“Ministry of Healing” in California
By E. R. PALMER
ON the evening of September 23 the officers of the California Conference met with the officers of the St. Helena Sanitarium Board in the chapel at the St. Helena Sanitarium to consider plans for handling “Ministry of Healing” in the California-Nevada Conference, which is the territory set apart for the benefit of this sanitarium. The officers of the Relief Bureau, with a number of other workers and friends interested in the enterprise, were present, and in all the councils there was a strong spirit of harmony and good-will. There are some special reasons for encouragement as the brethren unite in an effort to give this beautiful book a large circulation in the California-Nevada Conference. They have one of the best volumes ever published, as their relief book; and, therefore, every effort put forth to circulate it will be a missionary enterprise of the highest order, even though there were no relief plan connected with it. But in addition to this splendid incentive for work, there is that other object which is worthy of the best effort of all our people in this conference,—the relief of the St. Helena Sanitarium from its heavy liabilities. For many years this sanitarium has stood firmly for right principles, and has fought many hard battles for the principles of truth. God has seen fit to add his blessings in many ways to the efforts put forth, and to-day the sanitarium stands among the first of our old well-tried institutions. And now, when our other institutions and all the people are ready to make a heroic effort to lift the financial liabilities of the sanitarium, it is a cause for courage and thanksgiving that the sanitarium is in such splendid working condition. Last year the institution was able to keep up expenses and repairs in good shape, and after paying a tithe to the California Conference on its net earnings, about eight thousand dollars was paid on the liabilities; and this was not done at the expense of the general appearance of the institution. In every department and all through the grounds there is an air of thrift, neatness, and order which is really refreshing. This year the patronage is larger than ever before, and the business manager was able to assure the visiting brethren that the sanitarium would be able to pay off still more of its liabilities than last. With this institution standing firmly for the truths we hold, and with the work in such good condition, the people may18well take heart in putting their shoulder to the wheel which is already rolling onward. The following plan was adopted for managing the sale of “Ministry of Healing:” The work is to be under the direction of five persons, two to be selected by the executive committee of the California Conference, two by the managing board of the St. Helena Sanitarium, and the fifth to be appointed by the two boards in council. This fifth member is to give his entire time to the work, and act as chairman of the committee. The expenses of the work will be divided equally between the conference and sanitarium. With this strong, united arrangement we believe that the work will be a splendid success. E. R. PALMER,
Secretary Relief Bureau.