Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. HANSEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 27, 1910

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. HANSEN

Columbia Union Conference

WHILE this is one of the youngest union conferences, it is carrying a large sanitarium financial obligation, which it received by inheritance. Several years ago, in territory that now belongs to this union, an unfortunate location was chosen for an important sanitarium enterprise, which, in spite of all that could be done to make it succeed, was finally discontinued. The Columbia Union Conference assumed a heavy burden, becoming responsible for a share of the indebtedness that remained, as well as in dealing with perplexities connected with the work in its trying experiences.

The situation here has been rather discouraging in some respects; and the union, and the conferences composing it, have shown a commendable spirit in the way in which they have assumed heavy burdens which they did not create. An unusual degree of interest and activity has been shown in advancing the relief campaign. Early in the year a series of institutes was held in all the conferences, at which the laborers were present, and devoted time and careful study to plans for carrying on the campaign. This was followed by more or less work in the churches. Good results have been seen, and a number of churches have given pledges for their entire quota of books and journals, while some have nearly sold theirs as well. Returns in cash are coming in, and a healthy interest in missionary work is being awakened.

At the Camp-Meetings

The president of the union has taken an active part in advancing the campaign at the camp-meetings, having made it one of the leading questions at each meeting. The general situation of the sanitarium work was presented, telling of its growth and development, what is being accomplished by it, how its indebtedness has come about, its present need, and how this need may be met. A statement of the local situation was submitted, and an appeal made to all to respond to the call for help.

When the campaign work was presented, the books were piled up on the rostrum. Then it was proposed that while the interest was up, and the printed canvass was perhaps learned, it would not require much more effort to sell the books for the entire time than to sell them for only one year. This suggestion usually met an enthusiastic acceptance. The response of the people was good as they came forward and secured their books, a number of them taking more than the allotted six, some even taking as many as twenty.

The hearty co-operation of the presidents of the conferences and of the other workers helped very materially to forward the work. Some of these took twenty-five or thirty books. Besides the books that were placed directly, many were ordered to be shipped, some members ordering the whole quota of books for their churches. The work is to be followed up in the different churches throughout the conferences.

At the West Virginia meeting there were only about sixty persons present, but this little handful of believers gave $108 to foreign missions, besides raising almost its entire quota of the $300,000 Fund. At some of the other meetings about half of the share of this large fund was raised. The relief campaign not only will not interfere with other missionary enterprises, but it will help to create a missionary spirit of giving and working for others,—a spirit that is good for both people and conferences.

In the West Pennsylvania Conference, the campaign is farther along than in any other from which we have received reports. The progress of the campaign in this conference indicates that a worker who carries other duties can also devote some time and attention to the relief work. Other interests may be looked after in connection with it. Especially is this so in the smaller conferences. Evidently Brother I. G. Bigelow has considered the campaign work as a part of his duty, and the work done shows exceptional results. Soon this conference will have finished its part in this campaign, and can devote its attention and energies to other things. It will be better off for what has been done in this work, and the members who have taken it up so earnestly can be counted on to respond to other calls.

L. A. HANSEN.