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An Appropriate Reception

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 16, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 42.

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An Appropriate Reception

By L. A. H.

A VERY pleasant and appropriate reception of formal welcome was given a few evenings ago by the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium to its new medical staff, Drs. H. W. Miller, E. D. Haysmer, and Martha Canfield. The president of the board, F. M. Wilcox, acting as chairman, stated that it had been the intention to hold a reception at an earlier date; but, on account of the heavy pressure of work in the institution and the absence of several members of the board, it had not been convenient to do so. After a few suitable remarks, prayer was offered by Elder W. A. Spicer. Short talks were then given by members of the board.
Elder I. H. Evans told some very interesting experiences connected with Dr. Miller's work in China, mentioning in particular the help he rendered in bearing the heavy burdens in that field, and the sacrifice it was to the field to give him up. He also referred to a conversation he had had at one time with Dr. Canfield, while still in the West, regarding her desires to go as a missionary to a foreign field. He spoke highly of the qualifications of Dr. Haysmer as a student and one who is well fitted for his profession.
Elder W. T. Knox presented the relation of the Washington Sanitarium and its training facilities to the work as a whole, laying emphasis on the need of maintaining a true missionary attitude. He felt that this was paramount to the success of any institution standing in the position that our sanitariums do.
Prof. M. E. Kern, president of the Foreign Mission Seminary, presented the importance of cooperation between the Sanitarium and the Seminary, and stated that whatever had been done thus far on a cooperative basis had been productive of the very best results. He was fully convinced that these two institutions could work together to great mutual advantage, and gave illustrations of how this is being done even without any formal outline of combined work. He felt that the spirit of cooperation was the essential, though the form might be wanting.
The writer, as the temporary business manager, extended welcome in behalf of the family to the new doctors, stating that, while the occasion might be somewhat belated, it was still appropriate, inasmuch as the doctors had shown themselves fully worthy of a most hearty welcome. Dr. Miller had been in the institution two months or more. He had had opportunity under most trying conditions to demonstrate his interest in the welfare of the family and of the institution. Dr. Haysmer and Dr. Canfield had both found their places as members of the family.
The chairman added his words of appreciation of the new staff, expressing his encouragement at the outlook for successful work. He then called on the doctors for their impromptu talks, to which response was given by each of the physicians.
Dr. Miller expressed his appreciation of the welcome, and announced in unmistakable terms his intention to serve the interests of the cause and of the institution to the very best of his ability as a true missionary physician. He felt that he was as much in a missionary field working in the institution as if he were in China, if God so ordered. While he had regretted the necessity of leaving China, he was thankful for the privilege of still being a missionary.
Dr. Canfield, who comes from a five years' connection with the Portland Sanitarium, stated at length and in a very pleasing manner her appreciation of the privilege of connecting with the institution, and mentioned some of the blessings she had already received.
Dr. Haysmer, who had already had some sanitarium experience at Nashville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., and who is now connected with the Washington Sanitarium as assistant physician, also expressed his appreciation of his present work, and his desire to make his services as helpful as possible.
The evening closed with social mingling and with partaking of fruit beverage refreshments. Altogether, it was a pleasant evening, and left a good impression with those who were present.
L. A. H.