Report of Health Institute by J. R. Armer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1907

Report of Health Institute

By J. R. Armer

The Health Institute at Maritzburg, Natal, South Africa, was opened Nov. 1, 1904. It is located in the heart of the city. Maritzburg is the seat of government for Natal, and has a population of about thirty thousand people, sixteen thousand of whom are whites.

It may surprise many, perhaps, when I mention that we started in business in this place with a capital of only forty pounds. On the morning of Nov. 1, 1904, we had nothing toward furnishing the house, as we had not made up our minds until the last moment to open upon our own responsibility. Our capital allowed us to expend money only upon bare necessities, but from the beginning we made a rule that we would not add to the house furniture in any way unless we had the money in hand to pay for it.

At the end of the first month, after paying all expenses, including a salary which we allowed ourselves, we had sufficient surplus to purchase a piano, together with other articles of furniture, but abstained from further purchases until we had money in hand again. In this way we furnished from month to month until we had everything needed.

Our treatment rooms are perhaps the most novel of any in South Africa, and to the ordinary observer it almost seemed impossible to transform them from what they once were into what they are today; but by a little persevering application the necessary changes were thought out and executed. We are enabled to give all the treatments which are used in our larger sanitariums.

Our next attempt will be to install an electric-light bath and needle sprays. The wood and iron building, which is at present only partially utilized, we expect shortly to fit up, and there make health foods for Africa.

The number of treatments for the years 1905 and 1906 were respectively 1,062 and 1,740. These do not include fomentations, etc.

Among those who have patronized us I might mention the following: one prime minister, one general, three members of the Legislative Assembly, two magistrates, two magistrates' wives, one judge of the native high court, and two Wesleyan ministers.

Last year for two months our house was so full that I had to be content with a massage cot for a bed, but the Lord gave me good health to do my work.

We have had no opposition from the medical men here, five of them having sent us patients, all of whom made good recoveries under the treatment. In one instance we had to call in two doctors to perform a surgical operation; they expressed themselves as highly pleased with the way in which we prepare a room, and especially with the attention we give to sterilization.

To enumerate fully the many interesting cases treated would take up too much time, but we have letters in our possession which prove that the Lord has indeed been working for us, and to him we give all praise, ourselves being merely instruments in his hands.

Two persons have accepted present truth here, and the opportunities of presenting truth in the bath-rooms are most enjoyable. Many in the city acknowledge that we are right, but have not the courage to follow their convictions. We are sorry for such, but we can only pray continually that they may be led to decide before it is forever too late. I know of no better experience than that of talking to others about the message.

In summing up at different times, my wife and I have concluded that a great measure of our success has been due to the fact that we have, when in doubt, always gone to the Testimonies, and there have learned what to do. We can not help acknowledging the good care and providence of our Heavenly Father which has been over us in our work.

J. R. Armer.

Maritzburg, Natal.