Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By L. A. Hansen
FROM an article in the North Pacific Union Gleaner we note that plans are in operation for the union college students to do their share in the relief campaign. How appropriate it is that those connected with the institutions receiving help in our former campaign should now aid in giving relief to sister institutions that are in need. The following interesting article, written by a student, is encouraging:— “Ministry of Healing,” and the Walla Walla College Students
“Definite plans have been laid for the work with ‘Ministry of Healing’ by the students, and arrangements have been made by which the conference to which the student belongs shall be credited with the number of books sold by him. The city of Walla Walla has again been divided among the missionary societies of the Walla Walla church, the College Place church, and the missionary volunteers of the college. Several of the students have already sold more than their quota of books. The testimony of all is that the book is received eagerly by the people. “Last Monday the writer and another student had the privilege of working with ‘Ministry of Healing.’ It was after three o’clock when we reached our territory. We found the people very friendly. The first lady we met was the wife of the owner of one of the largest nurseries between Walla Walla and Milton. She kindly received us into the house; and before we finished the explanation of the nature of our work, we found that she was interested not only in the book, but also in the work which our sanitariums are doing for the sick. After we closed the short canvass, without a minute’s hesitation she handed us the price of the book. She was anxious to take the prospectus we had. We were pleased to place this truth-filled volume in this home, but we had to borrow her book, in order to work the rest of the afternoon. “Just across the street from this place we found a man and his wife who have an interest in a poultry business. Though we had little hope of taking an order, we gave a short canvass; and when we told them how we carry on medical missionary work, their eyes began to sparkle, the old man saying, ‘If my subscription helps this worthy cause, I will surely take one,’ and he handed us the price of the book. We told him that the book we had was not ours, and we had no other. But he was willing to pay us. Though we were strangers, he was willing to trust us because we were Adventists. “After spending a few minutes in this little village, we started for the college home. We were in the field less than an hour, but the time we spent was a real blessing to our souls. There is joy and peace in working for the Master. While we are busy with our studies in the school, I am thankful for this opportunity of doing practical missionary work. Only a few hours’ work by our people will accomplish results that will be as far-reaching as eternity. “During the last three summers, I have had the privilege of placing several kinds of our books in the homes of the people; but I find that ‘Ministry of Healing’ is one of the best and easiest sellers, appealing to all classes and creeds, high and low, young and old. Brethren and sisters, let us all keep this book to the front, and we shall receive the blessing.” Why should not the students in our other schools take a suggestion from the above? The blessings and privileges here presented are not confined to places or to individuals. The same paper gives another report that will be helpful to some who may be hesitating. Brother J. Akerstedt, of Svensen, Ore., writes: “I thought I would send you a few lines, and tell my experience in soliciting orders for ‘Ministry of Healing.’ When this campaign was first brought to my attention, I thought it would be up-hill work to dispose of any copies of those books in the neighborhood of Svensen, as I have canvassed it over and over with our books and papers. However, believing that the Lord is ‘able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,’ I went one day to visit my neighbors in behalf of this sanitarium work, and I am glad to say I was agreeably surprised to take twelve orders in ten hours. May the Lord help us to respond willingly to every call.” The North Michigan Conference has issued a special number of its News Sheet, devoted entirely to the interests of the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. The conference president, Elder J. J. Irwin, leads with an article, “A Call to Service,” saying: “Every loyal Seventh-day Adventist is anxious to have the truth go to his neighbors, and longs to see them accepting the message that will save them in the kingdom of God. This issue of the paper will tell of one means by which we can help those around us. I refer now directly to the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign. It has been the experience of nearly every one who has worked with this book that it breaks down prejudice, and prepares the way for the gospel worker as well as anything19that we can use. Many thousands of these books are being printed; but it will not help your neighbor if these books lie on the shelves in the office. The only way this book can be of benefit to the people about you is for them to obtain it and read it. They do not know how good the book is, and, in fact, very few of them know that such a book is published. If you could take one of these books to your neighbor, it might be the means of placing his feet on the platform of truth, and of his being saved in the kingdom of God.” Other good articles by various conference laborers are given, together with a number of short extracts from “Ministry of Healing.” The paper will be sent to all members in the conference. It will surely be productive of good in arousing an interest in the campaign. North Michigan has no sanitarium of its own, but realizes the importance of this movement as a missionary feature, and as a call to help bear the burdens of others. Blessing will come to it from such an attitude. L. A. HANSEN.