time dur
ing the conference the early morning de-
votional service will be divided into sec T.;
tons and the worshipers will assemble
in different tents. Elder J. n. Lough-