p. 17 | Sanitarium Relief Campaign

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

Interested in All Lines

WE sometimes hear persons plead as an excuse for not showing more interest in some branch of the work, that it is out of their line. They are engaged in some specific work, and must devote their entire attention to that particular thing, and are to be excused from engaging in anything else. While it is true that every man has “his work,” and should give special thought to making the most of it, it does not follow that he has no responsibility in the rest of the work.

A medical worker can not regard the ministry with indifference; ignore the duties of church and Sabbath-school; give a deaf ear to the call for help to missions; be indifferent to educational and young people’s work; care little about the circulation of literature; give no heed to the religious liberty issues; take no interest in anything but medical work, and still be a true and faithful worker, even in that branch. Such a one will not be evenly balanced; he will lose in his own experience, and will fail much in his full duty to others. The same thing is true of workers in other lines. We must regard God’s cause as a whole, and, so far as we can, respond to its calls for our support and help.

The following from Elder James E. Shultz, educational secretary of the Columbia Union Conference, gives strong suggestion that our various workers can render assistance in the relief campaign now on. What each one can do is a measure of his responsibility, and can probably be determined only by trying.

“At one place I had been doing my utmost to interest the church in the campaign work, but had failed, only one sister in the congregation ordering books. After the close of the service, I could see that some were much worried with the course they had taken, but I appeared not to notice it, and shook hands cordially with all. One brother went to his home with a heavy heart. He was much surprised to find that the family had not retired; for the hour was late. He sat down and unburdened his heart to those people, told them he had shrunk from doing one thing for our work, and how he had refused to order one book, though he knew that it was a good one, but knew of none of his friends who would be interested in it, so refused to invest his earnings in such a manner. At this the lady asked him to tell her something about the book in question. He did so, and when he had finished, she said: ‘That is the identical book for which I have been longing. Did you not know me well enough to understand that I wanted one? Here is the price of the book, and I want you to go immediately and purchase one for me.’ It was then eleven o’clock at night, and after some persuading, our brother convinced her that she could wait until the next morning. That was the beginning of a good work there; for one member found out the needs of his intimate friends. Possibly we may find less difficulty in disposing of our quota when we ascertain the needs and wishes of ours. ‘After we had presented the importance of the campaign in Coudersport, Pa., some of our people became so enthusiastic over the work that they started selling books immediately.

“In Cincinnati a sister insisted that she could not sell ‘Ministry of Healing;’ she said she knew none of her neighbors would be interested in the book, and for that reason she refused to invest her money in one with which to make exhibitions. However, the question was urged home so forcefully that she decided to confirm her doubts by trying a little without one. She therefore talked to three neighbors, who gave their orders on the strength of her representations. She came back to the church the next week, and ordered her full quota.

“When Elder Robbins and I visited the Huntington, W. Va., company in the interest of the campaign, we found that the meeting which had been called for the purpose was quite largely attended by outsiders. It was then decided that I should give a regular address, and we would discuss these, and hold an after-meeting in the interests of the book. We did so, and told those who were not Adventists that they were at liberty to go, as the matters we wished to present were for our own people alone. However, we added that all who wished to remain could do so. Not one person left the house, so Elder Robbins briefly outlined the plan of the campaign; and when he made a call for subscriptions, what was our surprise to see all in the house raise the hand for one or more books. This was voluntary on their part, and convinced us that the public is interested in our good health book.

“These are some of the good experiences I have had. You will remember that I am an educational man, and this was out of my regular work; but I believe that when workers in all departments become interested in all the plans for the advancement of the Lord’s work, we shall see many of his providences which we should otherwise fail to discern.”

In a letter from Elder A. A. Meyer, a German worker of the Oklahoma Conference, he gives assurance of his interest in this work in connection with his regular duties. He says:—

“I can say that I have an interest in the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign. I presented the matter recently in one of our German churches, and the Lord helped, almost every one present taking a number of the books. One German church had already taken its full quota of six books for each member, and that without being asked to do so. How I wish all our churches everywhere would take hold of this work! So far, I have sold only twelve books, but I am at the work wherever the opportunity offers itself.” L. A. HANSEN.