A Correction by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 10, 1916

A Correction

By L. A. HANSEN

By mistake the date of the opening of our first health institution has been given as 1868. This was recently stated in one of our papers, which called forth a letter from Elder J. N. Loughborough, making the correction. His communication will be of interest to a number, as offering authentic information on the point. We give it as follows:—

“DEAR BROTHER HANSEN:—

“In the Harvest Ingathering Signs, page 26, near the top of the page, I see the printers cause you to say, ‘Its first institution was opened at Battle Creek, Mich., in 1868.’ I conclude that you wrote it 1866, but that the printers turned the 6 into an 8.

“The vision that ‘we should have an institution of our own,’ was given to Sister White on Christmas night in 1865, in Rochester, N. Y. I was present on that occasion. She did not, however, make the health institution part public until the session of the General Conference in the spring of 1866.

“I was at that time president of the Michigan Conference, and drew up the subscription paper, calling for means to start the enterprise. We purchased Judge Graves’s home, and the work began in August, 1866. It was needful for legislative action before we could organize legally. This matter was put through the legislature in the winter, through the labors of Lawyer Pine of Battle Creek. So in the spring of 1867 we organized legally.

“I see in my diary of that year: ‘April 1-5. Counsel over health institute matters.’ ‘April 7. Counsel on organization of health institute.’ ‘April 8. Down to lawyers’ office. Got Articles of Association for institute.’ ‘April 9. Signing Articles of Association for Health and Reform Institute.’ ‘April 26. Election of directors for Health Reform Institute.’ I was chosen president, and so served until the spring of 1868, when it was decided that I come to California. So you see it read a little strange to me, that the institute was opened in 1868, when at that date I was already on my way to California.

“[Signed] J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.”

Reference to early REVIEW files shows the above dates to be correct, and that the opening of the first Health Institute should be given as Sept. 5, 1866.

L. A. HANSEN.