The Sanitarium Relief Campaign by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1911

The Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By Arthur G. Daniells

The history of the religious movement set on foot by the proclamation of the third angel’s message shows that the medical missionary work as a department of the whole movement is co-equal with the other parts thereof.

The principles of a healthful dietary and of the rational treatment of disease were recognized and applied in conjunction with other special features of the message.

For many years previous to the time when Joseph Bates began to keep the Sabbath, he had been an earnest temperance reformer. During the years from 1821 to 1843 he discarded all alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and flesh foods, and became an ardent vegetarian.

From these facts it is plain, and significant as well, that the man who was led to the Sabbath truth under the light of the third angel’s message was also led at the very beginning of our work to adopt and establish the fundamental principles of health and temperance for which the medical missionary department of our cause stands. From this step, Joseph Bates and other pioneers of the message associated with him, steadily advanced toward the light until they came into possession of what we now have.

Thus we see that this branch of the work is not an appendage to the message, but is an inherent part of it. It began with the movement, and has grown with it until the present time; and furthermore, the true medical missionary work of the third angel’s message will never be separated from the message.

In 1865 the following instruction was given through the spirit of prophecy:—

I saw that the health reform was a great enterprise closely connected with the present truth, and that Seventh-day Adventists should have a home for the sick, where they could be treated for their diseases, and also learn how to care for themselves so as to prevent sickness. I saw that our people should not remain indifferent upon this subject.

The following year, 1866, witnessed the establishment of our first sanitarium, called at that time the Health Reform Institute. This phase of our medical missionary work has gone steadily forward until at the present time we have over eighty sanitariums in different parts of the world, employing a total of about two thousand workers. The money invested in these sanitariums amounts to more than three million dollars.

These institutions receive annually over twenty-five thousand patients and guests, many of whom become well acquainted with our work and principles of truth through associating with the workers, and also by attending services and reading our literature. Among those who visit our sanitariums are many persons of influence, such as lawyers, physicians, leading educators, congressmen, foreign ambassadors, justices of the supreme court, government officials, and prominent temperance workers, besides scores of other men and women of wealth. Generally, these receive favorable impressions of our work and its progress, and show a very friendly attitude toward us as a people. In the Testimonies we read that the “sanitarium work is one of the most successful means of reaching all classes of people.” We see this illustrated over and over in our sanitariums.

But many of our sanitariums are very much hampered in their work by the heavy indebtedness which they are carrying. The reasons for this indebtedness have been set before the readers of the REVIEW very clearly during the last year or two. The plan that has been inaugurated to relieve this indebtedness is also well understood by our brethren. This plan was recommended by the General Conference Committee, and during the past year they have had a man in the field devoting his whole time to this work. Each church-member throughout the United States is asked to sell at least two copies of “Ministry of Healing” and five copies of Life and Health each year for a period of three years. This plan, if faithfully carried out, will bring in nearly five hundred thousand dollars for the relief of our sanitariums.

Concerning these relief campaigns for our sanitariums, Sister White has written as follows:—

The book “Ministry of Healing” may do the same work for our sanitariums and health institutions that “Christ’s Object Lessons” has done for our schools. This book contains the wisdom of the Great Physician. To me it has been a precious privilege to donate my work on these books. In the future there should be well-planned and persevering efforts made to increase their sale. Our brethren and sisters should not weary of this plan to erase the debts that have been accumulated.

Many of our conferences have taken hold of this campaign nobly, and the work is going forward with some success. As a result, some of our needy institutions are already being relieved financially. A still greater blessing is being received by those who get the books, and by the brethren and sisters who engage in the work of carrying them to the people.

But this endeavor now being made to assist our sanitariums is worthy of greater interest and zeal than it is receiving. Some are working beyond their ability, but what is needed is an effort on the part of all. A small amount done by each believer will bring great results.

It should be clearly understood that in doing this work we are helping to build up and advance the great advent movement with which we are connected, and which we so much desire to see triumph throughout the world.

In closing, I appeal to conference officers, ministers, and all the people just now to give a lift to this effort being made in behalf of our sanitariums. The plan we are working out is a good one. Brethren, let us push it to a successful termination. A. G. DANIELLS.