The Java Health Retreat by Ethelbert Thorpe; Lily Thorpe

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

The Java Health Retreat

By Ethelbert Thorpe; Lily Thorpe

THIS beautiful retreat is situated in the mountains, three thousand feet above the sea-level and above the city of Surabaya. Although located on a high mountain, we are surrounded by others many thousands of feet higher, on the summits of which frost and ice are to be found. Nearly all of these mountains are volcanoes, many of them extinct, some still very active. Directly in front of us, at some distance, is the deep-blue sea. This is clearly seen only in the rainy season, upon which we have just entered.

The pen would fail to tell of the beauties of Java, of its forests adorned with everlasting green, with their thousands of flowers whose sweet odor never dies; the sea breezes rustling through the banana plantations and over the palm tops; the thundering waterfalls rushing down from the high mountains to the interior of the country, dividing into streamlets, and dispensing blessing to all. The lavish gifts of nature are a delight to behold. Take our own mission tract, for instance, consisting of three and one-half acres. It presents beautiful variegated foliage; tall tropical fruit- and flower-trees, from which hang long evergreen ferns of many varieties; orchids of all colors, pink and green, tiger marked and spotted, giving out a most delightsome fragrance; tall tree ferns waving gracefully in the gentle breezes; beautiful bunches of fragrant lilies everywhere. A streamlet of pure water, direct from the mountains, runs through the entire length of the grounds. The constant running and rippling of the water over the stones and down the hillside has a very soothing and pleasing influence.

The front garden is laid out with many kinds of rose-trees and tropical ferns and plants. Around the verandas of the house, and on them, we have about one hundred beautiful plants, growing in large, different-shaped pots. The verandas, like large rooms, are well furnished, and used for living-rooms. The main building has three large rooms. The bamboo house, a little farther up the hillside, contains four rooms. There is a large stone swimming-bath connected with the main building, and a large bamboo kitchen, storeroom, and servants' room. The house is nicely and conveniently built. We are altering the bath-room, and building a small treatment-room in connection with the large swimming-bath. This beautiful mountain home came to our people through the favoring hand of the Lord, the sum of £166 being paid for the house and land combined. We are thankful for such a place, from which the light of the third angel's message is already radiating.

We spend three or four hours a day treating the sick who come to us, binding up their terrible sores, etc. We go many miles to the surrounding villages to treat the afflicted. The Lord works in a marvelous way in their restoration. A small hospital will be a necessity in the near future. The desperate need of these helpless millions presses upon our hearts. Latest statistics show that the population of the Dutch East Indies has been estimated at about seventy millions, half of whom inhabit Java, and Madura, a large island adjoining Java. Think of it, brethren and sisters: thirty and one-half millions on these two islands to hear the message, the very last message that will ever be sent to this sin-cursed earth. In Java only eight per cent of the people (Javanese) can either read or write. The two millions of souls on Madura are in even worse condition. Only the living preacher, aided by the Holy Spirit, can give this message. God has ways and means that we know not of. There is room for every Seventh-day Adventist to work in Java. What are one hundred thousand souls among thirty millions?

Mohammedanism reigns. The priests of Islaam are doing their deadly work, and human souls are falling into Christless graves. The cry is sounding, 'Come over and help us.'

ETHELBERT THORPE, LILY THORPE.