Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

A Union Conference Effort

DEFINITE work is being done, and definite results are being seen, in a special effort that is now on in the Columbia Union Conference. Early in January the president, Elder B. G. Wilkinson, took up correspondence with the various conference presidents, making arrangements for a definite date in each conference for a thorough “Ministry of Healing” campaign.

A period in March was decided upon as the selling time. Before this date, churches were to be visited, instructed concerning the campaign, and their orders taken for the books. Union and local conference officers and workers would join forces. Such help as could be given by General Conference men, by Sabbath visits, was to be rendered. The matter was to be kept in the columns of the union paper in live form. Officers would send out letters, instructions, and suggestions for organization to workers, church elders, and individual church-members. Every church and company of believers was to be reached, and isolated members not to be overlooked, so that every member of every conference would take at least the quota of books for one year.

These thorough plans met with the hearty acceptance of all the presidents, and in the different conferences the work is now being carried forward accordingly. Herewith are given some statements of attitude and experience, as

taken from the columns of the Columbia Union Visitor and other sources.

After presenting the details of this special effort, the president of the union says: “There is a blessing in selling a book like ‘Ministry of Healing.’ The world needs to-day just such a book, with its bright rays of light on soul and body healing. One sister in West Pennsylvania sold a copy to the editor of the leading daily in a certain city, and he was so pleased with it that, unasked, he at once printed an excellent testimonial in its favor.

“Our sanitariums need the financial help which will come from the sale of this book. Brother, sister, in the work of the Lord, do you not wish to help financially these institutions which in 1909 proclaimed to twenty-five thousand patients, people of the better classes, every Friday night the opening hours of the Sabbath? Do you not wish to assist the great medical missionary work which, every year, is doing so many deeds of charity and bringing so many blessings to needy souls?

“Let us all—people, workers, and officers—take hold heartily in this campaign, and do our part. Let none say, ‘This is not my work.’ God will bless the willing worker.”

In New Jersey

The president of the New Jersey Conference, Elder B. F. Kneeland, states his position as follows: “The work of selling ‘Ministry of Healing’ deserves, and must have, our very best effort. We are glad for what has been accomplished, but this is only a small part of what must be done. No one can estimate the good that this book will do when placed in the homes of the people. Now is the time when the whole world is eager for light on the subjects of healthful living and the prevention of disease. Now is our grand opportunity; and I am convinced that if we pass it by indifferently, we shall bitterly regret our mistake. This conference should lay plans for the completion of this campaign at the earliest possible date.”

Many good experiences are reported from this conference. One of our sisters went with fear and trembling to carry a copy of “Ministry of Healing” to the home of a minister. She was not able to give a canvass, but left the book with the minister’s sister, and went home. Within three hours the woman was at her door with the money for the book, saying that her brother wanted such a book very much. “Ministry of Healing” seems to sell itself. An ex-judge picked up a copy of the book in the home of one of our sisters the other evening. Without her saying a word, he said, “If that book is for sale, I want a copy,” and paid her the money for it on the spot.

In West Virginia

The president of this conference writes thus in the union paper: “Eternity only will reveal the good which these books will do in the homes of the people. The Lord is giving us the privilege of doing this work, and either faithfulness or unfaithfulness will be written opposite our names in the ledger of heaven. The Holy Spirit is impressing the people to buy, if we will but carry the books to them, and use our God-given talents to present this work. I trust that we shall all be faithful, and finally receive the overcomers’ reward.”

The matter has been kept before the conference in various ways. Effectual work has been done by both laborers and people, and good results are reported. The membership of the West Virginia Conference is not large, but they mean to do their share, and enjoy their part of the blessing to be found in this work.

In the Virginia Conference

The president of the Virginia Conference says to the believers in that field: “Have you taken a lively interest in the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign? We are to sell this book for the relief of our sanitariums. While it is our duty to do this, the doing of it will bring us a blessing, will bless our neighbors, and will relieve our institutions of their burden of debt. If you have taken no books as yet, secure some at once. Read them carefully, and sell them. And you can sell them. It is the slothful man who says, ‘There is a lion in the way.’ The money is needed now, and we must get it and pass it on.”

Encouraging reports come from this conference where the work has been begun. While not strong in numbers, this conference has good material and a fine field, and it will doubtless fulfil its part in this effort, and enjoy its share of blessing.

There are other conferences in the Columbia Union that have united in this special effort, whose reports must be left for another time. Sufficient has been given to show that general co-operation may be secured in this relief movement, and that when it is given the results are telling. What is being done in one part of the field, offers encouragement to others. Shall we not see a greater development of the spirit of willingness to enter upon this good work?

L. A. HANSEN.