Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

The Time Is Half Gone

It is now a year and a half since our “Ministry of Healing” campaign was launched. A period of three years was given in which to complete it. Half of the allotted time is now in the past. This may surprise some of us, but it is a fact that we have passed the half-way mark in this campaign.

It may be asked if we have accomplished half the work required in the campaign. Have our sanitariums received half the money planned for? Have our conferences taken their share of this work? Have we as individuals done our part? Let us answer the last question as individuals, and the sum total of our negative replies will represent how much we fall short as a whole of doing what should have been done in this year and a half.

It is true that the preliminary work of launching the campaign and getting it before all our people has taken some time. It is also true that other important interests have been before us, and have demanded attention. But we now have the campaign fairly well started throughout the field, and it has taken its place as a movement of great importance.

The adoption of this plan of relief for the medical missionary work was the result of careful planning by a large company of our leading and responsible brethren. These men were confronted with a problem of serious consideration, involving the welfare of an important branch of the cause. With much prayer and earnest counsel, no better solution was found than the one adopted in our present sanitarium relief campaign. It was planned that by this means, help should come to our sanitariums, and it is by this means only that provision is thus made. We have no other plan among us for rendering to our sanitarium work the assistance that should really have been given before now.

Definite results are expected from this movement, and are already being seen in some measure. If our full expectations are realized, we must take account of the rapid passing of time, and put forth definite efforts to accomplish what we have planned. The remainder of the specified time will pass at exactly the same rate as that already gone; than this there is nothing more certain. Merely letting the time go by does not fulfil the requirements of our work, nor meet our needs.

We may have the fullest assurance that as truly as we do our part in this movement, so surely shall we see absolute results. The financial income to the cause from the sale of the books and journals is a practical certainty, all arrangements having been made to this end.

There is no question about great good being accomplished by the excellent publications sold; this we are beginning to see. That patients will be brought to our institutions of healing is already being realized. And what is more sure than the promise of the Lord to bless our efforts in this good work? The plan is an excellent one, and supplies of grace and rich reward await our acceptance of it. To this many can already testify.

Let us guard against delaying too long. If conferences have been waiting for other matters to be disposed of before vigorously pushing this work, is it not now time that they take hold of it earnestly, and look for its accomplishment? Should not the officers give it the attention which its importance demands? If individuals have been putting off doing their part, thinking there was yet plenty of time in which to sell a few books and journals, should they not now take heed lest still more time pass, and those few books and journals remain unsold? Can not those who have already done their part give encouragement and help to those who may be hesitating to engage in the work because of timidity or fear?

Will not our canvassers and other workers who have had experience lend help to those who may need it? Should we not have the hearty and general co-operation of all concerned? And is it not the concern of every one, worker or layman, to take part in a denominational effort on which so much is dependent? Thus and thus only shall we as a people do in the next year and a half the work we have set ourselves to do.

As indicated in the reports that have appeared in this column, a good beginning has been made in many places, and encouraging results have been seen. Many of our people have enjoyed rich experiences, and the campaign work is proving a blessing to individuals and to churches. The measure of blessing is according to efforts put forth.

It is desired to receive reports from those who may have items of interest to give, which may be passed on to others. Correspondence is solicited regarding any phase of the work that may need explanation. Literature is available to those desiring it, including printed canvasses. If you have any testimonials for “Ministry of Healing” from clergymen, temperance workers, or other persons of influence, kindly send copies of them to the undersigned, at Takoma Park, D. C.

L. A. HANSEN.