The Florida Sanitarium by R. W. Parmele

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1912

The Florida Sanitarium

By R. W. Parmele

THREE years ago last fall, on the fifteenth day of October, the Florida Sanitarium at Orlando formally opened for the reception of patients. From the first, the blessing of God has attended the work of the institution, and the wisdom of the move has been evident. The first year it lacked about $500 of earning its running expenses, the second year it made a gain of about $100, the third year showed a gain of about $1,300, and the present year bids fair to do as well.

The influence for good that the institution has exerted can not be estimated. Quite a number have accepted the truth as a result of their stay at the sanitarium, and an influence in favor of our work and message has gone out to all parts of the State. One noticeable feature in our work is the length of stay of those who come as patients. Some patients are in the institution now who have been there for a year or more, and a number of them are spending their second winter with us. This gives an opportunity for them to become fully informed on the principles of the message, and is a great advantage. At the present time the institution is filled to overflowing, and a good spirit prevails. Bible studies are held in the morning and in the evening, in which many of the patients take an active part. A nurses' training-school is conducted; and although the classes are small, there being only ten persons in training, good work is being done. The institution has an exceptionally loyal and faithful corps of helpers.

During the past summer two thousand dollars was donated to us by the business men of Orlando toward the erection of a new main building, which is greatly needed. The building is now in process of erection, but the work is progressing very slowly on account of lack of funds. We have never received any funds from outside the Florida Conference, and our constituency being so small, the sanitarium enterprise is a heavy load for us.

We now have about fifty acres of land, one building containing nine patient's rooms, parlor, medical office, operating-room

treatment-rooms, kitchen, and dining-room; we have seven small wooden cottages, and two cement-block cottages. There are two lakes on the premises, one of which furnishes an abundance of good water for all purposes, and the other is used for boating, bathing, etc. We have cows, horses, farm utensils, and an automobile. Altogether, the assets amount to about $25,000, with a net present worth of approximately $10,000. If this institution could be freed from interest-bearing debts, it would soon become a source of financial strength to the cause of present truth in this field.

Roused by reports of our success, a stock company of the most prominent and wealthy business men in Orlando, headed by the county physician, who is also the president of the County Medical Society, started a sanitarium in the city of Orlando, and have attempted to imitate our methods of treatment. They have named their institution the Orlando Sanitarium. So all mail addressed to the Orlando Sanitarium is delivered to them. Our brethren frequently address our institution in this way, but we wish to call especial attention to the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist sanitarium in Florida bears, and always has borne, the name of the Florida Sanitarium. We would appreciate it if all would make a note of this fact, and help us in correcting the mistake.

Several years ago, in writing of the Florida Sanitarium, Sister White said that she hoped it would “become an important center of influence, from which many well-trained medical missionaries will go forth to the unworked parts of the Master's great harvest-field.” Under the blessing of God, we believe this hope will be realized. But in order that it shall, we need the hearty cooperation of our brethren throughout the entire field, and we solicit the interest of our people in the North as well as in the South.

R. W. PARMELE.