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Report From the Washington Sanitarium

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 6.

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Report From the Washington Sanitarium

By D. H. KRESS, M. D.

We believe the readers of the REVIEW have an interest in the Sanitarium at Takoma Park; and in view of the substantial way in which they have shown their interest, they are entitled to an occasional report regarding the prosperity of the institution.
We must say God has greatly blessed the work at Takoma Park; we can but be impressed as we view the grounds, and the buildings, and the work now being done, that a divine hand has guided in the selection of the site and in the erection of the buildings. Influential men of the world who visit the place are impressed in the same way. The superintendent of the United States Botanical Garden, who is supposed to be as good a judge of natural beauty as can be found in the city of Washington, in a letter which appeared in one of the leading daily papers, said: “The Adventists’ association must have evoked the numerical power of seven. Some seventh son must have been inspired to lead them to the healthiest spot on God’s footstool, to say nothing of the soul-elevating beauty of the stream above and below the bridge for a mile each way.” In speaking of the new bridge that is now in process of erection, he says: When completed, “it will aid in making one of the most delightful rural drives through the healthiest region around Washington; in fact, it is not surpassed anywhere.”
The mayor of Takoma Park, in his address at the opening of the institution, said: “Twenty years ago I visited this identical spot in company with Mr. B. F. Gilbert, the founder of Takoma Park, who pointed out to me its many attractive features.
“I remember that he called my attention to the peculiar fact that the sound of the rippling waters of the beautiful Sligo can be heard much more distinctly from this point than from any other of equal distance; but what is of especial interest on this occasion is the fact that he made the statement at that time that nature had designed this place for a sanitarium; and that it was his intention to reserve it for that purpose.
“For years this was a cherished plan with him, and he constantly sought to enlist the interest of the medical fraternity in such a project. He finally succeeded in securing the co-operation of a celebrated physician of New York to build such an institution, but the financial troubles of 1893 prevented the consummation of his plan.
“However, it was a source of the greatest satisfaction to Mr. Gilbert in his declining years to know that persons skilled in the treatment of disease, who have made a success of sanitarium work throughout the whole civilized world, should verify his judgment in selecting this as an ideal spot on which to erect a sanitarium.”
It appears from this that God had especially reserved this spot for just such a work as we now see, and divinely guided our brethren in selecting it.
The Seminary and Sanitarium are one in aim and purpose, and are in complete harmony. Co-operation exists between them in their efforts to develop missionaries for the field.
The winter months have been regarded as the least promising time for sanitarium work at Takoma Park, but we are pleased to say the Sanitarium has had nearly every room filled during the past four to six weeks. Sometimes it has been difficult to know where to place the patients; at present we have twenty-seven patients and ten guests. We have had to find rooms for workers outside of the Sanitarium. The dormitory, which has just reached completion, will enable us to keep our workers together under one roof. This will be much more agreeable and orderly.
The good accomplished by our sanitariums the day of God alone will fully reveal. The following extracts received from patients show that the effort of the workers at the Washington Sanitarium has been appreciated. A lady in writing to a friend said: “We can not be too thankful to God for this peaceful place to be sick and get well in. It has been a wonderful spiritual uplift to me.”
Another wrote: “If it were possible, I would like to write to each member of the sanitarium family, expressing my thanks for the loving-kindness shown us during our stay with you. It will forever be a bright spot in our lives, and at the same time a revelation. I firmly believe it was the all-wise guiding hand of providence that placed us with you; for had I not witnessed it, I would not have believed that such a people lived in these days of selfishness and greed. Again and again I thank you for your interest and help, both spiritually and physically.”
Another, a government official, writes: “I wish to express to you my grateful appreciation for the care and attention my wife received during her stay at the Sanitarium. I am glad she had the sense, intuition, or whatever it may have been, to place herself under your care.”
A letter written by a gentleman patient to a friend, reads as follows: “To tell you the truth, this is the best religion I have seen. There is no difference between man, maid, or servant, rich or poor. I have watched them, and find them consistent in every way. There is no hypocrisy, no angry words, of any kind on the whole forty-one acres of their land. It is peace and quietness all the time.”
Still another patient who considered his case hopeless, after a stay of two months regained his health, gaining seventeen pounds in weight. After being at home two weeks, he wrote: “I am glad to say I am now enjoying good health; in fact, I am like a sixteen-year-old boy. I have continued to live the simple life, and have gained four pounds in weight since leaving the Sanitarium. I enclose you a check for five dollars as a small contribution to your missionary fund. Some time in the future when my demands are not so great, I may do more. I have a tender spot for every one connected with the Washington Sanitarium.”
The wife of a prominent business manwho was a patient, writes: “We are trying to live strictly vegetarian, and not only our immediate family have profited by our experience, but some of our friends as well. I am glad to say my son is perfectly well, and is the picture of health. I attribute it largely to the proper diet. My husband still continues to improve. He has not smoked since he left the Sanitarium. He often talks of the pleasant time we spent with you; he is really homesick to go back to the Sanitarium.”
We feel thankful that these things can be said of our work at the Washington Sanitarium, and trust that more and more Christ may be revealed in the ministry here. D. H. KRESS, M. D.