Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

The Faithful Few

THE following letter from M. E. Ellis, of Nebraska, a missionary secretary of long experience, presents a situation that is true of missionary work and workers in general. It is the experience of many church elders and missionary leaders that there are usually a certain few who may be relied upon to respond to appeals for help of any kind. It is not these that need urging. Those who are already doing, are generally willing to do more. Nothing is so effective in securing help for a good work as an actual experience in a good work. Says, Brother Ellis, writing under date of July 19, 1911:—

“We regret to say that the ‘Ministry of Healing’ work in Nebraska, so far as apparent results are concerned from week to week, is at a low ebb just now, as the harvest season is on; but letters from our good church workers indicate that the real animus of the movement is alive and flourishing, and you can look for good sales to be reported from our conference this fall and winter, in spite of the drought. The only thing that causes us anxiety is the small number who are taking hold of the work in spite of prayers, vigorous efforts in different directions, and diversified attempts to create and stimulate interest in the move.

“We are often told that we can not expect everybody to have part in every plan proposed. While this is the truth, it is not all the truth; for in about every missionary plan that is launched, we find nearly the same persons as active participants. Take the number, for instance, of those who are doing something in our conference in this present campaign. In round numbers, five hundred of our people have taken three thousand books, an average of six books apiece, this year. But these are in the main the same people who sold the Harvest Ingathering REVIEW last fall; who have invested in our Foreign Missions Investment Fund this spring; who have paid up their part of the $300,000 Fund; who report missionary work each quarter; and who take the REVIEW, and are real, live Seventh-day Adventists. As this number represents only about one in five of our membership, and about one in three of the actual families represented in our membership, I am fully persuaded that the descendants of the children of Meroz are with us to this day.

“On the other hand, excellent experiences and rich blessings are being reported, just as the Lord said they would be, by those who are doing the work. One brother recently sent us fifteen dollars for five books. He said he had explained the nature of the work the money was going for, and that was all that was necessary. A sister who lives in the drought-stricken part of our State has just sent in her fourth order for books; and another in the same locality writes: ‘I received the five books sent me, and will dispose of them just as soon as possible. I know the Lord will help me, and it seems such a little thing to do for his sake.’ This same spirit manifested by a few hundred others in our conference would mean much to the success of this work.

“Just before the spring work opened up, after we had, through our general meetings and our laborers in the field, reached practically all our people and enlisted their help, we sent a circular letter to eight hundred families as a last appeal before the busy season came on. In response to this we received fifty orders for 335 books; forty-four responses from those who already had books or hoped to order soon, and who wrote to let us know that their hearts were with us in this movement; and five responses from those who could not use any books, but sent $39.15 in cash to help the good work along.

“We are expecting to do vigorous work through the fall and the holiday season. The character of the book itself, the promises of success which have been given us, the urgency of the need which prompts the campaign, and our faith in our stanch, loyal people, give us every assurance of abundant success.”

In our relief campaign, provision is made for every one to take part. The help of each one is essential to the successful completion of the entire work,—either this or the unequal burdening of those who do help, if the work is accomplished. This would mean for some to have more than their share of work, and, at the same time, loss to others of the blessing to be had in taking part in the work. The ideal way is for all to take hold of the work before us, do our part, and then share in the joy of willing service and in the satisfaction of seeing the work done.

L. A. HANSEN.