Two New Sanitariums for the Colored People by W. A. Ruble; D. H. Kress; G. H. Heald

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 15, 1909

Two New Sanitariums for the Colored People

By W. A. Ruble; D. H. Kress; G. H. Heald

How We Can Help

Two new sanitariums are soon to be in operation for the colored people in the South. It is high time; for with nearly a hundred sanitariums all over the world, we have not yet a sanitarium in the South for this people. We have been slow in responding to the calls that we have received in this matter. But now the situation is soon to be relieved in two Southern centers of our work, and the call comes to our medical workers to help in hastening the enterprises to completion.

At Huntsville, Ala., an institution has been built. It is well planned and constructed. The basement accommodates treatment-rooms, furnace room, and storage. The first floor has offices, dining-room, kitchen, and a patients’ room. On the second floor there are a number of good rooms for patients. The work on this building is progressing as rapidly as the means furnished will justify.

The new sanitarium on Foster Street, in Nashville, Tenn., is well located, between the part of the city occupied by the white population and that occupied by the colored. The building was on the property when purchased. This is being remodeled and furnished and equipped as fast as can be done with the means at hand.

Sister White, under the dates of January 4 and July 19, 1905, wrote:—

“Special efforts must also be made just now to help the colored people. The sanitarium that has been established in Nashville for the colored people must be provided with better facilities, and those who are making efforts to build at Huntsville an orphanage for colored people, must have help.”

“Over and over again the light has been given that a special work is to be done also in Huntsville. . . . On the beautiful farm of over three hundred acres, God purposes that an efficient missionary training-school shall be conducted, which will develop many workers for the colored people.

“A small sanitarium should also be established in connection with the Huntsville school. The sanitarium building should not be of a shoddy character, neither should it be narrow and contracted. It should be built substantially, and there should be in it room for the physician and nurses to carry on the work of healing the sick, and giving patients and students an education in regard to the right principles of living.”

In addition to the great work of ministering to the sick among the colored people, there is a loud call for colored nurses, and a training-school for these must be conducted in connection with such an institution.

The object of this article is to appeal to our medical missionary workers and sanitariums to co-operate with the medical department of the General Conference in raising a fund for the completion and equipment of these institutions. None will appreciate more keenly than our medical workers the importance of getting work like this completed and properly equipped without delay. Will not every physician, nurse, and sanitarium manager take this matter up and solicit contributions, large or small, from those within reach, both in our churches and among those not of our faith? Our sanitarium workers especially will be able to agitate strongly in behalf of these new institutions. Do not wait. Make the gifts as large as possible, for the money is needed at once.

We hope to hear from workers concerning this appeal, and shall be glad to supply any further information. Make money-orders or drafts payable to the treasurer of the General Conference, I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. In remitting, state always that it is for the Southern sanitarium fund, and the money will be sent at once to the South to enable these worthy enterprises to minister to the sick, and to prepare workers for the great field among the colored people of the South.

W. A. Ruble, D. H. Kress, G. H. Heald, Committee.