South Africa by Geo. R. Israel

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1908

South Africa

By Geo. R. Israel

THURSDAY evening, July 16, a company consisting of the faculty, the members of the sanitarium board and their wives, and invited friends of the senior nurses, gathered in the dining-room of the sanitarium at the Cape, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, to participate in the exercises connected with the graduating of the first nurses' class in the history of the institution.

A dainty banquet had been prepared, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. When the banqueting had ceased, we were favored by a quartet of ladies' voices, which sang that trust-inspiring hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light.” Dr. Geo. Thomason then gave a brief history of the rise and development of sanitarium work, and the principles which have been such a blessing to mankind in the restoration and preservation of health; how by the blessing of God, and the undaunted courage and perseverance of the pioneers in this movement, the work, which was begun in a humble way about forty years ago, has grown until its principles have been adopted in the lives of all classes of men; and instead of the two-story cottage which was used as the first retreat for the sick, we now have sixty-eight sanitariums, and many treatment-rooms, in all parts of the world.

Each of the three young ladies who compose the graduating class, read an essay on some feature of medical missionary work. They were: “The Essential Qualifications of a Medical Missionary Nurse,” by Miss Christina Henderson; “The Great Medical Missionary,” by Miss Highlie Smith; and “Our Opportunities,” by Miss Blanche Tarr. These papers were all excellent, and gave evidence of the fact that the writers had made the character of a true nurse their constant study.

The doctor then spoke of the faithful service which had been rendered by these workers, and of the tender ties that had been formed and strengthened by the various experiences through which they had passed while ministering to the suffering ones under their care. He congratulated them upon the success of their work, and expressed great pleasure, in behalf of the board, in being privileged to present them their diplomas. The exercises closed with another song by the quartet, and prayer by Elder D. F. Tarr.

We feel that the graduation of this class means much to the work here. It has been about twelve years since the last class of nurses was graduated in this country, and the work had well-nigh failed; but from a small beginning, by the blessing of God, we have in recent years seen the work constantly advance. We have looked forward for some time to the day when these workers should complete their training, and be ready to step out into new places. Already Miss Smith is connected with one of our health institutes in Natal, and we hope that the time will soon come when the others can be spared to enter new fields.

GEO. R. ISRAEL.