A Month at the Sydney Sanitarium by Hugh Jones

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 2, 1910

A Month at the Sydney Sanitarium

By Hugh Jones

WHILE on a visit to Sydney over three years ago as a delegate to our Federal Assembly, I stayed with a Presbyterian family that had a relative undergoing treatment at the Sydney Sanitarium. These friends were so much pleased with their dear one’s treatment that they urged me to visit the sanitarium as one of the “sights” of Sydney. I went; I saw; I was conquered. So warmly was I drawn to Dr. D. H. Kress, and so full of admiration at the beautiful surroundings, that I resolved to spend a holiday there as soon as it could be managed. At the end of last winter I suffered from a poisoned leg; the run-down condition consequent on this led to the carrying out of my resolve.

I spent four weeks at the sanitarium, beginning from the first week of last September. My highest expectations were realized, and in some respects surpassed. The food was above the criticism of the most fastidious, though I soon found that here, as elsewhere, one has to make as wise a choice as possible. To do this, we were helped by lectures from the doctors, and hints from the attendants and menu cards. By experience I found what best agreed with me, and so derived most benefit during the latter part of my stay.

The treatment in the bath-rooms I found to be not only very beneficial, but also exceedingly pleasant. The massage was most skilfully done by young men who always looked bright, and never apparently lost their temper. Any extra service asked for was rendered with invariable cheerfulness. My experience of the bath-room is one of the brightest memories I retain of my visit.

The nurses, male and female, formed part of the benignant atmosphere of the place. They looked pleasant; their manners were pleasant; their service was pleasant. Such nurses are forthcoming only when their hearts are warmed by divine love to God and man.

To Dr. F. H. Richards I felt myself closely drawn. The doctor is singularly approachable; the most nervous, shrinking patient can speak freely to him. He is particularly free from professional mannerism.

The morning worship at 7 A. M. I attended with scarcely a break, and received much comfort and strength from it. The service was generally conducted by Pastor E. H. Gates, and two of his prayers in particular gave me such an uplift as I shall not soon forget. I had the privilege of many conversations with Pastor Gates, and frankly and gladly confess that some of the traits I had been repelled by in a number of Seventh-day Adventists were completely absent from him. He is a sincere, self-denying, enthusiastic missionary of the cross, and has given proof of his quality by years of arduous labors in foreign mission fields. In his broken health he bears branded on his body “the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

I paid a flying visit to Avondale, where there is a great industrial settlement of Seventh-day Adventist students. Avondale is between the Hawkesbury and Newcastle. There I saw the process of preparation of some of the famous sanitarium health foods, notably “granose flakes.” The printing-presses and book-binding rooms were interesting in such an out-of-the-way place. At dinner I had a good look at the students,—a fine, healthy set of young people. Occasionally they get a “black sheep” among them; but either his color is changed, or he is turned into outside pastures. Avondale College is giving technical education that I am sure the government technical institutions can not surpass, and, withal, imparting to its students a moral and spiritual training the government institutions can not even attempt to do.

I was privileged to visit the homes of

several of the Wahroonga Seventh-day Adventists, and received in them much unaffected hospitality. All showed me much kindness. I was thus enabled to see how the principles of food reform are being carried out by the Seventh-day Adventists in their own homes.

The surroundings of the Sydney Sanitarium are exceedingly attractive. There are some beautiful walks in the vicinity, along tree-embowered roads or through sylvan glades. I know, as I must have walked, on an average, about five miles a day, and I never grew tired of the scenery. While I was at the sanitarium, the waratah was in gorgeous bloom, and there were lovely wild flowers everywhere carpeting the ground, the exquisite native rose being particularly striking. The large estate of the sanitarium is really a sanctuary for native birds, a large variety of which may be found in the season by any one who will keep his eyes and ears open. Being an enthusiastic bird lover, I spent some delightful times among these sylvan haunts watching the birds. I saw birds there, such as the active little tree-creeper, that I have never seen about the city gardens.

Such an institution as the Sydney Sanitarium can rest and be worked only on a religious basis, and by men and women who are themselves genuinely religious. The devotion of the sanitarium staff could not be bought with money. The doctors, nurses, electrical engineer, and manager could all command much larger salaries “outside.” They feel, however, a “call” to this work, and having all they actually need, but no wealth, they are content and happy.

Though I am by no means a Seventh-day Adventist, I am in the most complete accord with their methods at the sanitarium. Strongly seized of the fact that the gospel of Christ is for men’s bodies as well as for their souls, they are putting their faith into practical operation, with splendid results. Their methods appealed to me as rational and scientific. They are not faddists — unless aversion to a flesh diet, tea, alcohol, and other drugs constitute them such. And in their treatment of the sick they manifest much of their Master’s sympathy and compassion. Their ordinary methods are not those of “faith healing,” though they believe in, and habitually practise, prayer for blessing on physicians, nurses, and patients. The atmosphere of the sanitarium is one of prayer and works — man working together with God. Nevertheless, prayer only, apart from physical means, is occasionally used by some of the pastors when they feel led to it, and used not in vain.

I have no hesitation at all in recommending “outsiders,” such as I am, to undergo treatment at the sanitarium, if Dr. Richards advises them to do so. They will be charmed with the place and the people. A lady visitor, whom I have known from my boyhood, and whose lot it has been to travel much, was telling me one day about some of her experiences, not very pleasant, of first-class hotels. Then she suddenly said, with emotion, “What a beautiful place this would be to end one’s days in, among these happy, kindly people!” That expresses much — a “beautiful place,” “happy, kindly people.” No wonder I feel physical and spiritual benefit from my holiday at the Sydney Sanitarium! HUGH JONES, M. A., Presbyterian Minister, Victoria, N. S. W.