Our Institutions by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

Our Institutions

By F. M. W.

ETERNITY alone will reveal the good accomplished by our institutions. We think of them sometimes as buildings, apart from the work they are doing. But it takes more than building material, bricks and mortar, to make publishing houses, schools, or sanitariums. In addition to the material equipment, it requires skilled workmen—managers, printers, editors, physicians, nurses, and teachers. It requires that there shall be rallied around these institutions a loyal constituency of faithful workers. It requires above all that these institutions shall stand for and represent principles. Indeed, institutions without well-defined principles and plans and policies are like ships without rudders.

The Lord in his providence has established various institutions in connection with this movement as no unimportant agencies in its promulgation. How this message has been spread by means of the printed page! Next to the living preacher the silent messengers of truth have borne their part in heralding to the world a knowledge of the Lord’s soon coming. And their work has but fairly begun. They are destined by God’s grace to do a still greater work in the promulgation of the message.

Similarly have our schools contributed their great power and influence to this work. Who can estimate the value of the work done by the devoted men and women who have gone out from our training schools?

South Lancaster Academy

We were impressed with this anew as we visited recently the South Lancaster Academy. From this center alone, many have gone out as active workers for God. Naturally we found that many changes had taken place in the more than twenty-five years since we had seen this institution. New buildings, increased

facilities, and added improvements were seen in every department. Prof. B. F. Machlan and his loyal coworkers are doing faithful service at the academy from year to year.

A large attendance is expected for the next school year. We hope that the hearts of our young people in the Atlantic Union Conference will be drawn toward this institution, and that they will take advantage of the excellent opportunities it offers to obtain a preparation that will fit them for efficiency in the Master’s service.

New England Sanitarium

We were privileged to visit for the first time the New England Sanitarium at Melrose, Mass. We found here a busy company of more than one hundred physicians, nurses, and general workers ministering to the needs of the sick and afflicted.

The sanitarium was crowded to its fullest capacity, there being more than eighty guests enrolled. It was problematical as to our obtaining sleeping quarters, but, like a number of others, we were crowded into a comfortable corner, and made cordially welcome.

The location of the New England Sanitarium is unique in many ways. Within a radius of ten miles is a large number of thrifty towns—Winchester, Stoneham, Medford, Malden, Melrose, Lynn, Chelsea, Revere, Cambridge, and others. Chief among these is the great city of Boston. The institution is located in a territory of great historical and literary interest. Many places of colonial and Revolutionary fame are reached in a short time by automobile or trolley car. Well-kept roads and drives through Middlesex Park offer many diverse and interesting opportunities for drives, walks, etc. The location combines the most delightful scenery, and quiet, restful solitude, with easy access to the advantages of city market and residence.

We found an excellent family of guests. As we mingled with them for several days, we heard many expressions of appreciation of the work this institution is carrying forward. One guest prominent in the business and social life of Boston expressed his great surprise that he should find in the midst of our modern life and grasping business activities such a spirit of Christian effort and harmonious cooperation as he saw in the sanitarium. He inquired what the motive was that prompted these workers to turn from lucrative positions which they might fill elsewhere, and labor here for a mere living. We told him that, from our observation in this sanitarium and in others operated on the same plan, we believed it was a genuine spirit of doing good that actuated those connected with them. He assented that this must be true.

It has been our privilege to come in touch with a number of our sanitarium families in various parts of the country. Uniformly we have witnessed this spirit of sacrifice and earnestness in their lives, and this spirit is very apparent in the work that is done at the Melrose institution.

Three nurses’ classes are operated in the sanitarium. The medical faculty at the present time consists of Dr. W. E. Bliss, Dr. W. A. Ruble, and Dr. Ora Kress. Dr. J. W. Hopkins, who has been connected with the sanitarium, has removed to Takoma Park, where he will connect with the Washington Sanitarium. Miss Leonora Lacey is the superintendent of the nurses’ training school in this institution.

This sanitarium possesses a feature which is lacking in some of our institutions, an excellent gymnasium. Regular exercises are carried on two or three times a day. Miss Mabel Arnold has this in charge. The secretary-treasurer and manager is J. G. White. Brother White informs us that this year a substantial reduction in the indebtedness will be realized.

The sanitarium has the heartiest support of its constituency throughout the Atlantic Union Conference, and this certainly is as it should be. In the New England Sanitarium we feel that this union conference has a valuable asset. Its influence is widespread in behalf of the special message of this time. It is sowing the seeds of the message, and in many lives the seed will bear fruit. Then, too, we feel that the sanitarium is a valuable asset to our work in the Atlantic Union in the excellent training it gives to young men and women in sending them out to lives of usefulness, when otherwise many would be lost in worldly occupation. Certain it is that such institutions are established in God’s order.

An excellent spiritual influence pervades the place. Elder O. F. Butcher, the Bible teacher of South Lancaster Academy, is connected with the institution temporarily, and is looking after the religious work. His labors are appreciated by the guests and family of workers.

Our people throughout the union should give to this sanitarium their hearty support. The sick should be directed to it. The workers laboring in it should be remembered in sympathy and prayer. Our young men and women who desire nurses’ training should be encouraged to take up the work in this place.

We should encourage and promote every agency in connection with this work. Every worker and every institution has a distinct place to fill in the carrying forward of the gospel of salvation.

F. M. W.