The Rebuilding of the Battle Creek Sanitarium
By John Harvey Kellogg
The board of trustees have felt no small anxiety upon the question of the rebuilding of the Sanitarium, and have, up to within a short time, taken no positive action in reference to the matter. After waiting five weeks, this time being spent in careful prayer and consideration of the matter, the way seemed clear to rebuild in Battle Creek. The complete wiping out of two main buildings of the institution by fire was an extraordinary event, and one which had never been looked upon as probable, although it had been regarded as possible that one building might burn, or at least a considerable portion of one building, but it was believed to be very improbable that the complete destruction of the main buildings of the institution could be possible, because of the fact that every portion of the building was constantly occupied, while facilities for putting out fire were very numerous, and as efficient as those usually found in cities the size of Battle Creek. Insurance rates were high, two per cent per annum, or more. The facts stated above account for the comparatively small insurance which was carried, considerably less than the actual value of the total property destroyed. The aim of the managers has always been to carry such an amount of insurance that the insurance money, with the property left after any fire which could possibly occur, would be amply sufficient to pay every dollar of indebtedness, this policy being necessary for the proper protection of the creditors. The loss occasioned by the fire was severe, and yet the amount of property left was sufficient to pay the indebtedness without the money received from the insurance companies.
In considering the situation after the fire, the board reasoned thus: The destruction of the buildings is a circumstance which must have in it some important lesson. To learn this lesson was their most earnest desire. Several interpretations suggested themselves. For example, it might be suggested that the work of the Sanitarium had been so completely a failure that it was of no use in the world. Again, it might be suggested that the work of the Sanitarium in Battle Creek was finished, and that it should be moved to some other place, either to a more favorable locality or to a place where the work was more needed, or where it might be better appreciated. Again, the thought was suggested that Providence had permitted the destruction of those buildings in order that the grand principles represented by the institution might have in a modern and more carefully constructed building a better setting, and the principles a more consistent and adequate representation. Which of these interpretations was the true one the board did not feel themselves competent to decide, and so felt powerless to do anything but quietly wait for Providence to make things clear, and the weeks which have elapsed since the fire have been by no means days of leisure or idle waiting. It has been a time of anxious suspense, and of most intense and earnest seeking for the path of duty. The moving of an institution like the Sanitarium, which has existed for so long a time in the same locality, about thirty-six years, is like undertaking to move a giant oak or elm, which for a like number of years has been putting down its roots into the soil, and spreading them out far and wide. It is by no means an easy matter. For many years four or five thousand invalids have been coming annually to Battle Creek for treatment. The name “Battle Creek” is associated with certain ideas and principles, and is known throughout the civilized world. Sanitarium methods and the truths represented in them and through the institution have come to be widely known as “The Battle Creek Idea.” The eyes of millions of men and women have been turned toward this place as the center of light and truth from which life-saving principles have been going out for more than a third of a century, and, through the distribution of health books, magazines, and other health literature from this point, have entered millions of homes, and have been the means of revolutionizing tens of thousands of households. For any man or set of men to say arbitrarily that the time had come to close up this work in Battle Creek and to start in some other place would be a usurpation of authority. God planted the Sanitarium tree in Battle Creek, as he planted the cedars of Lebanon, and divine Providence alone could decide the location of the new building. How the Location Was Determined
After giving the matter most earnest consideration for several days, the Sanitarium Board decided to put the matter to a test, and in such a way that no power but God himself could decide the question at issue. The proposition was put in this form: If it is the will of God that the Sanitarium should be moved from Battle Creek, then the way for the rebuilding of the institution in Battle Creek will be closed up, while the way will be opened elsewhere. Having arrived at this decision, the board simply waited for developments. Several hundred letters were sent out to old22 patients,—business men, senators, lawyers, clergymen, and other people of influence,—asking their advice in reference to the location of the new building, putting the matter in such a way as to give no suggestion whatever. What Was Done in Battle Creek
Observing that the managers were not at once taking hold of the matter of rebuilding, the citizens of Battle Creek began making inquiries in reference to the matter, and were informed that the board did not feel clear upon the question of rebuilding, that they had not yet any providential indication upon the question of location, and felt that there were reasons why another location might be desirable. Within a few days, messages began flowing in from all parts of the United States, some advising the erection of the new building in another place, but the majority advising to rebuild in Battle Creek, the very name seeming to be dear to multitudes who had here found restoration to health, and knowledge whereby to maintain health and usefulness.
