Caterham Sanitarium, Surrey, England by ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 9, 1905

Caterham Sanitarium, Surrey, England

By ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D.

You will be interested to hear a little about our work in Caterham. Last week we entered into possession of the adjoining villas, which we decided to rent, and have already begun to occupy one of them. As you will remember, the other is rented, and will not, therefore, entail any expense until we require it for occupation. The terms of rent secured are quite favorable. We are to pay seventy pounds a year in quarterly instalments, with the privilege of purchasing. The lease extends over three years. The villas contain eighteen rooms, the greater number of which will be available for patients.

Our patronage has been excellent. We have often been at our 'wits' end to know what to do for accommodations for those who came. We are continuing to make various necessary improvements, and thus far have been able to meet all our bills promptly. Yes, and besides this, we have been able to do considerable charity work, considering the size of our place. We are glad for this. I feel keenly that we must keep the charitable feature in view all the time. With careful economy and wise planning, I believe that we shall always be able to do some charity work.

Our Good Health magazine is continuing to enjoy a wide circulation. We printed seventy thousand copies of the Christmas number.

We have a nice family of workers, and they are taking hold heartily, and are meeting with success. We have now two classes, with six members in each.

Recently I received a letter from a former patient, from which I will quote just a few lines. She had been several weeks with us last spring and early summer. It shows that we can not always see the fruit of the seed sowing, and that time is often required for the germination and growth:—

“I often think of your words, and can plainly see the blessing that came of the sore trial. Had it not been for this [the illness], probably I should never have been an inmate of your peaceable home—home in every sense. How many good things I learned there, I can not tell you. One thing you will be glad to know—I have joined the Adventists, and attend the meetings at Duncombe Hall. I have also tried to follow all the good instruction you gave us from time to time, and have never tasted tea since entering your institution. I try to live as nearly as possible as I did when there.”

The poor woman was much afflicted, and it had all come about through no fault of her own. Her case is practically incurable, although she was much benefited by her stay, and I tried to show her that the Lord would bring her a great blessing out of it, if she would be patient and loyal.

So the Lord has already, during the few brief months of the existence of this institution, given us several souls for our hire. We have three students in the missionary college in London, who accepted the truth through coming to Caterham. These three are young people, and are developing into excellent workers.

ALFRED B. OLSEN, M. D.