ALREADY our people are uniting their efforts to raise the $150,000 fund. It has often been stated that $50,000 of this fund was to be used in the construction of a sanitarium building at Takoma Park, D. C. Some may question the advisability of erecting this sanitarium building at this time, when the calls for money are so numerous for pushing the work in other lands.
WASHINGTON SANITARIUM (IN PROCESS OF BUILDING), EAST FRONT AND SIDE VIEW
It may not be amiss to quote here a few extracts from the pen of Sister White, whose instructions are prized so highly by this people. These excerpts are brief, and taken from extended communications sent to different persons during the last few years, since the location of our General Conference at Washington, D. C.
From a careful reading of these instructions, it will be plainly observed why the leading brethren of the General Conference are making the effort to erect the sanitarium building at Washington, D. C. They did not see how they could be true to the spirit of prophecy if they longer remained inactive.
Here are a few of the statements referred to:—
Extracts from Testimonies Concerning a Sanitarium in Washington, D. C.
If there is any place in the world that should have the full rays of present truth, it is Washington, the city that is the very heart of the nation. . . . God has looked with displeasure on the neglect that has been shown to this city.
No Time to Be Lost
May God help us to develop plans so that our youth can become genuine medical missionaries. . . . We have before us the work of establishing a medical institution near Washington.
No time is to be lost. Call for the best talent, and make arrangements for conducting a nurses' training-school. All that can be done, should be done, to make a deep impression in favor of the truth for this time. Place at the head of this institution one who can be trusted. Obtain facilities for giving treatment, and secure God-fearing youth as your helpers.—Letter of Instruction, dated Aug. 27, 1903.
Time Already Lost
If there is one place above another where a sanitarium should be established, and where gospel work should be done, it is Washington. We can not estimate how great an influence would have gone forth from Washington in favor of the truth, had a sanitarium been established there twenty years ago. Above all places, this place should be worked. Satan is working there with all his might.
I present this to you as a matter that is stirring me mightily. One thing is certain: we shall not be clear unless we at once do something in Washington to represent our work. I shall not be able to rest until I see the truth going forth as a lamp that burneth.
Our people far and near need to ask themselves how the Lord regards their neglect of important centers in America. There are many places in this country in which the truth has never been proclaimed. Many years ago there should have been a sanitarium in Washington, D. C. But men have chosen their way in many things, and the places to which the truth should have found entrance by the establishment of medical missionary work, have been neglected. . . .
Again and again, the Lord has presented Washington to me as a place that has been strangely neglected. In looking through my diaries I have found some things that I wrote more than twelve years ago in regard to the work in Washington, and the necessity of establishing there some memorial for God.
The Work Begun
I thank the Lord that the work is begun in Washington. I am glad that the publishing work has been moved from Battle Creek to Washington, and that plans are being laid for the establishment of a sanitarium in Washington. We see the alpha, and we know that Christ is also the omega.—Extract from Testimony, written Dec. 2, 1903.
My brethren and sisters, take hold without delay to supply the means needed for the completion of the work at Washington. If you will open your hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, this work can soon be accomplished. Let your piety and liberality be shown just now in the accomplishment of the work that must be done in Washington, and in sending forth missionaries to all parts of the world. Put your hearts into the effort, that soon the word may go forth that the needed means has been supplied, and that the work may go forward with joyful dispatch.—Extract from Testimony, written March 30, 1905.
At Once
SANITARIUM, CAL., Jan. 26, 1906.
Months ago I sent the light that I had received in regard to the Sanitarium,—that its erection should be begun at once. . . .
The best thing to be done now, as far as I can see, is to begin at once to put up the building. Erect a moderate-sized building, using the money you have. There are necessities to be met in the South. Keep in operation the raising of means for the Washington Sanitarium without making a public call through the papers. I do not think that fifty thousand dollars would be any too much to expend on the Sanitarium, to put up and equip the building that will be needed. I am disappointed that there is so little means left for the Sanitarium, but there should be no further delay. A beginning on the institution should certainly be made at once. Use the money that you have and go as far as you can. . . .
That which I have said over and over again regarding the necessity of erecting the sanitarium building has seemed to have little influence. I trust that this will have more influence, and that work on the institution will soon be begun.—Ellen G. White.
The accompanying cut will give an idea of how the building will look when finished. This photograph of the building was taken about four weeks ago, when it was not so near completion as it is at the present time. Most of the windows are now in, and nearly all the outside work is finished. We are already plastering the third and fourth stories.
The main building is forty-four by one hundred and twelve feet, with an annex on the rear, forty-four by fifty-two feet six inches. The whole building is three stories high besides the attic. Underneath is a ten-foot basement.
Up to date we have spent about forty-five thousand dollars in the construction of this building, which will include the heating apparatus. Its estimated cost is fifty-five thousand dollars.
The Iowa Circle Sanitarium
The readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD will be glad to know that the little sanitarium known as the Iowa Circle Sanitarium is enjoying a good patronage this winter. I. H. EVANS.