The citizens of Battle Creek took the matter in hand with great earnestness. The Business Men’s Association appointed a committee, which, after visiting the Sanitarium, and fully informing themselves respecting the work and the financial affairs of the institution, undertook a most earnest and vigorous missionary campaign of the city for the purpose of removing misconceptions and prejudices, which were in most cases the result of ignorance or incorrect information. This committee left no stone unturned, and the result of their efforts was the creation in the city of such an intense and earnest sympathy for the Sanitarium and its work as was never known before. Such a revolution of feeling has never occurred before in the history of Battle Creek, and has probably rarely been seen in any city. The efforts of this committee not only broke down the enormous walls of prejudice which the enemies of the institution had built up, but resulted in the raising of a large sum of money toward the erection of the new building. The committee is still at work, so the amount cannot be stated in exact figures, but it may be stated as between thirty-five and fifty thousand dollars. The members of our own church caught the spirit and enthusiasm which prevailed in the whole city, and, led by the church committee, entered upon a similar campaign, with the result that several thousand dollars more were added, the total amount raised by the church to date being about six thousand dollars. Neither the citizens nor the church committee were urged to do this. The board simply stated the situation, and left it for the Lord to move upon the hearts of the citizens and brethren to act as might seem to them right and proper under the circumstances. The result has been that the citizens, church members, and the members of the Sanitarium family have together raised the handsome sum of nearly one hundred thousand dollars toward the erection of the new building.
This is certainly very tangible evidence that something ought to be done for Battle Creek. Such expressions of sympathy and interest on the part of any other city, backed up in such a tangible way, would most certainly receive consideration, and would be considered a very loud call for the establishment of a sanitarium. No mere human influence could have possibly created such a general uprising on the part of the whole city in behalf of truth and reform. God alone has power to work so wondrous a miracle. Many equally remarkable providences have seemed to open the way for rebuilding in Battle Creek. Eminent talent of various sorts has seemed to be divinely sent to help us in our extremity. Architects and builders of great experience and ability have come to our aid without seeking, and it seems to be as clear as anything well could be that the Sanitarium should be rebuilt in Battle Creek. The board still felt themselves wholly incompetent for the task of deciding whether or not the Sanitarium building should be reconstructed, and if so, where; and not wishing to take the responsibility of settling this important question in which many thousands are interested, a council of the General Conference officers and Union Conference presidents was called. These brethren convened Monday, March 24, and spent nearly a week in the consideration of this and other matters pertaining to the Sanitarium and its work. The counsel of these brethren was greatly appreciated by the board of managers, and it is proper to say that the steps which have been taken looking toward the erection of the Sanitarium in Battle Creek were by the unanimous advice and recommendation of these brethren and the members of the Medical Missionary Board, as well as the Sanitarium management.
