Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. HANSEN

The Relief Campaign

The reception that is being given the campaign for relief of our sanitariums is a very encouraging one. There are objections to meet and some unfavorable conditions. These give way, however, to a general co-operation in the movement. The very fact that it is launched by our brethren as a general movement is sufficient reason to many for taking hold of it. The very situation of need makes a strong appeal. Apparently but very few are disposed to hold back after giving the proposition thoughtful consideration.

Up to this time where the campaign has been presented at our union conference meetings, it has had a hearty support. To all appearances it will go forward readily and steadily.

The Southern Union Conference

To this union conference really belongs the credit of having made a move in this direction even before the matter was taken up by the General Conference Committee at the council held at College View last October. Elder C. F. McVagh there reported that they were already selling “Ministry of Healing,” and were realizing some of the benefits of the effort.

At the recent conference session at Nashville the matter took formal shape in the adoption of the recommendations dealing with it. Dr. W. A. Ruble presented the general situation, calling for a relief campaign. He also outlined the favorable development of the sanitarium work, calling attention to many features in connection therewith that give great cause for gratitude. A number of others expressed their appreciation of the progress and results of this branch of our work.

The proceeds of the campaign for this conference are to be devoted to the relief of the Nashville Sanitarium. This institution is well established, but has met with some reverses by fire, boiler explosion, serious break in patronage, and much difficulty in securing an ample water-supply, entailing heavy expense. Coupled with this there is an initial building debt. The financial statement as read at the meeting showed that if the institution could be relieved of its interest account, it would be more than earning its way.

It has for some time been enjoying a very good patronage, its capacity being well tried. It has on its register names of persons from seventeen different States. This list includes several prominent educators, from Nashville and elsewhere, quite a few physicians, ministers of various denominations, legislators, public men, and a number of other persons of influence.

One physician experienced such marked improvement and was so well pleased that he became quite active in influencing others to go to the sanitarium. At last accounts about eighteen persons had come as a result of his work.

Surely there is a good future for this institution, which has manifestly been blessed of God, and which seems so well situated to fill a useful place in this “Athens of the South.”

The management is faithfully applying every dollar received from the relief campaign toward meeting the standing indebtedness of the institution.

The Central Union Conference

In this conference the matter was taken hold of in a businesslike manner at its recent conference meeting at St. Joseph, Mo. The committee on plans gave an entire session to the consideration of it and to drafting recommendations suitable to local conditions. The Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium is the most needy institution in this union conference. Those at College View and Hastings, Neb., and Wichita, Kan., are fairly in the way of taking care of themselves, though they can well use and will appreciate all the help that may come to them. Provision was made for the Nebraska and Kansas conferences to share their campaign proceeds with the Colorado sanitarium according to their willingness to do so.

The discussion of the measure before the conference body was altogether of a favorable nature. While the brethren felt that they should not close their eyes to the gravity of the financial questions involved, they also felt impelled to look hopefully on the situation and give due attention to the advancement of the work. A number of interesting items were presented, showing the good that our sanitariums are doing. Elder A. T. Robinson, of Nebraska, told of a bequest of thirty-six thousand dollars which was made to that conference as the result of the kind care bestowed upon a patient at the Nebraska Sanitarium.

Mention was made of the friendly attitude of a number of State legislators toward our work as the result of their stay at one of our sanitariums. It was stated that several millionaires had been guests at the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. Elder C. R. Kite, formerly chaplain of that institution, bore testimony to

the good interest shown by the patients in the religious services. Instances were cited of individuals accepting the whole truth through this means.

The recommendations for the campaign were carried with a unanimous vote. Soon after this the delegates and workers of the Kansas Conference met and laid definite plans for the campaign in that State.

A Good Start

Prof. E. A. Sutherland reports that early in January the church at the Madison, Tenn., school had sold its number of “Ministry of Healing” for the first year’s work, and made remittance of the money. With the sale of five numbers of Life and Health for each member, this will leave that church clear on this proposition for a year.

The Hillcrest (Tenn.) church and the companies at several of the branches of the Madison school have ordered their books, and very likely have by this time disposed of them. This is the first report we have received of work so far advanced in the present campaign.

L. A. HANSEN, Field Secretary.