Our Nashville Sanitarium
By George I. Butler
AMONG the different institutions created by the Southern Union Conference, or in process of development by it, this young sanitarium promises to be conspicuous. Its present dimensions are not great nor striking. Its early history has been one of plodding, sacrifice, and continual struggle against many difficulties. But from the first, there have been advancement, growth, and substantial development; and really this is the best kind of progress. Jonah's gourd came up in a night. Its existence was not much longer. In vegetable growth of great rapidity there is usually weakness of fiber and liability of rapid decay and little longevity. We do not look to the soft, rapid-growing woods for valuable timber. The sturdy oak and hickory are the woods which are most useful for wear. It takes them a period of years to develop into trees of any size; but they are firmly set in the ground, even when small. The same law of growth holds good in institutions and in character. When Brother L. A. Hansen and his wife began the health and temperance work in Nashville, Tenn., some seven or eight years ago, before our people had thought of establishing our printing plant or other institutions here, the prospects looked discouraging indeed. They had very little means to begin with. Nashville was the capital of Tennessee, one of the oldest cities in the South. Its people were known to be very conservative, having little faith in new things. Hundreds of persons were in this city studying medical science, and many were graduated from its medical schools. For our brother to come here, a despised Seventh-day Adventist, with a new method of treating the sick, bringing in innovations upon long-established customs, did not please the doctors and their friends. But these faithful workers continued20to labor under suspicion, slowly gaining the confidence of the people. There were many remarkable cures and various experiences, and the work never ceased. At first, a comparatively small house was rented in which to give baths and other treatments. When this was outgrown, a larger and more costly one was rented, then another had to be added, and now the work seems to demand a third, to accommodate the patronage. Many of the best citizens are now friends of the enterprise. For nearly a year Dr. O. M. Hayward and his wife have been connected with this sanitarium. Thirteen patients are rooming in the institution at the present time; and many more would be if there were suitable accommodations for their comfort. Many remarkable cases have been brought under Dr. Hayward's care and treatment. He is rapidly gaining the confidence of a larger constituency. A faithful corps of nurses is assisting in the work. Any experienced person can see at a glance how unfavorable are their circumstances for a proper sanitarium. Situated in private dwellings, apart from each other, things are most unhandy, and they labor under great disadvantages. But they are doing the best they can, and are winning a measure of success. When Mrs. E. G. White was with us a few months ago, she visited both buildings, and carefully looked over the situation. She said, emphatically, that our people must establish, in or near Nashville, a sanitarium suitable for such an important locality. Nashville is an educational center for the South. A large number of important schools, colleges, and several universities, medical and literary, are established here. It is an influential center for the Southern field. It has been chosen as a central point for our denominational work in the South. Our Southern Publishing Association is located here, also a small colored sanitarium. According to the oft-repeated instruction of the spirit of prophecy, an important branch of the great medical missionary work for the whites must be established here without fail. Last January, in our important anniversary meeting of the Southern Union Conference, deliberate action was taken in regard to the Nashville Sanitarium. The work had been begun by Brother L. A. Hansen, and up to that point he was rightful owner and proprietor of the whole thing. The conference, at his earnest request, purchased his plant, so it is now a Southern Union Conference enterprise. Dr. O. M. Hayward is the recognized physician, and is highly esteemed as such. Brother L. A. Hansen is our business agent and general manager. His long, faithful, and successful experience in Nashville has given him the confidence of a large number of its best citizens. The work in Nashville has come to stay. The only question now is, How and when shall a proper building be provided or erected for the use of this branch of the work? Everything is encouraging for a large growth and a great field of usefulness if the work already established can be properly supplied with facilities, and a proper building be furnished. Instances have already occurred in which persons of means and position in society who greatly needed treatment, have visited the institution, but not finding the comforts and accommodations they have at home, went elsewhere. Knowing, as we do, the important influences a good sanitarium exerts in any community in which it is located, we can but grieve that such a one has not been established in Nashville. Our people in the South, in view of their lack of means, fewness in number, and many other calls upon their resources, can not provide and equip such an institution as this important center in Nashville requires, unaided. This seems impossible unless they should largely neglect many other important interests of the cause which demand their constant care. We have multitudes of friends all through the North who are deeply interested in our Southern field. Our only hope in this first important crisis is to appeal to them to help us. We deeply feel that this enterprise must be carried forward to completion. It is not like starting a work in some new place, and creating an interest where none exists; far from it. Through the faithful, sacrificing, unselfish, persistent labors of Brother L. A. Hansen and his helpers, a splendid foundation has been laid. The interest has already been created. Shall it be nourished, cherished, and built up? or shall it be left to struggle on and die out? We doubt if any other of our sanitarium interests in the whole South has created and developed as large an interest among the people, and has as hopeful a prospect of patronage as this work in Nashville. Yet some have far better facilities than has this institution. None need present assistance so much as our Nashville work. The time is fully reached when advanced steps must be taken to provide suitable quarters for the sanitarium work in Nashville. The Lord has said this emphatically. Extracts from Sister White's writings on this particular point will be printed in connection with this appeal to our brethren for help in this much needed enterprise. All communications regarding this work should be addressed to the Nashville Sanitarium, Church and Vine Sts., Nashville, Tenn. President Southern Union Conf.