THE HEALTH INSTITUTE by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1868

THE HEALTH INSTITUTE.

By James White

Many of the stockholders of this Institution have already so arranged the matter of their stock as to cut off all income from it forever. They hold it on the same benevolent plan as the stock of the Publishing Association is held.

This change will not in the least affect those who do not choose to make it. Those, therefore, who have more stock than they are able to hold as a matter of charity in this Institution have no grounds of complaint in consequence of the proposed change. Others arranging theirs so as to receive no income from it, makes theirs no less valuable. The proposed change is right in those who are able and willing to make it, and no one has the least grounds of complaint because these liberal Christians choose to do so.

But there are those who are not able to make this change. Several were induced to take too much stock. Some are not able to hold any stock in the Institute. These should not be sensitive over the errors of the past. They can hold their stock as they choose; and the directors are disposed to do all in their power to relieve such as soon as possible.

But it should be distinctly understood that shares, according to the statutes of the State, cannot be taken out of the Institute stock, and the money be paid back to stockholders. They may be sold to others. And as fast, and as far, as others apply for stock, the directors will see that a purchase be made of those who most need the money they have invested. The most needy will be relieved first, and as fast as purchasers can be found. Before those who are able, and willing to take stock in the Institute, on the plan of liberality, is the double motive of sharing in this good enterprise, and relieving poorer brethren, who have taken too great burdens upon themselves. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Brethren, not a few of you who at once favored the proposed change in the manner of holding stock in the Health Institute, more than intimated that the reason why you had taken little or no stock was your objections to the plan which made Institute stock a matter of profit instead of liberality. Why do you not now come up to the work. Bro. Rumery, and others, in taking stock in the new plan to the amount of near $1200, have set an example worthy of imitation by many others. It is just now that help is wanted, that past errors

may be made right, so far as they can be, by shifting stock from those who are not able to hold it, to those who are abundantly able, and that heavy debts resting upon the Institute be paid.

The large building is given up for the present, and the material is being sold. Still a debt of several thousands will be resting upon the Institute after this is done. Efforts will be made in the future to have everything connected with the Institute managed on the most economical plan, and everything that can be done by the directors to overcome present embarrassments, will be done. And at this crisis none should excuse themselves, who are able to share in this good work.

Those who have moved rashly, and have committed errors in the past for want of experience, feel over the matter all they should, and it is not Christian-like to murmur against them. No one will better his condition, in any way, by such a course. It is no time for the professed friends of the Institute to settle back and cast an influence against it. The very worst time for a horse to balk, is when the load draws hard. And if those who have too much stock in the Institute wish to bring about a state of things to make it impossible for them to sell a portion, then let them work against the interests of the Institute. Now is the time for all to stand together like Christian men and women, and share equally the privilege of sacrificing in the cause of Christ. Mrs. W. and self have $1000 in the Institute, as a matter of liberality, and shall expect wealthy brethren to stand with us in this matter. Send in your pledges, brethren, at once, and the money as soon as possible. It is a

SAFE INVESTMENT.

The Institute property can be sold for every dollar that it cost. All the buildings connected with it are excellent dwelling houses, in the most thriving part of the rapidly-growing city. Not so, if a mammoth building should be erected, as was contemplated. In case that the property should be sold, such a building would be a serious loss. Caution and consistency warn against such a building in the present condition of things; hence it is abandoned. But a two-story building is needed sufficiently large for a lecture room above, and parlor, dining-room, and kitchen, below. This would cost about $7000. There are also two new cottages in connection with the Institute buildings, which can be bought for $6000. With these, there would be, in all, six cottages, besides the buildings used for lecture-room, bath-room, dining-room, parlor, and kitchen. These would accommodate nearly one-hundred patients, a sufficient number for either the prosperity of the Institute or the good of patients. This would be a safe investment. Such property is destined to rise rapidly in Battle Creek, and could be sold at any time at an advance of cost.

There can be no such thing as a loss of stock taken in the Institute. This will be laid out in real estate, and such personal property as will be kept good. The expenses of the Institute for the treatment and board of patients will be met by the current prices of board and treatment. And, although we look for no such thing, yet, in the event the enterprise should be abandoned, love and justice to all, which are leading principles with those who keep the commands of God, would refund to stockholders every dollar invested.

Upon the present basis of operation there is every inducement for those who are able, and wish to do good with their means, to take stock in the Health Institute. I speak as a director, with the full approval, as to what I say, of the other members of the board. JAMES WHITE.