p. 20 | The Washington Sanitarium by D. H. Kress

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

The Washington Sanitarium

By D. H. Kress

BELIEVING that it will be a source of encouragement to our people who have given so liberally of their means to assist in starting the work in Washington, to learn of its progress, from time to time we shall give a report of the work done at the Sanitarium. We have at present thirty-two workers, this number being made up of first-year students chiefly. The question may be asked, Why take such a large class? Our aim has been to afford an opportunity for just as many as possible of our young men and women to enter the class who desire to fit themselves for medical missionary work and future usefulness. Being connected as we are with the Foreign Mission Seminary, the students have special advantages in doing this. While we have not been able to receive all who have applied, we have tried to shut out none who were really seeking to enter the Lord’s work, and who gave evidence of being true missionaries. The time has come when every latent power must be aroused and put into active service for Christ.

Those who are called into foreign fields as medical missionaries, should understand how to gain an entrance into the homes and hearts of the people by the intelligent use of our literature in canvassing. This knowledge and experience they should obtain before being sent forth as missionaries, and it should therefore form a part of their training.

Our plan is to have each member of our classes spend two months each year in canvassing for Life and Health and “Ministry of Healing” in the city of Washington. This can be done without having them miss any of their class work. Brother Richardson has been engaged to impart the needed technical instruction to members of the Sanitarium family, and then give them practical instruction in house-to-house work. One set of workers will spend, perhaps, one month or six weeks at this work; they will then be recalled, and another set will take their places. By following this plan a certain number of the classes will be constantly doing active field work. This enables us to carry a larger class than we otherwise could, and also to do a work that should be done by our sanitariums, but could not be done should we have only sufficient help for the sanitarium work proper. Conferences and mission fields are calling for experienced and tried workers. For such workers openings exist everywhere. When students have completed their training at our sanitariums, the sanitariums should be able to recommend them as men and women of reliability.

A spirit of unity, harmony, and co-operation exists between the Foreign Mission Seminary and the Sanitarium. The Sanitarium physicians teach classes at the Seminary, and members of the Seminary faculty teach classes at the Sanitarium. Some of the members of the Sanitarium classes are taking special studies at the Seminary, and members of the Seminary classes are taking class work at the Sanitarium. We are glad to see that God is placing the various branches of the work in their proper setting in the great whole.

The prospect for the future is good. Those who come seem pleased with the place, and especially with the spirit of oneness that exists. God’s blessing has certainly been resting upon our efforts to help our patients. One sister, brought to us by Elder Farnsworth, who seemed to be at death’s door, weighing only seventy-three pounds, at the end of two weeks began to improve, and during the next two weeks gained seventeen pounds in weight. She is still improving, and is gaining in weight. We desire our people to remember in their prayers the work and workers in Washington.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.