A United Conference Effort by L. A. Hansen

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

A United Conference Effort

By L. A. Hansen

The Wisconsin Conference has a large sanitarium indebtedness to deal with, in connection with which are some unfavorable features. The people throughout the conference are quite conversant with the situation. A very favorable disposition is shown on the part of all toward the efforts that have been and are being made to adjust the work of the sanitarium satisfactorily, and to relieve it of its heavy burden.

A definite plan of relief has been adopted by the conference, and is being actively advanced. The sanitarium relief campaign, in its regular provisions, has been adopted; and at the last camp-meeting, action was taken to sell, in addition, ten thousand copies of “Ministry of Healing.”

Later it was decided to present the matter to the various churches of the conference. In this work I have recently had the privilege of assisting, visiting a number of the larger churches. I was accompanied at Milwaukee by Elder B. L. Post and P. C. Hansen, and at La Grange by Elder P. M. Hansen. The president of the conference, Elder W. H. Thurston, joined me in visiting most of the other churches. Decided help was rendered in the attitude of the conference president.

The churches took heart and courage from his presentation of the work, and responded well to the call for co-operation. Where time permitted, various interests of the work were presented; but the general relation of the medical missionary and health work to other branches, and its pressing local needs, were made the principal subjects.

It has been very gratifying to see how eager the people are to know about the sanitarium work, and their earnest desire to relate themselves properly to it. Judging from the attitude of the general membership, as seen in these visits, the outlook for Wisconsin is decidedly hopeful. A continuance of the present activity in the relief campaign will bring relief to the sanitarium. While the debt is a large one, it will give way to the constant efforts that may be put forth by the good-sized membership of the conference.

The nurses of the Madison Sanitarium are aiding in this effort. Several are using such time as can be spared from house duties to visit the people and sell “Ministry of Healing.” Books are also sold to patients and visitors in the institution. One nurse has sold twenty books in a short time. The little company in the Madison church has already reached the one-hundred mark in sales, and is still working, proposing to continue as long as the work needs to be done.

The report for last year shows that 1,986 books were sold in Wisconsin as a beginning. The movement is developing in strength and activity. The first two weeks of February were devoted to this work by all the laborers. A workers’ and elders’ meeting then gave the matter further study. The results will be just as definite and telling as are the plans of work and the efforts put forth. What is done in one conference may be done in others. Definite action and co-operation on the part of leaders, workers, and people will bring definite results.

L. A. HANSEN.