A Message from Surrey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 17, 1916

“A Message from Surrey”

UNDER the above heading one of the guests of the Caterham, England, sanitarium, T. R. Blumer, J. P., of Sunderland, contributes the following letter to the Monthly Messenger of the Thompson Memorial Hall, Sunderland:—

“I am writing these lines on Good Friday; it is an ideal spring day. From our bedroom window there is a beautiful outlook, and everything is reminding us of a new life coming to nature. The birds are singing, the buds well-nigh bursting into leaf, and the spring flowers are with us. I was first here ten years ago, and am glad to be here once again. Many weeks ago I made up my mind that on Mr. Bennett’s return from France, we would come to Caterham. I was conscious that I needed a rest, and I knew of no better place.

“There is something very delightful about the atmosphere of this home. All the workers and assistants are members of a branch of Christ’s church, and they look upon their work here as part and parcel of their religion. None of them are ‘servants’ in the ordinary sense of the word; they are helpers moved by a constraining love, and do their best to bring health and happiness to the visitors. There is a real feeling of restfulness, quietness, and peace pervading the whole place, which is very refreshing. . . .

“I suppose there are between forty and fifty visitors. We have not become acquainted with them all yet, but they very favorably impress us. Two or three ministers are here, men who have evidently broken down in health and are recruiting. One is a Wesleyan missionary from China. One gentleman is officially connected with missions among the lepers, has traveled a great deal, and visited many of the leper settlements in different parts of the world. He has had a breakdown through overwork, and has been ordered six months’ rest. Another gentleman is closely associated with one of the garden cities in the London district, and seems to know many of the leading officials in the Brotherhood movement. One lady is from America, and is connected with the press. She has been to France and seen much in connection with the war. One evening she gave a lecture, telling her experiences, some of which were very sad and pathetic. So we are surrounded by kindly Christian companions, and it is good to meet with them at prayers each morning after breakfast. . . .

“This is a wonderful place for treatment. They don’t use drugs or medicine, but seek by other methods to make people well. The bathroom is a great place—baths galore of all kinds, electricity playing the most important part. . . . I sometimes think the hour and a half spent in the bathroom is the best part of the day. Perhaps I might mention one special bath which I am to have six out of seven mornings in the week. The patient lies on a comfortable kind of couch and certain appliances are connected to his body, and when the electric current is turned on, all the muscles are set to work, and the whole body is being exercised while the patient is quietly reposing.”