The Southern Sanitarium
By Smith Sharp
THE readers of the REVIEW are acquainted with the fact that, encouraged by plain, pointed Testimonies, the Southern Union Conference voted at its session at Nashville, in January, 1902, to undertake the erection of a small sanitarium at Graysville, Tenn., and a board of management was elected at the conference. This board found many obstacles in the way, and it was in the following June that the actual work of excavating for the basement was begun. Since that time there have been many hindrances to impede the progress of the work, the most prominent one being the lack of money. The work has never stopped, though at times but few workmen could be employed because of a scarcity of funds. It is with much satisfaction that we are able to announce that notwithstanding the building is far from completion, yet we are to-day moving into it. Some of the rooms have been finished, so that patients can be made comfortable; and all things considered, we shall be much more comfortable from the start than we have been for the past two years in the crowded condition we were in in the cottages, with bath rooms under the academy building some distance away. This institution might have been completed long ago had sufficient means been available. The policy adopted by the board was to push the work no faster than money could be collected with which to pay bills. We have endeavored to adhere as strictly to this policy as circumstances would permit. Quite a large sum will yet be required to finish the building. It was calculated that ten thousand dollars would be sufficient, as the building is but thirty-two by sixty-four feet in dimensions, and four stories high above the basement. Possibly this amount will be sufficient to erect the building; but we are far from the end of our task when the building is completed. There are nearly forty rooms in it. Provision must be made for heating all of these, and the estimated cost of this alone is about one thousand dollars. Furnishing the rooms for patients and properly equipping the bath rooms will add considerable to the expense. We are thankful indeed that our people in the North, in the South, in the19East, and in the West have responded so liberally for this object. We sincerely hope that none will feel that the work is accomplished. It is true that the building is being occupied, and treatments are being given in it; but until it is entirely finished and fully equipped, we shall not be able to receive a class of paying patients. So it can readily be seen that we yet have quite a task before us. The church at Graysville has had the greater part of this burden to carry. It is true that the brethren in California, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois helped to a commendable extent, and it is also true that small amounts have been received through the mail from various States and Territories in response to private letters soliciting help, yet Graysville has had the carrying of the greater part of the load, and although this church has raised thousands of dollars, yet at a recent meeting an additional three hundred and fifty-seven dollars was raised. This church has felt it a privilege to carry the greater part of this load, but we are near the time, if we have not already reached it, when money to finish this enterprise must be raised, and the work finished at once, or winter will find us in an incomplete institution. Are there not those who have done very little or nothing who wish to join in on the home stretch and help complete this building at once? If so, send donations to the Southern Conference Association, Graysville, Tenn. SMITH SHARP.