Sanitarium in Nashville, Tennessee
By George Ide Butler
THE word of the Lord for two or three years past to those having charge of the work in the Southern field has been that small sanitariums should be established near or in every important city in the South. This instruction has been repeated several times. Efforts have been made already in several places to carry out this instruction. At Graysville, Tenn., Hildebran, N. C., and Atlanta, Ga., buildings are in process of preparation for the reception of patients. It would take but a small sum of money, comparatively speaking, in each of these localities to have a small sanitarium in active operation, doing its beneficent work for humanity, and thus building up the cause of God in the earth. Our poverty has been greatly hindering these important objects. At the council meeting which was held in Nashville last January, our medical missionary and sanitarium work was quite fully considered. All felt that every effort in our power should be put forth to complete the sanitariums already referred to; and with real enthusiasm it was resolved to undertake the development of another in Nashville. The conference elected the following persons as a board of directors to carry out the resolution: Dr. O. M. Hayward, L. A. Hansen, Brethren Spires, N. W. Allee, I. A. Ford, S. N. Haskell, and Geo. I. Butler. These persons are most heartily in favor of a sanitarium in Nashville or its vicinity, for the following reasons:— First, this city is the central point of our denominational work in the Southern field. As such it is becoming more and more important. The medical missionary department of the work ought to be represented here. Second, Nashville is an important educational center in the South. The Vanderbilt University, the Fisk University, and a large number of other important institutions of like character are planted here. The health and temperance work should also be properly represented here. Hence a sanitarium in the vicinity is absolutely essential. Third, our printing headquarters for the Southern field is permanently located here. This office is making a rapid growth. Our three new Miehle presses are being run right along well into the night, to keep up with our work. There should be a sanitarium within ready access of the printing house, so that the truth on health topics can be sent out by the printed page. Fourth, most important of all, in the minds of those of our faith, the servant of the Lord has repeatedly stated in the instruction for the Southern field that a sanitarium should be established in Nashville or its vicinity at once. Quite a period of time has elapsed since these counsels were given. Our leading brethren at the council in January, after giving careful consideration to these and other cognate reasons, unanimously felt that the time had come to carry out these instructions as far as it was in our power to do so. In Nashville itself a preliminary work has been done which has brought about conditions that really demand of us the action the council has recommended. Several years ago Brother L. A. Hansen and his wife came to Nashville, and began developing the medical missionary work in this city. Having very little ready means, they began in a humble way. They rented bath-rooms, sold health foods, gave treatments, and because of their conscientious faithfulness, their honest, godly work among the people, and earnest and devoted labors, they gained the respect of the better class of citizens, and have made a real success of the work. They have had a fair patronage. More recently Dr. O. M. Hayward, a graduate of the Sanitarium medical school, has united with Brother Hansen. They have two large buildings rented, one in the heart of the city and one in the suburbs, almost out in the country. Between ten and twenty persons daily receive treatments. Several patients are taken in, cared for, and treated, and quite a number from the city come for treatment. The work is growing, and their influence extending. Eight or ten nurses are needed already. These dear brethren find it very difficult to keep out of debt without ready capital. They pay very high rents, and must meet all expenses. But they are trying to do their very best. Any discerning man can see the need of a sanitarium here at Nashville. The good of the cause demands it. Nothing short of this would meet the demands of the situation, and the instruction that has been given us. We have been endeavoring to carry out the instruction we have received from the Lord's servant. What, then, hinders the new sanitarium? Simply this, we are handicapped for lack of means. It was recommended by the General Conference at Oakland that thousands of dollars for the development of the sanitarium work should be raised. But we have not been able to get the money to any amount. We know not how to get it. The pockets of our people retain the money, and the work here is being greatly delayed. Our hearts ache to see how the development of the work in this great Southern field is hindered. Very few of the people in the North can realize the obstacles which hinder the progress of the work in the South. The president of one of the State conferences writes us that the laborers actually19receive not over ten dollars a month wages, yet they struggle along on that as patiently as possible. Other conferences are in nearly as straitened circumstances financially. Our union conference treasury is thousands of dollars in debt, and nearly empty. There is not a single interest in the cause here that is not in great need of money. Our office is in crying need of assistance. Had we been able to secure the money which the General Conference recommended should be raised, our wants would have been well supplied. These are facts which are apparent to all who know the situation. What shall be done? One thing we expect to do; that is, to work without grumbling or murmuring, doing the very best we can, and pleading with God to help us. We are simply shut up to this conclusion. But when we think of what might be if our people in more favored circumstances would help the publishing work here, and would give the sanitariums the much needed assistance, our hearts ache that we can not relieve distress and save many precious souls who now are wandering in mazes of darkness. We can hardly feel that we are responsible for these hindrances. Who is? Let our people of means answer this question to their conscience and their God. GEO. I. BUTLER,
President Southern Publishing Association.