Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1910

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

In Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey

The Columbia Union is to receive substantial help from the Northern and Southwestern union conferences, in meeting a particularly heavy burden. In addition to the report already given of the campaign work in this union, the work of two other conferences deserves special mention.

Eastern Pennsylvania

This conference is the home of the Philadelphia Sanitarium, an institution that has met with unusually trying experiences of financial misfortune. At a critical period of its history, Elder W. H. Heckman, president of the conference, was made president of the sanitarium association. In his official position he has had a full share of care and anxiety, dealing with hard problems relating to denominational and institutional interests, and endeavoring to meet the wants of individuals concerned. But withal, the relief campaign work has been urged forward with good heart and zeal.

It may be readily recognized that where a conference has had a long, unfortunate experience in dealing with a proposition of many discouragements, resulting finally in great adversity, it would be rather difficult to develop much enthusiasm in a continued effort of relief for that same object. Yet the workers and people of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference have responded heartily to the relief call. Systematic work is being done in and by the churches, resulting in a steady flow of orders. The records of the publishing house show that the orders are on the increase, recent ones bringing the number to about fifteen hundred books that have been taken. Some churches have nearly finished their entire three years' work. The effort made at the camp-meeting resulted in stimulating an interest, and this is being actively followed up.

In New Jersey

The New Jersey Conference has done exceptionally well in helping to meet the responsibilities incurred in the Philadelphia Sanitarium situation. The conference president, Elder B. F. Kneeland, has been active in directing his conference in earnest work in the relief campaign.

Before the present general relief movement was launched, this conference was at work. For a year the matter had been carried forward, orders were coming in from the churches, and the campaign was well under way when word came from the publishers that the edition of the book was exhausted. Such interruptions are usually discouraging, but the brethren took fresh heart when the general movement started. An institute was held with the workers in the early part of the year; an earnest effort was made at the last camp-meeting; and now a general effort is being made throughout the conference.

A special period of a week or more is set apart for the conference workers to present the relief campaign in all the churches, and this is to be followed with a special rally on the part of everybody. Advantage will be taken of the holiday season for placing orders for books that can not be sold outright. The laborers will join in the actual work of selling books, helping the people by instruction and example.

L. A. Hansen.