p. 18 | Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 2, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. H.

Closing Camp-Meetings

THE presentation of the work with “Ministry of Healing” in connection with camp-meetings, closed for the season with the last of the Southern meetings, held in Florida. With the exception of the Georgia meeting, all those of the Southern and Southeastern unions were visited, besides a few others.

At the Mississippi meeting there was a favorable interest shown on the part of officers, workers, and people. The sanitarium work has good support in this conference, and the call for help in the relief campaign met with suitable response. Some of the members present had already sold their quota of books, but agreed to take more. They gave encouraging reports of their experience in the work of selling the books. The missionary field agent, H. G. Miller, expressed an anxiety to see all his canvassers doing their share.

The Tennessee River meeting devoted ample time to the consideration of sanitarium interests. A hearty welcome was given to the “Ministry of Healing” work. Dr. R. M. Clarke, superintendent of the Nashville Sanitarium, assisted in presenting the question. The special meeting for this was held during a heavy rain, but in spite of the noise and inconvenience, the people gave good attention. Giving of orders for books continued as long as the storm permitted. At a later meeting the local and union workers again presented the matter, and another substantial list of orders was secured. This spoke well for the attitude of this conference toward the institution located within its territory. The Nashville Sanitarium and its needs should appeal to all the brethren and sisters of the Southern Union Conference.

Arkansas is one of the conferences of the union that is devoting its entire proceeds of the campaign to interests outside its own borders. The good missionary spirit shown at this meeting toward other interests was also manifested when the relief campaign was presented. The conference president, Elder J. W. Norwood, and the other conference workers, as well as most of the people, entered heartily into the campaign. Though not a strong conference in membership or means, there was shown a commendable readiness to engage in every good work, and a reasonable share was done for this project.

With meetings at churches and institutions in the interval, the Florida camp-meeting was next visited. The institutional work of this conference is largely sanitarium work, so this branch received considerable attention at the camp-meeting. The Orlando Sanitarium rendered a favorable financial report, showing for the second time a substantial gain in its yearly statement, though the institution is only three years old. The superintendent, Dr. J. E. Caldwell, presented a report of the medical and spiritual work of the institution, showing its influence in placing the truth before many of the tourists who visit Florida every winter. Urgent needs of improved conditions and better facilities were presented, and received favorable consideration. The “Ministry of Healing” work was well received. Considerable has already been done, but a material lift was given the effort in the supply of books taken.

This closes the principal part of this year's field work. On the whole, the outlook is fairly good, if the interest thus far shown may be taken as an indication of future effort and cooperation on the part of all. But there has not been enough accomplished as yet to permit a relaxation of interest, if we expect the results aimed at in the launching of this relief movement. Nearly two years are now gone, and there is an appreciable lack in the work done so far. We have not sold the number of books that the amount of time already gone calls for. The interest and activity on the part of those who have done their share, and in some instances, even more, are to be appreciated. But that which is wanting in results calls on those who have not yet done their part. The fullest cooperation will be required to make this movement a satisfactory success.

L. A. H.