p. 17 | Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 4, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

Campaign Experiences

To all our people, both ministry and lay members, I wish to say, If you would have your soul refreshed and revived, take hold of the work that lies before you in the grand enterprise of relieving our institutions where the sick and suffering are receiving both physical and spiritual help. Since taking up this effort, I have been made to appreciate better than ever before the great work which the Saviour has done for me. Pride is the hindering cause with many of God's people to-day. When self is crucified with Christ, we shall have no difficulty in obeying the voice of God. By his Spirit the Lord is witnessing to each of his children that he will fulfil his promise when they show their desire to do his will.

This is our experience with the volume “Ministry of Healing.” The book seems to sell itself. It is a pleasure to be with the work: first, because it is unselfish; second, it brings a blessing to our own souls, and also to those who know little about the Great Physician; and third, it rolls off a reproach against the cause of God.

One of our most timid sisters was impressed by the Spirit of God to call on two of her nearest neighbors with “Ministry of Healing.” The result was that she sold two books. When she came to church on the following Sabbath, the light in her face showed plainly that she had had a good experience. We expect to see the same happy look on other faces soon.

On a recent Sabbath when two visitors were present at our service, there was a question in my mind whether I should preach a sermon or read the last chapter of “Ministry of Healing.” I finally decided to do the latter. Speaking afterward to one of the visitors about the reading, I mentioned the doubt that had been in my mind, and he said, “If you could preach a better sermon than that, I should like to hear it.” Had it not been the Sabbath, he would have taken a book at once, and he did take one later.

F. H. Henderson, field missionary secretary of Ohio, says: “The visits I have paid to my neighbors this week have been practical. I have sold and taken orders for twelve books. This was done in my new neighborhood. I had already taken orders for three books among my old neighbors. Some of my subscribers have said that they want another book later.”

Mrs. A. Alderman, secretary of the Youngstown missionary society, writes: “We are having some good experiences in selling ‘Ministry of Healing,’ and we are sure that the Saviour is leading us to put the book in the homes which will profit by the reading. Personally, I am having good success in selling Life and Health.”

John Francis Olmsted says: “On a recent Sabbath we had the pleasure of meeting with the Bellefontaine (Ohio) church in the interest of the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign. A number came in from a distance to attend quarterly meeting. In the afternoon the needs and blessings of the campaign were discussed, and a brief outline of the medical missionary work and its part in the message was given. All seemed to be interested, and agreed to help in this important work, which has a threefold blessing for all connected with it,—courage to those who sell, hope to those who buy, and financial aid to the Medical Missionary Department. The membership of this church is nineteen, but all were not present. A good interest prevailed, however, and thirty-three books were taken. Twenty-seven had been taken before, making the number to date sixty, which is a good beginning.”

Elder John P. Gaede reports well for the Washington Court House and Leesburg (Ohio) churches, and of his own and Elder James E. Shultz’s work at the Cincinnati church, where the members are doing their full part. He says: “The appointment by quota is a very good way to get the people to take hold of this work, but the members should feel more than their individual responsibility. When they have sold their own quota, they should not feel their whole duty done, but should have charity for the feeble, the sick, and the absent members. I have found that in some places the church clerk has sent in only the names of the active members. This may account for the small gain in membership in this country. We know that when persons are away, they sometimes forget their obligations to their home churches; but we must not strike out their names at once before laboring with them. If every one does his part, the task will be easily accomplished. Often, however, half the membership are not attempting anything, and this works hardship to the other half, who are trying to lift the whole burden. Will not these scattered ones remember this, and report faithfully to their home churches with tithes, offerings, and other obligations? Again, if each church sends in the names of only its active members, the quota for each member will be much larger. There remains just so much to be done, and we who are able must do it. Let us not shirk our duty to the world, to the church, and to ourselves as workers for the Lord.”

Mrs. L. C. Davidson writes from the Walnut Grove (Ohio) church: “During the past month the work done by our church-members has been principally with ‘Ministry of Healing’ and the Temperance Instructor. Some of our members have for the first time been making an effort in this work, and have been surprised at what has been accomplished.” L. A. HANSEN.