p. 22 | The Nashville Sanitarium by F. A. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 31, 1907

The Nashville Sanitarium

By F. A. Washburn

For some time the Nashville Sanitarium has been an important factor in the work in the South, and has accomplished much good. And to many who have been greatly prejudiced against the principles that characterize us as a people, it has given a broader idea of the truth.

The work was started about nine years ago by Brother and Sister Hansen, who are still connected with the institution. The work grew rapidly, and Drs. Haywood and Caldwell and others became connected with the institution, and many patients were successfully treated; but having no permanent building, it was found necessary to move several times, and the expense of renting in Nashville was so great that it was hard to make the work pay financially, so it was clearly seen that it would be a matter of economy to build.

An instructor in Vanderbilt University, a man of wealth and refinement, had built for himself a fine mansion within about three miles of the Capitol building. He laid out the grounds in a very artistic manner, obtaining choice trees and shrubs from distant places at great expense, arranging them to suit his taste.

A short time before the place came to our attention, this gentleman died very suddenly, leaving the residence and ten acres adjoining to be sold for the maintenance and education of his children.

The price for which we obtained it, twelve thousand five hundred dollars, was in reality about the value of the house alone. The house was elegantly and substantially built, the owner taking personal care that every part should be of the very best material, the very best workmen being employed; and after fifteen years it stands as sound and substantial as on the day it was finished.

We were looking for a place just outside the city of Nashville, but near enough to give the advantages of the city; and when, after a long, disheartening search among all the available properties, we had about come to the conclusion that there was no good opening for a sanitarium in the vicinity of Nashville, this came to our attention. Of course, at any previous time we could not have secured it at any reasonable figure, and probably it could not have been bought at any price. After having asked God to guide us in the search, this opening seemed to us all to be providential.

It was necessary to build an addition to the residence in order to do efficient sanitarium work. Accordingly an addition thirty-four by seventy feet was planned, and excavating and building were immediately begun, and have been progressing slowly ever since.

All who are conversant with the building and equipment of a sanitarium are well aware that twenty-five thousand dollars is a very small amount with which to do the work, especially one so near the city of Nashville, which must compete with many other institutions that have all that money can furnish in the way of buildings and equipment.

We found it necessary, on account of the lack of funds, to omit many seeming necessities, such as dining-room and gymnasium, and to limit ourselves in the size and number of the rooms for guests, etc.

In the old part are the parlor, small kitchen and dining-room, and a few of the largest and best rooms for guests. The addition has three stories and a basement. In the basement are the ladies' and gentlemen's bath-rooms; on the first floor are the offices, laboratory, and a few guest rooms; the second floor is entirely devoted to rooms for patients; and the third floor contains the operating room and hospital ward.

We have about thirty rooms for patients. This is a very small number, but we felt that we could not afford more in the present financial situation. At present, on account of the noise and confusion of building, it is impossible to do anything like full or satisfactory work, so we are running at a loss, but during the summer we had all the patients that could be treated, and there is every prospect for successful work in the future.

The new addition is now enclosed, and if we had a few more good carpenters, we might get the building in running order by the first of February. We shall be very glad to correspond with any experienced carpenter who can come and help us get the building ready for occupancy as soon as possible.

We hope that all our people will remember that the sanitarium work is an important and essential part of the truth for this time, and that the Lord, through his servant, has spoken especially in regard to the establishment of a sanitarium in the immediate vicinity of Nashville. This can only be done when all our people take hold unitedly and lift together. It has been a hard struggle to get the work started in this southland; but a beginning has been made, and we know that the work will continue to advance, as the Lord has spoken good concerning this place.

Let us not be like those of whom it was said, "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Let us awake to the opportunities and privileges that God gives us of being colaborers with him, and come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

F. A. WASHBURN.