p. 8 | Our Sanitarium Work by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1915

Our Sanitarium Work

By F. M. W.

For the principles of health and temperance represented by our sanitariums to Seventh-day Adventists have much to be thankful. Many connected with this movement are alive today, and in the enjoyment of health and strength, who, but for these principles, would now be in their graves.

This truth was forcibly illustrated to the writer some years ago at the first camp meeting which he ever attended among Seventh-day Adventists. It was held in Carthage, N. Y. Elders James White, J. B. Goodrich, and A. S. Hutchins were in attendance. One day these three brethren were together at the grocery stand. The conversation turned on the question of health. Addressing Brother Goodrich, Brother White said, “Brother Goodrich, step on the scales and show the brethren what health reform has done for you.” Brother Goodrich tipped the scales at more than two hundred pounds. Brother White then laughingly turned to Elder Hutchins and said, “Brother Hutchins, step on the scales and show the brethren what health reform has done for you.” This Brother Hutchins did, remarking as the scales registered a little more than one hundred pounds, “Had it not been for the principles of healthful living given to this people, I should not weigh even as much as I do, and should undoubtedly long ago have been in my grave. It is to these principles I owe my life at the present time, and their observance has enabled me to work for years while many of my fellows with the same measure of natural strength have fallen by the way.” And this has been true in the experience of many readers of this paper. It has been true in the experience of the writer. He feels that he owes much to the principles of healthful living, as poorly representative of them as he has at times appeared.

Our sanitariums are doing today an excellent work in the promulgation of these principles. The writer recalls with much pleasure the physical salvation afforded him through the blessing of the Lord at the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium when he was driven West years ago on account of his health. He acknowledges with gratitude the harborage afforded him by the sanitariums at College View, Nebr.; Walla Walla, Wash.; Portland, Oregon; St. Helena, Glendale, Loma Linda, and National City, Cal., when at various times in his journeyings he has stopped for a few days of rest and recuperation. These institutions, with others not mentioned, are doing, in their respective fields, noble work in the promulgation of health principles, and in the training of earnest young men and women to go out as messengers of light and blessing into this sin-cursed and disease-cursed world.

Recently it was the writer’s privilege to spend a number of days as a patient at the Washington Sanitarium. Here he found the same spirit of efficient, kindly ministry which he had met in the other institutions. His condition was not so serious but that he was able to mingle freely with the Sanitarium family, both the guests and the workers, and to observe carefully the methods employed and the attention given to those seeking relief. To our people in the Central East he can most heartily recommend this institution. It is in charge of an excellent medical faculty. Dr. H. W. Miller as medical superintendent and Dr. R. Irvine as house physician, with Dr. Margaret Evans Stewart in charge of the city treatment rooms, and Dr. E. Elliott at the city dispensary, constitute the force of physicians directly responsible for the work in the main institution and for the work in the city of Washington. The writer knows from his own experience and from much longer observation, that the services of these physicians are efficiently and conscientiously rendered, and that those who commit themselves to their care for medical attention receive painstaking service. Many serious surgical cases have been treated with excellent success.

Associated with the work of these physicians is that of the general manager, W. T. Knox; assistant manager, C. E. Hammond; chaplain, J. N. Anderson; head nurse, Mrs. Stella Slaten; matron, Miss Hulda Olsen; and cashier, Ellis Workman. Associated with these, and forming the larger number of the Sanitarium family, are other earnest young men and women who have either been trained as nurses or are now attending the nurses’ training school.

The Sanitarium is well equipped, and thus well prepared to afford necessary care to the sick. Special attention is given to the diagnosis of each case. By physical examination, laboratory tests, X ray, etc., the causes of disease are traced to their origin and the actual physical condition determined. This thorough examination affords a knowledge for appropriate prescription and treatment.

In the Sanitarium there exists an excellent Christian spirit of unity and cooperation. Our brethren and sisters in this institution are united in the carrying forward of their work. A sweet spiritual influence pervades the place, and this is the occasion for frequent remark on the part of even worldly guests who visit the institution. To the writer’s personal knowledge a number who have visited this Sanitarium as guests have become acquainted with us as a people, and have dedicated their lives to this movement.

Our sanitariums afford a large field for missionary operation. To them come the high and the low, the rich and the poor, who have been brought to a place in their experience where they are sobered and thoughtful, ready to receive counsel and sympathetic ministry. What a privilege is afforded our sanitarium workers to labor for those who are providentially brought within their own doors, and what an opportunity is given to our brethren and sisters generally to direct to our sanitariums the sick and afflicted among their neighbors. Every Seventh-day Adventist should consider himself a representative of our health principles and of our sanitarium work. He should feel that in his territory he is an agent to represent to others in his own life these health principles, and he should stand ready when opportunity is afforded to recommend our sanitariums to the sick and suffering.

Our sanitariums in various parts of the country will be glad to furnish free

literature descriptive of their methods. Shall we not reach out to help these institutions? The workers in them need our prayers. Shut up within four walls day after day, ministering to the nervous, the petulant, the diseased in body and mind, they need a constant supply of divine grace to keep brightly burning in their own souls the love of the Master. Let us uphold our physicians and nurses by our prayers; let us cooperate with them in their endeavors to advance the interests of the work they represent. By so doing we shall be blessed not only in our own experience, but be the means in the hands of God of carrying the blessing of Heaven to those about us.

F. M. W.