The Only Sanitarium for Colored People in the World
By George I. Butler
SANITARIUMS for the white people have been springing up in various places the world over, but especially in the United States of America, in a score of years past. We believe it to be true that the sanitarium in Nashville is the only sanitarium for colored people in the world. It is barely possible there may be an exception. If so, we have never heard of it. We all regard the work of our sanitariums as a most beneficent, noble, humanitarian work. We all believe these institutions are of vast importance to the white race. The light given us as a people on the subject of health and medical treatment is proving a great blessing to the world. Multitudes are beginning to appreciate the benefits of this light, and many among our white population are availing themselves of it. Shall the colored race have no opportunity to obtain the same blessings? This is a leading question. There are about eight millions of this race in our great country, the vast majority in the South. Their past experiences have been most unfavorable from a physical standpoint, as well as from many others. A much higher death rate from various diseases has existed among them than among the white people. There is no class of people in our land who need the blessed light on health and diet so much as they do. True philanthropy for their betterment must include genuine instruction in medical missionary work. Here is a great field that duty, benevolence, and mercy demand us to enter. As a people we are seeking to impart to them religious light and instruction, with some success. This medical missionary work among them is precisely what they need, and as a people they are in suffering need of it. Shall we ignore this want? Shall we leave this race in our very midst, more needy of such help than any other people, without proper instruction or the needed agencies by which to obtain it? Our sanitariums are the very best means through which to supply the instruction required. They are practical institutions, restoring to health, and giving special instruction to worthy young people to enable them to go forth and impart the same blessed truths to others. They are more than these. They are avenues through which heavenly light and truth are brought under the most favorable conditions to those in sickness, sorrow, and distress, to save souls from eternal loss and ruin. Shall not the colored race have the benefits of such an institution? with all their other sad experiences and deprivations, their poverty and race troubles, shall they be passed by, ignored, and forsaken by a people who claim to be19raised up to represent Christ's special closing work for the last days? Such a thing ought not to be. The one poor, weak, struggling, almost forsaken member of the sanitarium family is in Nashville, Tenn. The servant of the Lord said years ago that a sanitarium for the colored people ought to be established in that city. Perhaps there is no city in the South where such an institution would be so favorably located. The existence here of the great Fiske Colored University, and perhaps a dozen other important institutions of learning for that race, makes it an ideal location for a sanitarium for the colored people. A house was purchased several years ago, and partly paid for. A few necessary articles of furniture were procured, and the little sanitarium entered upon its career. A formidable debt stared it in the face. Really no available funds were at hand. The conference in which it was located was itself very poor. There was then no colored physician to take charge of it, no corps of colored workers to depend upon, no colored constituency that knew how to appreciate it, or that demanded its services. Everything was new, untried, and discouraging. It was a burden that seemed too heavy to be carried. But things began to improve little by little. Brother and Sister Young came from Illinois to act as superintendent and matron. They were earnest, devoted Christians, worthy alike of the confidence of white and black. They have given themselves to this work, and are worthy of the highest regard. Nearly two years ago Dr. Lottie C. Isbell, a colored graduate of the Medical Missionary College, united her efforts with the struggling sanitarium. Dr. Kellogg states that she stood at the head of her class in graduating. Her efforts have been most earnest, and her standing as a physician has been recognized by the profession of Nashville. The building which had been purchased was found in some respects unsuitable, and its location was not the best, and means were not at hand to pay for it; so it was sold, and another rented. After a while the proprietor notified them that they must move. It was a matter of the greatest difficulty to find a suitable place in the city that could be obtained; weary days and weeks were spent in searching for another locality. At the very last moment one was found located near the great publishing house of the colored Baptists of the South. This was rented for twenty dollars a month. The sanitarium was moved thither. It is now once more in operation after the delay of moving. What progress has been made during the two or three years past? I answer. Very much, in many ways. Every new enterprise has to go through its period of trial. It has been said that it is more difficult for a poor man to make his first thousand dollars than to make one hundred thousand dollars after he has saved that amount. Many a new and promising enterprise goes under in the difficulties and perplexities of its first stages. A standing has to be earned, confidence must be established, evidence must be furnished that there are staying qualities with it and back of it. Then progress is easier. Nothing succeeds like success. The little sanitarium in Nashville has earned confidence in its stability. The small band of workers had to take the whole burden of its support upon their own shoulders. There was a time of such great need that they could hardly tell where food and clothing were coming from. But they never gave up in despair; they prayed more earnestly than ever for God's blessing. He began to raise up friends. Little by little patronage began to come to them, and they were able to support themselves. Dr. Isbell demonstrated her ability as a physician, and has won respect as an able practitioner. Talented men of that race have been to the sanitarium for treatment, and have recommended it highly. Prof. W. H. Councill, president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, the normal colored school of the State of Alabama, came there, and was highly pleased with the treatment he received. From a valued testimonial he gave, we quote the following sentences: “I feel that I can not praise too highly this worthy institution. It is filling a long-felt want among the negroes throughout this country.” Professor Councill is one of the ablest speakers of the race, and is a warm friend of our training-school in Huntsville, Ala. R. H. Boyd, secretary of the National Baptist Publishing Board, and president of a bank in Nashville, Tenn., who stands high in the esteem of Booker T. Washington, also gives an excellent testimonial for this sanitarium. Among other statements is the following: “The Nashville Sanitarium is proving an inestimable blessing to the colored people of Nashville and vicinity.” The small building now rented as the sanitarium, stands close by the large publishing house of the Baptist denomination, of which Mr. Boyd is business manager. This house supplies literature to the colored Baptists of the United States, and to those of other countries as well. It is evident that this sanitarium, if it can have the proper support of our people to place it above poverty and want, can be of great value to the colored people of the South, and a help to our work among them. What is the duty of our people relative to this young, needy institution? Without hesitation I answer that our people should sustain it with their means, place it in suitable quarters, where it can properly represent this cause among the colored people. It has had a hard struggle for a bare existence. It is a wonder that it has survived at all. The indomitable spirit to survive and carry out the objects for which it was called into existence is worthy of all commendation. It is time our people showed some proper appreciation of it. Over and over the Testimonies have spoken of the absolute necessity of such an institution. It has bravely fought its way into public recognition. Our people ought to sustain it, and give it a chance. We have been doing very little for the colored race thus far. Here is an opportunity to show our interest in that race in our own country. How much the Lord has said concerning our duty in this respect! The Southern Union Conference, in its poverty, virtually forced this poor institution upon the Southern Missionary Society about one year ago. Additional information concerning this sanitarium may be obtained from the pen of Elder J. E. White, in the Southern Missionary of April 1. In his able article many valuable facts are given. Dear brethren and sisters of the great REVIEW family, I appeal to you to help this struggling institution liberally with your means, that it may be able to fulfil its important mission. President Southern Union Conference.