Another consideration which has not been mentioned, but one to which considerable weight must be attached, is the fact that to remove the institution to some other place would require a loss of a hundred thousand dollars in the shape of property which could not be removed, but which will be valuable to the building constructed here. This consists of our large heating plant, underground conduits, dormitories for helpers, business buildings, etc. That the Sanitarium work has not been unsuccessful in Battle Creek is known to all. There has not been one year in the last twenty-five years in which the annual business has not exceeded that of the previous year; and this notwithstanding the fact that within the last few years a large number of branch establishments have been set in operation in various cities. At the time of the fire the weekly receipts from patients were over seven thousand dollars, and the number of patients under treatment was the largest ever in the institution in the winter season. The Size of the New Building
After deciding that the Sanitarium must be rebuilt in Battle Creek, the next question of momentous importance was that of the size of the building. The temptation naturally would be to erect a building able to accommodate all the patients likely to visit the institution, providing the patronage should continue as it has been during the last two years. There might be a temptation to erect even a larger building, to provide for the increase in patronage, such as has been coming steadily in for several years past. Indeed, this would be looked upon as good business judgment. For nearly a dozen years between four and five thousand dollars has been expended annually in the renting of cottages, eighty rented buildings being occupied the greater portion of the time for years past, in addition to the twenty buildings owned by the institution. The buildings burned were large structures, aggregating in all, including the wings and additions, space sufficient to make a building a thousand feet long, forty feet wide, and four stories in height; and yet this building, notwithstanding the fact that for the most part the rooms were rather small, many quite too small for the highest sanitary requirements, did not accommodate during the five or six busiest months of the year more than half the patients under treatment at the Sanitarium, and during the very busiest season, during July, August, and September, not more than forty per cent of the patients; the remainder of our patients were obliged to seek lodging wherever they could find places among the citizens of the town, and in buildings rented for the purpose. During the greater part of last year, the expense for rented buildings has risen to six or seven thousand dollars per annum. Five thousand dollars would pay five per cent interest on a building costing one hundred thousand dollars, and such a building would accommodate the patients much more comfortably than they could be accommodated in scattered buildings. The Sanitarium family of helpers has sometimes reached the number of eight or nine hundred. To accommodate these only one dormitory has been provided, which is capable of holding less than two hundred, so that three fourths of the helpers have been obliged to room in various places scattered about the greater part of town, even at a considerable distance from the institution, a fact which has been a source of great inconvenience. Thus the temptation has been for many years to erect buildings for the accommodation of patients who could not be admitted to the existing buildings, and for the erection of dormitories for the better accommodation of helpers. Nevertheless the board has steadily set its face against making such improvements, for the reason that its purpose has been to increase the establishment of branches in various parts of the world, rather than the centralization of the work in Battle Creek. There has not been a time since the erection of the first large buildings when the institution was capable of holding the family of patients and helpers, and for many years there has been no time at any season of the year when the Sanitarium accommodations for patients were sufficient to make it possible to furnish room for all under treatment, except by the use of hired buildings. In determining the size of the new building, the board have thought it their duty to adhere to the same principle and policy; and hence in the erection of the new building, the attempt will not be made to erect a building large enough to accommodate all those who visit the Sanitarium for treatment. The number of patients under treatment last summer at one time was about seven hundred. The managers have thought it wise to construct a building which would furnish about three hundred moderate-sized sleeping rooms. If means were suffi-23 cient, large, airy rooms would be provided, but the board have felt the necessity of reducing the building to the smallest size possible, hoping that they may be able to furnish accommodations for approximately half of those who come from abroad for treatment.
As before stated, the burned buildings were equivalent to a four-story building over one thousand feet in length. The new buildings will be approximately half this length, five stories in height, with one two-story expansion in the rear for bath and gymnasium purposes. Plans have been made in the most economical manner possible. The building must be severely plain, but dignified, and beautiful in lines and proportions, but without artificial decoration. Even the roof will be utilized as an exercise ground, being made flat for this purpose. A fuller description will be published later, when the plans are more fully perfected.
It is expected that the cost of the new building will be less than the cost of the buildings which burned, or at least no more, but the construction will be far more substantial and enduring. Brick, iron, stone, and cement will be the materials used, so that the building will be absolutely fireproof. The building will look much larger than the old structure, through the avoidance of wings, the whole structure being arranged in one long building, running north and south, thus furnishing an equal supply of light and air to each room.
The managers very earnestly desire the support, the prayers, and the sympathy of all the friends of the great principles and reforms which the Battle Creek Sanitarium represents, that in their efforts to reconstruct and equip the institution they may be divinely led, and may make such a representation of these truths and principles as will command the respect of the world, and redound to the glory of God and the blessing of humanity.
J. H. KELLOGG.