Information Wanted Concerning the British Sanitarium
We have laid before our people the proposition to purchase a sanitarium in England, and have asked them to assist our brethren in England in raising the money with which to pay for the property. We are now told by an esteemed correspondent that our people desire to know definitely whether the new institution will belong to the denomination, “or to an independent corporation, to the Catholics or anybody else,” and whether “it is to be under the control of the British Conference work instead of under independent medical missionary boards.” We are assured by our correspondent that the answers to these questions will have much influence in determining the amount donated by our people in the collection which has been appointed for next Sabbath, February 7. We see no reason why our people should not have the clearest information upon these questions, and we feel perfectly free to answer them, stating the exact facts in the case. So much has been said of late about undenominational institutions, that it seems eminently proper that the status of this new institution should be clearly defined. At the General Conference Committee Council, held in Battle Creek, Nov. 15-25, 1902, the action was taken upon which our call for donations is based. This action was printed in full in the Review of January 20. After recommending that funds be raised “for the establishment of a sanitarium in England,” it distinctly states who shall be responsible for the use of this money, in these words: “This sum to be expended under the direction of the British Union Conference Committee.” The sentiment of the General Conference Committee, as expressed in the discussion of the matter, was that the new sanitarium should be under the supervision of the British Union Conference Committee, and identified with the denominational work. We believe that this plan will meet with the hearty approval of the brethren in England. When the first attempt was made to establish a health institution in England in 1899, the work was undertaken as a part of the regular conference work. The physicians were in the employ of the conference, and the whole movement was regarded as a factor in the organized effort to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord. This method of conducting the work seems to us to be consistent with the idea that the health principles are an essential part of the truth to be taught in this closing work of the gospel. If they are just as much a part of this message as the Sabbath truth or the sanctuary truth, why should any effort be made to separate the work of giving them to the world from the work of giving the other truths to the world? Why should any effort be made to conceal the fact that the Lord has raised up this denomination to be his agency in giving a complete gospel to the world? The special significance of the revival of these health principles in this generation is that the “spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The advent message is a message for the whole man. And one part of this message need not be ashamed of any other part. No recommendation was made by the General Conference Committee as to how the legal title to this property should be held. We know, however, that it is the desire of the committee that the title should be so vested that the property will be held secure to the denomination and its work, and not be under the control of a private corporation. In carrying out this idea, our brethren in England must, of course, act in harmony with the statutes of the country. We are certain that there will be no practical difficulty in arranging this matter. Our brethren over there are just as desirous as we are that the ownership of property purchased with funds donated by the brethren and sisters of this denomination shall be vested in the denomination. This is the only just and reasonable course to pursue. Having thus stated the matter as clearly as we know how, we now make this last appeal for a liberal donation next Sabbath. We ask our brethren and sisters to consider the needs of the field, the providential opening which has been presented to us, and the advantage which will accrue from this advance move. In letters just received from England, our brethren express themselves as deeply thankful for the interest which is being shown in this matter, and for the effort being made to assist them in providing the required funds. They are putting forth the most vigorous effort to raise the proportion of the purchase price allotted to them, which we know is no small undertaking in view of their limited membership. We are confident that we on this side of the water can do our part without hardship to any one, if we can only secure united action on the part of all, each doing according to his ability. We are praying that the Lord will move upon the hearts of his people to respond cheerfully to this urgent call for help in establishing this new memorial for the truth in the English field. Any who are so situated that it is more convenient for them to do so, may forward their donations direct to the treasurer of the Mission Board, H. M. Mitchell, Battle Creek, Mich.