p. 8 | Editorial Correspondence by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1912

Editorial Correspondence

By F. M. W.

ST. HELENA, CAL., Feb. 18, 1912.

LEAVING Portland the evening of February 12, the morning of the fourteenth brought us to the little village of St. Helena, Cal. Two and a half miles from the station, perched on the side of Howell Mountain, overlooking the beautiful Napa River valley, is located the St. Helena Sanitarium. This institution was formerly known as the Rural Health Retreat, a name most fitting to its location.

Brother R. M. Dennison, whose face has grown familiar for the last fourteen years to the patrons of the institution, met us at the station. The winding road up the mountainside has grown none the less precipitous since our last visit to the institution, eighteen years ago. We are pleased to note, however, that the road-bed has been very greatly improved, good, hard gravel replacing the shifting sand, so that the ascent is now quite easily made, not only by driving carriages but also by automobiles.

This institution was incorporated in 1878; hence it is the oldest denominational sanitarium among Seventh-day Adventists. The present building, representing an evolution of years, through changes and additions as the growing needs of the work have demanded from time to time, consists of a five-story structure. In addition, a large four-story building has been erected for a hospital, and nearly one dozen cottages containing from two to twenty rooms, scattered about upon the hillside, are also owned by the institution.

The grounds comprise about one hundred acres of land, for the most part heavily wooded. A small portion is covered with fruit-trees and vineyards, while a few acres immediately surrounding the buildings are laid out in gardens, terraces, lawns, and walks, ornamented with trees, palms, and flowering and foliage plants. The arrangement is quite unique, and greatly adds to the beauty of the place.

This institution has gone through some severe struggles during its history. Encumbered from the beginning with indebtedness, which from time to time was added to in the making of necessary additions, or because of a lack of ample patronage, it has labored under a great burden of debt. It has seemed at times that it could never work out from under this incubus. There have come to it, however, messages of encouragement and counsel. When some favored the abandonment of the enterprise, the message of the servant of the Lord has been, “Let it live,” and the assurance was given that if its friends would heartily rally to its support, God in his providence would make it a success. We are deeply thankful that the institution is beginning to realize the fulfilment of this promise. For several years those connected with the institution have earnestly labored, in every possible way, to reduce the indebtedness, and this great load has so far lightened, and the pall of darkness so nearly dissipated, that the institution will be very nearly, if not quite, able this year to sing the song of jubilee in its experience. God’s favoring hand has certainly been over the work, and next to this in the accomplishment of these splendid results, is the spirit of consecration and earnestness which has characterized the board of management and the family of workers.

The experience of this institution should prove a source of inspiration to other sanitariums that are now going through days of darkness. To some of them a similar testimony has been borne by the servant of the Lord. Let them take courage from what has been accomplished by this, our oldest sanitarium, and with new consecration dedicate themselves to perfecting and accomplishing the work God has given them to do, and we believe that the song of victory will arise from other quarters as well as from the St. Helena institution.

During 1910, in addition to paying a tithe on its earnings, the sanitarium at St. Helena gave five thousand dollars for the benefit of the work in the Orient. Several thousand will be donated to this or some similar work from the proceeds of the last year’s business.

This institution at the present time possesses a splendid working staff. Brother L. M. Bowen is the business manager, with E. F. Stow as assistant. The medical faculty consists of Dr. George Thomason, Dr. Ida Herr-Nelson, Dr. G. Clingerman, and Dr. Myrtle B. Hudson, with Miss Helen N. Rice as head nurse. Dr. Thomason has only recently taken hold of the work here, but already has won the hearts of the sanitarium family, including both guests and workers.

In the self-sacrificing efforts that have been made in the liquidation of indebtedness during the past few years, many conditions have been endured which the management hope may be remedied in the near future. A new building is demanded. It is proposed, however, not to erect this with borrowed money, but from the earnings of the institution from year to year to set apart a certain per cent to be applied to this purpose.

Four nurses’ classes are in operation. An excellent spirit exists in the family. Elder C. L. Taylor, who for a number of years has been the chaplain of the institution, is doing excellent work in this capacity, and the Lord is blessing the ministry of his Word. Four or five have been baptized during the last few weeks, as a result of the quiet, Christian influence which is being exerted.

In the valley below, about one mile from the sanitarium, is carried forward the work of the Sanitarium Food Company. An excellent line of products is being manufactured. Under the management of Brethren Leon Whitney and R. Rose a good work is being done in this department.

It has been a great pleasure for us, while here, to meet again Sister J. L. Ings, the matron of the institution, who has been connected with the work for twenty-four years. We have been pleased also to greet once more Elder H. A. St. John, who occupies a little cottage on the hillside, a short distance from the institution. Brother St. John is feeble in body, and barely able to be about, but his mind is still clear and strong, and with his faithful wife he is looking forward with expectant hope to the grand consummation of our common faith.

Considering the many handicaps under which the institution here has carried on its work for so many years, the meager facilities with which it has had to operate, we feel that the splendid success attending the work is the more commendable, and is truly phenomenal. If the workers maintain their loyalty to the principles of right and their consecration to God, still greater success will attend this work in the years to come.

F. M. W.