The Sanitariums of the Southern Union Conference
By GEO. I. BUTLER
In view of the fact that encouragement has recently been given that financial help would be furnished for the upbuilding of the sanitariums in the Southern Union Conference, it has seemed to the writer but reasonable that information should be given in regard to their condition, prospects, needs, etc. Much instruction has been sent us through the servant of the Lord within the last two or three years upon this important subject. Indeed, it has been stated that it would be the Lord’s will that small sanitariums should be built in connection with every large city of the South. Those in charge of matters in this field have been urged to carry out those recommendations, and establish sanitariums as far as our ability would enable us to do so, in various important centers in this field. Great encouragement has been given that these would be successful in accomplishing much good in the upbuilding of the work in this needy part of the Lord’s vineyard. Those acting a leading part in the carrying on of the work here have heartily indorsed this counsel, and have done all that seemed possible to do in carrying out these recommendations. Four efforts have been made already, but none of them have reached the full necessities of such institutions. A building had been erected at Hildebran, N. C., humble in appearance and size, in which it was hoped that a small sanitarium could be established in connection with the school at that place. Most unfortunately, it burned down a year or two ago. No insurance having been placed upon it, and the people being exceedingly poor, it has thus far come to naught. But there are earnest souls living near by who are watching every opportunity to again attempt the carrying out of this design formed years ago. We hope yet to see a sanitarium in Hildebran. At Graysville, Tenn., we have a sanitarium building upon the mountainside, with a beautiful, clear spring above it, of sufficient size to furnish all needed water. The building is four stories, and is approaching completion. Recently more patients are being received, we are happy to state, than at any previous time, and we hope the institution will continue to prosper. It is still in need of many things, and has some debts upon it that are troublesome; but it would not take a great amount of funds to put it in condition to do valuable work in the health and temperance lines. It does need financial assistance, however, before it can be fully successful. In Atlanta, Ga., a small institution has also been established. A building that was formerly the headquarters of the branch office of the Review and Herald Publishing House was donated for this purpose, since that branch office ceased its work in Atlanta, and the headquarters of the publishing business was transferred to Nashville. The location is a very pleasant one, in a quiet portion of the city, but a short distance comparatively to its finest park. A little to one side of the sanitarium is a fine new school building, erected by the city, and many trees have been set out almost in front of the sanitarium. Another public institution, twenty or thirty rods away, with a beautiful grove connected with it, has been established; so the surroundings are very pleasant. The lot on which the sanitarium is built is a pleasant one. To transform the building into a suitable sanitarium has been a matter of considerable expense. Quite a sum of money was raised for the purpose of completing this institution. By certain changes made in the building, with some addition, it would, if completed, contain twenty-five rooms. Dr. Lillis Wood Starr and her husband are seeking to carry on the work as physician and business manager, but under very discouraging circumstances, until money comes from some source to complete it, furnish the rooms, and make it a suitable place to which to invite patients. At Nashville, Tenn., the prospects, so far as the writer’s information is concerned, seem more bright than at any other place, if help can be furnished to place the work in a self-supporting condition. For years in the past bath-rooms have been maintained, and efforts along health lines have been energetically put forth. Brother L. A. Hansen and his wife kept up the effort for years, with the most earnest determination, and with quite a measure of success, in spite of very great obstacles. They gained the confidence of many of the best citizens, and had a good measure of patronage, but through the light that came to us, it was felt that a greater effort should be made in such a city as Nashville, especially as it is the center of the work in the South. Dr. O. M. Hayward came to Nashville to engage in the work with Brother Hansen, and the Southern Union Conference purchased the plant already established, and have been endeavoring to add to it. Brother Hansen has now established a store for sanitarium foods, health supplies, and other suitable articles, which is receiving quite a patronage. A sanitarium board was established, under the auspices of the Southern Union Conference, by those occupying leading positions in Nashville; two or three large buildings have been rented, and the work has been carried on. One of these buildings is in the country. Bath-rooms are established in the city. Dr. Hayward stands at the head, as a physician, with Dr. J. E. Caldwell assisting. The sanitarium family—physicians, nurses, patients, and boarders, consisting of some forty persons, many of whom have lived in tents—have been carrying on the work the past summer, but they19have labored under the greatest disadvantages, the bath-rooms being near the center of the city, and the sanitarium proper being miles away. It has been a tremendous struggle, against great obstacles, to keep the work going forward. Yet it has been so conducted that it has not run behind. Dr. Hayward has no doubt but that, if we had a suitable building, properly furnished with the necessary furniture and equipment, we would have, in a short time, fifty patients. We are certain that there is an excellent opportunity for sanitarium work here in Nashville and its vicinity. Some of the most intelligent people of the place are learning the value of our health methods, and have confidence in the skill of the physicians in conducting the work. There is the greatest possible need of premises of our own, and a suitable building in close touch with the city of Nashville. These needs have been felt for two or three years past, but the lack of means has hindered the development of the work. The words that have come to us recently, that the time had now come when our work should be established in a proper manner, has afforded the greatest comfort and satisfaction. It is impossible to carry forward this work with the means at our command without financial assistance. When Mrs. E. G. White, and her son, W. C. White, were here a year ago last summer, most encouraging statements were made in regard to the needs of our work, and we then began looking about to find a suitable place. About two months ago members of the Board were called together to look at another property, which lies practically at the end of one of the street-car lines of the city, on high ground. It has a beautiful spring, what they call here lithia water, as clear as crystal, evidently coming from deep down in the earth, for the flow is about the same in a drought as in a freshet. This water is soft, and has a very pleasant taste. It is water that has been sold in the city, and is gladly purchased by the citizens. There is a beautiful situation for a sanitarium building near a nice little grove of locust trees, in the immediate vicinity. Thirty-two or thirty-three acres of land has been purchased, which seems to be of very good quality. A brother of some means paid the money for this land, and took a mortgage upon it as his security. The Board all felt that this was the proper site for our Nashville Sanitarium. This is the present status of our Nashville effort. The whole question resolves itself into this: Are our brethren and sisters willing to furnish the means to erect a modest sanitarium building here in the city of Nashville, the headquarters of our work in the South? It is greatly needed. The move has been fully indorsed by leading brethren as a suitable thing to be done. A suitable site has been obtained, and now, dear brethren and sisters throughout the United States, are you willing to help in putting this sanitarium upon its feet? We have physicians of ability and of experience ready to enter upon their work. We have been renting buildings at great cost, and yet the work has grown, in spite of this, to larger proportions than any other in the South. We have the indorsement of the spirit of prophecy that this is just the proper thing to do. It is said also that could we have had our schools and sanitariums established as the Lord would like to see them established in this Southern field, twenty times as much might have been accomplished here as has been accomplished. This brief sketch of what the Lord has said should be done, and the efforts which have been made to carry it out under great stress of difficulties and perplexities, is the report we are compelled to make. We ask for no grand buildings; we have made no extravagant investments. Our desire is for only humble, modest buildings, good enough so that the cause may not be dishonored or reproached, and so that respectable people may not be ashamed to come to them for treatment and restoration to health. All we can do is to state these matters in a clear, forcible, and explicit way, and leave the results with our people. We believe that God will impress upon their hearts the importance of assisting to build up his work in this most difficult Southern field. GEO. I. BUTLER,
President Southern Union Conference.